E.K. NATION

NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION CHAMPS:

AMERICAN LEAGUE DIVISION CHAMPS:

WILD CARDS:

NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP:

def.

AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP:

def.

2005 WORLD SERIES:

defeat

Our picks for last year's World Series, the Yankees and Astros, both suffered losses in Game 7 of their respective League Championship Series, so we came pretty close. One thing we did not come close on: picking Arizona to win the N.L. West.

As readers of this blog know, we have promised to eat this blog if the Giants don't win the N.L. West this year. Most Giants bloggers that I have read are down on this year's model, saying it's too old, that Mike Matheny can't hit, that Moises Alou is going to miss Wrigley and hit maybe 15 homers, that Kirk Rueter's ears are too big, whatever. Doesn't anyone realize Cody Ransom is gone? (Prediction: Nobody named "Cody" will ever be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.) We here at E.K. Nation are just as happy with this group as any other team in the last few years--screw the AARP jokes--and feel it is good enough to once again lose to the Marlins in the Division Series.

A relative newcomer to this year's playoff party will be the Texas Rangers. No reason to think it doesn't have as much offense as, say, the Bosox, and with one fewer team to deal with in its division than most other teams do, that gives it a bit better chance. True, they don't have much pitching, but they will realize this soon enough and make a deal to nab a top-notch starter by the trade deadline.

The Twins' success in the playoffs will be directly connected to whether or not Ron Gardenhire has figured out that you don't need to pull Johan Santana, like, ever. You pulled him from Game 4 and the Yankees suddenly kicked it into gear and shocked you out of the playoffs. Don't do that again, Ronny. If you don't, the Twins will go farther this year.

Will Barry be around long enough to win his fifth straight MVP award? Probably not. This year will probably be Albert Pujols' year to win it. As for the Cy Young Award, we'll go with Jason Schmidt. In the American League, the MVP comes out of the West every year (nine straight seasons), so we'll go with Alfonso Soriano of Texas. Johan Santana will be the Cy Young winner for the second straight year.

Boston's year was last year. No world title for you. Minnesota will defeat it in the first round. Also, we know we should be committed for not picking the Atlanta Braves to win the N.L. East.

In the end, Florida's going to make it to the World Series again. They have the tools, they have the talent. But they won't be able to overcome the mighty Yankees, who will win it all for the first time in, let's see...five years. No way; it's been that long?

• In college basketball news, HEY! For the second straight year, a team from E.K. Nation's pre-season Final Four has made it to the championship game. Carolina's tough, man. But they will drown in a sea of orange tonight. Illinois will take it home, with an 83-76 victory.