M = LB
When in doubt, why not turn to math if you've exhausted every other way of predicting how the season will play out? Basing his predictions on a mathematical model he developed in 2000 (one that computes the probability of a team's winning a game with given hitters, bench, starting pitcher, relievers and home-field advantage), Bruce Bukiet, a New Jersey associate professor of mathematical sciences, believes that the Phillies, Cardinals and Dodgers should repeat as winners of their divisions, while the Braves will take the wild-card slot in the National League. Over in the American League, the Yankees should easily win the East, while the Twins will likely repeat as winners of the Central division. But he says the AL West is too close to call, with all four teams within five wins of one another. And he won't commit to actually predicting a World Series winner. In other words, mathematical formulas or not, Bukiet has no idea whatsoever. Much like the rest of us.