(You will see that Amanda doesn’t believe in the traditional listing of divisions)

NL CENTRAL

1. Milwaukee Brewers
2. Chicago Cubs
3. Cincinnati Reds
4. Houston Astros
5. St.Louis Cardinals
6. Pittsburg Pirates

AL WEST
1. Seattle Mariners
2. Los Angeles Angels
3. Oakland A’s
4. Texas Rangers

NL EAST
1. Philadelphia Phillies
2. New York Mets
3. Atlanta Braves
4. Washington Nationals
5. Florida Marlins

AL CENTRAL
1. Cleveland Indians
2. Detroit Tigers
3. Kansas City Royals
4. Chicago White Sox
5. Minnesota Twins

AL EAST
1. Boston Red Sox
2. New York Yankees
3. Tampa Bay Rays
4. Toronto Blue Jays
5. Baltimore Orioles

NL WEST
1. Arizona Diamondbacks
2. Colorado Rockies
3. San Diego Padres
4. Los Angeles Dodgers
5. San Francisco Giants

Playoffs

American League

Cleveland over Seattle
Detroit over Boston

Cleveland over Detroit

National League

Arizona over Philadelphia
Colorado over Milwaukee

Arizona over Colorado

WORLD SERIES

Arizona over Cleveland

AL East
(aka Home To #1 and #4 Highest Payrolls In Baseball)

1. Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox have won the division every year I’ve lived New York City,
so it’s a foregone conclusion. Even without the presence of The Stud
Who Hits Bombs, the Red Sox will manage to win close to 100, if not
100 games this year. Manny’s reading The Secret, Youks isn’t making
errors, and (hopefully) no one will talk about cancer this year – the
perfect combination. Also, let’s not forget that Curt is going to come
back after the All Star Break and dominate so he can legitimize his $8
million.

2. New York Yankees
The Yankees have won the wildcard every year that I have lived in NYC.
I hope Joba gets attacked by bugs every game. Let’s face it, I hate
the Yankees.

3. Toronto Blue Jays
It’s just where they belong in life.

4. Tampa Bay Rays
I don’t like that they dropped the “Devil.” I feel bad for Kazmir and
think he should play for a better team.

5. Baltimore Orioles
Kevin Millar is still riding high on the 2004 World Series and
seriously sweating the balls of the Red Sox. The only reason I’ll pay
attention to the Orioles is for his color commentary – and hopefully a
guest spot rooting on the Red Sox during the World Series even though
he’s on a different team in the same division.

AL Central

1. Minnesota Twins
Joe Mauer will win the division on looks alone.

2. Detroit Tigers
I guess they’re supposed to be good, but I don’t pay any teams in the
“Central” divisions because I like to have the comfort that one of the
borders of the state I am living in is an ocean.

3. Chicago White Sox
OC!

4. Kansas City Royals
They’re not a really good team.

5. Cleveland Indians
They will have the worst record in baseball. That’s what teams that
don’t resign Trot Nixon deserve.

AL West
1. LAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
I hate that they changed their name.

2. Seattle Mariners
I always think the Mariners are going to be good, but they’re usually
not very good.

3. Texas Rangers
I’m not a fan of Texas. Actually, Austin is nice.

4. Oakland A’s
I don’t like Moneyball.

NL East
(aka The Second of Two Divisions I Actually Pay Attention To)

1. New York Mets
With their acquisition, if they do not win, it will be a
disappointment. I’m going to miss the Real Jose Reyes. I hope he comes
back mid-season.

2. Philadelphia Phillies
I don’t like Philly much.

3. Atlanta Braves
I don’t like the fact that all of their games are nationally televised.

4. Washington Nationals
Lastings Milledge.

5. Florida Marlins
They just really suck.

NL Central
(aka Why Are There So Many Teams In This Division?)

1. Cincinnati Reds
Bronson Arroyo will win a Cy Young.

2. Chicago Cubs
I want to go to Wrigley Field someday.

3. Milwaukee Brewers
I like beer.

4. Houston Astros
This division is not very good.

5. St. Louis Cardinals
Eh.

6. Pittsburgh Pirates
I wonder if Justin Sane likes baseball.

NL West

1. LAD
I want to see the Derek Lowe Face in the playoffs again.

2. Colorado Rockies
I like Troy Tulowitzki.

3. Arizona Diamondbacks
Phoenix is a hot, hot, hot deserted fucking miserable place.

4. San Diego Padres
Maybe Josh Bard will be brought back to Boston escorted by state troopers.

5. San Francisco Giants
San Francisco’s calling us the Giants and Mets will play…

Playoffs:

AL

Boston over New York

NL

New York over Chicago

World Series

Boston over New York

I don’t even want to devote any time to Chris Henry. He doesn’t deserve the time of the unemployed, a group he is now a member of, as the Cincinnati Bengals have discarded their biggest tumor in a locker room full of cancers. Henry, in his most recent run in with the law, presuming he hasn’t been arrested since I clicked “New Post” thirty seconds ago, confronted an 18 year old and smashed the window to the teenagers car with a bottle. It’s a shame that talent is wasted on people like Chris Henry.

We’re nearing Friday morning and I have only one MLB Season Preview in my INBOX. This can be as simple as picking the World Series game or as thorough as the one email I’ve received, which you will see tomorrow. I’m just trying to make Mid-Atlantic Bias more interactive, without watering it down with ESPN-like polls that ask you, “Which picture do you like the most?”

The Kansas City Royals are an inning away from being 3-0. I really hope that this isn’t just one of those first week of the season stories that we forget about by mid-April.

From the ask and you shall receive department, Matthew requested my breakdown of the final 4 days of the NHL season. Here it is:

Eastern Conference:
As it stands, only 3 teams have clinched a playoff spot in the East (Penguins, Canadiens, and Devils) however, lets just go ahead and put the Rangers in the playoffs. That leaves us with the 3 seed, currently Carolina and the 6, 7, and 8 seeds. Currently, the Senators, Bruins, and Flyers occupy those spots, with the hottest team in the NHL, the Washington Capitals, in 9th, one point back of the Flyers, two points back of the Sens and B’s. The Sabres also find themselves only 3 points out, but for lack of a better argument, they’re done, as they have 2 fewer wins than Boston and Ottawa (wins are the first tiebreaker as it pertains to playoff seeding). There are two races here: The race for the Southeast Division between Washington and Carolina became very interesting on Tuesday night when the Caps beat the Canes at the Verizon Center. They find themselves two points behind Carolina. The Hurricanes have one game remaining (home on Friday against the Panthers). The Capitals have two (home tonight to Tampa Bay and home Saturday against the Panthers). The Capitals need Carolina to lose to Florida on Friday and win both of their games to win the Southeast. In any other sport, that would be completely feasible. Not, however, in the NHL, where the Hurricanes will play the most defensive hockey possible against Florida, to get into overtime, get their point and move on. CAROLINA WINS THE SOUTHEAST.

