Baseball is all about numbers.

Everyone knows what these digits represent: 755, .400, 1.12, 73*, 191, 130, 4,256.

When I was a kid, I pored over baseball statistics and committed them to memory.

I could tell you Jesse Barfield's home run frequency down to the third decimal place in 1986 (that would be one home run every 14.725 at-bats), but I couldn't tell you the answer to X2 - 4 = (X + 2) (X - 2).

Sorry, Mr. Kobus. Is the answer Barry Bonds' slugging percentage?

I was a stat geek. Too bad there were no high school classes on baseball statistics, then maybe I would be an astronaut with NASA or Mark Cuban's accountant instead of a lowly sports writer.

Now that the 2007 baseball season is in full swing, numbers are once again drilling themselves into my head.

So, here are my predictions for the 2007 baseball season — by the numbers, of course.

•

0. Chances of not hearing the word "steroids."Also, the number of home runs former Pirates catcher JasonKendall will hit.If there is anyone who could use a little juice, it's this guy.•

.285. The batting average Freddy Sanchez will post.Sanchez played out of his mind last season, batting .344. There's no way he will hit for that kind of average again, but the Pirates will take this average.•

.300. The batting average Albert Pujols will post. Write it down. He does it every year.•

1. Number of victories for Matt Clement.The Butler native and Boston pitcher is coming back from shoulder surgery and might not pitch again until September. But he might get a start or two or some bullpen work and could grab a victory to build on in 2008.•

2. Number of home runs Bonds will have when he comes to Pittsburgh April 13.•

3. Number of home runs Bonds will leave Pittsburgh with on April 15.•

30. Home runs Adam LaRoche will hit this season, provided he stays on his attention deficit disorder medication.•

58. Saves by Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon, breaking Bobby Thigpen's single season record.•

62. Number of home runs Ryan Howard will belt this season, prompting a debate on whether that is the real single season home run record.•

70. Percentage of people in an online poll who hope Bonds will not break Hank Aaron's home run record.•

8/12/07. The date Bonds will hit home run No. 755. Ironically, it will come at home against the Pirates.•

83. Number of losses for the Pirates.In the final week of the season, the Buccos will have a shot at a winning record, but will get swept at home by St. Louis on the final weekend of the season.•

92. Number of wins for the Indians. They can't have as many bad things happen to them in 2007 as happened in 2006, can they?•

3,451,345,985. Times Alex Rodriguez will be booed in the Bronx.Mike Kilroy is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.