April 1st is a day where 30 teams feel they have a chance to win and every player thinks this is their breakout year. However, once we go through the summer and into the fall, only the eight playoff teams matter and the best players remain for the post-season awards. Here are the predicted award winners and eventual champions. American League MVP: He can be crazy at the worst moments, but Boston Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez is a walking RBI and his stroke is still among the smoothest in the game. He will be good enough on defense and can be expected to finish at .325/35/140 with over a 1.000 OPS as the Red Sox make another World Series run. National League MVP: St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols has had a great start to his career and it is a bit of a shame he has only won one of these before. Pujols is a good defensive first baseman and his ability to hit both for average and power makes him the most complete hitter in the game. Expect a Triple Crown type of year from Pujols with .340/50/150 as he makes room on the mantle for MVP No. 2. American League Cy Young: Every year for the foreseeable future, this award is Johan Santana?s to lose. The Minnesota ace is plain filthy with all of his pitches and his dedication to the craft can be seen in his intelligence of the league and the excellent shape he keeps himself in. Santana will no doubt go on another streak this year where he doesn?t lose for two months and this will carry him for 23 wins and a sub 2.50 ERA. National League Cy Young: He is changing leagues this season, but it should produce a breakout season for San Francisco Giants? lefty Barry Zito. He has rededicated himself to regaining his past form and all signs from Spring Training look promising. He is pitching in a good park and going to a weaker hitting and new league should only help Zito win his second Cy Young award. Expect 19 wins with a sub 2.90 ERA. American League Rookie of the Year: With the injury to Tigers? starter Kenny Rogers putting him out for at least three months, look for first round pick Andrew Miller to set up and play a major role for the Tigers. He isn?t on the active roster yet, but it is only a matter of time before he gets his chance and his impact will help lead the Tigers to the division title. Expect 9 wins and a sub 3.00 ERA for the Rookie of the Year. National League Rookie of the Year: He is a hot name this spring so far and all of the praise Arizona outfielder Chris Young has received is well worth it. He is a graceful in the field with his length and long strides that a gold glove could be in his future. He has also shown a knack for being a solid all-around hitter and this whole package will embody the movement in Arizona and carry Young to the Rookie of the Year. Expect .260/15/70. American League Manager of the Year: He is as highly regarded as he was a few years ago, but Angels? manager Mike Scioscia is one of the best in the game. He has more talent than anyone in his division and his deft touch of handling players and situations will shine through more than ever this year as he balances high expectations with his gritty style to lead the Angels back to the playoffs. National League Manager of the Year: Like Scioscia, Bruce Bochy is one of the best in the game, but he has fallen some in recent years while in San Diego. Now in San Francisco with a team built to win now, Bochy will have the chance to go deep in October and regain his place as one of the better in-game managers around. Playoffs ALDS- Boston Red Sox over Los Angeles Angels: Too much offense and good enough pitching will carry the Red Sox back to the ALCS ALDS- New York Yankees over Detroit Tigers: A rematch of last year?s ALDS, but the wild card Yankees have a rededicated focus that will result in a tough series win. NLDS- New York Mets over St. Louis Cardinals: The title defense ends in round one for the Cardinals as the Mets right the wrong of losing the NLCS a year ago. NLDS- Atlanta Braves over San Francisco Giants: The Braves are back in the playoffs as the wild card and a redone bullpen wins a very close and competitive series. ALCS- Boston Red Sox over New York Yankees: The best rivalry in baseball adds another chapter and like in 2004, Boston?s intangibles will be enough to take them to the World Series. NLCS- New York Mets over Atlanta Braves:This should be a great seven-game series, but too much offense will allow the Mets to bash their way past the Braves and into the World Series. World Series Boston Red Sox over New York Mets in six games: Both of these teams have excellent offenses and are strong at the end of the games with their respective closers. However, more starting pitching depth and the experience of being here before will end their drought at three years and make Boston World Series champion. Douglas Benton can be reached at [email protected]