4. San Francisco--What are they doing trading Matt Williams? Who's going to protect Barry "There's no I in team, but there is a me spelled backwards' Bonds? The pitching staff is horrific.

The wildcards will be Florida in the NL and Chicago in the AL. I detest the selfish, hypocritical Jerry Reinsdorf, who opposed the labor deal because he said it would drive up salaries too much, but then signed Albert Belle the same week for 11 million a year. So I eagerly anticipate the White Sox's early exit.

The team which will emerge from the American League is Cleveland. Remember how Seattle almost beat them in 1995? A similar thing will happen in their epic seven-game series. Ken Griffey, Jr., will drop a routine fly ball in the ninth inning of the decisive game. Phil Knight weeps bitter tears.

Florida is awesome, but Alanta's starting pitching will get them by because Brown, Leiter, and Fernandez can't all be amazing at once. John Smoltz, Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine can. Braves in five.

In a rematch of the 1995 Series, Atlanta wins once again.

Cleveland's starters are ancient and tire by late October. Kenny Lofton wins World Series MVP then goes back to Houston, who traded him for Ed Taubensee many moons ago, in the offseason as a free agent. The Astros then found a dynasty, winning the Series from 1998 until 2005.