Ugh! I had a whole thing typed up and then I lost it somehow. So, since this division has the laziest fielder in baseball, this is going to be the laziest post for my predictions. Here they are:
Giants
Dodgers
Diamondback
Rockies
Padres
Giants have arguably the best pitching staff in the majors: 2 Cy Youngs, Barry Zito has improved every year since coming over, My favorite for the Cy Young in Matt Cain and oh yea, but they way their 4th pitcher has a No-No to his credit. Their offense is underrated. They have decent pop at the corners and brought in very dependable versatility with DeRosa. Renteria will have a better year, closer to his career average, which will help tremendously and when freddy gets healthy he will hit near .300 as always.
Dodgers have a great team, but will not make the playoffs. They have great offense at every position, but they have the distraction of manny being manny. He's already said this is his last season with the dodgers BEFORE spring training, sheesh. Their pitching I believe with be spotty. Kershaw is still young, Billingsley is talented but inconsistent, kuroda is old and injury prone and you never know what you're going to get from Padilla.
I think the Diamondbacks are better than they performed last year. But, of course it depends on the health of Webb. Can he return to Cy Young form? Will Adam LaRoche actually hit at the beginning of a season, and can all their young guys bounce back and have the seasons they were meant to have? Big questions to be answered, but if 2 out 3 are answered the way they want, they will compete, if all 3 get answered this division could be theres.
I just don't like the Rockies. I don't know what it is. I think they have great talent for the future, but I don't think its aged enough for right now. Their pitching is not as good as people think and there are going to be a lot of strike outs in their line up, aside from Helton.
The Padres have the best first basemen in the National League not named Pujols and the Hairston Brothers. Oh ya, and Kyle Blanks is really really REALLY Big. Who could ask for more?
Friday, March 26, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Fantasy Baseball!
Ok guys. I know we already have our own league, but I am also in another league with a couple of guys from work. The only thing is, they are as competitive as us if not more and they know their stuff. They asked if I knew any fellow baseball freaks, and I thought; no better place to advertise than the pancake. The league is 50 dollars, it's a live, in person draft held on march 30 at 7pm. They are looking for 2 more people. If you cannot make it in person you can draft via phone or possibly Instant messanger of some kind. Let me know if you guys are interested. If you are interested and can possibly make the draft just let Brad know. He is the one who is running the league, his email is: bradt.soe@gmail.com
I'll be putting up the NL Central and NL West predictions in a couple days, just don't have the time to do the proper reading and typing right now. Lata!
I'll be putting up the NL Central and NL West predictions in a couple days, just don't have the time to do the proper reading and typing right now. Lata!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
2010 MLB Predictions: NL East
Every team has the potential to do some special things on the offensive side of the ball, but the biggest problem with teams that could have been favorites entering the season is whether or not their team is healthy and can remain healthy throughout the course of the season. The Mets seem to be the kings of bad luck, with 2 perennial all-starts missing the start of the season; The team to watch out for are the Atlanta Braves with the best up and coming prospect they hope will take over in right field; Philadelphia is still the best team in the NL; Players need to play up to expectations in Florida; The nationals are headed in the right direction. Here are my predictions:
Phillies
Braves
Nationals
Mets
Marlins
The Phillies are the team in the East, but their complete success depends on how well their pitching staff performs this year. I'm still not convinced that trading for Halladay for Cliff Lee was a great improvement. Cliff Lee definitely proved he could pitch in the NL and in the very hitter friendly ball park and was doing it as a south paw. Halladay is going to be a contender for the the Cy Young as he is every year, but I don't think he is going to have the success everyone is predicting for him. I think he still comes close to 20 victories, but I think his ERA is going to be in the mid to high 3's. Brad Lidge needs to come back to form because I really don't think they have anyone else who can close effectively on a consistent basis. They could be the Mets of 2 years ago. Of course this line up is going to rake, but can Ibanez produce like he did last season, he is an aging outfielder, and will polanco provide the proper supporting role they are looking for from the 2 hole? Biggest Questions: How well will Halladay pitch and can Lidge regain his form.
