Rangers: I just copy and paste the same thing every year for the Rangers so here it is:
The Rangers will have a great offense this season but it won't be enough. Once again they will lack the pitching to get them into the playoffs. Ian Kinsler is the second best hitter at his posistion, Chase Utley being #1 (notice I said hitter not overall as I would probably put Dustin Pedroia #2 and Utley #1 if factoring in defense). I really like Chris Davis and I think he'll finish the year around 35 homers and people will be suprised to see his name with the other top sluggers in the league. Nelson Cruz is a guy that seemed like he was just a guy thrown in the Carlos Lee trade back in 200 but now looks like a real steal for the Rangers, I think he is another guy who will thrive hitting in that great hitters ball park. The Rangers have a lot of prospects who I'm sure they are looking to trade to get some pitching in there but for the mean time they will hover around the 80 win mark.
Angels: Once John Lackey and Ervin Santana join Joe Saunders and Jered Weaver in the roation I think the Angels will have one of the best pitching staffs in the game. Hitting wise I don't like their line up. Torii Hunter and Bobby Abreau are on the downside of their careers which actually still make them above average but I think people see their names and tend to think they are going to keep hitting the way they did five years ago. Howie Kendrick is one bright spot in the order as I think he will win a batting title in the next 4 seasons. If only they would give Brandon Wood a chance to play everyday maybe we will finally see the Kendrick-Wood duo that we have been hearing about for 5 years. The Halos will be in it all year but I have them coming up a little short in the divison.
Mariners: They are the bizzaro Rangers, good pitching bad hitting. Felix Hernandez seems to finally be ready to make that leap into everytime out you know the Mariners are winning. Not many pitchers can make that leap but he is that good. Erik Bedard seems to be healthy looking to regain his 2007 form and the Mariners better hope so because Adam Jones who they sent to Baltimore in that trade will be a household name by 2011. Nothing to say about their bats except one of the greatest players of all time is back in Ken Griffey Jr. but he just isn't good anymore and hasn't really been good in a few years that signing was just to get a few extra fans to come see the greatest Mariner of all time. The Mariners do probably have the best defensive outfield in Endy Chavez, Franklin Gutierrez, and Ichiro Suzuki all plus defenders which i'm sure their pitching staff loves. Same as the Rangers I see them right around 80 wins.
Athletics: I think I like this team more than others and I might be least confident with this divison winner pick mostly due to the fact that their starting rotation has about as many career starts as myself. But I still like the mix of young pitchers to go with the veteran hitters. Billy Beane amazes me every year the way he is able to keep rolling different guys over. Like Mark Mulder who was traded for Dan Haren who turned into an all star for the A's then Beane sends Haren to Arizona for a pair of young pitchers in Dana Eveland and Brett Anderson who I would lean towards both of them making an all star game in the next few years before being traded for another young prospect. Jason Giambi, Nomar Garciaparra, and Orlando Cabrera are this years low cost veterans Beane likes to bring in and they always seem to gain their bat speed back like Frank Thomas who looked washed up in Chicago then became an MVP candidate in 06 for Oakland. I think the young pitchers will be fine and in this weak divison 88 games could win it thats why i'm picking the A's to win the divison.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
A.L. Central
I realize we are starting the third week of the baseball season, but honestly my opinions haven't changed from the pre-season based on such a small sample of games. My goal was to get these done by the All Star Break so I've made it with three months to spare.
Twins: I like their pitching with Francisco Liriano, Scott Baker and Kevin Slowey. But I just don't like the hitting. Justin Mourneau is solid and once Joe Mauer comes back I'm sure he will be his amazing self. After that, the rest of their sorry line up does not get on base enough and lacks a lot of power. Being in such a weak division, their pitching will keep them in it until the end but I think they'll come up a little short.
Royals: Losing Alex Gordon hurts but they weren't going to make the playoffs anyways. Good to see Zack Greinke pitching well and Kyle Davies was a steal from the Braves considering they only gave up Octavio Dotel. Not a big fan of their line up, but if Mark Teahan and Billy Butler improve they won't be that bad. Another year without postseason baseball in KC.