In terms of the race for the final spot, I do believe that Washington will win both of their remaining games. The Flyers will not win either game, against New Jersey and Pittsburgh. WASHINGTON WINS THE FINAL PLAYOFF SPOT. (The Bruins will continue to play no offense and sneak in to the playoffs as the 7 seed.

Your Final Eastern Conference Standings:

1. Pittsburgh Penguins
2. Montreal Canadiens
3. Carolina Hurricanes
4. New Jersey Devils
5. Ottawa Senators
6. New York Rangers
7. Boston Bruins
8. Washington Capitals

WESTERN CONFERENCE:
The Western Conference race sees Chicago chasing Vancouver and Nashville ahead of them with a crucial game between the Predators and Blackhawks on Friday night in Chi-Town. The Blackhawks are one of the best stories in the NHL this year, contending for the playoffs a few seasons before they should be. I don’t see the Hawks, however, making the playoffs, as they’re 3 points behind Nashville. So the race for the 8th spot comes down to the Predators and Canucks. Nashville’s other game is against the St. Louis Doormats. Vancouver gets the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers in their final two games. The teams are separated by one point currently. Vancouver has the better team, frankly, and a far better goalie in Roberto Luongo. I’ll take Vancouver to win their remaining two games and the Preds to lose one of theirs. VANCOUVER WINS THE FINAL PLAYOFF SPOT

Your Final Western Conference Standings:

1. Detroit Red Wings
2. San Jose Sharks
3. Minnesota Wild
4. Anaheim Ducks
5. Colorado Avalanche
6. Dallas Stars
7. Calgary Flames
8. Vancouver Canucks

Game O’ The Day: Watch Baseball

Remember, Send Your 2008 MLB Season Previews by Noon Tomorrow to See Them Published on the Internet. Wooooo.

The Kansas City Royals are on the verge of taking two consecutive games from the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. I’m not panicking yet. I am, however, happy that the Royals are doing well. I like young teams. I also love Joey Gathright. Matt, you can proceed to pick up the pieces of your brain that just exploded from your cranium at my last statement.

Also, in regards to Senor Minton, you can read his response to my Jack Cust diatribe yesterday. I have only one comment in regards to his comment (go read his now before you read my response…go ahead….do it….ready?):

STATING THAT THE REASON WHY JACK CUST’S PRODUCTION NUMBERS WERE NOT AS GOOD AS POLANCO’S (SPEAKING ONLY ABOUT RUNS SCORED) WAS BECAUSE OF HIS PLACEMENT IN A BAD LINEUP MAKES ME LAUGH. THE ATHLETICS LINEUP IS CONSTRUCTED USING THE PRINCIPLES OF SABERMETRICS! SO THEIR SABERMETRIC-CENTRIC PLAYERS ARE BAD, WHICH MEANS THEIR SABERMETRIC-CENTRIC OVERBLOWN BLOWHARD GENERAL MANAGER IS BAD. I HOPE BILL JAMES GETS HIT IN THE HEAD WITH A SNOW SHOVEL!

(Please do not read this as a criticism of Matthew M. Minton. I love Matthew dearly. I just don’t love Matthew’s baseball philosophies, because I find them to be wrong. He feels the same about my baseball philosophies).

I mentioned earlier in the week that I would have my own personal awards for the NCAA tournament. Here they are:

-Most Outstanding Player East Region: Danny Green (North Carolina). As much as I hate him, he’s such an X Factor
-Most Outstanding Player Midwest Region: Stephen Curry (Davidson). Quite simply, the greatest four round performance by a single player on a team that is really bad without him. Davidson isn’t a CBI team without Stephen Curry. I love him and can’t wait for next season when he continues to get the press he deserves.
-The “I Told You So Award (Version 1): For that time over a month ago when I said in a Game O’ The Day piece “…you will be hearing about him (Curry) a lot come March.
-Most Outstanding Player South Region: Derrick Rose (Memphis). If he isn’t the first pick in the NBA draft, the team with the first pick should be demoted to the NBDL in favor of some team from Austin, Texas. Remember folks, Michael Beasley < Derrick Rose.
-Most Outstanding Player West Region: Kevin Love (UCLA). He finishes second to Psycho T for Player of the Year. Remember folk, Michael Beasley < Kevin Love.
-The “I Told You So” Award (Version 2): For that time many months ago when I picked 3 of the Final Four teams correctly.
-The “I’m a Jackass Who Knows Nothing” Award: Jason Botelho (Mid-Atlantic Bias) for putting USC into my Final Four before Round 1, right next to Duke.
-The “I Won’t Be Here For Long” Award (Coach Edition): Darrin Horn (Western Kentucky). He may be a Western Kentucky alum, but success breeds money. And The University of South Carolina has more of that than Western Kentucky.
-The “I’m Going to Parlay My Success Into a Really Bad NBA Career” Award: DJ Augustin (Texas). He’ll go pro. Get drafted in the top 15. Not pan out. Play in Europe in 5 years.
-The “I’m Going to Parlay My Non-Success Into No NBA Career” Award: Chris Lofton (Tennessee). He struggled against Louisville. He struggled against Butler. He even struggled against American. As a general rule, if you can’t hit 3’s against guys who live in the same building as me, you’re not going to succeed in the NBA.
-The Greatest Commercial Ever Award: Nike’s spots featuring assorted athletes and children commenting on their quick and their fast. If the Big 10 can have it’s own network, these commercials should be able to as well.
-The “I Won’t Be Here For Long” Award (Player Edition): Joe Alexander (West Virginia). Don’t do it, Joe. If you do, you’ll take DJ Augustin’s award away from him (and he’ll need awards, because he’ll never win one in the pros).
-The “We Didn’t Really Feel Like Showing Up” Award: UConn. Really? You couldn’t be The San Diego Terreros? Hasheem Thabeet…we hardly knew ye’.

