It's opening day of the Major League Baseball season and for the first time, I have the day off and am free to fire up MLB Extra Innings on digital cable and. . .what?  I didn't pay the extortion money and buy a Direct TV Dish so I can't watch the games?  Bud says there are how many games on?  Is the White Sox vs. Indians game on cable?  No?

Take two: It's opening day of the Major League Baseball season and for the first time I have the day off and am free to fire up the radio and enjoy White Sox baseball.

Before I get to the forecast, here's a few things every baseball fan should know:

• To be a contender, the minimum standard is to win twelve out of every twenty games.  Check after 20, 40, 60, 80, etc.  If halfway through the season, if your team has around 50 wins, your boys will be in the hunt.
• Don't bother checking the standings until the end of June.  Even the Royals and D-Rays look decent in April and May.
• Keep track of your team's record with one run losses.  That is a good indicator of how the season will turn out.
• Keep track of how many men your team leaves on base each game.  That's another good indicator.
• Keep track of how many two out runs opponents score off your team.  That's a good indicator.

And now, the 2007 Pearless Forecast:

American League (or God's League)

East
Red Sox	They may be the most complete team in Baseball
Yankees	Do they have the pitching to play hardball?
Blue Jays	After Haladay and Burnett, rotation is weak
Orioles	Building, but no where near competitive in this division
Devil Rays	Young, talented, two years away

Central
Tigers	Hard to pick against, but in no way a stone cold lock
Indians	Can complete for title if bullpen does job.
White Sox	Age and shaky starters will cause fade in August
Twins	If they win this year, Ron Gardenhire should go straight to the HOF
Royals	Up and coming but not in this division

West
Texas	Call me crazy, but Ron Washington may be magic
Angels	Long DL list makes for a slow start
A's	They could finish anywhere  from 3rd to 1st.
Mariners	Grover will be gone by July 4th

National League (or That Other League)

East
Phillies	Sooner or later it has to be their year. Why not this year?
Mets	Age has a way of creeping up on you.
Braves	Building in the right direction.  Could shock the world
Marlins	Building toward their six year championship cycle in 2009
Nationals	Makes the Royals and D-Rays look like 27 Yankees.

Central
Cardinals	More pieces in place than anyone else in this competitive division
Astros	May be there if Cards falter or injury bug hits.  Need more pitching though
Brewers	Better than last year but not as good as hyped. May surprise.
Cubs	You win titles with pitching and defense.  This team is shaky in both areas
Reds	Rebuilding (again)
Pirates	They are getting better, but other five are superior

West
Padres	Call me crazy, but I like how this team was assembled
Dodgers	Pitching and defense good, offense prone to dry spells
D'Backs	Snazzy new uniforms, snazzy new kids
Rockies	May not get over the Hurdle this year
Giants	At least there's Barry and the home run chase

AL Wildcard: Indians
NL Wildcard: Dodgers

AL Champ: Red Sox
NL Champ: Phillies

2007 Champ: Red Sox

Endangered Species List AL: Mike Hargrove, Mariners; Eric Wedge, Indians.

Endangered Species List NL: Ned Yost, Brewers; Charlie Manuel, Phillies; Clint Hurdle, Rockies