After some negative weeks of sports with drugs and cheating, I have found something positive to look forward to: The 2009 World Baseball Classic. For sports fans who have been living under a rock for the past four years, the World Baseball Classic is when teams around the world play against each other for a competitive championship. Players get the opportunity to play for their respective country’s team. This year, there will be 16 teams playing for one common goal: a true WORLD championship. This year, I thought I would make my 2009 World Baseball classic predictions.

My surprise team: Although most Americans will choose America as a biased pick, I cannot say that they will be the odds on favorite to win this year. Sure, this 2009 American roster has a very balanced offense, but there is no way this team has the pitching depth needed to match up against the heavyweight teams. There is no clear ace on this team. Yes, Jake Peavy and Roy Oswalt are fairly big names on this US team, but both pitchers are injury prone. Because both pitchers are injury prone, early season production is not definite. Peavy, Oswalt, Scott Shields, Ted Lilly, and Jeremy Guthrie are not the ideal five-man starting rotation. Nonetheless, America’s offense is probably the most balanced of the countries competing. From the contact hitters of Derek Jeter, Dustin Pedroia, and Curtis Granderson to the power hitters of David Wright, Grady Sizemore, and Ryan Braun, other countries’ pitchers might have trouble with this offensive lineup. I am not saying that America doesn’t have a chance to win it all this year; I am just saying that America will have a tough time beating other possible favorites.

My pick to win: The country that I think will win this year is the Dominican Republic. The Dominican probably has the most offensively powered team in the world right now. No, they are not the most balanced offensive team, but when you have Hanley Ramirez, Jose Reyes, David Ortiz, Miguel Tejada, and Alex Rodriguez in a lineup, you should be able to score runs. And, looking at the Dominican’s pitching, there is quite a bit of depth. Now, there aren’t many big named pitchers on the roster other than Pedro Martinez who, yes, is still pitching, but there are a lot of young pitchers who can throw, such as Edison Volquez and Johnny Cueto. I believe that even defending champion Japan will be no match for the power of the Dominican Republic.

Hopefully, the 2009 World Baseball Classic will provide some much needed positive headlines for baseball and sports in general, as well as providing excitement. GO USA!