Tomorrow, I will ramble some more about sports.

Game O’ The Day: Watch Baseball

Going to be a short post today. It’s close to 80 degrees outside and I need to play some basketball. I tried the other day and tore the skin off my elbow, when I slammed into a storage shed following a reverse layup (that did go in) which has led to some sort of infection that won’t go away despite the constant cleaning of said wound. But today will be different.

The title today alludes to Chicago Bulls guard Ben Gordon who will be trying out for the British National Team despite the fact that he’s not actually British. He was born there, but shortly after, his family moved to the United States.

Apologies for the lateness of today’s post as well. I spent the afternoon making homemade banana bread and washing the bathroom floor/tub/toilet. Tonight we’re eating banana bread in the bathroom apparently.

I got a lot of backlash yesterday because I picked Jacoby Ellsbury (or Jacoby Overratedsbury or Tacoby Bellsbury (kudos to Harry for the best mock name) to win the American League Rookie of the Year. Here’s why I picked Ellsbury:

HE’S GOOD!

The last time that a rookie played an important role in a team winning a World Series was 18 year old Miguel Cabrera with the Marlins in 2003. The year before that, it was K-Rod with the Angels. In fact, in 2005, the Chicago White Sox would not have won a World Series without their semi-rookie closer Bobby Jenks. The next year, the same could have been said about the Cardinals’ Adam Wainwright. Ellsbury hit near .400 in the postseason last year and Red Sox Nation loved him for it. However, the slue of GQ-like articles about him, glamorizing his good looks, has soured a lot of people on Ellsbury who seem to forget that they loved him in October and November last year. His defense is not as good as Cavelli Crisp’s. I’ll agree. However, when was the last time that a Rookie of the Year got the award for his stellar Centerfield defense? Thank You. Ellsbury is going to hit .300 this year and steal 25 bases on a playoff team and World Series competitor. No other team will start the year with a rookie who will play as important of a role, with the potential to be good.

I think Adam Jones will be serviceable on a terrible Orioles team this year, but he’s not eligible for the award as he’s passed his rookie status having played off-and-on with Seattle over the last two seasons. Asdrubal Cabrera will be very good with Cleveland. However, he’s also not eligible.

My decision came down to Alexi Ramirez of the White Sox and Evan Longoria of the Rays. I think the latter will be great; the former probably not as good as the Soriano comparisons, at least not this year. The difference is the Ellsbury will be playing on a contender. Ramirez and Longoria for the White Sox and Rays.

(Note the absence of Joba Chamberlin. Unless he is starting for the Yankees, I can’t see the ROY going to a set-up man. I also, frankly, have my concerns about him recovering from the midge situation in Cleveland in the playoffs. I’m serious. I like Joba a lot, but it’s a tough thing for a rookie to bounce back from such a critical fall from the pedestal).

I also received some criticism for my bashing of the Oakland Athletics in my blog and some instant message bashing of A’s slugger Jack Cust, the anti-Jason player. Cust has played one full year in the big leagues. Here are his numbers in that year (last season):

AT-BATS: 395
Avg.: .256
R: 61
H: 101
HR: 26
RBI: 82
SO: 164
BB: 105
OBP: .408
OPS: .912

The Home Run numbers are admittedly nice for a player making half a million (though Prince Fielder making similar money did hit 50 HR last year).

The most glaring number to me, more glaring than his striking out, is the abysmal 61 runs he scored. If you subtract his 26 HR from that number, you get 31. So for all the times he was on base last year, he was brought home only 31 times by another hitter. Why? Because walks will only get you to first base. That’s it. Making contact on the ball puts you into scoring position more often than walking does. So while the homers are nice, striking out 42% of the time probably isn’t. For comparison, here are the numbers for anti-Matt player Placido Polanco last year:

AT-BATS: 587
Avg.: .341
H: 200
R: 105
HR: 9
RBI: 67
SO: 30
BB: 37
OBP: .388
OPS: .846

Who would you take on your team?

Look, I understand that I don’t support the “Moneyball” philosophy of baseball that states that On-Base Percentage is crucial to success, so my argument is obviously biased. However, common sense indicates that you win baseball games by scoring runs. Not by having a high OBP. Or an off-the-chart Value over Replacement Player (VORP). Or any of that stuff. Just runs. Get a hit to get on base and make things happen that way. It might not write books, but it will always make sense.

Game O’ The Day: Watch Baseball.

I’m really excited about seeing everyone’s predictions for the year. You certainly don’t have to give an analysis of all 30 teams (you can if you’d like to), but I want all of my readers, when you have a moment tonight, tomorrow, or thursday, to email me your picks in whatever fashion you’d like to, and on Friday, I will post everyone’s picks. Just email your picks to me at: jason.botelho@gmail.com by Friday morning.

I may have forgotten how to blog. I’ve been away for about 10 days now and have therefore missed a good deal. I hit on 3/4 of my pre-conference season final four prediction. That makes me feel better for having an absolutely heinous bracket that included USC going to the final four and Davidson losing in Round 1. As this week progresses, I will give out my own personal awards for the tourney, which has been very good thus far. Today though is reserved for my MLB Season Preview, which I have been quietly excited for for quite some time.

In regards to my Round 2 Mock Draft, I promise, it will happen before the draft does. It just likely won’t happen this week.

MLB EXTRA INNINGS Free Preview on DIRECTV. How happy does that sentence make me? Answer: Very. Currently Watching: Diamondbacks @ Reds.

For now: ONTO THE 2008 SEASON.

We’re going to break it down by division, into specific categories. Those Categories Are:

-Player Integral To Their Success
-Biggest Question Mark
-Ceiling ( Potential World Series Champion (PWSC), Potential Pennant Winner (PPW), Shot at the playoffs (SATP), Improving (I), Not Much To Be Excited About (NM), and Doormat (D)
-Overall Breakdown of team.

(Teams will be listed in order of the place I see them finishing in their division).

