Monday, March 26, 2007
MLB Preview: Condensed
It’s been too long since the last blog, which means law school is starting to suck. But a quick update for the die-hard fans:
- I have a 24 page paper due Monday, and about 2 pages done, so I won’t get to do a full MLB preview for SS. Very disappointing. But I want to get my picks in. I’ll justify them later.
- National League:
West (In order of predicted finish)
- Arizona Diamondbacks (love their offseason: staff anchored by Webb, Livan Hernandez, Randy Johnson and Doug Davis is up there for best in the league. Offense is young and scary).
- LA Dodgers (Very pitching heavy with high priced talent all over the field. Chemistry of the offense is an issue-- not a ton of power, but a lot of good hitting. Should make it close)
- San Diego Padres (With Maddux aboard, will lead the MLB in ERA this year. Book it. Offense is another story)
- Colorado Rockies (always improving, always lacking great pitching)
- San Fransico Giants (old and expensive, hard to watch)
Central
- Milwaukee Brewers (There time has finally come. There young stars on offense can mash, and they have solid pitching options with Ben Sheets (aka Mark Prior Jr), Jeff Suppan, Bush and Capuano. Their defense kind of stinks, but not a fatal deficiency, I think).
- Chicago Cubs (Too much offensive talent to not win 90 games—Lee, Soriano and Ramirez all can drive in 100+. Zambrano leads a much improved pitching staff; Ted Lilly, Rich Hill and even Jason Marquis should make this team watchable again).
- Pittsburgh Pirates (Momma told me to stay off the crack, but I gotta make one crazy pick this year. They played over .500 ball in the 2nd half of the season last year, and their young talent (Zach Duke, Snell, LaRoche, Jason Bay) just get better.
- St. Louis (History doesn’t always repeat itself—see Atlanta Braves 2006—the Cards can’t always win with crap. Their starting pitching is a mess, and their lineup, minus Pojuls isn’t much better with Edmonds and Rolens on the shelf to start the year).
- Houston Astros (In serious trouble if Clemens doesn’t come back, with only 2 real starters. Offense will be better with Lee. Put them at the top if Clemens comes back).
- Cincinnati Reds (Didn’t do anything this offseason to help themselves. Back of their rotation and bullpen is just atrocious).
East
- Atlanta Braves (Will be back on top if Smoltz leads rejuvenated rotation. Plenty of offense, and rebuilt bullpen looks stellar).
- Philadelphia Phillies-- *wild card (Confidence bunch with a plethora of starting pitching after acquiring Eaton andGarcia. Offense is balanced with Rollins, Utley, Rowand and Howard).
- NY Mets (Injuries have depleted their staff to Glavine and pray for rain. Will throw up 12 runs a game. Not the best formula for suceess).
- Florida Marlins (Injuries and the loss of Manager of the Year Joe Girardi will lead to a degression of a team that had high hopes after almost making the playoffs last year).
- Washington Nationals (Some people think that they will lose 110 teams. I think they’ll lose 130. Ask me to name one of their starters. OK. Jerome Williams, cut by the Cubs for not being able to pitch last year. Enough said).
Playoffs: Diamondbacks over Phillies, Braves over Brewers.
Diamondbacks over Braves
Cy Young: Zambrano
MVP: Chase Utley
Rookie of the Year: *edit Carlos Quentin is injured. I get a freebie on that one. Instead, I'll go with Reds outfield Josh Hamilton.
AL (just the standings)
West
Oakland
LA Angels
Seattle
Texas
Central
Cleveland
Detroit
Chicago
Kansas City
Minnesota
East
Boston
NY Yankees (wild card)
Toronto
Tampa Bay
Baltimore
Playoffs: Boston over Oakland, NY Yankees over Cleveland
Boston over Yankees
CY Young AND Rookie of the Year: Dice-K
MVP: Grady Sizemore
Boston over Arizona in the World Series
- One more thing. Espn.com is reporting on the extension that the city of New Orleans gave to keep the Saints until 2010, which includes $12.5M in city money for subsidies a year until 2008, and rising to $28.5M a year after. (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2812949) You all know how I feel about that (See January 15 post “Feel bad story of the Year”). Maybe gives me another opportunity to get published.
