I'm looking forward to this year's state 4A and 5A baseball tournaments more than any before. Why? Because there's no clear-cut favorite in either classification. And the reason for that is that there are no dominant pitchers who have proven to be basically unbeatable. No team has that ace and second pitcher who can almost single handedly carry it to a state title. Every team is vulnerable and every team has proven that it is beatable. Also, every team has proven that it can beat any other team.

In past years, this hasn't been the case. Everyone knew Cottonwood was going to win 4A the past two years and everyone figured Jordan would win 5A last year. But no sure bets this time around. No one on the hill like a Mac Nelson, Aaron Jensen, Mark Pawelek, Tyson Ford, Jace Brinkerhoff or Tanner Robles. No hurler who has pro scouts drooling and radar guns aiming.

In 4A, I think at least eight teams are capable of winning it all. Same in 5A. Of course, staying in that winner's bracket is key. But this just might be a rare year in which a team comes out of the one-loss bracket to take the title. I expect it will come down to defense and timely hitting. Teams are going to have to limit outs and win more than one 8-7 or 10-9 game.

So, what teams do you like and why? What teams have the most favorable brackets?