White Sox: They won a weak divison last year thanks to Gavin Floyd and Jon Danks having their best career seasons. I think Danks is good and I don't think he will regress, but Floyd is a due for a big drop off. I'm not sure if Jermaine Dye, Paul Konerko, and Jim Thome will be able to stay healthy all year to provide that middle of the order pop. Thome is also 38 and his numbers dropped last year which people probably didn't notice because he still hit 34 home runs, but last season his batting avg. did drop 30 points; Obp. dropped 48 points; and his Slg. dropped 60 points. I wouldn't be shocked if Thome hit fewer than 30 homers for the first time since 1995 (I'm not counting the 2005 season where he only played in 59 games). Alexi Ramirez is a frustrating guy. He reminds me of Alfonso Soriano with the quick wrist and a lack of paitence. I'm not saying he hates to walk, but come on, only 18 walks in 509 at bats you have got to be swinging at a lot of bad pitches. If he can improve on this he will be one of the best players in the game.
Indians: The Indians were 12 games below .500 at the All Star Break last season and ended up getting to exactly .500 to close out the year at 81-81. Now that they seem to be healthy, and have added a few pieces, I think that the tribe will return to October. Grady Sizemore is my pick to win MVP - he is just fun to watch do anything: hit, run, field, chew gum, everything he does he does well. Victor Martinez is healthy butTravis Hafner will never be his 2005 self (he will be better than last season). Cliff Lee was not a one season wonder like some people think. In fact, his bad 2007 was more of a fluke, as he was a real solid pitcher before then, and I think he will have another good season. I'm a Fausto Carmona believer, and even though he is off to a rough start I think he will turn it around and anchor this rotation with Lee. I don't love this Indians team, but this divison could go in many directions and I've decided to follow the Tribe's way.
Tigers: First off: Miguel Cabrera is not going anywhere. I love when someone says that the Sox were looking at Cabrera and everyone assumes that the Tigers are shopping him around. Of course the Sox are looking at him - he is in the argument for second best hitter in the game with a few others (Mr. Pujols being number 1 of course). Besides Cabrera, I'm not a big fan of the rest of their line up and I guarantee that Magglio Ordonez will spend time on the D.L. Carlos Guillen's numbers have dropped each of the last 3 seasons which is never a good sign for someone getting into their mid 30s. The starting rotation will be better than last season and Justin Verlander looks to be healthy even though is off to a slow start. I think he will be closer to his '07 self than '08. Armando Gallarraga had a very good rookie year in '08 and looks to continue that. Rookie Rick Porcello breezed through the minors after getting drafted in '07 and should be in the Tigers rotation for years to come. They will be in the hunt along with the rest of the divison, but will wind up on the outside of the playoffs.
Final Standings:
1. Indians
2. Twins
3. Tigers
4. White Sox
5. Royals
Twins: I like their pitching with Francisco Liriano, Scott Baker and Kevin Slowey. But I just don't like the hitting. Justin Mourneau is solid and once Joe Mauer comes back I'm sure he will be his amazing self. After that, the rest of their sorry line up does not get on base enough and lacks a lot of power. Being in such a weak division, their pitching will keep them in it until the end but I think they'll come up a little short.
Royals: Losing Alex Gordon hurts but they weren't going to make the playoffs anyways. Good to see Zack Greinke pitching well and Kyle Davies was a steal from the Braves considering they only gave up Octavio Dotel. Not a big fan of their line up, but if Mark Teahan and Billy Butler improve they won't be that bad. Another year without postseason baseball in KC.
White Sox: They won a weak divison last year thanks to Gavin Floyd and Jon Danks having their best career seasons. I think Danks is good and I don't think he will regress, but Floyd is a due for a big drop off. I'm not sure if Jermaine Dye, Paul Konerko, and Jim Thome will be able to stay healthy all year to provide that middle of the order pop. Thome is also 38 and his numbers dropped last year which people probably didn't notice because he still hit 34 home runs, but last season his batting avg. did drop 30 points; Obp. dropped 48 points; and his Slg. dropped 60 points. I wouldn't be shocked if Thome hit fewer than 30 homers for the first time since 1995 (I'm not counting the 2005 season where he only played in 59 games). Alexi Ramirez is a frustrating guy. He reminds me of Alfonso Soriano with the quick wrist and a lack of paitence. I'm not saying he hates to walk, but come on, only 18 walks in 509 at bats you have got to be swinging at a lot of bad pitches. If he can improve on this he will be one of the best players in the game.