AL EAST
1. Boston Red Sox
-Player Integral To Their Success: Josh Beckett
-Biggest Question Mark: Daisuke Matsuzaka
-Ceiling: PWSC
Breakdown: The Red Sox lineup is solid and I think their bullpen is as well. The addition of David Aardsma will really help this team. If Josh Beckett can come back by early May and be healthy for the rest of the season, they’ll have a real good shot at winning the World Series again. They need Daisuke to step up and be a number 1 quality starter. He’s being paid like one and needs to perform that way.

2. New York Yankees
-Player Integral To Their Success: Ian Kennedy
-Biggest Question Mark: Their Young Pitchers
-Ceiling: PWSC
Breakdown: Much like the Red Sox, I have no concerns about their lineup. They have practically zero holes offensively, to the point where they can have a guy get hurt or slump and still be productive. With Joba-God and Rivera at the back end of the bullpen, they’re solid. It really comes down to Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy’s ability to be big game pitchers in big game situations. You’re being slightly too hopeful if you think that both can be electric. I think Hughes will be. I have my questions about Kennedy.

3. Tampa Bay Rays
-Player Integral To Their Success: Scott Kazmir
-Biggest Question Mark: Bullpen. What else is new?
-Ceiling: I
Breakdown: I make no secret of the fact that I love this team and have for some time. James Shields has shown flashes of being a good starter in the Major Leagues and I like the addition of Matt Garza and subtraction of Delmon Young (and the subtraction of Elijah Dukes). Kazmir is integral to their finishing in 3rd in the division however. Like Beckett with the Sox, the Rays need him to come back healthy to be successful. The bullpen is not going to win them any games. It hopefully won’t lose them many. They’re on the rise and will not finish in 5th in the East.

4. Toronto Blue Jays
-Player Integral to Their Success: Roy Halladay
-Biggest Question Mark: Offense
-Ceiling: NM
Breakdown: They may have the best bullpen in the division. Their offense, however, beyond Alexis Rios and Vernon Wells does not leave me very impressed. If they can keep Roy Halladay healthy, they’ll contend with the Rays for 3rd in the division, but any dreams of making a playoff run are just that. Dreams.

5. Baltimore Orioles
-Player Integral to Their Success: Success?
-Biggest Question Mark: The Team
-Ceiling: D
Breakdown: This team is horrible and has no hope of finishing in 4th in this division.

AL CENTRAL
1. Detroit Tigers
-Player Integral to Their Success: Todd Jones
-Biggest Question Mark: Todd Jones
-Ceiling: PWSC
Breakdown: The best lineup assembled in my lifetime. Once Curtis Granderson comes back and they go Granderson, Polanco, Sheffield, Ordonez, Cabrera, Guillen, Renteria, Rodriguez, Jones in the order, no one will be able to stop them. Their rotation does not scare me, because they can afford to not be spot on all the time. The only concern I have is Todd Jones at the end of the bullpen closing out the occasional close game. Other than that, this is the best team in baseball. Hands down.

2. Cleveland Indians
-Player Integral to Their Success: Joe Borowski
-Biggest Question Mark: Joe Borowski
-Ceiling: PWSC
Breakdown: If not for the team above them, they would be the best team in baseball. They’re solid everywhere except for the back of the bullpen with Joe Borowski who is a blown save waiting to happen.

3. Chicago White Sox
-Player Integral to Their Success: Orlando Cabrera
-Biggest Question Mark: Their Starting Rotation 3-5
-Ceiling: SATP
Breakdown: I don’t have questions about Mark Buehrle and Javier Vazquez. I do have questions about John Danks, Jose Contreras, and Gavin Floyd. They only have a shot at the playoffs if they win the Wild Card and all three of those guys have +.500 records. I don’t really see that happening. OC is integral to their success because they need a culture change. If he can bring that and make the team fun again, like in 2005, they’ll have a shot.

4. Kansas City Royals
-Player Integral to Their Success: Gil Meche
-Biggest Question Mark: Alex Gordon
-Ceiling: I
Breakdown: Like the Rays, they’re not going to the playoffs this year, but they’ve started to do the things necessary to win and be productive. The bullpen is serviceable. The lineup is decent (so long as Alex Gordon can live up to his potential). The rotation is iffy. They need Gil Meche (a number 4 starter on the Indians and Tigers) to be an ace in their rotation if they want to approach .500 this year. Give them two years and they’ll be a PPW.

5. Minnesota Twins
-Player Integral to Their Success: Delmon Young
-Biggest Question Mark: A very thin rotation
-Ceiling: D
Breakdown: It’s amazing how much they’ve fallen, but they’re easily the worst team in this division. Livan Hernandez, who may be 45 years old, is their opening day starter and after that, you throw a dart at Kevin Slowey (the worst name for a pitcher ever), Scott Baker, and Boof Bonser (Second worst name for a pitcher/person ever). Their offense is not very good beyond Justin Morneau. They need Delmon Young to be a very productive hitter to even sniff 3rd in this division.

AL WEST
1. Seattle Mariners
-Player Integral to Their Success: King Felix
-Biggest Question Mark: Everyone after King Felix
-Ceiling: SATP
Breakdown: The lineup isn’t great. The rotation, beyond their two aces isn’t either. The bullpen, beyond JJ Putz might not be stellar. However, neither is this division.

2. Los Angeles Angels of California Angels of Anaheim California
-Player Integral to Their Success: Jered Weaver
-Biggest Question Mark: Pitching Health
-Ceiling: SATP
Breakdown: They’re not far from or ahead of Seattle, only because of the Lackey/Escobar injuries. They could be a a potential pennant winner if they had both of those guys at the head of the rotation. However, they’ll need Jered Weaver to step up and be an ace and Ervin Santana to figure out how to pitch well on the road to win the West. Their lineup and bullpen is better than Seattle’s however their starters are not.

3. Texas Rangers
-Player Integral To Their Success: They won’t have very much success
-Biggest Question Mark: Surprise! Pitching.
-Ceiling: NM
Breakdown: Their pitching is not very good.

4. Oakland A’s
-Player Integral to Their Success: They also won’t have very much success.
-Biggest Question Mark: Their increasingly buffoonish General Manger.
-Ceiling: D
Breakdown: Travis Buck, Daric Barton, Mike Sweeney, Jack Cust, Jack Hannahan, Mark Ellis, Bobby Crosby, Chris Denorfia, and Kurt Suzuki. That’s who they’ll trot out to hit in a League with the following pitchers: Erik Bedard, Felix Hernandez, Josh Beckett, Roy Halladay, Scott Kazmir, Justin Verlander, and John Lackey. Strikeouts galore. Oh, and their pitching is also not very good. But hey, they’ll have a high team OBP.

