Going from 70-degree weather to an inch of snow all in the course of a day can only mean one thing: it’s springtime in Ohio. We all know that when it’s spring, it’s also baseball season, America’s national pastime. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at what will happen this coming season in the MLB.

NL EAST
As far as lineups go, the Mets boast the best in the division. However, the Mets rotation is paper-thin. New York is relying on too many aging pitchers on the decline, such as Tom Glavine, and young arms that probably aren’t ready to contribute significantly at the major league level.

Philadelphia also has aging arms, but the players are just on the start of the decline and there should still be enough to get them through the season. The Phillies also have Ryan Howard in the heart of their lineup, and these two factors make me think Philadelphia is the team to beat.

NL CENTRAL
This is both the largest and most wide-open division in the majors. While St. Louis is the reigning World Series champs, I don’t see a repeat happening.

Milwaukee and Chicago seem to be the best teams in the division. Chicago, though, doesn’t have the 1-2 pitching combination that Milwaukee has in Ben Sheets and Chris Capuano, unless Mark Prior can successfully pitch his way back from AAA and stay healthy.

Throw in the fact that the Brewers have a proven closer and a better bullpen overall, and I like the Brew Crew to win the NL Central this season.

NL WEST
I see this division coming down to the last week of the season in a close race between three teams. I like Arizona’s up and coming kids. I like Los Angeles’ balanced offense and strong starting pitching. I like San Diego’s dominant pitching.

So why do I like the Padres?  The Giles brothers. These two have wanted to play together since they made the big leagues, and now that they finally are on the same team, I think they will be a huge boost to San Diego’s clubhouse and it will keep the team loose all season.

AL EAST
Last year, the Red Sox were winning the AL East for much of the season until injuries finally derailed their 2006 campaign. Boston has the best rotation in the majors, in my opinion, headlined by tri-aces Curt Schilling, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Josh Beckett.

Had Jonathan Papelbon not requested to go back to the closer’s role, I would have leaned towards the Yankees to repeat again this year as the AL East champs. But between Boston’s top flight pitching and dominance at the end of the bullpen, I have to give the division to the Red Sox.

AL CENTRAL
I think this race comes down to the Tigers and the Indians.

I expect big things from the Detroit Tigers.  Last season, they won the AL pennant. The Tigers, though, weren’t content with this, so they went out and traded for Gary Sheffield to add to an already potent lineup.

Jeremy Bonderman and Justin Verlander should help lead the Tigers’ dominant pitching staff while their lineup keeps mashing. Cleveland will be there all season thanks in large part to Grady Sizemore, but I think the Tigers are just a little bit better and will repeat in the AL Central.

AL WEST
Baseball’s smallest division this year should be won by the team with baseball’s longest name: the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The Angels have the best player in the division in Vladimir Guerrero, the best rotation 1-5 and three men in the bullpen who are capable of closing.

No team in the AL West is that great, and every team has holes and questions. However, the Angels are the best overall team and they should be able to capitalize on the weakness of the division to make a trip to the playoffs.

WILD CARD
The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cleveland Indians seem to have the right assortment of talent to make it to the playoffs as Wild Cards this season.  Still, it’s hard to imagine the Yankees out of the playoffs, so while I like Cleveland, don’t be surprised to see New York playing in October.

PLAYOFFS
At the end of October, only the Boston Red Sox and Milwaukee Brewers will be left playing. I like the Brewers in the NL because of Sheets and Capuano and their strong bullpen.

Boston is built for the playoffs with two former World Series MVP’s and the MVP of the World Baseball Championship headlining the rotation. It will be tough to beat Boston when you have to face Schilling, Beckett and Matsuzaka in six of seven potential games.

Boston beats Milwaukee in the World Series this year in six games, and Jonathan Papelbon is your World Series MVP.

SEASON AWARDS

American League:

MVP - Grady Sizemore

CY YOUNG - Johan Santana

ROY - Daisuke Matsuzaka

National League:

MVP - Ryan Howard

CY YOUNG - Ben Sheets

ROY - Andre Ethier