- there you have it folks. Finals end May 11. Hope to update until then, but no promises (I’ll have plenty of time this summer). Take care.
- I have a 24 page paper due Monday, and about 2 pages done, so I won’t get to do a full MLB preview for SS. Very disappointing. But I want to get my picks in. I’ll justify them later.
- National League:
West (In order of predicted finish)
- Arizona Diamondbacks (love their offseason: staff anchored by Webb, Livan Hernandez, Randy Johnson and Doug Davis is up there for best in the league. Offense is young and scary).
- LA Dodgers (Very pitching heavy with high priced talent all over the field. Chemistry of the offense is an issue-- not a ton of power, but a lot of good hitting. Should make it close)
- San Diego Padres (With Maddux aboard, will lead the MLB in ERA this year. Book it. Offense is another story)
- Colorado Rockies (always improving, always lacking great pitching)
- San Fransico Giants (old and expensive, hard to watch)
Central
- Milwaukee Brewers (There time has finally come. There young stars on offense can mash, and they have solid pitching options with Ben Sheets (aka Mark Prior Jr), Jeff Suppan, Bush and Capuano. Their defense kind of stinks, but not a fatal deficiency, I think).
- Chicago Cubs (Too much offensive talent to not win 90 games—Lee, Soriano and Ramirez all can drive in 100+. Zambrano leads a much improved pitching staff; Ted Lilly, Rich Hill and even Jason Marquis should make this team watchable again).
- Pittsburgh Pirates (Momma told me to stay off the crack, but I gotta make one crazy pick this year. They played over .500 ball in the 2nd half of the season last year, and their young talent (Zach Duke, Snell, LaRoche, Jason Bay) just get better.
- St. Louis (History doesn’t always repeat itself—see Atlanta Braves 2006—the Cards can’t always win with crap. Their starting pitching is a mess, and their lineup, minus Pojuls isn’t much better with Edmonds and Rolens on the shelf to start the year).
- Houston Astros (In serious trouble if Clemens doesn’t come back, with only 2 real starters. Offense will be better with Lee. Put them at the top if Clemens comes back).
- Cincinnati Reds (Didn’t do anything this offseason to help themselves. Back of their rotation and bullpen is just atrocious).
East
- Atlanta Braves (Will be back on top if Smoltz leads rejuvenated rotation. Plenty of offense, and rebuilt bullpen looks stellar).
- Philadelphia Phillies-- *wild card (Confidence bunch with a plethora of starting pitching after acquiring Eaton andGarcia. Offense is balanced with Rollins, Utley, Rowand and Howard).
- NY Mets (Injuries have depleted their staff to Glavine and pray for rain. Will throw up 12 runs a game. Not the best formula for suceess).
- Florida Marlins (Injuries and the loss of Manager of the Year Joe Girardi will lead to a degression of a team that had high hopes after almost making the playoffs last year).
- Washington Nationals (Some people think that they will lose 110 teams. I think they’ll lose 130. Ask me to name one of their starters. OK. Jerome Williams, cut by the Cubs for not being able to pitch last year. Enough said).
Playoffs: Diamondbacks over Phillies, Braves over Brewers.
Diamondbacks over Braves
Cy Young: Zambrano
MVP: Chase Utley
Rookie of the Year: *edit Carlos Quentin is injured. I get a freebie on that one. Instead, I'll go with Reds outfield Josh Hamilton.
AL (just the standings)
West
Oakland
LA Angels
Seattle
Texas
Central
Cleveland
Detroit
Chicago
Kansas City
Minnesota
East
Boston
NY Yankees (wild card)
Toronto
Tampa Bay
Baltimore
Playoffs: Boston over Oakland, NY Yankees over Cleveland
Boston over Yankees
CY Young AND Rookie of the Year: Dice-K
MVP: Grady Sizemore
Boston over Arizona in the World Series
- One more thing. Espn.com is reporting on the extension that the city of New Orleans gave to keep the Saints until 2010, which includes $12.5M in city money for subsidies a year until 2008, and rising to $28.5M a year after. (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2812949) You all know how I feel about that (See January 15 post “Feel bad story of the Year”). Maybe gives me another opportunity to get published.
- there you have it folks. Finals end May 11. Hope to update until then, but no promises (I’ll have plenty of time this summer). Take care.
