I love the start of a new Major League Baseball season for so many reasons. Possibly the best part of a new season is the optimism.
As a die-hard Cubs fan, for many years the start of a new season is magical because it means the Cubs are not too far out of first place. Usually by the sixth or seventh week of the season Cubs fans are already looking towards next year.

Luckily the past few seasons have been a bit different as theyíve been competitive either through the playoffs or until very late in the season. In watching Mondayís season opener against Arizona, I think Cubs fans will be optimistic all year long as they looked good.
Sure the last National League pennant the Cubs won was in 1945, and their last World Series title was in 1908, but the Boston Red Sox gave Cubs fans hope last year.

Now, Iíve been a Cubs fan long enough to know I can be hopeful, but not too excited until the season is over. It was only two years ago that they looked like they were about to go to the World Series, but then fell apart.

This yearís team is much different than last years. I doubt theyíll be swinging for the fences like they did last year, but instead playing small ball and concentrating on better base running. The pitching staff has potential, but they need to stay healthy this year.

In a nutshell the team on paper is good. They can, and should, give the Cardinals a battle for the National League Central title. In the event the Cardinals win the NLC title, I believe the Cubs will take the Wild Card and still make the playoffs.

Being a transplant to Minnesota, Iíve grown to like the Twins too. Itís not too hard when theyíve won three straight American League Central titles, and they repeatedly beat up on the Cubsí cross-town rival White Sox.

Sure I find it tough to watch games indoors in the middle of the summer, but it seems like each Twins game Iíve been to itís either been a bit cold outside, or raining so I was thankful for the Dome, but once you get inside and see the way the team plays, you forget youíre inside.

Then again, whatís not to like about a team that can develop talent like Lew Ford. Throw in a pitching staff led by Johan Santana and itís a no brainier that the Twins will not only be good, but have a legitimate run for their fourth consecutive ALC title.

Some say the Twins will have to fend off the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox, but I doubt it.

The White Sox are the kind of team that has a lot of big names, but never really produce. I think part of the White Soxí problem is their choice of Ozzie Guillen as manager. Guillen was a selfish player and heís already showing signs of being a selfish manager that holds grudges with players.

The Indians on the other hand have a manager who has most of his experience in the minors and a team that is still, in my mind, too young to give the Twins a scare.

Now, a fan of both teams, I like ESPNís Peter Gammons predicting for the season. Gammons believes the World Series will feature the Cubs versus the Twins. Who knows whoíll win? I just hope Gammons is right about this one.

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