You smell that?….

It smells like baseball season. By now most people’s NCAA brackets are busted, and with the NFL season looming in the balance its time to turn your attention elsewhere, to baseball.

Even in this time of sporting turmoil, this is the time you should be most excited about because it is time to walk up to the giant palaces meant for baseball, and the smell of hot dogs and grilled onions filling the air around them.

How great is baseball? When baseball season rolls around, so does my excitement and my predictions for the season to come.

AL East

This is sure to be another season-long power struggle between the Yankees and Red Sox. However it won’t be an easy path to that East crown with the likes of the Blue Jays, Rays and, yes, the Orioles.

The Jays, Rays and O’s are all good teams, with the ability to power themselves through any other division in baseball, but they are stuck in this one. The AL East will be the most competitive division in baseball once again and very well could produce five teams with a .500 winning percentage or better.

1. Boston Red Sox: The Red Sox went out this offseason and made themselves into a World Series-contending team.

The Red Sox added what they needed from free agency – two huge bats in Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford – this offseason. They already have a superb starting five, as long as they stay healthy. They also added the talented closer, now set-up man, Bobby Jenks.

2. New York Yankees: The Yankees are No. 2 in the East because the one thing that needed to get better did not.

The starting rotation could be worse than it was last year, especially with the loss of retired veteran Andy Pettitte. The Yankees are relying heavily on a bounce-back year from A.J. Burnett, who has yet to perform up to the Yankees’ expectations.

They are also relying on the young guns they have in the system, who have very little major league experience. The Yankees did do a few good things, however.

They got younger behind the plate with Russell Martin, and they added veteran (and maybe future closer) Rafael Soriano. Even with these moves, they will be playing second to the Red Sox all year, but should win the wild card.

3. Baltimore Orioles: Buck Showalter wants to win, simple as that.

It was seen at the end of last season that the Orioles had the talent to win ball games. They just needed a manager to light the fire underneath them. Now they added even more talent to that roster with the additions of Kevin Gregg (RP), Derrek Lee (1B), Justin Duchscherer (SP), Jeremy Guthrie (SP), and Vladimir Guerrero (DH).

Showalter is piecing together a ballclub that can and will compete in a division with loads of talent. They still have some major holes, specifically in the outfield, back end of the starting five, and the bullpen. Expect a huge turnaround from the Orioles.

4. Toronto Blue Jays: They will sit in the same spot as they did last season because they didn’t do a whole lot to get better.

They traded for Juan Rivera in exchange for an underperforming Vernon Wells. The Jays could be considering this an upgrade.

They also added relief pitchers Octavio Dotel, Jon Rauch, and Frank Francisco. All of them are potential closers but none of them have proven themselves as a full-time closer. The starting five is solid at the top, but fades really fast after that. They also have a rookie catcher trying to handle this young and developing staff, which could spell disaster. However, they have a powerful lineup as long as they produce like they have shown in years past.

5.                  Tampa Bay Rays: The Rays find themselves in a huge hole with losing Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena.

The Rays tried to compensate for the losses by adding Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez. This was not an upgrade but they did their best to fill the holes. The starting pitching should carry them in several games but the bullpen has its problems as well with no defined closer. Their biggest problem will be: how can you get Manny Ramirez to stay motivated for a whole season, and not hinder the progress of the young talent”

The Rays have an abundance of talent, and if it performs will win them a lot of games. The Rays have put themselves in a position to take one step back this year, but several steps forward in the future.

AL Central

The Central is always an interesting race to watch, especially in recent history with the division winner having to be determined by a one-game playoff in two of the last three seasons.

The division, however, did not get any better this off-season. For the most part, all the teams kept the personnel they had last year. The central is weak overall, and is really only a two-, maybe three-team race.

The standings won’t change a whole lot from last year other than who is on top. Although this division is weak, one team in particular could make a splash in the playoffs.

1. Chicago White Sox: The White Sox could have been in bad shape going into this season.

But they spent some money, kept the players that helped them compete last season, and added the big left-handed bat they desperately needed in Adam Dunn. The White Sox also have one of the top pitching rotations in baseball.