NL EAST
1. Philadelphia Phillies
-Player Integral to Their Success: Brett Myers
-Biggest Question Mark: Bullpen
-Ceiling: PPW
Breakdown: The lineup is nowhere near as good as the Tigers in the AL, but it’s by far the best in the National League. I don’t love their pitching rotation outside of Cole Hamels, who should be their number 1 starter. If Brett Myers can make his success equal his stuff, they’ll be a great team. Otherwise, they’ll fall back in have to compete with a number of potential pennant winning teams.

2. New York Mets
-Player Integral to Their Success: Jose Reyes
-Biggest Question Mark: Team Health
-Ceiling: PPW
Breakdown: Their rotation is much better than the Phillies. Their lineup, however, is not. If they can stay healthy, and that’s a big “if” they can win the pennant. As a slight side note, I would like to see Jose Reyes be Jose Reyes and not a watered down version of the catalyst that he is for the Mets. In case you’re not aware, Jose will not be teaching Spanish on the Shea Stadium video board, he will not be dancing, he will not be himself. This is all part of some idiot’s plan to make Jose Reyes a “serious ballplayer.” Jose Reyes is seriously good. Let him be himself.

3. Atlanta Braves
-Player Integral To Their Success: Jair Jurrjens
-Biggest Question Mark: Bullpen
-Ceiling: SATP
Breakdown: They’re not as good as you’d be led to believe they are.

4. Washington Nationals
-Player Integral to Their Success: No success.
-Biggest Question Mark: The Worst Rotation in Baseball. Worse than the Orioles’.
-Ceiling: D
Breakdown: Despite a walk-off win last night, this team isn’t going to contend for anything this year. Their rotation is horrible, especially as banged up as it is right now, with Shaun Hill out.

5. Florida Marlins
-Player Integral to Their Success: No success.
-Biggest Question Mark: A really terrible lineup beyond HanRam and Uggla.
-Ceiling: D
Breakdown: They’ll probably win the World Series next year, because they’re due. Just not this year.

NL CENTRAL
1. Chicago Cubs
-Player Integral To Their Success: Rich Hill
-Biggest Question Mark: Kerry Wood
-Ceiling: PPW
Breakdown: A solid lineup. A good rotation. If Rich Hill can be a solid number 3 they’ll likely run away with this division. I’d like to see Kerry Wood be a prosperous closer for them as well.

2. Milwaukee Brewers
-Player Integral to Their Success: Ben Sheets
-Biggest Question Mark: Everyone after Ben Sheets.
-Ceiling: SATP
Breakdown: I really think that the Brewers have taken a step back this year. Their pitching is full of question marks, including Ben Sheets’ ability to stay healthy. Even their bullpen, “anchored” by Eric Gagne, is worse this year than last. They’ll score runs. I just don’t think they can stop the other teams in the NL from scoring.

3. Houston Astros
-Player Integral to Their Success: Brandon Backe
-Biggest Question Mark: Starting Rotation
-Ceiling: NM
Breakdown: Unlike the Braves, I think the Astros aren’t being looked at enough. This is not a great division. I honestly think they could win it if the Cubs falter. Their lineup is not amazing, but they play in side of a small silo. Runs will be scored. I don’t really like their rotation beyond the always good Roy Oswalt. If Brandon Backe and/or Wandy Rodriguez can be effective, they might not be a bad team.

4. Cincinnati Reds
-Player Integral to Their Success: Homer Bailey
-Biggest Question Mark: Starting Rotation
-Ceiling: I
Breakdown: I actually like the Reds to have a better shot at the playoffs than Houston and Milwaukee if a lot of things go their way. First, they need Homer Bailey who is starting the year in AAA Louisville, to come up to the big club and perform like his stuff indicates he can. They’ve improved a terrible pitching staff with Josh Fogg, Edinson Volquez, Jeremy Affeldt, and Francisco Cordero coming aborad. Getting a contribution from Bailey and Johnny Cueto can propel this team into some real success. I think they’re the best team in the NL Central…just next year.

5. Pittsburgh Pirates
-Player Integral to Their Success: No success.
-Biggest Question Mark: There’s a few.
-Ceiling: NM
Breakdown: They have a really pretty ballpark.

6. St. Louis Cardinals
-Player Integral to Their Success: No Success.
-Biggest Question Mark: A horrible rotation.
-Ceiling: D
Breakdown: They’ve fallen even more than the Twins have. This team won a World Series two years ago and now starts the year with Adam Wainwright, Braden Looper, Joel Pinero, Kyle Lohse, and Todd Wellemeyer as their starting rotation. And there’s nothing to really be optimistic about.

NL WEST
1. Arizona Diamondbacks
-Player Integral to Their Success: Chris Young
-Biggest Question Mark: All of the Young Guys.
-Ceiling: PPW
Breakdown: I think this team has the highest ceiling over the next 5 years in baseball. They’re stellar at the front end of the rotation with Brandon Webb and Dan Haren. The bullpen, though not amazing at first glance, is still good. The big question is whether all of their young position players can get it done. Chris Young is important to this team because of his immense talent. If he can boost his batting average, a dismal .237 last year, and get on base (by hitting, not walking) more, he can kick start the offense.

2. Colorado Rockies
-Player Integral to Their Success: Aaron Cook
-Biggest Question Mark: Back End of the Rotation
-Ceiling: PPW
Breakdown: I’m still driving this bandwagon (though I allow Amanda to drive it as well) into this year. I really like this team. They grabbed my attention in late September last year and continue to. Troy Tulowitzki is a star waiting to happen. Matt Holliday is one of the 5 best hitters in the game. I’m only concerned about how well their pitchers beyond Jeff Francis perform. If they can have an Aaron Cook or Ubaldo Jimenez step up and be a solid number 2, they can win this division.

3. Los Angeles Dodgers
-Player Integral to Their Success: Andruw Jones
-Biggest Question Mark: Their ability to score at least once every game.
-Ceiling: SATP
Breakdown: Just a horrible offense last year. No power whatsoever. I think that as Andre Eithier, James Loney, Russell Martin, and Matt Kemp get older, they’ll polish their power hitting ability. The Dodgers need them to. Otherwise, they’re not going to win more than 80 games this year.

