There is no doubt this season could be wide open once again after witnessing the season the Boston Red Sox had last year, going from worst to first as they won the World Series after finishing in last place in the rugged American League East division two years ago.
The following offers a look at both the American League and National League divisional races for the upcoming season, along with a forecast for the post-season and World Series.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
East Division
1. Tampa Bay Rays - This team has pitching, pitching, pitching ... and a pretty good lineup too.
2. Baltimore Orioles - A potent lineup added more to the arsenal and they should show improvement on the mound.
3. Boston Red Sox - Last year was a dream season for this team, which lost some key players from the championship year.
4. New York Yankees - Money doesn't always buy titles, and the Yankees may be in for a long season in Derek Jeter's final call.
5. Toronto Blue Jays - Great lineup, but questions about pitching holding them back in baseball's toughest division.
Central Division
1. Detroit Tigers - Barring any major injuries, this team is loaded and could very well win it all this season.
2. Kansas City Royals - Will this be the year the Royals finally make the post-season? It's been 29 years since they did.
3. Cleveland Indians - This team caught many by surprise last year, but it won't be so easy this time.
4. Chicago White Sox - A team on the rebound after a disastrous 2013 season.
5. Minnesota Twins - The Twins are a mess.
West Division
1. Oakland A's - They have some injuries to the pitching staff, but this is a good, young team.
2. Texas Rangers - Will this be manager Ron Washington's last season with the club? They must produce in 2014.
3. Los Angeles Angels -They made some off-season moves, now it's time to see if they pay off.
4. Seattle Mariners - This team could be a dark horse and surprise the American League this year.
5. Houston Astros - Looking to avoid 100 losses for the first time in four years.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
East Division
1. Washington Nationals - Once again, a team that could very well win it all this year.
2. Atlanta Braves - They have some injury issues with their pitching, but still should contend for the division crown.
3. Philadelphia Phillies - Aging ball club that has question marks and a rookie manager.
4. New York Mets - A lot of off-season moves, but in too deep in this division.
5. Miami Marlins - They should improve this season and could finish as high as third place.
Central Division
1. St. Louis Cardinals - They are coming off a tough World Series set back, but should get back to post-season again.
2. Pittsburgh Pirates - A good, young team that could get to the Fall Classic this season.
3. Cincinnati Reds - A new manager and new attitude in 2014 could put them back into the playoffs.
4. Milwaukee Brewers - Decent pitching but questions regarding inconsistency with lineup means the lower tier in a strong division.
5. Chicago Cubs - They are building for the future at Wrigley Field ... Patience!
West Division
1. Los Angeles Dodgers - Pitching staff ace Clayton Kershaw on the DL to start the season, but the Dodgers are loaded and looking for a World Series title.
2. San Francisco Giants - Every other year (2010, 2012), the Giants win the World Series ... not this time.
3. Colorado Rockies - Solid lineup, so-so pitching in the Rocky Mountains means no higher than third place.
4. Arizona Diamondbacks - Could be a long, hot summer in the desert.
5. San Diego Padres - They could finish anywhere from third to fifth place in this division.
2014 POST-SEASON PREDICTIONS
American League Wild Card Game - Baltimore over Texas
National League Wild Card Game - Pittsburgh over Atlanta
AMERICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Detroit over Baltimore ... Oakland over Tampa Bay
NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
St. Louis over Pittsburgh ... Washington over Los Angeles Dodgers
AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Detroit over Oakland
NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
St. Louis over Washington
WORLD SERIES
St. Louis Cardinals over Detroit Tigers