What could hamper the White Sox is their inability to play in the cold weather months of April and May. They struggled through those months last season, possibly costing them the division title.

This current roster should be over the cold weather hump and be ready to move forward. If they can put together a solid first two months you will be seeing them in the playoffs.

2. Minnesota Twins: The Twins dominated the 2000s with six division crowns.

However, they struggled severely in the playoffs, only getting out of the division series once. Can the Twins keep up their dominance and run away with another division title?

As long as Ron Gardenhire is the Twins manager they will keep their dominance through this decade.

The Twins are virtually the same team as last year. They didn’t have any huge key acquisitions, but they are returning closer Joe Nathan.

The Twins won 94 games last season, and that was enough to get them into the playoffs. They should theoretically win about the same amount of games. They will need to win more than that if they want to find themselves playing in October again.

3. Detroit Tigers: The Tigers rely heavily on a starting rotation that no one really has any idea what they are going to do.

The rotation from year to year seems to be hit or miss. Justin Verlander has proven himself to be a quality opening day starter, but other than him it is unclear how good this staff will be.

The Tigers did add big-name catcher Victor Martinez, who will see his numbers drop because he doesn’t have those big bats behind him like he did in Boston. The biggest question around the Tigers is: how will Miguel Cabrera’s off-field troubles carry onto the field? This could really hurt the Tigers this year, and be a very big distraction.

4. Cleveland Indians: The Indians were poisoned last season by injuries, and they are still a very unbalanced team when healthy.

The Indians have fallen off the map since 2008, and are trying to put themselves back together. They will have no such luck this season.

They are once again going to ride on the shoulders of their young talent in the field, starting rotation, and bullpen. They are in the works of creating a very good team, but they still have a lot of work to do to even catch the Tigers.

5. Kansas City Royals: Every year it feels like the same thing with these Royals. Why does it look like they are trying to lose?

They do absolutely nothing to try and get better. They traded away their Cy Young-award winning pitcher for prospects that will help them win a few more games for one season.

They will then proceed to trade all of those players away. The Royals are currently sporting a washed-up group of players in Jason Kendall, Wilson Betemit, Melky Cabrera, and Jeff Francoeur.

They have no starting pitching and no bullpen other than the consistent closer Joakim Soria, who will probably be traded during the season. Expect another last-place finish for the Royals.

AL West

The West is filled with mounds of talented pitching. Coming off the “year of the pitcher” last season, it will be very interesting to see if “the year of the pitcher” continues and trends through the decade.

If it does, this division has set itself up to compete for a long time with the number of young pitchers it has. This could be a very good divisional race with its pitching. However, there is a clear-cut favorite that could run away with this division because of its hitting.

1. Texas Rangers: The Rangers are the cream of the crop in the West.

Even though they lost their ace (Cliff Lee), this team should still win a lot of games. The Rangers added Adrian Beltre, who should be just as good on this team as he was with Boston because he has lineup protection from Josh Hamilton and Michael Young.

Their weakness could be the starting pitching, and Josh Hamilton, who has had injuries in his last two seasons. If he can stay healthy, this team can and will win more games.

The pitching kept the Rangers afloat all of last season, and when Cliff Lee was acquired he elevated them to the next level. The Rangers owner is Nolan Ryan, so you better believe he will be working with these pitchers to make them better.

2. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Anyone else think it’s time for them to become the California Angels again?

Anyway, the starting pitching for the A’s and Angels is pretty much equal. Both teams also have a really strong bullpen that will be tough to beat down the stretch in games. What sets the Angels apart is what they have in the field. The Angels have a better lineup, especially after the  addition of Vernon Wells.

An injury-plagued season for the Angels really hurt their chances of competing for the division. However, this season they will again be competing for second place, even if healthy.

3. Oakland Athletics: The A’s will compete with the Angels solely through their pitching.

This starting five is going to be one of the premier rotations in the league, possibly as soon as this year, or iin the near future. That’s assuming Billy Beane doesn’t trade them away for prospects.

The A’s bats are going to struggle mightily, especially in a division with such good overall pitching. They need to develop their young hitters in a hurry, because just like the Royals, their fielders are washed up.