4. San Diego Padres
-Player Integral to Their Success: Anyone who knows how to hit.
-Biggest Question Mark: Subpar Offense
-Ceiling: SATP
Breakdown: Where the Dodgers have the potential to be a good offensive team this year, as their young prospects get more playing time, the Padres don’t really have a lot of good young prospects playing everyday. Beyond Adrian Gonzalez, I don’t see a guy who can help this team score runs. Their pitching will be solid with Jake Peavy and Chris Young. I just wonder whether their offense can give them enough runs to win games.

5. San Francisco Giants
-Player Integral to Their Success: They’ll be successful if they win 50 games this year.
-Biggest Question Mark: Numbers 1-9 in the order.
-Ceiling: D
Breakdown: It’s a shame that Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain have to pitch for this team. This franchise is embarrassing.

Playoffs

American League

Detroit over Seattle
Cleveland over Boston

Detroit over Cleveland

National League

Arizona over Philadelphia
Colorado over Chicago

Arizona over Colorado

WORLD SERIES

Detroit over Arizona

AWARDS

AL MVP: MIGUEL CABRERA (DETROIT TIGERS)
AL CY YOUNG: JUSTIN VERLANDER (DETROIT TIGERS)
AL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: JACOBY ELLSBURY (BOSTON RED SOX)

NL MVP: MATT HOLLIDAY (COLORDAO ROCKIES)
NL CY YOUNG: BRANDON WEBB (ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS)
NL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: JUSTIN UPTON (ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS)


Game O’ The Day: Just Watch Baseball.

Much to talk about this fine Wednesday. Let’s jump right in:

1.) The Boston Celtics, if they had not already, proved in the last two nights that they are the team to beat in the race for the NBA Title. By coming back from 22 down against the Spurs on Monday night in San Antonio and ending the Rockets winning streak at 22 games last night in Houston, the Celtics have hopefully answered the call for the Eastern Conference. I may even argue that the Detroit Pistons are the second best team in the NBA, after dismantling both the Hornets and Nuggets in their previous two games.

2.) I failed to mention the other day that the Denver Nuggets scored 168 points in a regulation game against an NBA franchise on Sunday night. Sit and let that stew in your head. That’s 42 points per quarter. That’s 10 players averaging 16.8 points during that game (every player who entered the court of play scored a point). No Nugget scored over 30. The NBA franchise who allowed such a thrashing does not deserve their name to be mentioned in some idiot’s insignificant daily blog.

3.) I’m 1-0 in my picks for this year’s installment of March Madness thanks to Mount St. Mary’s victory last night over Coppin State. The road to 64-0 has begun.

4.) I give to you the lineup tomorrow in D.C. on our CBS affiliate. Michigan State vs. Temple, Marquette vs. Kentucky, Duke vs. Belmont, Notre Dame vs. George Mason. Nowhere in there do I see USC vs. Kansas State, as it is trumped by the game happening 4 miles from me at the Verizon Center between Duke and lowly Belmont. Also, each of those games is the worst in their time slot. I’m glad I signed up for the games on my computer 3 weeks ago.

5.) The Boston Red Sox are apparently ready to boycott their Japanese trip because every coach on the team is not getting paid the $40,000 bonus that the Sox players are receiving for the two exhibition games, two regular season games, goodwill trip to an Army Base, etc. There is no way that they go through with this. MLB will cave.

6.) Allen Iverson returns to Philadelphia for the first time since becoming a Denver Nugget tonight. If he doesn’t get a standing ovation from every person in that crowd, an injustice will have been committed.

There’s no game of the day today, not because there aren’t good or compelling NBA games, but rather because you will be watching sports nonstop for the next 4 days.

Mid-Atlantic Bias is going to be taking a break, as I will be watching loads of college basketball tomorrow, then returning home to Taunton on Friday morning/afternoon, then fixing myself in front of a TV for the next 2 1/2 days. It should be a blast. I will return next week with Round 2 of my NFL Mock Draft and lots of rants, raves, and explanations for what will happen in the tournament between then and now.

See You Soon.

I went away from the usual headline today to signify the excitement you should have about my bracket. Really, when you analyze it, my entire life (well, since November) has led up to this point. All of the college basketball I’ve watched. All of the polls I’ve broken down. All of the articles I’ve read. All of it for this. And at this point, my entire life seems pretty pointless. And when my picks fail and I look like a fool, you will wonder, “Why the hell have I read this every day for the last X weeks?” With that said, Let’s Bracket:

FIRST ROUND

East Region
(1) North Carolina over (16) Mt. St. Mary’s.
(9) Arkansas over (8) Indiana
(5) Notre Dame over (12) George Mason
(4) Washington State over (13.) Winthrop
(11) St. Joseph’s over (6) Oklahoma
(3) Louisville over (14) Boise State
(7) Butler over (10) South Alabama
(2) Tennessee over (15) American

Midwest Region
(1) Kansas over (16) Portland State
(9) Kent State over (8) Nevada-Las Vegas
(5) Clemson over (12) Villanova
(4) Vanderbilt over (13) Siena
(6) Southern California over (11) Kansas State
(3) Wisconsin over (14) California State Fullerton
(7) Gonzaga over (10) Davidson
(2) Georgetown over (15) Maryland-Baltimore County

South Region
(1) Memphis over (16) Texas-Arlington
(9) Oregon over (8) Mississippi State
(5) Michigan State over (12) Temple
(4) Pittsburgh over (13) Oral Roberts
(6) Marquette over (11) Kentucky
(3) Stanford over (14) Cornell
(10) Saint Mary’s over (7) Miami (FLA)
(2) Texas over (15) Austin Peay

West Region
(1) UCLA over (16) Mississippi Valley State
(8) Brigham Young over (9) Texas A&M
(5) Drake over (12) Western Kentucky
(4) Connecticut over (13) San Diego
(6) Purdue over (11) Baylor
(3) Xavier over (14) Georgia
(10) Arizona over (7) West Virginia
(2) Duke over (15) Belmont

Breakdown: Pretty chalk, as I stated yesterday. I think that much like last year, there will be very little in the way of first round upsets. As I also said yesterday, Siena could beat Vandy and I also smell a San Diego/Connecticut tight matchup.