Indians: The Indians were 12 games below .500 at the All Star Break last season and ended up getting to exactly .500 to close out the year at 81-81. Now that they seem to be healthy, and have added a few pieces, I think that the tribe will return to October. Grady Sizemore is my pick to win MVP - he is just fun to watch do anything: hit, run, field, chew gum, everything he does he does well. Victor Martinez is healthy butTravis Hafner will never be his 2005 self (he will be better than last season). Cliff Lee was not a one season wonder like some people think. In fact, his bad 2007 was more of a fluke, as he was a real solid pitcher before then, and I think he will have another good season. I'm a Fausto Carmona believer, and even though he is off to a rough start I think he will turn it around and anchor this rotation with Lee. I don't love this Indians team, but this divison could go in many directions and I've decided to follow the Tribe's way.
Tigers: First off: Miguel Cabrera is not going anywhere. I love when someone says that the Sox were looking at Cabrera and everyone assumes that the Tigers are shopping him around. Of course the Sox are looking at him - he is in the argument for second best hitter in the game with a few others (Mr. Pujols being number 1 of course). Besides Cabrera, I'm not a big fan of the rest of their line up and I guarantee that Magglio Ordonez will spend time on the D.L. Carlos Guillen's numbers have dropped each of the last 3 seasons which is never a good sign for someone getting into their mid 30s. The starting rotation will be better than last season and Justin Verlander looks to be healthy even though is off to a slow start. I think he will be closer to his '07 self than '08. Armando Gallarraga had a very good rookie year in '08 and looks to continue that. Rookie Rick Porcello breezed through the minors after getting drafted in '07 and should be in the Tigers rotation for years to come. They will be in the hunt along with the rest of the divison, but will wind up on the outside of the playoffs.
Final Standings:
1. Indians
2. Twins
3. Tigers
4. White Sox
5. Royals
Friday, April 17, 2009
NBA First Round Playoff Picks
Eastern Conference
Cavs vs Pistons:The Pistons always seem to lack motivation when they are a one or a two seed. Now that they are an eight seed going up against the one seed, I just don't see them being up for this series, and even if they are the Cavs are going to win this series easily. Cavs in 5.
Celtics vs Bulls:
I know everyone is sad that KG is out of the playoffs, which I agree takes a lot of the hype out of the Celts trying to repeat. The truth is that the Celts with a 75 % KG were not going to beat the Cavs so if the Celts lose in the second round to Orlando just pop in the championship dvd from last year and enjoy that. By the way there is another championship caliber team playing in the same building as the Celts play which should help get you through the spring. Celts in 7.
Magic vs Sixers:
I think if Jameer Nelson did not get hurt this season that the Magic would have reached the NBA Finals, but that is not the case. They are still a real solid team and should have no problem getting by the Sixers. Magic in 5.
Hawks vs Heat:
Should be a great series although it probably won't get the hype that it deserves. Dwyane Wade needs to put up about 40 every night for the Heat to have a chance.He's good enough to do so but I don't think he'll be able to pull it off which is why I'm taking the Hawks in 6.
Western Conference
Lakers vs Jazz:
The Lakers made the finals last year by defeating the Jazz on the way without Andrew Bynum. Even though thety're without Bynum again I see no reason for the Jazz to make this close. Lakers in 5.
Nuggets vs Hornets:
I'm really looking forward to this series, and I was really tempted to pick the Hornets just because I did pick them to win it all in my preseason picks. I'm taking the Nuggets though, because I don't see Carmelo never getting out of the first round. In years past I see why they were getting bounced on account of being 8 and 7 seeds, but this year they are the 2 seed with home court. Add a healthy Nene, a veteran PG who has won a ring in Chauncey Billups, and you've got a team that could give the Lakers a series if they get that far. Nuggets in 6.
Spurs vs Mavs:
A week ago I picked the Spurs in 4 or 5, but with Manu Ginobli out I'm picking the Mavs. I think Dirk is going to have a huge series as they try to advance in the playoffs for the first time since they made the finals in 2006. Mavs in 7.
Blazers vs Rockets:
Tough one to call as the Blazers are young and are making their first trip to the playoffs, but when you watch Brandon Roy play you tend to think the big stage won't bother him. I really want to take the Blazers but the way the Rockets play D, and when you think about Greg Oden and Joel Pryzbilla covering Yao (which means they will both be in foul trouble quickly against Ming), I'm left taking the Rockets in 7.
The Lakers made the finals last year by defeating the Jazz on the way without Andrew Bynum. Even though thety're without Bynum again I see no reason for the Jazz to make this close. Lakers in 5.