4. Seattle Mariners: The difference between the Royals and Mariners is that the Mariners are trying to get better. They just can’t get over the hump.

They have made moves in the past that could have gotten them over that hump, but it will be another tough season for them to compete in such a pitching-saturated division. The Mariners will find themselves in the cellar once again, but with a chance to develop their young prospects for the future.

Mariner fans will have something to cheer for as Ichiro goes for his 11th consecutive 200-hit season, to break Pete Rose’s record of 10 non-consecutive 200-hit seasons.

NL East

The Phillies are the team to beat in the East. This will be a rather uncompetitive division because after the Braves the talent falls off, and the other teams are in disarray. Don’t expect much drama out of the East.

There is still a lot of individual talent to be seen in this division. There are several players to watch develop for future seasons.

1. Philadelphia Phillies: This offseason, the Phillies created one of the best starting rotations in baseball history.

They already have a potent starting lineup from top to bottom. No one in the Easy or the NL in general can match the Phillies, bat for bat or pitcher for pitcher.

The Phillies’ potential weaknesses are their bullpen and age. Brad Lidge at closer has been both really good, and really bad. With such a superb starting rotation, they will probably rely less on the bullpen.

The Phillies are starting to become an older team, and could be hit with several injuries. This team has set itself up to win now and for the next two or three seasons. Expect the Phillies to dominate the East and make another run at the World Series.

2. Atlanta Braves: The Braves will rely on the combination of young and old pitching arms to get them through the season.

It worked for them last season and earned them a playoff berth. If one of the older arms goes down, this could spell disaster for the Braves.

The addition of Dan Uggla is big because it allows the team to compete with the Phillies’ lineup. However, it will be hard for the Braves to keep up with the Phillies’ pitching staff.

The Braves will challenge the Phillies for the division early, but will fade as the season continues. They will, however, compete for that wild-card spot all year.

3. New York Mets: Just like the AL Central, after the top two teams the division drops off.

The Mets are always plagued with injuries. If this team can stay healthy, they have a chance at the wild card but they really lack in the pitching department.

The starting pitching needs a lot of help with Johan Santana out. This team is dependent on making sure the everyday players don’t get hurt, because once they’re out it could lead to a tail spin and potentially another lost season.

4. Washington Nationals: This team is trying really hard to put the pieces of the puzzle together.

Their young talent is finally blossoming, and the Nationals have a plethora of youth waiting in the minors. Still, with its lackluster pitching this team is far from being competitive in any division in baseball.

The Nationals have a lot to look forward to as long as they develop the players properly and handle them with care, unlike what they did with Stephan Strasburg.

5. Florida Marlins: The Marlins are going to ride once again on the bat of Hanley Ramirez.

Unless this team can get some guys that can actually hit around him, he will not reach his full potential until he goes to New York or Boston. The Marlins need to keep what they are doing now, and add some spending to the mix.

They is about to open a new ballpark in 2012 and should start getting fans excited. The Marlins didn’t do that this offseason.

The Marlins will only compete with these lower-level teams, making them appear better than they actually are.

NL Central

This is a going to be a three-team race. No one team stands out as the favorite to win this division.

The Central did not add players to its teams to get better. So expect similar results this season.

1. St. Louis Cardinals: The Cardinals have the best pitching staff in the Central, even with the loss of Adam Wainwright.

They have the most solid pitching of the three contending teams. They are defined by the bullpen and they have four starting pitchers.

The Cardinals’ lineup is led by soon-to-be free agent Albert Pujols. There will be no distractions around his contract, and he will prove that he is worth every penny. The Cardinals, depending on how the starting pitching performs, could be the division frontrunners.

2. Cincinnati Reds: The Reds have the most potent lineup of the three contenders. They have a pretty solid lineup from top to bottom. The pitching rotation is weak compared to the Cardinals and Brewers.

However, the bullpen is really strong, especially with the 105-mph fireballer Aroldis Chapman. The bullpen will keep small leads intact and win several games. The Reds are still very young, and will be able to compete with and adapt to the other teams in this division.

3. Milwaukee Brewers: The addition of Zach Greinke is key for the Brewers’ success, just like a few years ago when they nabbed C.C. Sabathia at the trade deadline.

