It’s Opening Day of the 2009 Major League Baseball season. And, despite popular demand, we’ve decided to continue our annual tradition of handicapping the pennant races.

Last year, I predicted the Cubs would beat the Indians in the World Series. For most of the season, the Cubs part of the prediction was looking pretty good as the boys from the north side of Chicago dominated the National League. But the moment the regular season ended, the Cubs remembered who they were, resorted to form and were unceremoniously swept in the first round of the playoffs. As for the Indians. . . well, let’s just say they didn’t live up to my expectations.

To Cubs and Indians I am indifferent. My team is the New York Mets. Seeing my beloved Amazin’s choke in September for the second year in a row was painful enough. Watching the hated Phillies win the World Series was more than I could stomach.

The only good thing to come out of the 2008 season was the failure of the even more detestable Yankees to make the playoffs. Sadly, I believe the Yankee-less postseason may be a short lived tradition. This offseason, the evil doers in the Bronx outdid even themselves in free agent spending. $180 million for Mark Teixeira; $161 million for C.C. Sabathia; $82 million for A.J. Burnett. That’s close to half a billion dollars for three players! And get this. Due to the loss of high priced free agents, the Yankees’ payroll for 2009 is actually less than it was last year.

So will the investment pay off? Here’s how I see the 2009 Major League Baseball season unfolding.

NL EAST

Marlins
Mets
Braves
Phillies
Nationals

NL CENTRAL

Cardinals
Cubs
Brewers
Astros
Reds
Pirates

NL WEST

Dodgers
Giants
Diamondbacks
Rockies
Padres

NL WILDCARD: Cubs

AL EAST

Yankees
Red Sox
Rays
Blue Jays
Orioles

AL CENTRAL

Twins
White Sox
Royals
Indians
Tigers

AL WEST

Angels
Athletics
Rangers
Mariners

AL WILDCARD: Red Sox

WORLD SERIES: Cardinals over Yankees

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