Here is the day we have long awaited, and it is only fitting that if falls on Easter Sunday and the in the middle of Passover as well.  Today is a time for remembering that all things are possible, that miracles happen.  I normally shy away from giving baseball the significance of religion- though for many they have very similar attributes.  They both require commitment of faith.  They are both there for us every day- at least for the next 6 months- then of course religion shows its enduring power.  Both show us constantly that miracles do happen; it doesn’t matter how much you have seen there is always something more that is going to happen with faith in hand.

Tonight the Boston Red Sox host the New York Yankees to kick off the baseball season.  While many may wonder why baseball chose this storied match-up to headline the season, since most of us will watch anything on this first day- I am guessing they found it a way to raise excitement for the season.  To show you the biggest rivalry right from the start satisfies the fans of those two teams- a huge number- and also those for which is a story of interest but secondary to that of their own team.

Today is the day, where I too, offer up my predictions.  You can offer your predictions on the message board- see how hard it is to put your thoughts in print!

National League:

NL East: Phillies.  Easy.  The Braves could put up a heck of a fight, as could the Marlins.  I have a theory that a team can’t play at the Phillies level for three years in a row anymore, but a Phillies scout pointed out that Rollins, Utley and Howard all missed significant time in one or both of the last two seasons.  Those three haven’t played full three seasons in row- that’s going to make this run possible.  Braves fan so have something to root for.  The Mets could surprise everyone- but literally everything has to break right, and with the Mets no one wants to say the word “break.”

NL Central: Its the Cardinals.  I would like to say the Cubs, but I learned my lesson last year.  Geovanny Soto and Carlos Zambrano will both have better years, and Ted Lilly is going to be the number one in that rotation.  But the Cardinals are a balanced team- and they are steady, and that will help.  The Reds could make a run, their pitching is that good.  But I expect the Cardinals to be there at the end.

NL West: The Rockies.  This will be a battle, to the end, since the Rockies are now starting the season with 4 pitchers on the DL, but they will be there at the end.  The Dodgers pitching, even with Clayton Kershaw is not good enough.  The Giants hitting isn’t good enough.  I do think this is now the toughest division in the NL, which is saying something after it being the weakest only two years ago.

Wild card: The Atlanta Braves.  This is just a gut decision.  It could be the Dodgers or the Giants, but somewhere in the land of Disney this spring, I think I saw a team that could take Bobby Cox back to the post season.

American League:

AL East: Boston Red Sox.  You don’t need me to tell you this is the toughest division in baseball, isn’t everyone writing that today?  The Red Sox and the Yankees are power houses, and the Rays, just like in 2008, are built to win. I personally don’t think the Yankees are as good as they were last year- though they are still very good.  The Red Sox seem to believe in themselves in a way I haven’t seen in a couple of years.  The Rays have the buzz, so they could just get on a roll and never look back, which will make any answer I give just seem silly.

AL Central: The Tigers.  Their pitching is back, they look very good.  The Twins will, of course, put up a good fight, but the new stadium, I think could become a distraction to this team that isn’t used to any special attention.  They are going to have to learn how to play outdoors in the cold.

AL West: The Texas Rangers.  I know.  I have been picking the Rangers for years, but this time its real.  I think they finally have the depth to weather some injuries and they can hit.  Josh Hamilton should be back to his 2008 form, at least for enough of the season, and the pitching is strong.  One can’t underestimate the Angels, but I felt like they made it last year by default.  This year the Rangers are going in with the hype, and I think they might just believe it.

Wildcard: The New York Yankees.  If I am wrong about the who, I will not be wrong about the division it comes out of.  Emotionally, I want to pick the Rays here, but can I see a scenario where the Yankees aren’t in the playoffs?  No- I just can’t.  In July they will do whatever is necessary to make sure they have the pieces, its just a fact.  The Rays do not have that option.

Its going to be a fun year.  Its finally time to stop with the ‘what ifs’ and concentrate on the now.  It’s time to say good-bye to those things that brought us down in 2009.  It is time to welcome the new possibilities, the new opportunities. As we gather around the television tonight to watch the biggest rivalry in the game, its time to focus on the vision of what we want for ourselves and for our team in 2010, and its time to balance that with reality.  See, even I know the Pirates aren’t winning the World Series this year- but you know what else?  They are going to be better than they have been in a very long time.  So no matter who you root for, today there is hope.  Lets try to keep that with us for all the days to come.