Basball

Stan, you're right that baseball is all about hope.  I'm sure the Washington Nationals won't make the playoffs, but I'd have to side with Andrew that the Boston Red Sox have the edge on the New York Yankees for the World Series.

The Yankees are the only team with enough media market revenue to sign CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Mark Teixeira within months of each other.  Can they make up for A-Rod's absence, Jeter's lack of range, and Rivera's slowing fastball?

Boston is loaded with pitching, hitting, and fielding and more depth in the minors.  Matsuzaka is in full season form, as he proved in the World Baseball Classic.  Lester is getting stronger if that was possible, and the rest of the rotation and the bullpen are strong too.  This is the best hitting team in the Majors.