Nuggets vs Hornets:
I'm really looking forward to this series, and I was really tempted to pick the Hornets just because I did pick them to win it all in my preseason picks. I'm taking the Nuggets though, because I don't see Carmelo never getting out of the first round. In years past I see why they were getting bounced on account of being 8 and 7 seeds, but this year they are the 2 seed with home court. Add a healthy Nene, a veteran PG who has won a ring in Chauncey Billups, and you've got a team that could give the Lakers a series if they get that far. Nuggets in 6.
Spurs vs Mavs:
A week ago I picked the Spurs in 4 or 5, but with Manu Ginobli out I'm picking the Mavs. I think Dirk is going to have a huge series as they try to advance in the playoffs for the first time since they made the finals in 2006. Mavs in 7.
Blazers vs Rockets:
Tough one to call as the Blazers are young and are making their first trip to the playoffs, but when you watch Brandon Roy play you tend to think the big stage won't bother him. I really want to take the Blazers but the way the Rockets play D, and when you think about Greg Oden and Joel Pryzbilla covering Yao (which means they will both be in foul trouble quickly against Ming), I'm left taking the Rockets in 7.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
NHL First Round Playoff Picks
Eastern Divison
Bruins vs Canadiens:Bruins will win their first playoff series since 99 when they beat the Hurricanes. It will come down to Tim Thomas vs Carey Price and I think the edge goes clearly to the soon to be Vezina winner Thomas. Add on to the fact that Andrei Markov is banged up and the Bruins could be putting a lot of pressure on young Price. I think the Bruins win this series in 5 games.
Caps vs Rangers:
Don't underestimate the Rangers who have played well since John Tortorella took over as head coach. I think Henrik Lundqvist will be a stud in net for the Rangers who though they are a 7 seed have the talent to go on a run in the playoffs. Rangers in 6.
Devils vs Canes:
The Devils have not played well since Martin Brodeur broke Patrick Roy's record. Cam Ward has played great and I know it seems like every series I mention Goaltending but in the playoffs that is what it comes down to. I think Eric Staal, Ray Whitney and Co. can use their speed to penetrate the Devils D. I'm saying Canes in 7.
Penguins vs Flyers:
Another great match up in the first round as this is a rematch from last seasons Eastern Conference Finals and like last year I'm taking the Penguins over the Flyers in 6 games.
Western Conference
Sharks vs Ducks:
There seems to be some support of an upset here and I don't see it. The Sharks like the Bruins really need to go on a run in this seasons playoffs as fans are becoming frustrated. At least the Sharks win a series every year as the second round as been their problem. I think the cruise past the Ducks in 5 games.
Red Wings vs Blue Jackets:
I can't wait to see this series as I love the Blue Jackets amazing rookie goalie Steve Mason. I really wish the Blue Jackets got the 6 seed as they would have a good chance to advance but instead they get the defending champs who were pretty much on cruise control all season and now is when their real season begins. It won't be easy but the Red Wings win in 6.
Canucks vs Blues:
The Blues were another great story in the NHL this year but I sometimes wonder about those teams where they might be in the just happy to be here mode. I think the Sedin twins will be too much for Chris Mason and the Blues, Canucks in 5.
Blackhawks vs Flames:
Great to see an original 6 team back in the playoffs as the Blackhawks return for the first time since 2002. I really like the Blackhawks as they have a Stanley Cup winner in net with Nikolai Khabibulin. Good defensemen in Duncan Keith and Brian Campbell. Explosive young stars in Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. Oh and Martin Havlat is healthy for the first time since before the lockout. Chicago advances in 6 games.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
N.L. West
Arizona:
The Diamondbacks have a lot of young hitters that seem ready to have their breakout year like Stephen Drew, Justin Upton (will be one of the best players in baseball in 2 years), Chris Young, Connor Jackson, and Mark Reynolds. All of them should improve on their numbers from last year which will be huge for an offense that struggled last season. The pitching staff is led by a great 1-2 punch at the top with Brandon Webb and Dan Haren. I'm not too worried about Webb and his health as he has been very durable with over 200 innings pitched every season since 2004. If he was Mark Prior and was dealing with some injuries to start the season then you worry, but in the meantime I think he will be fine. Behind them are your typical 3-5 starters: Doug Davis, Jon Garland, and a great young arm in Max Scherzer. Scherzer was taken 11th overall in the 2006 draft right after the Giants took 2008 Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum 10th. If Webb is healthy, and Scherzer pitches well, I can't see this team missing the playoffs.
