John Fennelly's 2009 Predictions

Here we go - for what they are worth...

NL East - Philadelphia. The Mets' starting pitching is very questionable right now. The Phillies have their problems, too - but they have shown they can win when counts. The Mets have not...

NL Central - Chicago. Don't let last year fool you. They are the best team in the NL - again.

NL West - Los Angeles. By default. The Rockies have no pitching and the Giants and Padres are just average at best.

AL East - Tampa Bay. Why? Because now they know how to win. The Yankees and Red Sox are still tough, but Tampa will win again.

AL Central - Not too much to choose from here. I'll take Minnesota for the hell of it..

AL West - Anaheim. Again, by default.


NL WildCard - Mets. Finally.

AL Wildcard - Yankees. Their starting pitching will be too much for Boston in the end.


NL Cy Young - Gotta like Santana, but Lincecum is terrific, too.

AL Cy Young - It's all set up for Sabathia, but somehow I think Halladay could win again - or how about Kazmir?

NL MVP - The best player in the National League is Chase Utley. Manny will weigh in as will David Wright and Pujols. How about this - Carlos Beltran....

AL MVP - ARod won't win, and Pedroia won't be able to sneak up on voters this year. I like Youkilis and Morneau a lot. But I'm betting on Mark Teixeira...

NLCS - Cubs over Mets
ALCS - Rays over Yankees.

WS - Cubs over Rays....that's right, I'm picking the Cubs. For the first time in a century I'll be right.