SECOND ROUND

East Region
(1) North Carolina over (9) Arkansas
(5) Notre Dame over (4) Washington State
(3) Louisville over (11) Saint Joseph’s
(2) Tennessee over (7) Butler

Midwest Region
(1) Kansas over (9) Kent State
(5) Clemson over (4) Vanderbilt
(6) Southern California over (3) Wisconsin
(2) Georgetown over (7) Gonzaga

South Region
(1) Memphis over (9) Oregon
(4) Pittsburgh over (5) Michigan State
(3) Stanford over (6) Marquette
(2) Texas over (10) Saint Mary’s

West Region
(1) UCLA over (8) Brigham Young
(5) Drake over (4) UConn
(6) Purdue over (3) Xavier
(2) Duke over (10) Arizona

Breakdown: The Second Round is always incredibly exciting and completely underrated. Duke/Arizona would be a great matchup as would Georgetown and Gonzaga and Tennessee and Butler.

SWEET 16

East Region
(1) North Carolina over (5) Notre Dame
(2) Tennessee over (3) Louiville

Midwest Region
(1) Kansas over (5) Clemson
(6) Southern California over (2) Georgetown

South Region
(1) Memphis over (4) Pittsburgh
(3) Stanford over (2) Texas

West Region
(1) UCLA over (5) Drake
(2) Duke over (6) Purdue

Breakdown: Trying to pick the North Carolina/Notre Dame matchup is and was a lot tougher than you or I would think. I’m verrrrrrry intrigued by the Luke Harangody/Tyler Hansborough matchup in that game, but really, it’s all about USC and Georgetown. If that happens, and I hope it does, Wow! Great game.

ELITE 8

East Region
(1) North Carolina over (2) Tennessee

Midwest Region
(6) Southern California over (1) Kansas

South Region
(1) Memphis over (3) Stanford

West Region
(2) Duke over (1) UCLA

Breakdown: Your head probably exploded at the USC pick and I understand. Also understand that KU and USC played a tight neutral court game at the beginning of the year. USC has meshed better as a team since that game (a four point loss). I really think USC is this good. As for the other “upset,” please don’t take it as my being a homer, I picked Duke to lose in the first round last year. However, I have confidence in this team. Because of their great perimeter scoring, I think they can beat UCLA head-to-head.

FINAL FOUR

(1-East) North Carolina over (6-Midwest) Southern California
(1-South) Memphis over (2-West) Duke

Breakdown: Pretty chalk. I don’t think Taj Gibson of USC can defend Psycho T in the post and I think Ty Lawson is too quick for OJ Mayo. USC’s run ends here. Memphis is just too strong and physical for Duke. You’ll notice that only 1 of my original Final Four from the preseason makes their way into my Final Four now.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Memphis over North Carolina

Breakdown: There is one thing, only one, that can hold Memphis back in my opinion from winning the National Title and that is their free throw shooting. They’re good enough to get past UT-Arlington, Oregon, Pittsburgh, Stanford, and Duke to not have to worry about their free throw shooting. It is this game where Memphis meets someone who is better than they are, overall. North Carolina is the best all-around college basketball team. However, Joey Dorsey will neutralize Psycho T in this game and it will be a battle of the young, dynamic point guards on both teams. The X-Factor, to me, is Chris Douglas-Roberts. I don’t think Danny Green can defend such a long shooter.

So there you have it. My National Champion pick is the Memphis Tigers.

Game O’ The Day: Boston @ Houston. Destiny vs. The Streak. Sound intriguing? It should. TNT, 9:30. Game of the Year in the NBA, to this point. Be in front of a T.V.

Before I get to all 65 teams…I’m not kidding…Bob Knight needs to have the tables reversed on him by Jay Bilas. For once, I want the chair thrown in the direction of Bob Knight, preferably by a man with a law degree who both wears a suit and looks good in it. First things first with Bobby: A 128 team field would be more watered down than that first Keystone Light you drink when all you want is a Guinness. I don’t know about you, but I’d be going into cardiac arrest in anticipation for a Virginia Tech @ Baylor matchup. That’d be great. Or how about the prospects of UMass @ Villanova? That would make the first round much more exciting. It’d be like one of those preseason tournaments they play in a city like Milwaukee sometime in late November when no one cares about college basketball. We could call it the Coaches Vs. Common Sense Classic. Second, Bobby: Wear a suit. You’re not so important that you can sit on a set with 4 other suited men and not stand out like a pompous windbag in your hideous green pullover sweater. Do everyone a favor and go hunting instead of take up a spot where someone like Doug Gottlieb or Andy Katz should be sitting.

Whew. Now that I have that out of the way, first, let me congratulate the Houston Rockets on beating the Pau Gasol-less Lakers. Your luck will soon run out.

Now, on to the field of 65 and the handful of teams that got snubbed:

First, the snubs. I was obviously upset at the snub of Virginia Commonwealth. I truly think that they’re one of the 65 best teams in college basketball. The problem is, this year’s pool does not feature the top 65 teams. Because of wins by teams like Coppin State and the beyond ridiculous Georgia Bulldogs (more on this in a second) there wasn’t room for teams like VCU and Dayton. I think the Rams, Flyers, Arizona State, and Illinois State have the biggest gripe. However, the debate between Illinois State and Villanova or Arizona State and Baylor is a slightly ridiculous conversation to spend time on, as none of those teams have a shot to win the NCAA Championships. So while I would love to see Eric Maynor and the VCU Rams play the Clemson Tigers, instead of Villanova, I can’t complain, especially with a great slate of Round 1 Games.

Now, I should give Georgia some time here. And a kudos. So let’s get the Kudos out of the way. Kudos. Now, the problem I have with this, Georgia is the all-time example, from here to the end of eternity, of an underachieving team, over-achieving and getting into the tournament. It also leads me to this argument: We have less argument for the snubbed teams in a year when a team that won 4 conference games in the regular season wins their conference tournament by playing 3 games in 30 hours, in 2 different arenas. What Georgia did defies logic, and also shuts up teams like Arizona State, Ohio State, and Virginia Tech who didn’t win their conference tourneys.