Giants: Giants you can sum up in two parts. 1. Great pitching and 2. Bad hitting. They have the best pitching rotation 1-5 in the divison with last years Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum, the highly underrated Matt Cain who gets no run support at all, Randy Johnson who still have something left in his wing, Jonathan Sanchez, and Barry Zito who of course is not worth the money he is making but isn't bad as a fifth starter. The Giants' major problem is the offense which was the worst in baseball last season. It should improve (which shouldn't be hard to do) but it still will not be enough. If this team had the Rangers line up they would win 95 games, instead of 80 which seems about right.
Rockies: Troy Tulowitzki is back and healthy after a rough 2008. He actually started to turn things around at the end of last season, in the last 62 games of the year his line was .327/.389/.469 compared to his first 39 games in which he hit .166/.246/ .298. Dexter Flower will be one of the top rookies this season and will be a big improvement in center compared to Willy Tavares a season ago. The pitching should be better with Ubaldo Jimenez and Franklin Morales looking to take a leap. Everyone thought that was going to happen in 2008 after their good runs near the end of 2007 that got the Rockies to the World Series. Even with those two, I think they are the fourth best team in this divison.
Dodgers: I think they will win this Divison with the Snakes right behind them.The line up may be the best 1-8 in the N.L. with Matt Kemp, James Loney, and Andre Ethier getting better each year and Manny being Manny with 35 homers and an ops above 1.000. Add a healthy Rafael Furcal, and new second baseman Orlando Hudson at the top of the order, and they will score a lot of runs. One thing about Manny: can people in Boston please stop saying he quit on the team last July when he actually batted .347/.473/.587? If that is quitting then I would like the Red Sox to please go get 9 "quitters" so they can win the world series every year. Moving on, the pitching staff lost Derek Lowe, but will get a full season from Clayton Kershaw who will be a top 5 pitcher really quick. Put Kershaw with Chad Billingsley and Hiroki Kuroda and the Dodgers should win over 90 games for the first time in 5 seasons.
Padres: I'll admit that I have been watching American Idol this season so for the Padres I'm going to let the AI judges have their say:
1. Dodgers
2. DBacks
3. Giants
4. Rockies
5. Padres
The Diamondbacks have a lot of young hitters that seem ready to have their breakout year like Stephen Drew, Justin Upton (will be one of the best players in baseball in 2 years), Chris Young, Connor Jackson, and Mark Reynolds. All of them should improve on their numbers from last year which will be huge for an offense that struggled last season. The pitching staff is led by a great 1-2 punch at the top with Brandon Webb and Dan Haren. I'm not too worried about Webb and his health as he has been very durable with over 200 innings pitched every season since 2004. If he was Mark Prior and was dealing with some injuries to start the season then you worry, but in the meantime I think he will be fine. Behind them are your typical 3-5 starters: Doug Davis, Jon Garland, and a great young arm in Max Scherzer. Scherzer was taken 11th overall in the 2006 draft right after the Giants took 2008 Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum 10th. If Webb is healthy, and Scherzer pitches well, I can't see this team missing the playoffs.
Giants: Giants you can sum up in two parts. 1. Great pitching and 2. Bad hitting. They have the best pitching rotation 1-5 in the divison with last years Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum, the highly underrated Matt Cain who gets no run support at all, Randy Johnson who still have something left in his wing, Jonathan Sanchez, and Barry Zito who of course is not worth the money he is making but isn't bad as a fifth starter. The Giants' major problem is the offense which was the worst in baseball last season. It should improve (which shouldn't be hard to do) but it still will not be enough. If this team had the Rangers line up they would win 95 games, instead of 80 which seems about right.
Rockies: Troy Tulowitzki is back and healthy after a rough 2008. He actually started to turn things around at the end of last season, in the last 62 games of the year his line was .327/.389/.469 compared to his first 39 games in which he hit .166/.246/ .298. Dexter Flower will be one of the top rookies this season and will be a big improvement in center compared to Willy Tavares a season ago. The pitching should be better with Ubaldo Jimenez and Franklin Morales looking to take a leap. Everyone thought that was going to happen in 2008 after their good runs near the end of 2007 that got the Rockies to the World Series. Even with those two, I think they are the fourth best team in this divison.
