Preview/Prediction

I was asked to appear on a national overnight sports radio program last night, and was asked to dissect the NL Central division.

Of course, on paper, the Cubs are the obvious favorites. But we all know that titles aren't won on paper. Yet if you look at what the other teams in the division have done this offseason, you certainly have to like the Cubbies chances to three-peat this year.

Now, I recently wrote an NL Central preview for this site, so I won't go into detail. But in reviewing the challengers to the Cubs throne, two candidates emerge above the others.

With the opening pitch of the 2009 season just hours away, why not drop in my two cents on what will happen, who will happen, and who won't.  So, one man makes his picks on the 2009 season.

AL MVP

1.      Kevin Youkilis, 1b, Boston: Youk went from an on-base machine to a power hitter (29 HRs) who still gets on base close to .400.

He will bat fourth in this powerful lineup and have protection in front and behind. A career year awaits.

2.      Miguel Cabrera 1b, Detroit

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Posing the question about the greatest sports month of the year is right up my alley. It's such an easy question to answer for me, so I'm going to make you sweat it out a bit before I tell you.

The Pro Football season starts in September, but I live in Chicago and I'm a Bear fan, so why would that be my favorite month? Watching an offense for most of my life that would make paint drying seem exciting doesn't get my blood boiling for the start of Fall.

I just saw Adventureland last night. Fantastic movie. It’s going to remind you a lot of Superbad, with Jesse Eisenberg playing the Michael Cera character to a tee. The only problem is that it came out the same weekend as Fast and Furious.

Case in point: I went to a midnight showing of F & F, and the theater was packed. I mean, seriously, I was in the second row, and my friends and I walked in 25 minutes early. And it was in the big theater.

As the season is about to begin, I take a look at the Pre Season Power Rankings.

1. Chicago Cubs

The offense has been very consistent over the past few years, and their pitching just looks great.  Granted, Rich Harden needs to stay healthy, Carlos Zambrano needs to maintain his temper, and the same for Milton Bradley.

The 2009 National League's Western Division shapes up to be one of the tougher divisions in baseball.

Last year, the division was sub-par at best. Only the Los Angeles Dodgers, who won the division with a 84-78 record, and the Arizona Diamondbacks, with a 82-80 record, as the only two teams that finished above .500.

This season could be a different story.

The Los Angeles Dodgers look to repeat as division champions with the acquisition of former Diamondback Orlando Hudson, Randy Wolf and the re-signings of Casey Blake and Manny Ramirez.

This article was written by Danny McCormick of WiscoSotaSports.com

Today, I attended FanFest located at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore. There, Orioles players - current and past - signed autographs for thousands of O's fans. Since the season is just two days away, I will give my preview of the O's season.

Additions: LHP Mark Hendrickson, RHP Koji Uehara, C Gregg Zaun, SS Robert Andino, SS Cesar Izturis, 3B/1B Ty Wigginton, OF Ryan Freel, OF Felix Pie.

The 2009 Oakland Athletics have created the opportunity to compete in the American League West, especially with the veteran hitters brought in during the offseason. These players are going to determine how the A's season will be.

Last season, the main problem for the A's was their offense. Part of the reason was injuries to key players like Ryan Sweeney, Eric Chavez, and Mark Ellis.

With those injuries it forced in players that were not necessarily ready to be in the major leagues players like Eric Patterson, Cliff Pennington, Wes Bankston, and Brooks Conrad.