Now, I have my entire bracket filled out and I could give you my entire bracket today, but that wouldn’t give me much to talk about tomorrow, besides the showdown in Dayton, OH between Coppin State and Mount St. Mary’s that should draw a -0.4 rating. I really hate the play in game, as it’s not fair to the loser. I think we’d be better off making Portland State a 15 seed, plugging in Coppin State against UNC and Mt. St. Mary’s against Kansas and eliminating the last team in, which this year was Villanova. But that’s just me.

I’m going to break down all 65 teams and their chance at winning it all, broken down to (No Chance, Needs a lot of Luck, Needs a break or two, Good Shot, Very Good Shot). Here That Goes:

-Coppin State: Not much of chance to beat Mt. St. Mary’s, nevermind North Carolina, etc. No Chance.
-Mt. St. Mary’s: Will probably beat Coppin State and get slaughtered by North Carolina. No Chance.
-North Carolina: Very Good Shot.
-Indiana: Needs A Lot of Luck.
-Arkansas: Needs a Lot of Luck.
-Notre Dame: Needs a Break or Two.
-George Mason: No Chance.
-Washington State: Needs a Lot of Luck.
-Winthrop: No Chance.
-Oklahoma: Needs a lot of Luck.
-St. Joseph’s: No Chance.
-Louiville: Needs a Break or Two.
-Boise State: Is Ian Johnson eligible? No? Okay, No Chance.
-Butler: Needs a Lot of Luck.
-South Alabama: No Chance.
-Tennessee: Very Good Shot.
-American: No Chance

Kansas: Very Good Shot
Portland State: No Chance
UNLV: Needs a Lot of Luck
Kent. State: Needs a Lot of Luck
Clemson: Needs a Lot of Luck
Villanova: No Chance
Vanderbilt: Needs a Lot of Luck
Siena: No Chance.
USC: Good Shot
Kansas State: Needs A Lot of Luck
Wisconsin: Needs a Lot of Luck
Cal State Fullerton: Good Shot (assuming every player on every other team dies)
Gonzaga: Needs a break of two.
Davidson: Needs a Lot of Luck.
Georgetown: Good Shot
UMBC: No Chance.

Memphis: Very Good Shot
UT-Arlington: No Chance
Mississippi State: Couldn’t beat a team that played a few hours before they played them. No Chance.
Oregon: Needs a Lot of Luck.
Michigan State: Needs a Lot of Luck
Temple: Needs John Cheney to kill Tom Izzo, Jamie Dixon, and then John Calipari. Otherwise, No Chance.
Pittsburgh: Good Shot.
Oral Roberts: Despite having God, No Chance, as God can’t defend Lavance Fields.
Marquette: Needs a Lot of Luck.
Kentucky: No Chance.
Stanford: Good Shot.
Cornell: Well, they’re smart at least. No Chance.
Miami: As the entire tourney isn’t being played in “The OB” I would say No Chance.
Saint Mary’s: Needs A Lot of Luck.
Texas: Good Shot.
Austin Peay: No Chance.

UCLA: Very Good Shot.
Mississippi Valley State: Can Jerry Rice play football? Also a no? Okay, No Chance.
BYU: Though I’d love a Final Four matchup with Oral Roberts, I’ll say They Need a lot of luck.
Texas A&M: No Chance.
Drake: Needs a Lot of Luck.
Western Kentucky: No Chance.
UConn: Needs a lot of luck.
San Diego: They need another Jonestown to occur, only this time in Storrs, CT. No Chance.
Purdue: No Chance.
Baylor: There’s so many jokes here. I’ll just go with No Chance.
Xavier: No Chance.
Georgia: Please.
West Virginia: No Chance.
Arizona: Needs a lot of Luck.
Duke: Very Good Shot.
Belmont: No chance.

You may have noticed that only two teams “Needs a Break or two.” The breaks that that those teams (Notre Dame and Louisville) needs are Tyler Hansborough’s Leg and every Tennessee player’s wrist. But kidding aside, I think they can both make a run.

The following teams have a Very Good Shot:

North Carolina
Tennessee
Kansas
Memphis
UCLA
Duke

The following teams have a Good Shot:
USC
Georgetown
Pittsburgh
Texas
Stanford

The Final Four will come from those two pools above. I find it difficult to imagine all of the teams who need a lot of luck (3 point heavy teams like Vanderbilt and Oregon or middle of the pack teams in tough brackets, like Michigan State and Washington State) can make it very far in this year’s tourney. It’s stacked.

Here are my top 5 games of the first round that you have to find a way to watch:

5. West Region: (7) West Virginia vs. (10) Arizona: Arizona is much better than a 10 seed and West Virginia is not as good as a 7 seed. I just like this matchup. No real analysis here.

4. East Region: (7) Butler vs. (10) South Alabama: You won’t find a better contrast in schools than in this matchup. Butler, from Indianapolis playing South Alabama from Mobile, Alabama. Butler’s star guard AJ Graves matching up against South Alabama’s star guard Demetric Bennett. Should be interesting.

3. East Region: (4) Washington State vs. (13) Winthrop: Want to watch an insane contrast in styles? This is your game. Winthrop will try to make Wazzou run. Washington State will try to make Winthrop take a nap. I don’t think Winthrop can pull off the upset, but it could be a very intriguing game.

2. Midwest Region: (7) Gonzaga vs. (10) Davidson: I’ve talked about Stephen Curry before. This is your chance to see him go up against the legendary mid-major team. Davidson is better than you’d think. But so is Gonzaga.

1. Midwest Region: (6) USC vs. (11) Kansas State: This is everyone’s game to watch, for good reason. It’s more than just OJ Mayo vs. Michael Beasley. But really, it’s not. Rarely do we get to see two star freshman go head-to-head. As I’ve stated many times, I really like this USC team, but remember, Kansas State beat Kansas this year.

My Upset of the First Round (the biggest seeding disparity) That I Actually Picked: East Region (6) Oklahoma losing to (11) Saint Joseph’s.

My Upset of The First Round (The biggest seeding disparity) That I Would Have Picked, Had I Had Testicles: Midwest Region: (4) Vanderbilt losing to (13) Siena. Vandy needs to be hitting 3’s to win any game and they don’t do that well away from home. Tampa, FL is not Nashville, TN. Accordingly, I’m skeptical. Siena beat Stanford earlier this year. I’m just saying.

Game O’ The Day: Boston Celtics @ San Antonio Spurs. This is where the Celtics schedule starts getting real tough.