Dodgers: I think they will win this Divison with the Snakes right behind them.The line up may be the best 1-8 in the N.L. with Matt Kemp, James Loney, and Andre Ethier getting better each year and Manny being Manny with 35 homers and an ops above 1.000. Add a healthy Rafael Furcal, and new second baseman Orlando Hudson at the top of the order, and they will score a lot of runs. One thing about Manny: can people in Boston please stop saying he quit on the team last July when he actually batted .347/.473/.587? If that is quitting then I would like the Red Sox to please go get 9 "quitters" so they can win the world series every year. Moving on, the pitching staff lost Derek Lowe, but will get a full season from Clayton Kershaw who will be a top 5 pitcher really quick. Put Kershaw with Chad Billingsley and Hiroki Kuroda and the Dodgers should win over 90 games for the first time in 5 seasons.
Padres: I'll admit that I have been watching American Idol this season so for the Padres I'm going to let the AI judges have their say:
- Randy: Yo Dawg I'm just not sure if the hitting is there. Adrian Gonzalez is dope but thats about it.
- Kara: Heres the thing, I don't know if signing David Eckstein was right for the Padres. Sure he tries hard, but he just is not good.
- Paula: I think the Padres look really great in their uniforms. They just have this look that says they are having fun and it shows out there on the field. I know when they are down 10-2 it might seem bad but no they still are giving it their all and that is important. They truly are inspiring and I think if they just make a few trades for Albert Pujols, Ryan Braun, David Wright, and Josh Hamilton then they will be good, but they look great anyways and have fun.
- Simon: Truly pathetic. I mean awful. We are talking about a Major League team here and they look like the Bad News Bears, they should be elimanated from this competition around August 9th.
1. Dodgers
2. DBacks
3. Giants
4. Rockies
5. Padres
Friday, April 10, 2009
N.L. Central
At the rate I'm going it will be the All Star Break by the time I'm done with all 30 teams, I'll breeak it down by division instead, starting with the N.L. Central:
Chicago Cubs: My pick to win the World Series being a solid team all around. Their pitching rotation of Carlos Zambrano, Rich Harden, Ryan Dempster, Ted Lilly, and Sean Marshall is the best in baseball. The lineup is solid with the exception Kosuke Fukudome who was terrible last season. You know Alfonso Soriano, Derek Lee, and Geovany Soto, but the guy I'm watching is Mike Fontenot. He won't hit 25 home runs, but he is a smart hitter who knows the strike zone, he'll get on base by taking a walk, and he will have an obp. around .380.
Reds: A solid young team who everyone like as a sleeper. They got some real good young talent with Joey Votto and Jay Bruce leading the way. After those two I don't see much else in the line up. Brandon Phillips will hit 20 home runs, but thats about it as he doesn't get on base that often and will wind up with a below average ops+ of around 90. Pitching wise, Aaron Harang will be better this season after being pretty unlucky last year. Edinson Volquez looks to put together a complete season after tailing off towards the end of last year. Johnny Cueto showed signs of being an ace last season but he also showed signs that he was 22 and still needs to gain command of all his pitches. I did like them as a sleeper, but in the end I think they will win around 82 games and miss the playoffs.
Cardinals: Besides Albert "the greatest hitter I have ever seen live with my own two peepers" Pujols I don't see much in their line up. Ryan Ludwick was great last season but I'm of the mentality that it was one fluke year and I don't believe at 29 he finally learned how to hit. Their line-up has a bunch of guys who would look great on the bench of a contender, but when they playing everyday you won't win much. Colby Rasmus is a bright spot and he will show why he is the Cards #1 prospect.
Pirates: Reason number 2,894,261 why you can't judge a team based on the first few weeks of the season is that the Pirates are tied for first place. If the Pirates were put into a draft and contending teams like the Red Sox, Rays, Yanks, A's, Angels, Cubs and could draft anybody, I don't know who they would take that could improve their team. Even though the Nats and Padres are awful they at least they have some talented guys. This team shouldn't even be allowed to play in such a great ballpark.
Brewers: Well that was fun for Brewers fans who got to enjoy the postseason for the first time since 1982, but now return to watching other teams play in October. The good news is it won't be that long before they are back in the playoffs, it just won't happen this season. If you want a sleeper for the N.L. Cy Young go with Yovani Gallardo who seems to be at 100% after injuries the last two seasons.
