There’s only one better way to kick off the baseball season than Red Sox and Yankees on opening night – and that would be having a double header combining Sox and Yanks, along with the Cubs and Cardinals.

Let’s make that happen, Bud!

Next time, OK?

Anyway, I digress into a peanut and Cracker Jack food coma – and wash it down with a cold beer… watching as the boys of summer are back for yet another year on the diamond.

To celebrate the 2010 MLB season, The Wife Hates Sports is going to put out some season predictions in another segment of “Pick Your Knows”.

But enough chit-chat, let’s get back to the disgusting habit… time to “pick your knows”…

Pick Your Knows: 2010 MLB Season Predictions

American League Division Winners:

Boston Red Sox

Chicago White Sox

Seattle Mariners

AL Wild Card Winner

New York Yankees

KP’s Take: Why not the following teams?

Twins – Losing Joe Nathan hurts the bullpen and shutting the door on close games

Rays – Don’t get me wrong, they’re good – but the Yanks and Sox are better.

Angels – An aging team with not as much starting rotation depth as the Mariners

National League Division Winners:

Philadelphia Phillies

St. Louis Cardinals

Arizona Diamondbacks

NL Wild Card Winner

Atlanta Braves

KP’s Take: Why not the following teams?

Dodgers – Cash strapped and unable to fill necessary holes due to ownership’s divorce issues.

Mets – Injury issues – what else?

Giants – I love their pitching, but still don’t they have enough pop in the lineup to get it done.

Teams That Will Surprise You

American League: Baltimore Orioles

National League: Arizona Diamondbacks

KP’s Take:

In the AL, I think the Orioles will be much improved – but not a playoff team.  They have a great young OF featuring Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, Felix Pie and Nolan Reimold, combined with a ton of young arms – headlined by Brian Matusz, who I see as this year’s AL rookie of the year.

Over in the NL, while many have the Rockies, Dodgers or even Giants taking the AL West – I see the D’Backs getting back on the map and stealing the division crown.  Why?  Well, again – youth on offense, headlined by Stephen Drew and Justin Upton.  Plus, they have a deadly starting trio of Dan Haren, Brandon Webb (returning from injury) and newly acquired Edwin Jackson.

Most Valuable Player

American League: Kevin Youkiilis – Boston Red Sox

National League: Albert Pujols – St. Louis Cardinals

KP’s Take:

Until Pujols retires, I’ll probably take him as the NL MVP – because the guy just keeps putting up gaudy numbers.  That, plus it doesn’t hurt to have Matt Holliday as protection in the ineup.

In the AL, Youkilis, has been a clutch player for Boston ever since first setting foot on the field – and not just at the plate during key moments, but also playing solid defense.  He’ll be a steady force in the Red Sox lineup while Ortiz’s career continues to show a steady decline due to age and general wear and tear.

Rookie of the Year

American League: Brian Matusz – Baltimore Orioles

National League: Jason Heyward – Atlanta Braves

KP’s Take:

Matusz pitched some for the O’s late last season, but didn’t log the necessary innings to be considered a sophomore in 2010.  He has the experience and the stuff.

Meanwhile, Heyward is one of the most hyped up bats heading into the season.  The power hitting 20-year old will start on opening day, and should post good enough numbers to outlast Washington’s Stephen Strasburg, who will likely be called up later in the season.

Comeback Player of the Year

American League: Adrian Beltre – Boston Red Sox

National League: Chris Young – Arizona Diamondbacks

KP’s Take: For more on comeback seasons, I wrote a separate post a few days ago that can be found here.

2010 MLB Playoff Predictions

Red Sox OVER White Sox

Yankees OVER Mariners

Phillies OVER D’Backs

Cardinals OVER Braves

KP’s Take: While the Mariners and D’Backs make it due to deep starting rotations, the Yankees and Phillies have the full package, combining pitching and hitting across the board.

Red Sox OVER Yankees

Phillies OVER Cardinals

KP’s Take: Everyone knows how much fun a Red Sox-Yankees battle is in the ALCS, but having Cardinals with Carpenter and Wainwright against the Phillies with Halladay and Hamels – now that would be good theater.

