MLB 2008 Season Expert Predictions:

    Following a hectic year in the MLB it’s forecasted to be another crazy one in ‘08. From the Colorado Rockies incredible burst into the playoffs, to the Mets demise, the entire ’07 season was a shock to all baseball fans.

NL East	NL Central	NL West
AL East	AL Central	AL West

NL Central- This could be a tight race between the “new look” Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee and St. Louis. But of course the Astros never seem to surprise anyone with their end of season push to the playoffs.

Milwaukee Brewers Chicago Cubs St. Louis Cardnals Houston Astros Cincinnati Reds Pittsburgh Pirates

1. Milwaukee Brewers – The acquisitions of Mike Cameron and Jason Kendall just make this a lethal line-up top to bottom. Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun should put up career numbers this year. Their starting rotation is very strong and the bullpen just got much stronger as well, with the pick up of Guillermo Mota from the Mets and Closer Eric Gagne from the Red Sox. This should be an incredible year for these Milwaukee Brewers.

2. Chicago Cubs – The Cubs also have a lethal line up with Derek Lee, Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano. They also have what is probably the best rotation in the central led by Zambrano, Lilly and Marquis. The pen is strong as well. If Kosuke Fukudome, the Japanese rookie, has an amazing season, the Cubs could win the division, but either way it’ll be a close race in the central and in the wildcard race as well.

3. St. Louis Cardinals – The Cards lose one of their best sluggers in Scott Rolen, but gain another in Troy Glaus. The good news for the Cards is Glaus stays healthy! Rick Ankiel, the pitcher, is now in center field, and, in fact, he’s doing a great job. They also have slugger Juan (gone) Gonzalez in training camp. If he makes the team, with Pujols, Glaus and the acquisition of Cesar Izturis, they should be solid at the plate. The question remains, can their pitching take them to the playoffs? And the answer is NO.

4. Houston Astros – They have a great infield and a powerful line up. They split up the killer bee’s, but got Miguel Tejada and Carlos Lee, and of course still have Berkman. The question is can Roy Oswalt single handedly take them to the playoffs. There rotation and even the bullpen is week, but NEVER count them out of the race, as they often jolt to the top at the end of the season.

5. Cincinnati Reds – Not much going on over on this side of Ohio. Adam Dunn, of course, still has the ability to hit for .300 and crank out 40 HR’s, but that won’t be enough to carry them to the playoffs, or anywhere for that matter. They also have a weak pitching staff. Look for it to be a basement race between them and Pittsburgh.

6. Pittsburgh Pirates – The Pirates have a pathetic rotation and bullpen. They do have Jason bay and Adam LaRoche, who can both put up power numbers, but certainly not enough to take them to the playoffs. Expect them to win no more than 50 games.