Opening Day

Take it to the bank, Kevin Youkilis will be money in 2009.

Alas, opening day is upon us. Best day of the year, bar none.

For entertainment purposes only, here are my predictions for 2009:

Red Sox go 98-64 and win the AL East.

Rays take the wild card.

Yankees finish 3rd in the AL East and Joe Girardi opens next season behind the mic on the Major League Baseball network.

Cleveland wins the AL East.

The A’s take the AL West (they have Nomar).

The Phillies repeat in the NL East, the Cubs repeat in the NL Central, and Dodgers repeat in the NL West. The Mets take the NL Wild card.

AL Cy Young: Jon Lester

AL MVP: Grady Sizemore

NL Cy Young: Tim Lincecum

NL MVP: David Wright

World Series: Manny returns to a chorus of boos at Fenway and the Red Sox sweep the Dodgers on their way to their 3rd World Series Title in 6 seasons.