...I'm Ready to Play (clap clap) Today (clap clap)

So I sucked it up this morning and paid my 80 bucks for the season pass to MLB TV from mlb.com. For my troubles, I was treated to a rousing come from behind win by the Sox over the suddenly beatable Mo Rivera and the MFYs, Shakey Wakey had the knuckler dancin’ like Baryshnikov, though he gave up a coupla solo dingers to A-Rod and Tino. Edgar finally got off the schneid and knocked in the go-ahead runs with a looper in the top o’ the ninth. Shrek got 3 hits. Foukie settled down after yesterdays BS and pitched a solid ninth (though he didn’t get a save on account of the four-run margin). The Sox ended up banging out 14 hits and made the “best” closer in the game look like a dead-arm BPer.

So step back off that ledge, Red Sox Nation. We’re only one game back of the MFY with 159 games left to go and we come armed with the knowledge that though they always seem to come through when it matters, we CAN beat their best. Just like last year.

And now, as promised and without further ado, I direct you to Part 2 of my 2005 baseball preview, focusing today on the Junior Circuit. Enjoy.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

EAST
1. New York Yankees – Make it 8 straight division titles and we’ll see you in October.
2. Boston Red Sox – I still think they would’ve been wise to hold on to OC instead of Edgar and use that extra money to make a run at Pavano, but this team still has the bats to win. If they can just get Jesus to stop bragging about all the pu$$y he gets…
3. Baltimore Orioles – Somehow managed to raise their payroll without upgrading their rotation AGAIN. Then again, name the team in the AL East that’s looking forward to facing Mora-Tejada-Sosa-Palmeiro-Javy Lopez 20 times a year.
4. Tampa Bay Devil Rays – Finished out of the basement of the division for the first time in their young history last year. And with young players like Carl Crawford, Aubrey Huff, Scott Kazmir and Dewon Brazelton coming into their own, it won’t be the last.
5. Toronto Blue Jays – Apparently the Moneyball philosophy isn’t translating very well to Loonies for Jays GM J.P. Riccardi.

CENTRAL
1. Chicago White Sox – Tied the MFY for most dingers in the league last year and only added to their offensive capabilities with Japanese import Taz Iguchi. Five solid starters (led by Freddie Garcia) don’t hurt their chances either.
2. Cleveland Indians – Though the Indians appear to be a team of lovable losers, there is real talent on this team. Willie Mays Hayes is the quintessential leadoff man; Pedro Cerrano is the big bat in the middle of the lineup they’ve needed; Jack Taylor and Roger Dorn provide great veteran leadership; and with Rick “Wild Thing” Vaughn closing out games, this team could surprise some people.
3. Minnesota Twins – The Twinkies are the chic pick to win it all this year, but I just don’t see it happening. They will need a repeat performance of a career year by Cy Young winner Johan Santana, another solid year by an aging outfield and some breakout performances from a young infield to repeat as division champs, but that’s a lotta ‘ifs’.
4. Detroit Tigers – The Tiggers managed to lure a bat (Magglio Ordonez) to join Pudge-Rod in the middle of their order AND jettisoned Alex “Dirty” Sanchez right before his ‘roid record came out. Things are finally looking up in Rock City…if you count beating the Royals as looking up.
5. Kansas City Royals –It is worth noting, when speaking of the Royals’ struggles, that they have the lowest average ticket prices ($13.71) in the league, and hence a miniscule payroll. Or, if you prefer, they have a miniscule payroll and can’t afford a product worth paying more than 14 bucks to see. Either way, chicken or egg, this team is going nowhere fast. Pobre Tony Pena.

WEST
Los Angeles/Anaheim/California Angels – Upgrades at SS (OC) and CF (Steve Finley) make the Angels of where-the-fuck-ever the class of the AL West. Have the best depth and one of the strongest bullpens in the league. Could be trouble for someone come October.
Oakland Athletics – Where does GM Billy Beane keep getting these fireballing young pitchers (Rich Harden, Dan Haren) heading his rotation? Oh yeah, from letting his MVPs (Jason Giambi, Miguel Tejada) leave via free agency and trading his best veteran arms (Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder) for prospects. GOOD prospects.
Seattle Mariners – Improved their infield dramatically with the addition of NL HR champ Adrian Beltre at third, a rejuvenated (or seemingly so, this spring) Richie Sexson at first and the incomparable Pokey Reese at short. Oh, and I think their rightfielder may hit .500 this year.
Texas Rangers – May have the best hitting infield in the league and a deep young outfield that will win them quite a few games and has convinced many scribes to rate them as high as second in this division. But pitching coach Orel Hershiser will need to perform some kind of loaves-to-fishes type miracle to make a rotation featuring Chan Ho Park and Pedro Astacio stick together.

Playoff picks tomorrow!

Oh! I’d be remiss if I didn’t send out my best wishes to Sox skipper Terry Francona , who’s been admitted to New York Weill-Cornell Medical Center in Manhattan after experiencing chest pains. He made it through last year’s playoffs only to have heart problems NOW? WTF? Get well soon, Tito!