11/05/24
April 03, 2009
In the future, I see...: MVPs, Cy Youngs, playoff contenders, World Champions...I even see things that won't happen this season. Plus, your scouting reports for all 30 teamsand some supporting rationale. Play Ball.
Besides my parochial Boston bias, I have to look very favorably at Red Sox chances this year. True, there are some questions about their hitting, but they still have enough to score runs. Depth may also be a problem for positional players, but between their bench coming out of spring training, Kotsay and Lugo coming back from injury, and some players at AAA Pawtucket, they'll be OK there. Defense should be solid, with 3 solid defenders in the outfield and what appears to be a pretty tight infield. What sways me is the incredible pitching depth on this team. Their starters go 7 deep, and possibly 8 if Michael Bowden is included. They have 7 proven arms for the bullpen, including a lights-out closer, and there's this kid in the minors, Bard, who was throwing 100 mph with control in training camp. That does not include their Japanese prospect, Tazawa, from whom little was expected, but who showed exceptional maturity and poise, as well as some pretty good stuff, in camp.
I don't think any team can get through a full season with just 5 starters anymore, nor can just 3 or 4 arms carry a bullpen. I don't believe there's a starting rotation in the AL that is as deep as Boston's, and I'll stack their top 3 against any other 3 in the league.
posted by Howard_T at 05:34 PM on April 04, 2009
Again, as has been the last few years, most are picking the Cubs to win the NL Central. Will they ever learn? While I do agree that "on paper" they appear to have the best team, years and years of disappointment should factor in there somehow. MIL is slated as #2 by the majority, and STL as #3. Besides my parochial St. Louis bias, I have to look very favorably at the Cardinals chances this year. A healthy Carpenter is ridiculously good, easily a chance at, close to or more than 20 games as the winner. Adam Wainwright has proven ability to win 15+, and Lohse did that last year. Dave Duncan is a magician and seems to have the ability to get the absolute best out of his pitchers. Pujols is easily an MVP candidate, Ludwick and Ankiel have shown multiple flashes of above average play, and the Cards as a whole have a lot of young talent ready to bust in (Rasmus, Ryan, Mather, Freese). There is still a few questions at the closer position and up the middle. Greene will give good defense at SS, but may lack the production at the plate, and Schumaker seems a solid lead-off but is in a new position at 2B. All in all, I compute above average ability in both offense and defense. I don't think that the NL Central is as cut and dry as most "experts" are predicting. I say Pujols wins NL MVP, Cards make playoffs as either Cen. champs or WC, and the Chicago fans start rooting for Jay Cutler in early August.
posted by BoKnows at 06:34 PM on April 04, 2009
Dodgers over Phillies? What are you, a communist! They'll probably make the playoffs, then get embarrassed by the Cubbies!
posted by jjzucal at 11:02 PM on April 04, 2009
Well, my Blue Jays have been completely written off by every major media source - and I think they're right. I think we probably go back to the way things usually go:
Rays will be good, very good, but I don't see them getting the same pitching this year and see Yankees and Red Sox each with about 94-95 wins. I think that's the where the wild card comes from.
I like the Indians in the Central, but think that Minnesota will be there like always in the end. Some people are hot on the Royals, but I get that whole "they're still a year away" vibe from them. Raul Ibanez would have looked great on that team.
The AL West is a joke, everyone likes the Angels, but I really don't. I think conceivably the Rangers could hit there way to the division title. They've got a ridiculous line-up and a decent bullpen. Might be enough.
I'm not an NL guy (which is a shame since I think I would probably like baseball better if I watched more NL ball), so I'm going with Mets, Cubbies and Dodgers with the wild card going to the World Champs.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 11:36 AM on April 05, 2009
I'm not sure about some of the picks,but I agree that the Pirates will have the worst record in baseball.How can they improve on their pathetic record when they do nothing to improve their team.