Preview/Prediction

Over the last few years, the Tampa Bay Rays have converted from an also-ran into a contender. Last year at this time, they were the defending American League champions. In my 2009 preview article, I posed a question: will they be able to win now that it is expected from them?

The answer was mixed: yes, they won…but just not enough.

The Orioles struggled through their twelfth consecutive losing season in 2009, finishing with a 64-98 record which, surprisingly, was four games worse than their record in 2008 (I say “surprisingly” as I had expected some minimal improvement from the O’s last season).

The upcoming season looks to be considerably better, as I expect the Orioles' rebuilding process will finally start bearing fruit after more than a decade. Just how much the club’s record improves will be directly dependent on how the starting rotation performs.

The Blue Jays finished the 2009 season with a surprisingly-decent 75-87 record, but it is really hard to imagine they can come close to repeating that performance this year.

Toronto GM Alex Anthopoulos traded long-time ace, Roy Halladay (17-10, 2.79), this winter as part of a three-team trade.  He then flipped one of the prospects received in the Halladay trade (OF Michael Taylor) for another prospect (3B Brett Wallace). Those deals came on the heals of a pair of deals that shipped 3B Scott Rolen and OF Alex Rios out of town last summer.

Warning: You're about to get roughly 1,000 words detailing another person's fantasy draft. If that sort of thing doesn't appeal to you, then I completely understand. Live Drafts are usually incredibly boring, especially after the first five rounds, which is why I have chosen to go another direction in this column.

Once the ink on Matt Holliday's contract began to dry, it became safe to assume the St. Louis Cardinals would be clear favorites to win their fifth National League Central title in the last seven years.

From MVP Albert Pujols to Cy Young candidates Cris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright to the managerial savvy of Tony LaRussa, the Cardinals are primed to exceed last year's 91-71 mark.

 Opening day is almost here and with that comes pre-season predictions.  The Yankees are clearly the favorite to win it all after winning last year and they have only gotten better with the acquisitions of Curtis Granderson and Javier Vasquez.

The Yankees' biggest question marks appear to be the oft-injured Nick Johnson, the ageless Andy Pettitte, the inconsistent A.J. Burnett and if Brett Gardner can hold down being the everyday left-fielder. If everything goes right, the Yankees should repeat as World Series Champs, but who in the NL will oppose them?

Last October and November was a time that all Yankee fans will never forget.

The Yankees blew through the post season to their 27th world championship, and their first championship since 2000. 

Just about everything seemed to go right for the Yankees last season.  C.C. Sabathia lived up to the contract that he signed and A.J. Burnett stayed healthy and showed flashes of a dominant pitcher.  Mark Teixiera was an MVP candidate in his first season in pinstripes, not just clubbing home runs, but by spectacular defensive play as well.

The MLB regular season gets started tomorrow night with the Boston Red Sox hosting the New York Yankees. You have seen them all over the web, but the expert panel of Double G Sports is giving you their predictions for the 2010 season.

To see all the predictions from division standings to MVP's and CY Young's, visit Double G Sports .

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Last year the Yankees (ugh) took home the ring. The year before, the Rays lost to the Phillies in the World Series. And three years ago, the Red Sox won. Needless to say, the AL East is looking to have a repeat appearance this year. But who?

The Red Sox made some moves to shore up defense, the Yankees lost a few bats, and the Rays and Orioles reloaded with young prospects and solid trades.

So who is going to win? 

If the Yankees could get consistent starts from their three-four-five guys, they could win the division.

Is that likely? No.

Here is a quick look at my picks last year .

American League East

New York Yankees (99-63)

As much as I don't want to put them here, they simply have few faults.