By Kim J. Harmon
By Kim J. Harmon
With the best pitching staff and best bullpen in the American League, one of the best clutch hitters in all of baseball, and one of the most prolific run-producers in the history of the major leagues, the Boston Red Sox look to be â at least to this prognosticator â the odds-on favorite to reach the World Series.
Okay, it is not a hard prediction to make considering the New York Yankeesâ pitching staff is in ruin, the Cleveland Indians are being over-hyped as the next hot team to come out of the Central Division and the Western Division is about as bland as vanilla pudding.
As for the National League, the Philadelphia Phillies â with Ryan Howard, the brighest young star in baseball â look to be as good a best as anyone.
The Mets? Not with their pitching staff. The Cardinals? Ditto. The Cubs? No way, despite spending $400 million or whatever.
AL Division winners â Boston, Detroit, Anaheim. AL Wild Card â New York.
NL Division winners â Philadelphia, Houston, San Francisco. NL Wild Card â New York.