Astros: They remind me of the old Red Sox teams with a bunch of hitters (Lance Berkman, Carlos Lee, Hunter Pence), one ace pitcher (Roy Oswalt) and one solid pitcher (Wandy Rodriguez) and a bullpen that is a horror show. Latroy Hawkins will end up being kidnapped by Jose Valverde so Valverde can actually get to save some games without Hawkins blowing the lead in the eighth.
Final Standings:
1. Cubs
2. Cards
3. Brewers
4. Reds
5. Astros
6. Pirates
Chicago Cubs: My pick to win the World Series being a solid team all around. Their pitching rotation of Carlos Zambrano, Rich Harden, Ryan Dempster, Ted Lilly, and Sean Marshall is the best in baseball. The lineup is solid with the exception Kosuke Fukudome who was terrible last season. You know Alfonso Soriano, Derek Lee, and Geovany Soto, but the guy I'm watching is Mike Fontenot. He won't hit 25 home runs, but he is a smart hitter who knows the strike zone, he'll get on base by taking a walk, and he will have an obp. around .380.
Reds: A solid young team who everyone like as a sleeper. They got some real good young talent with Joey Votto and Jay Bruce leading the way. After those two I don't see much else in the line up. Brandon Phillips will hit 20 home runs, but thats about it as he doesn't get on base that often and will wind up with a below average ops+ of around 90. Pitching wise, Aaron Harang will be better this season after being pretty unlucky last year. Edinson Volquez looks to put together a complete season after tailing off towards the end of last year. Johnny Cueto showed signs of being an ace last season but he also showed signs that he was 22 and still needs to gain command of all his pitches. I did like them as a sleeper, but in the end I think they will win around 82 games and miss the playoffs.
Cardinals: Besides Albert "the greatest hitter I have ever seen live with my own two peepers" Pujols I don't see much in their line up. Ryan Ludwick was great last season but I'm of the mentality that it was one fluke year and I don't believe at 29 he finally learned how to hit. Their line-up has a bunch of guys who would look great on the bench of a contender, but when they playing everyday you won't win much. Colby Rasmus is a bright spot and he will show why he is the Cards #1 prospect.
Pirates: Reason number 2,894,261 why you can't judge a team based on the first few weeks of the season is that the Pirates are tied for first place. If the Pirates were put into a draft and contending teams like the Red Sox, Rays, Yanks, A's, Angels, Cubs and could draft anybody, I don't know who they would take that could improve their team. Even though the Nats and Padres are awful they at least they have some talented guys. This team shouldn't even be allowed to play in such a great ballpark.
Brewers: Well that was fun for Brewers fans who got to enjoy the postseason for the first time since 1982, but now return to watching other teams play in October. The good news is it won't be that long before they are back in the playoffs, it just won't happen this season. If you want a sleeper for the N.L. Cy Young go with Yovani Gallardo who seems to be at 100% after injuries the last two seasons.
Astros: They remind me of the old Red Sox teams with a bunch of hitters (Lance Berkman, Carlos Lee, Hunter Pence), one ace pitcher (Roy Oswalt) and one solid pitcher (Wandy Rodriguez) and a bullpen that is a horror show. Latroy Hawkins will end up being kidnapped by Jose Valverde so Valverde can actually get to save some games without Hawkins blowing the lead in the eighth.
Final Standings:
1. Cubs
2. Cards
3. Brewers
4. Reds
5. Astros
6. Pirates
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Atlanta Braves
After missing the playoffs the last three years, breaking their incredible streak of reaching the postseason every year from '91-'05, the Braves are setting themselves up nicely for another run of success although I don't think that it will happen just yet.
The pitching staff got some added help with the signings of Derek Lowe and trading for Javier Vazquez. I really like the Lowe signing with him coming off one of his best seasons ever and even though he is getting to his late 30s he has been really durable since becoming a starter in 2002 with the Red Sox. Vazquez wasn't awful last season with the White Sox, but he is a guy that has always pitched better in the NL like a lot of other pitchers. I think Vazquez will have a nice bounce back year in Atlanta. Jair Jurrjens was their ace last year due to injuries to other starters, but the 23 year old was solid and should improve this season, and I think the Tigers will regret trading him for Edgar Renteria. The best young pitcher they have though, is Tommy Hanson who will be up real soon and should show why he is the #1 prospect for the Braves.
I think the Braves will be in the Wild Card hunt but will come up a little short. Their future is bright though, as they have restocked their minor league very well these last few drafts and will be back in the playoffs very soon.
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