National League

I know, I know—I'm a tad late with this one. Not only have the San Francisco Giants already started their next series against the Colorado Rockies, but the first pitch for the second game is only minutes away.

And it's all the more inexcusable because the series I've been dragging on was a fantastic offering that saw our good guys slay the evil Los Angeles Dodgers twice in three chances.

Over the next month or so, I'm going to break down a different MLB team each day, and make a bold prediction as to what they're looking at, position wise, come September.

Naturally, I'll start with my team—the Seattle Mariners.

It was painfully obvious last year, that the Mariners were not a good team. Suffice to say, almost nothing went right in a 101 loss, last place season. The 2008 Mariners were also the first team in history with a $100 million payroll to lose 100 games. Not an accomplishment to be proud of.

Now seems as good as any to step back from the San Francisco Giants' season and take a look at how things are shaping up thus far.

The boys are coming off a two-game "sweep" of the San Diego Padres—a small measure of retribution for the three-game variety the Fathers put on SF when our guys visited Petco about 10 days ago.

But, in this writer's opinion, two games a series do not make so there's no need for a specific recap dedicated to the duet.

In the MLB you need starting pitchers to go deep into the game so you don't have to use the bullpen that much. Also you need a good offensive attack. Well the Brewers have the offense, just not the starting pitching.

If you look at last year's pitching we had Ben Sheets and a late trade to acquire stud CC Sabathia. 

Many around baseball have been abuzz with the fast start of the Florida Marlins (11-1). But don't anoint them playoff bound just yet.

Not only is it a mere two weeks into the very long baseball season, but the Marlins have been blessed with an extremely easy schedule out of the gate.

I know I'm a little behind in the cycle to be writing an article about Harry Kalas, but I definitely feel it is important to write, even if only for myself.

Anyone who reads what I write regularly, you may have noticed that I rarely ever use the word "I" or "me".  I feel like we are all writing our own opinions on here, so why should I make any of my statements about me??

“Gary Sheffield had no demands for the Mets and did not specifically discuss his number of at bats with us.” -- Omar Minaya (April 3, 2009)

And if you believe that, I have beachfront property in Montana for all of you.

I usually don't like predictions because I am really bad at them. These are just numbers, not backed up by statistics from last year because, frankly, I don't give last year much thought. Especially because I'm a Mets' fan.

So I made these extraordinary picks. Not too many surprises, that's why I still have three out my four final four picks still in there.

I'm all for nostalgia, so I have my two favorite teams to relive some brilliant baseball history, and after another drug-filled offseason, I think everyone would agree that we need some excitement this season.

“Prospect -- the act of looking forward; something that is awaited or expected”

Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary