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Three Reasons Why the NL May Not Win the World Series for Awhile
By John Onan

As you pick up your morning newspaper or surf to your favorite sports website, you will notice by looking at the Major League Baseball standings that the American League boasts five of the six best records in baseball and it's no accident.

The NL's top hopes to win the World Series in 2006 rest with the New York Mets, the lone team of the six mentioned above, and the St. louis Cardinals, who have gained a reputation as flaming out in the post-season under manager Tony LaRussa.

The 2003 Florida Marlins were the last NL to win the Fall Classic, and this club (in a different city) may be the next team to do this, possibly as early as 2008. And here's why:

1. AL East powers New York and Boston, who have the money bags and the management to field two of the the highest paid and All-Star laden teams in all of baseball. Nothing will change here, as these two clubs will continue to try to out-do each other each winter and at the July trade deadline.
   
2. The best division in baseball: The AL Central. The Chicago White Sox, like the Red Sox before them, broke their own 90 some odd years of futility in 2005 and became World Champions and were considered "A dynasty in the making".
   
   Well, that ws before the Detroit Tigers, and recently, the Minnesota Twins, burst upon the 2006 MLB scene. Chicago is pretty veteran laden compared to the Tigers and Twins, who have grown up in a hurry and could possibly be responsible for the White Sox not making the playoffs, if they were to get shut out.
   
3. Young talent. This is usually the time of year when baseball pundits are discussing league MVP's, but in the American League, the Rookie of the Year race is even more intriquing. Boston closer Jonathan Paplebon, who is potentially a future 20 game winner, has been lights out in the bullpen; Minnesota lefty Francisco Liriano has an ERA under 2.00 at the moment, and Detroit starter Justin Verlander just picked up win #13.
   
   The NL does boast the best young player in the game, St Louis first baseman Albert Pujols, but the young talent in the AL is the best it has been in years, possibly ever.
   
   Minnesota also boasts two young sluggers in Joe Mauer and Justin Morenau. And don't forget about Jered Weaver, who has began his MLB career 7-0 with the LA Angels. These guys are young and won't be switching teams or leagues for at least a few years.

If this trend of AL Dominance continues, it may not be a bad idea for MLB baseball to look into relingment once again to even the playing field.

John Onan (ego74) is co-owner of a popular sports and gambling forum, http://www.whalewager.com The forum offers up to the minute sports news, conversation, and free to enter handicapping contests

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