Yankees and Mets Preview

I know that everyone is anxiously awaiting details of my road trip but because it was such an action packed adventure I need more time to recap it all. As such, here's an extended look at the 2006 baseball season with my take on the local teams, the Yankees and Mets.

Mets Preview

All the talking heads and people with bylines are picking the Mets to finally dethrone the Braves in the NL East. We all know that that Braves will never lose so that leaves the Mets to contend for the wild card with the second place team from the NL Central and if you ask me both the Cardinals and Astros are better than them.

So, I'm sorry to say Rob but it looks like the Mets, while better than last year, are still not there yet. Their starting pitching just isn't up to par if Pedro isn't a 100%. They'll have a good year and probably be around .500 but in the end they'll fall short of making the playoffs before finally breaking through next year.

This year should be very exciting though with the likes of Jose Reyes, David Wright, and Carlos Beltran all having good years. Just don't get your hopes up too high when they start the year 8-2 because it won't last.

Yankees Preview

Every year they have a good shot on paper heading into the year but this year I think they are built to win it all. Sure they have an all star at every position and will put up a lot of crooked numbers as their opening day shellacking of the A's will attest to. But it's the little things that add up to a championship and this year's team has all the intangibles it takes to win. They have a great bench featuring Miguel Cairo and Bubba Crosby. They have a deep bullpen with two good lefties in Ron Villone and Mike Myers. And most importantly they have two very important things going for them.

First off, is the presence of new leadoff hitter Johnny Damon who will bring talent and a true tablesetter to the top of their lineup but more importantly than that a new attitude. Remember it was Damon who lead the Red Sox back from 0-3 down in the ALCS two years ago. His demeanor could set the tone for the season and restore the Yankees aura of being a powerhouse team that got away from them the last few years.

Secondly is the team wide recognition that they have to do the little things to win. Expect the Yankees to run, hit and run, bunt, and play small ball whenever possible so they don't have to rely on the long ball as much even though they will probably lead the majors in team homeruns.

All in all, if you take a small ball philosophy on a team that's loaded offensively with a new attidue about them lead by Damon and combine that with the deepest pitching staff and bench they've had during the Torre era at it all could add up to their 27th championship! Which is why I should go now and order the mlb package for DirectTV. I can't miss this.