By Scott McLean
It seems like just yesterday that the St. Louis Cardinals won the World Series.
They proved a ballclub can sneak into the playoffs and play their best baseball when it really matters.
Last year, I predicted the White Sox would again be the best American League team, but they struggled during the last month of the season and didn't make the playoffs.
The Detroit Tigers were the surprise team last year, settling for a wild-card berth, then reaching the World Series anyway.Before last season began, I didn't think the Tigers would even be a .500 ballclub. But I was wrong.
The National League had it's own surprise team in the playoffs.
New York was great during the regular season! I'm not referring to the Yankees, but the Mets.However, when their best pitcher, Pedro Martinez, got injured and didn't pitch in the playoffs, the Mets got knocked off by the Cardinals.
When Pedro is hurt and his team loses, it's proof that he's the most valuable pitcher in the league, if not the most valuable player of all. With Pedro, the Mets would have been tough to beat.Will we hear more from the Mets this year? With good pitching, they should still be to win again in '07, just as the Yankees usually win their division.
Like the Yankees, the Mets also have a powerful lineup, featuring sluggers Carlos Beltran (the player I would have picked for MVP), Carlos Delgado and David Wright.I predict the Mets will push through to the World Series this year, but it won't be easy...
With Lou Piniella taking over as manager of the Chicago Cubs, one has to wonder whether this just might be the year Cubs fans have been waiting for.The Cubs could be the surprise NL team this season if they can get consistently good pitching. We will have to wait and see what happens.
What could have been a bigger surprise last year than Detroit?! Maybe that's why I'm unable to figure out which team might go from losers to AL winners this year.
If you think you know the team that will rise from a lousy record last season to the best record this year, please feel free to leave a comment.I'd like to hear from you. Thanks and enjoy the baseball games!!!
