Manny for MVP, Papelbon for ROY, and more PREDICTIONS

   Division Winners: Yankees, White Sox, Angels, Mets, Reds, Dodgers
The Yankees are about to have the best lineup in the majors, and the Red Sox have a tougher schedule ahead. Verlander is struggling, but the White Sox will be unable to take the AL Central regardless. The Angels are better then the A's.  The Cards are slumping worse then the Reds, and are worse in inner-division games.  The Dodgers are on a tear and will capture the weak west.

   Wildcard Winners: Red Sox, Astros
The White Sox do not have enough pitching, and David Wells will continue to pitch well and put the Red Sox in the playoffs.  The Astros are on a surge, and Pettite and Clemens are unbeatable.

   League Champions: Tigers, Mets
It all comes down to pitching.  Both the Tigers and Mets will thrive because of the emergence of youngsters Jeremy Sowers and John Maine.

   Word Series Champion: Tigers
The AL is better than the NL.  Just look at how the Mets fared against AL teams.

   MVP Awards: David Ortiz (should be Manny Ramirez), Ryan Howard (should be Albert Pujols)
David Ortiz will win because he is a fan/press favorite, but Manny should win.  Manny is first in the league in both OBP and SLG.  Ryan Howard will win because he leads in homers and RBI, but Pujols leads the majors in OPS and should be the winner.

   Cy Young Awards:Johan Santana, Brad Penny
The AL Cy Young just became less contested, as Liriano is out and Papelbon is struggling.  Verlander has a sore shoulder, and will have a subpar finish.  Brad Penny is tied for the NL lead in wins (12) with 5 other players.  Penny is second to Webb in ERA among those pitchers, and Webb is ailing.

   Hank Aaron Award: David Ortiz
Ortiz will again win over Manny because of his clutch hitting and fan favoritism.

   Rookie of the Year Awards: Jonathon Papelbon, Dan Uggla
Papelbon will win over the injured Liriano and the struggling Verlander.  Uggla will win because he is the best.

    Other Awards:

• Jerry Narron (Reds) and Jim Leyland (TIgers) will win Manager of the Year Awards


• Jim Thome will win comeback player of the year


• Mike Lowell will NOT win a gold glove, but Alex Gonzalez wil


• Gary Mathews will win a gold glove