2010 World Series Prediction

Red Sox OVER Phillies in 6

KP’s Take:

I have the Phillies representing the National League for the third consecutive year – almost Bills-like in nature – even though they did win one title.  The Phils just have so much depth and talent, combining defense, offense, power and great pitching – headlined by new acquisition Roy Halladay.  Now if they had kept Cliff Lee, too – I’d have them taking another title home to cheesesteak country.

As for the Red Sox, they gave the Yankees a good run last year – and this year, made some quality additions to the roster, bringing in another ace in John Lackey (to go along with Beckett and Lester).  On top of that, Boston added some great defensive talents in Mike Cameron and Adrian Beltre.  Each of these players will also see a spike in offense, as they not only play in a stacked lineup, but also bat in the hitter-friendly Fenway Park.

For these reasons and more, I have the Boston Red Sox as your 2010 World Champions.

KP Predicts the Red Sox to Celebrate 2010 with a World Series Title

Now, it’s your turn – go ahead… pick your knows!

Originally posted to KP’s Blog (via Fox Sports) on May 12, 2009

Who knows why the tomato was the fruit of choice when an individual wanted to show displeasure for something.

It is what it is, so why question it?

Instead, keep the tradition alive by throwing tomatoes at the individuals in sports that deserve them most… such as this week’s unfortunate targets…

Throwing Tomatoes: May 12, 2009

Calvin Borel
…for bailing on Mine That Bird.
What makes horse racing enticing? Besides the betting, people. Yes, it’s the elusive Triple Crown. A horse gets close, and people get pulled in by an underdog story, plus the jockey that’s along for the ride. Calvin Borel was that jockey this year, helping push 50-1 shot Mine That Bird to a Derby victory.

Preakness time, right? Wrong. Borel bailed, choosing Rachel Alexandra instead, leaving us with just some funny looking hat to wear.

NASCAR Driver Jeremy Mayfield
… for failing a drug test.
Reports say officials figured it out when Mayfield had left his right turn signal on – just kidding.

At least Mayfield, who is suspended indefinitely, wasn’t guilty of taking the same banned substance as Manny Ramirez. Why? Well, there could be some confusion as to where the stick shift is – yes, I went there.

Tim Floyd
… but only if the report that he paid an OJ Mayo associate is true.
Yes, reports are surfacing that USC basketball coach Tim Floyd paid an associate of OJ Mayo buko bucks to help get the phenom to play hoops with the Trojans.

C’mon Tim, maybe you should have stuck with recruiting the grade school kids, where you could pay them off in toys and candy. Seriously, didn’t anyone ever teach you to “hold the Mayo”?

Tony Romo
…for trying to qualify for the U.S. Open.
Hey, more power to you Tony for being able to play well at multiple sports. But why not focus on improving your football game more instead of trying out for another U.S. Open?

The FoxSports.com report discusses how Romo shot an even-par 36 on the front nine, but faltered mightily on the back, shooting a 44. Yeah, that sounds about right. Wait, he didn’t fumble any balls heading to the 18th tee box, did he?

Orlando Magic
…for faltering at another critical moment in the playoffs.
Orlando really lacks closing power this year. Blowing multiple leads throughout, the Magic’s toughest loss may have been the recent Game 5 against Boston, where Orlando failed to make a field goal over the last five minutes plus.

Boston is one win away from a date with LeBron and the Cavs, while Orlando is fading quicker than you can say Marcin Gortat.

Former Nebraska QB Sam Keller
… for suing EA Sports and the NCAA.
A recent AP report discusses how the former Cornhusker is suing saying “the video-game maker wrongly uses the names and likenesses of college athletes in its products and that the NCAA sanctions the practice.”

OK, who else thinks the guy’s a little bitter about having a 38-speed rating and a noodle for an arm? Yeah, that’s what I thought – me too.

And now, some quick cherry tomatoes – small, yet effective…

Brett Favre - Because the media exposure is back and it feels like the movie Groundhog Day
Manny Ramirez – Ugh, let’s call it Groundhog Day Part II
Anyone NOT watching Pens-Caps in the NHL Playoffs - or as I like to call it, “Celtics-Bulls on Ice”

This has been “Throwing Tomatoes”… where the art of throwing one has never left.