A new baseball season is upon us, and as I'm a glutton for punishment, I predict again the playoff teams and the eventual series winner:

NL East
The Phillies, with the addition of the nasty Billy Wagner win it in the the last week. They have a good record at the new Citizens Bank Ballpark. They finish first by 2 1/2 over the Mets. The Mets are revitalized with Piazza playing first base and the pitching staff shining with 4 ten game winners. The Mets win the Wildcard.

NL Central
The Astros are unstoppable with Andy Pettite picking it up after a slow start. Bagwell hits 35 dingers and Biggio is his normal outstanding self. Clemons wins 13 games to finish at 13-8. He will miss at least a month due to injury.

NL West
The Padres make a run, but alas, they lose out to the Giants in the last few weeks. Bonds hits 40 and breaks records damn near weekly. The Padres play well in their new crib, Petco Park.

Tomorrow, the AL.