Phillies @ Blue Jays in Philadelphia?

The G20 Summit is in Toronto at the end of June, and the much anticipated return of Roy Halladay to Toronto since his trade in December to the National League's Philadelphia Phillies. This decision here with the Summit and the Blue Jays really in my opinion shows what kind of respect there is for baseball in this area. I am a baseball guy, and that may influence my decision, but the Jays are averaging just over 15,000 fans a night at home, and are atrocious at home as well with a home record of 7-10 compared to a 12-5 road record. The Jays estimate that about 90,000 fans over the three game series would come to watch the Phillies take on the Blue Jays, but Toronto just lost a lot of revenue, and disgruntled a lot of their fans, by making the decision to move to Philly.

The G20 Summit is awarded at least one year in advance, as the host city needs time to prepare for increase of police, protesters, etc, so if the Blue Jays and Major League Baseball knew of this, why would they schedule a home game for Toronto on the same weekend of the summit? Initially the Summit was going to go Huntsville, but it was deemed a non sufficient site to host the G20 (too small), and got moved to Toronto. Right then and there, the Jays should have been on the phone attempting to change home dates in Interleague play. This seems kinda stupid, I mean why would MLB not make this change immediately, as to accommodate the Summit and the Jays?

I really believe that if the Leafs were already scheduled at home the Summit might be moved, or the Leafs would find a way to be on the road during that time.

Baseball in Canada is a great thing, and the Jays are nice to watch, but 15,000 a night will not pay the bills, moves like this will frustrate the fans, and anger season ticket holders. It is time for the Blue Jays to assert their importance in this community, and for them realize how important Roy Halladay truly is.

Up next, I have a couple of options- I want to realign baseball, but I also want to address the fan experience at the Rogers Centre this year, one of those two on the weekend for sure.

MLB Preview

Well it is Opening Night in Major League Baseball, and that means spring is in the air and there is hope for 12 or so teams to make the playoffs. It is now time for the my predictions: Remember all predictions wrong or your money back.

Let`s begin where everyone else ends, the National League West:
This is really a two team division as San Francisco, San Diego and Arizona are not yet ready to compete with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies. I think the Dodgers pick up the division and the Rockies are left to battle it out for the Wild Card. The Dodgers should return based on their strong pitching and hitting, as Mannywood comes out again.
Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers by 4 games

National League Central:
This is possibly the weakest division in baseball filled with the Pirates, Reds, and Astros at the bottom with the Brewers as a possible contender. But really the Cubs cannot compete with the Cards. The St. Louis Cardinals should win this division behind Albert Pujols and a solid team behind him. Although the Cubs got rid of Milton Bradley, the bottom line is still the most sane person in the clubhouse in Wriggly Town is Lou Pinnella, until that changes, the Cubs should go nowhere.
Prediction: St. Louis Cardinals by 8 games

National League East:
Nationals, Mets and Marlins are toast, I mean really, the Nats are so bad that they should be paying YOU to watch their games. The Marlins are still gathering resources before they can buy their team for a one and done championship, and the Mets while not as banged up, they still need to be healthy, and that is a tough thing to guarantee in baseball. That leaves the reigning two time National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves. The Phils should win the title, but the Braves are a good team, and want to have a special season for Bobby Cox in his last year.
Prediction: Philadelphia Philles by 3 games

National League Wild Card:
The Braves are the best of the rest, they have a dangerous pitching staff and really the only other team to contend with them are the Rockies, and it will be a great race for the final playoff spot, but....
Prediction: Atlanta Braves by 2 games (1st Wild Card Championship ever)

American League West:
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim should run away with the division.
No other reason is needed.
Prediction: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim by 15 games

American League Central:
The Minnesota Twins head outdoors for the first time in nearly 30 years and still have a great team. The Indians are not there yet, and really the Chi Sox are going to be close. The Royals will need a lot of help and let`s face it the Tigers are two years away from being a contender. The Twins return to the postseason.
Prediction: Minnesota Twins by 3 games

American League East:
The Blue Jays and Orioles will battle for the basement, as the Rays will struggle to keep up with the Yankees and Red Sox. It is the same story as before. Can we just give the Yankees the East Championship now and let them start playing in September.
Prediction: New York Yankees by 6 games

American League Wild Card:
The Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays will battle this one out as really there will be no other big contenders in the hunt from the American league. But in the end the Sox are just better.
Prediction: Boston Red Sox by 4 games

Playoffs
American League Divisional Series
Yankees over Twins 3-1
Red Sox over Angels 3-2
National League Divisional Series
Phillies over Cardinals 3-0
Braves over Dodgers 3-2

League Championship Series
AL: Yankees over Red Sox 4-2
NL: Braves over Phillies 4-3

World Series
Yankees over Braves 4-1

That is all, it should be a fun season, but a predictable one.

Also Duke returns to the National Championship Game on Monday Night against upstart Butler in the NCAA Basketball Championships. It should be a great game. Go Duke! Tip time is 9:21 pm on CBS!