Column: Thanks for Listening, by Scott Schmeltzer

Play ball!

Here are my annual picks for this year in baseball. Please dispute, debate and criticize all, but remember to check back in October.

Last year I came up a bit short as I picked the Detroit Tigers to win it all. I also picked the San Francisco Giants to make the playoffs, but fall short of the World Series. I was wrong as the Giants swept the Tigers to win the title.

I do love placing the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox at the bottom of the American East this year. Go Twins!

 

American League

East

1. Toronto Blue Jays

2. Baltimore Orioles

3. Tampa Bay Rays

4. New York Yankees

5. Boston Red Sox

Central

1. Detroit Tigers

2. Kansas City Royals

3. Cleveland Indians

4. Chicago White Sox

5. Minnesota Twins

West

1. L.A. Angels

2. Texas Rangers

3. Seattle Mariners

4. Oakland A’s

5. Houston Astros

 

The Baltimore Orioles will win the wild card spot in American League.

Detroit will beat the Toronto Blue Jays to go to the World Series.

Key: A mad Justin Verlander and a ringless-but-hungry loaded lineup!

MVP: Mike Trout

Cy Young: Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers.

 

National League

East

1. Washington Nationals

2. Atlanta Braves

3. Philadelphia Phillies

4. New York Mets

5. Miami

Central

1. Cincinnati Reds

2. St. Louis Cardinals

3. Milwaukee Brewers

4. Pittsburgh Pirates

5. Chicago Cubs

West

1. San Francisco Giants

2. Arizona Diamondbacks

3. L.A. Dodgers

4. Colorado Rockies

5. San Diego Padres

 

The Atlanta Braves will win the wild card in National League.

The Cincinnati Reds will beat the Nationals to go to World Series.

MVP: Joey Votto of Cincinnati

Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw of the L.A. Dodgers.

 

World Series

It’ll be the Tigers over Reds in six.

MVP: Prince Fielder

 

Tribune Publisher Scott Schmeltzer’s column appears every Thursday.