A year after everything went wrong the Mets will play up to their potential taking the NL East. While the Braves will regret letting Tom Glavine and Kevin Milwood go as Mike Hampton and Paul Byrd struggle. The Phillies will struggle against high expectations, as Jim Thome’s adjustment to the NL is slow. The Marlins will be fast and entertaining but they don’t have enough to contend. While 103 road games will catch up to the Expos who could contend if they had a permanent home.

The Astros and Cardinals will battle all season for the top spot with both teams being strong World Series contender and making the playoffs. Look for the Astros to go far with Jeff Kent bring his MVP experience. The Cubs will be stronger but are a year a way from any real contention. Ken Griffey Jr. will return to his All-Star level but the Reds don’t have any pitching to go far. The Pirates will continue to drift aimlessly. While the Brewers will need a miracle just to avoid the embarassment of 110 losses.

The dynamic duo of Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling will continue to drive the Diamondbacks. The Giants will fall off enough to miss the playoffs, without Jeff Kent. The Dodgers will need career years from most their team to make any type of run. While the Rockies will have a competitive team that can start putting together the formula for winning. However, the Padres don’t have a prayer without Trevor Hoffman and Phil Nevin. Even if both were healthy the Padres still will finish last.

A word of advice for anyone playing the Yankees this year; Duck. Unless they self-destruct they will be unstoppable this year, as they will make a deal to fix any holes they have. The Red Sox will continue to play second fiddle. While the Blue Jays will surprise allot of people with a young exciting team. The Orioles have a long way to go, as they did nothing to improve. While Lou Piniella will be in misery all season long with the Devil Rays.

The addition of Bartolo Colon should put the White Sox over the top in this sorry division, as the Twins will fall off with injury problems affecting their pitching staff already. The Indians will be playing turn back the clock this year as they relive the days when the only time they won was in the movies. The Royals have nothing to cheer for again while Tigers fans that their coaching staff of Alan Trammell and Kirk Gibson were still playing.

The Angels and A’s will still be strong as both make the playoffs with the Angels finish first this time. However, there will be no repeat of last years miracle World Series run. The Rangers will finally bounce back and make some noise with new Manager Buck Showalter. While the Mariners will miss Manager Lou Piniella more then they thought as they fall into last place below .500.