Bold Predictions for 2008: Part I

1. Lastings Milledge, if he wins the everyday role on the Washington Nationals, will hit more home runs than Ryan Church and Brian Schneider combined. Milledge getting consistent playing time will help his growth in the major leagues. Brian Schneider is not known for his offense. Ryan Church, although out of cavernous RFK, still has to hit at Shea Stadium, he's weak against lefty pitchers, and he always finds a minor injury here or there during the season that takes him off the field for periods of time.

2. Erik Bedard will have a lower ERA and more strikeouts than Johan Santana by the end of the season. Santana is coming off a season that was not a typical one for him with double digit losses, if he's still on the Twins and the Twins don't improve the team around him, he will not have the enthusiasm to excel. Bedard, although injured in the last month of the season, is coming off an excellent season and there's no reason for him not to get better. Although, both are in a contract year, Bedard has more to prove because Santana has the name recognition and the resume and Bedard wants to show that he can continue what he did last season.

3. Dontrelle Willis will struggle in his first year in Detroit. Willis struggled a lot last year with his control. His ERA ballooned to a career high. He had a losing record (he was on a bad team). He threw a career high in wild pitches and walks. This was in the National League where the lineups are weaker. Now he has to pitch to a DH in a league with the Yankees, Red Sox, and Indians. He's lucky he doesn't have to pitch his own team. Willis will have another subpar year with an under .500 winning percentage.