The Red Sox home opener was today, so it's the first official day of baseball season. Therefore, it's not too late for a baseball preview, a week into the season...

AL East
Predicted Finish:NY Yankees, Boston, Baltimore, Tampa Bay, Toronto
Sadly I still don't think the Red Sox will be able to overtake the Yankees over the 162-game season. I don't think Pavano will have a good year, as most newcomers to New York usually don't, but I think Mussina and Johnson have one decent year left in them. Meanwhile the Red Sox have Schilling and a bunch of inconsistent arms. Baltimore may finally get a bit better, as the have the offense and the back end of the bullpen to compete with the big 2 but not the starters. The surprise will be the D-Rays finishing ahead of the Blue Jays, who've got nothing this year.

AL Central
Predicted Finish: Chicago White Sox, Minnesota, Cleveland, Detroit, KC
The Twins are the chic World Series pick, but I don't think they have the pitching. Plus, White Sox ownership has shown that it will at least try to make a deadline deal to help the team while Minnesota still whines about not having any money. Cleveland and Detroit are about even, and the Royals will be terrible once again. It will be a long, painful baseball season here.

AL West
Predicted Finish: Angels, Seattle, Texas, Oakland
As much as I abhor their name ("Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim"), the Angels are the only complete team in the West. Seattle has the offense but not the pitching, Texas does as well, and Oakland will flounder while they wait for their next crop of Moneyball stars to mature.

NL East
Predicted Finish: Atlanta, Florida, NY Mets, Philadelphia, Washington
Same old same old for the Braves, although the Marlins will put up a fight. The Mets tried to buy the division again this year, and once again they'll fail. Pedro will be rejuvenated in the NL until the press starts to dog him, but the rest of the staff is old or hurt and Piazza isn't the force he used to be.

NL Central
Predicted Finish: Houston, St. Louis, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh
I hate to say it Brewers fans, but I have a feeling this first place start won't last too long. The Cardinals have lost just enough from their bullpen and offense to slip into 2nd. By the way, Cardinals fans, is it too late to send Renteria back? He's left scads of runners on base and been a liability defensively for the Sox.

AL West
Predicted Finish: San Diego, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco, Arizona, Colorado
The Dodgers don't have the bats to take the division, and the San Francisco Bonds' may suffer a bit without their one and only player as he alternately rehabs and pouts. I guess this is just my attempt at ruining his and his childrens' lives like the rest of the media. Oh woe is Barry.