The difference between this go-around with a surefire ace is the Brewers will have Greinke the whole season. The Brew Crew’s rotation falls off a lot after its first two starters, and the bullpen is rather young and inexperienced.

The Brewers’ lineup, led by Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun, has the capability to put up good numbers. The Brewers could take the division, but it will be a tight race to the finish.

4. Chicago Cubs: The Cubs’ starting pitching beyond Ryan Dempster and Matt Garza will cause problems . . . for the Cubs.

The source of the problem is Carlos Zambrano. If he can’t keep his head level for the whole year and pitch how he did several years ago, this team is going to fall apart.

5. Houston Astros: The Astros have a lot of young talent that is growing and developing.

They seem to be using this time to develop the talent and hope to make a small splash this season, with bigger splashes for several years.

6.The Pittsburg Pirates: It is tough to talk about this team because there is a mentality they are going to lose year in and year out.

They haven’t had a winning season in 18 years. This team’s problem is they develop the talent, but trade them away for several prospects to “help” them win.

A team can’t win if all it is doing is developing prospects to trade them away as soon as they play well. This team is exactly like the Royals in the sense that it has no desire to win.

NL West

The NL West is the deepest division, talent-wise and will produce another exciting race this season. Four teams will fight for the division title. The team with the best hitting, not pitching, will win.

All of the teams have good enough pitching staffs to get into the playoffs. As we saw last season, the pitching was an integral part for the champion, but it was actually the hitting for the Giants that propelled them into the playoffs.

1. Colorado Rockies: This team lost out at a chance on the playoffs last season because of all the injuries it had. This team right now has all the right pieces to have a playoff-contending team.

The starting pitching is just as good as the Giants’ and the Rockies might have a better bullpen. Last season, the young pitching they have finally got the major-league experience needed for them to compete.

The Rockies also added second baseman Jose Lopez. He will produce some of the best numbers of his career with the protection he will get from Troy Tulowitzki, Carlos Gonzalez and Todd Helton.

Expect this team to win the division in a close race.

2. San Diego Padres: The Padres were last season’s unexpected team, and are actually better than they were last season.

They have set themselves up to win on pitching and defense once again. However, they added some players that can hit the ball.

The starting pitching will be very good, because the young guns are maturing and gaining valuable experience to help the team win. The bullpen is also very good.

You can only hope this team will play the way it is supposed to, because there could be a fire sale, and an early end to the season.

3. San Francisco Giants: The Giants’ starting pitching carried this team throughout the whole season last year.

That, with everything going right for them down the stretch, led to the Giants’ first World Series championship since moving to San Francisco. This season, the Giants will need more than their starting pitching to get through this division.

Buster Posey showed that he will be a catcher for a long time if he can put up his rookie numbers. Pablo Sandoval needs to have a bounce-back year and return to his 2009 form.

However, the team can’t solely rely on these two players. This team is one of the oldest in baseball, and isn’t getting younger. Expect a drop off as the season goes on.

4. Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers are an interesting team because they should be one of the favorites to win the division with the talent in the field and on the pitching staff, but they aren’t.

They are capable of competing with the top teams in the division, and they very well might. They just need the fire, much like the Orioles got with Buck Showalter.

Don Mattingly will have a tall task ahead of him in both lighting the fire and proving he is worthy of actually managing a big-league club.

5. Arizona Diamondbacks: This team is still really young and developing its talent.

The Diamondbacks have several young hitters that can keep them in games, but when all is said and done they do not have the talent to compete with the other four teams right now. They need to take this year to develop the starting pitching for future seasons.

Awards:

AL MVP: Carl Crawford, Boston Red Sox

NL MVP: Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals

AL Cy Young: David Price, Tampa Bay Rays

NL Cy Young: Ubaldo Jimenez, Colorado Rockies

Playoffs:

Divisional Series:

Red Sox beat Rangers
White Sox beat Yankees

Phillies beat Cardinals
Rockies beat Braves

Championship Series:

Red Sox beat White Sox

Phillies beat Rockies

World Series:

Phillies beat Red Sox