The Oscars, Keanu, and Some Early MLB Projections

So Oscar Night was a huge night for Yankees 2000. Jon Stewart gets the thumbs up as host and Jessica Alba looked perfect as a presenter, but one man clearly stole the show. He was an awesome interview in the pre-show and he was by far and away the most colorful presenter to hit the stage of the Kodak Gallery.

Who am I talking about? None other than my good friend and official actor of Y2k, Keanu Reeves.

While he kept his words sparse and his emotions thin, Keanu dazzled as Sandra Bullock's co-presenter (and date???) in the best audio category or some shit.

So, to Keanu, great job pal. You're the king, you nailed that shit last night. We love you.

Now to baseball. Spring training is upon us which means its time for baseball previews to sweep news stands. Well here at Y2k, you'll get it for free.

While I'll spare too much detail on each division and team here it is. My y2k projections. For those betting over/unders and what not, take these projections like you would a bible.

AL East

1. Yankees (98-64)
2. Red Sox (93-69)
3. Blue Jays (88-74)
4. D-Rays (74-88)
5. Orioles (63-99)

Things won't change in the AL East. The Yankees are the perfect regular season team. Their lineup will power them to a 19th straight championship. The Red Sox will remain the Sox and the Blue Jays, who many pick as a sleeper, will get better, but they're in the wrong division.

The D-Rays will keep getting better. They have so much young talent that's all a year older, so look for a modest improvement there. As for the O's, sorry Schubes, but they're just in a ton of trouble.

AL Central

1. Chicago White Sox (104-58)
2. Cleveland Indians (97-65)
3. Minnesota (86-76)
4. Detroit (80-82)
5. KC (67-95)

This is the best division in baseball. The White Sox and Indians are two of 4 best teams in baseball. The White Sox will only improve on last season's postseason dominance. As good as they were last year, they should be better in 2006. They have way too much pitching, a closer in place, and Thome in the lineup.

The Indians' lineup will produce the second most runs in baseball after the Yankees. Sizemore and Peralta are a year older. The two of them and Travis Hafner will be All Stars. The rotation remains very solid and assuming Bobby Wickman can hold up, this team will win the Wild Card.

The Twins still have the pitching with Santana and Radke leading a very solid rotation.

The Tigers, a solid team, just happen to be in a very tough division and the Royals aren't that bad but face the same problem as the Tigers.

AL West

1. Oakland A's (95-67)
2. Angels (89-73)
3. Rangers (84-78)
4. Mariners (66-96)

The A's are my guys this year. The rotation will be dominant. Harden-Zito is the best 1-2 in the game. Danny Haren will break out this year and Loaiza and Blanton are the best 4-5 in the game. The lineup is all a year older with players like Bobby Crosby, Dan Johnson and Nick Swisher ready to emerge.

The Angels will be solid but the rotation isn't getting any younger, and can reasonably be expected to fall off a bit in the year ahead. The Rangers still don't have the pitching yet but are getting there and the Mariners are Felix Hernandez and Ichiro and that's about all.

NL East

1. Atlanta Braves (90-72)
2. Mets (87-75)
3. Phillies (81-81)
4. Marlins (59-103)

The Mets just aren't there yet. I love them but the pitching just isn't there. When you factor in the concerns about Pedro, the inexperienced back of the rotation, and the shaky middle relief corps it doesn't add up to a division title. But keep reading and see that not all hope is lost for the Flushing faithful.

The Braves find ways to win. Bobby Cox is a genius who gets the best out of his players. With Hudy and Smoltzy leading the rotation the Braves will have the starting pitching. Assuming they can figure out their bullpen, which they have done every other year.

The Marlins, fresh off their fire sale could be the worst team in baseball

NL Central

1. Cardinals (97-65)
2. Brewers (86-76)
3. Astros (85-77)
4. Cubs (80-82)
5. Pittsburgh 77-85)
6. Cincinatti (72-90)

Can't see anyone unseating the Cardinals. The Brewers will be this year's Indians. with Sheetsy, Doug Davis and Chris Capuano leading the rotation, and Derreck Turnbow in the back, the pitching will be there.

The Astros' future depends on Clemens. If he comes back, it's a whole new ball game, but without him the team is too dependent on Oswalt and Pettite.

NL West

1. San Francisco 89-73
2. Padres 86-76
3. Los Angeles 84-78
4. Arizona 80-82
5. Colorado 64-98

This division will remain terrible. There's no one there.

If Barry Bonds is healthy, he will win this division on his own. Matt Morris will help the rotation enough to get this team over the top.

The Padres still have the pitching and adding Cam will only help the team defensively. They just don't have enough firepower to overtake the Giants.

The Dodgers are the best team in baseball from 1999.

If Arizona held onto Javy Vazquez things may have been different, but they just dont have enough top tier starters.

As for the Rockies, well...I dont think they will ever be good again.

I told you there was hope for Mets fans even though their team won't unseat the Braves, right? At 87-75, I project the Mets to win the Wild Card and return to postseason play for the first time since 2000. Better yet, they'll make good on their berth. I see the playoffs unfolding as follows.

NL

Mets beat Cardinals
Braves beat Giants

Mets beat Braves

AL

Indians beat Yankees
A's beat White Sox

Indians beat A's

World Series
Mets 4
Indians 2

NEW METS!!!

This wouldn't be Yankees2000 and I wouldnt be SM if I didn't have the Mets winning the whole thing. I think Mets fans are ready for a let down regular season where they sneak into the playoffs due to a weak NL and then go all the way in the playoffs.

As for the Tribe, they are still my #2 and Sabathia, Westbrook, Lee, and Byrd will get them through the playoffs. Unfortunately they will run into a fiery Mets squad in late October and we will be toasting in NYC.

And Keanu Reeves will sing the national anthem in Game 5.

VCD,

SM