25 days until opening day!

Since opening day is a mere three and half weeks away, i have decided to evaluate each of the six MLB divisions, one installment every few days. After each division, I'll give my pick for division winner.

AL East: The "High Expectations" divison
There is a lot of talent (and money) in this division. Obviously, the red sox and Yanks have made a lot of big moves, but the Devils did win the pennant last year, and you can never count out Toronto. Its going to be a big battle all season long. Here are the teams:

1. Baltimore-this is the only team in the division, i would say has no shot of winning the division. First, they have a guy on their spring training roster named "Felix Pie", he sucks as a player, but that name is awesome. Anyway, this team has a decent infield, with Melvin Mora, Ty Wiggington, and Brian Roberts, but thats probably the best i can say about the team. And even that infield would have been quality if it were still 2004.
As far as pitching, they did pick up Adam Eaton from the Phillies, but that's like going to the carnival and winning a half-eaten corndog. Jeremy Guthrie was far and away their top pitcher last year, but i have never been sold on him, and what can you say when he went 10-12. The orioles, in 2008, only had one pitcher on their roster with a winning record (Dennis Sarfate, 4-3). I don't know what else to say about their pitching, with 18 games against each of the other AL east teams, their staff is gonna have lot of #s in the ERA column.
As far as hitting, the team does have some power, they had 5 guys hit 20+ homers, and Aubrey Huff had 32 last year. Also, three guys had 180+ hits, Markakis, Huff, and Roberts. However, I dont feel like any of these guys can carry the team, and with so many holes throughout the rest of the batting order, this team will not produce.

2. Toronto-While losing Burnett was huge, this team still has decent pitching. I love watching Roy Halladay, he is fine pitcher and I believe that if he wasn't in such a tough division, he would be have multiple cy youngs under his belt by now. Also, Jesse Litsch had a good year last year, and I believe he can come back with another good year. I also think their bullpen is quality, BJ Ryan is consistent.
As far as hitting, Lyle Overbay and Alex Rios are very good players. I was shocked Rios only had 15 homers last year, i think his power will improve. However, Vernon Wells and Rolen are question marks. Both of their resumes of injuries really hamper the team's chances. If they can stay healthy, and the Jays can get one more good year out of Eckstein and Matt Stairs, the team could give the contenders are hard time. However, its most likely that Toronto will only play spoiler for the big three.

3. Tampa Bay-This is a young, fun, team to watch. Last year they reminded me a lot of the 1995 indians, in that they never gave, they had a lot of hustle, and they lost the world series. Shields and Kazmir have solidified as a quality 1-2 punch at starting pitching. And the rest of their rotation looks to be consistent, even though it has a lot of room to grow. Their bullpen is a little up in the air right now. Dan Wheeler showed great stuff in the playoffs last year, but Troy Percival, a.k.a. old man river, is still listed as the closer. I give it until tax day until Wheeler takes over. Their lineup, top to bottom, is consistent and FAST. this is a team that can manufacture both hits and runs. Their weakness right now is their power, and when they go up against a dominating pitcher, it's going to be tough to manufacture runs. Longoria, Upton, and Crawford are going to be a great core of hitters for years to come.
I honestly believe that this team has a good shot at repeating making the playoffs. Honestly, it is going to depend on the injuries and slumps that befall Boston and the Yanks. However, with the Rays solid pitching, they could surprise us......again.

4. Boston-I don't know how much of this article will be own beliefs, and how much it will be a backlash to the Jayson Stark/Peter Gammons/Bill Simmons lovefest all over the green monster. Oh well, here goes. I guess one negative is that their "best" off-season acquisition is a 42 year old John Smoltz who in my opinion doesn't deserve to be in the rotation. I use that in quotes because even though Smoltz is getting the most buzz, they still got Brad Penny. Right now, Penny is a better starter than Smoltz. Okay, say what you will about the Red Sox (they are douchebags), but they have a hell of pitching staff. Beckett is going to be healthy and dominating, Dice-K is always good, and Lester and Wakefield get the job done consistently. And even if you knock one out early, their bullpen rocks. This is not new; its been this way, and it sucks for me.
I think i should take a second to point out that there is a guy on their team named "Jonathan Van Every", is he the dutch version of Joe Six-pack?? hahaha.
I still can't believe JD Drew is making $14 million, considering he's the worst of their outfield starters. Jason Bay is a great player, I wanted the Indians to make a move for him for years, oh well. While Pedroia and Youkilis provides and amazing right side of the infield, Boston's biggest weakness is the left side. Lugo and Lowell will not get the job done. I don't think this deficiency will ruin their chances of making playoffs alone, but this coupled with a key injury to another player could give the Yanks or the Rays the boost they need to be king of the mountain.

5. New York-Hey MJ, whats up?
450 million dollars in a week, really?!?? Yes yes yes, i know, now the Yankees have the best starting rotation in the majors. It's true. CC, Burnett, Wang, Petitite, and Joba, its crazy. However, i'm afraid putting CC and Joba both in NYC might spin the planet off its axis. I do think Petitite is a wild card, because of his age, but we know from his track record that he could have a great year. Rivera, i can't argue with, he is still gonna be him. but, the yankees middle relief is suspect. none of the guys on the roster remind me of the yankee middle relief of old: Jeff Nelson, Flash Gordon, Mark Stanton. Those guys could shut it down, i doubt Damaso Marte and Brian Bruney will have the same effect.
As far as offense, the loss of A-Rod, even if for a month or so, could have big effects on the team. HOwever, even without A-Rod, having Teixiera, Jeter, and Cano will be a hell of an infield. The real test is the Yankees outfield.
all in all, I think the Yankees will be competitive but will not make the playoffs.

I trult feel that the Red Sox are the best team in this division, with the Rays close behind. The Red Sox have too much offensive and pitching depth for any of these teams to keep up.