Look out for the Braves...if they are healthy. If they all stay healthy; and thats a big IF, they are going to compete for the division. I think their pitching staff is much improved with a healthy Hudson and Billy Wagner is going to have 30+ saves this year with a sub 2.00 ERA. Again, IF Glaus is healthy all season right there with Chipper, they have a formadable middle of the line up to go with McCann. Biggest questions: How good is Heyward at the pro-level, how long will everyone stay healthy.
Meet the Mets! Greet the Mets! Come and watch the bad luck Mets! Seriously, what else can go wrong. Beltran is going to be out til May it looks like, they don't have a proven healthy first basemen, Jeff Franceour MIGHT be happy in New York and Jose Reyes could be out for 2 to 8 weeks with a freakin' thyroid problem?! Come on now. Even I feel kinda bad, and thats from a Pirates fan who has had nothing but losing for 17 years. But, they could have a decent pitching staff and their bullpen is better this year than it has been. Once they get everyone healthy, I think the Mets will also make a run for the wild card spot. Biggest questions: When and Who comes back healthy for the majority of the seaon and for how long.
The Nationals are making good strides. They are coming along faster than the pirates every have, and I think they are only going to get better especially in their pitching. The signing of I-rod I think was phenomenal for this young staff, and will really help in bringing along strasburg during spring training. I think they need to let him pitch in the minors for a little while until he shows he can dominate. They have a decent line up with good veterans with productive pasts: Dunn, I-Rod, Zimmerman, Morgan. Biggest Questions: When will Strasburg help and can I-rod be as influential as everyone thinks.
The Marlins have a lot of players to play up to expectations: Coughlan, Maybin, Bonifacio; and can Josh Johnson have back to back healthy seasons. He could very well be the best pitcher in the NL, but he also needs to stay very healthy. Also, I think Logan Morrison is this years Rookie of the Year. Biggest Questions: Will they continue to surprise and will Josh Johnson stay healthy.
Oh! By the way, did any of you guys hear anything about the Phillies talking internally about a first basemen swap of Ryan Howard for Albert Pujols, I swear I just saw that scroll across the screen on espnews.
Phillies
Braves
Nationals
Mets
Marlins
The Phillies are the team in the East, but their complete success depends on how well their pitching staff performs this year. I'm still not convinced that trading for Halladay for Cliff Lee was a great improvement. Cliff Lee definitely proved he could pitch in the NL and in the very hitter friendly ball park and was doing it as a south paw. Halladay is going to be a contender for the the Cy Young as he is every year, but I don't think he is going to have the success everyone is predicting for him. I think he still comes close to 20 victories, but I think his ERA is going to be in the mid to high 3's. Brad Lidge needs to come back to form because I really don't think they have anyone else who can close effectively on a consistent basis. They could be the Mets of 2 years ago. Of course this line up is going to rake, but can Ibanez produce like he did last season, he is an aging outfielder, and will polanco provide the proper supporting role they are looking for from the 2 hole? Biggest Questions: How well will Halladay pitch and can Lidge regain his form.
Look out for the Braves...if they are healthy. If they all stay healthy; and thats a big IF, they are going to compete for the division. I think their pitching staff is much improved with a healthy Hudson and Billy Wagner is going to have 30+ saves this year with a sub 2.00 ERA. Again, IF Glaus is healthy all season right there with Chipper, they have a formadable middle of the line up to go with McCann. Biggest questions: How good is Heyward at the pro-level, how long will everyone stay healthy.
Meet the Mets! Greet the Mets! Come and watch the bad luck Mets! Seriously, what else can go wrong. Beltran is going to be out til May it looks like, they don't have a proven healthy first basemen, Jeff Franceour MIGHT be happy in New York and Jose Reyes could be out for 2 to 8 weeks with a freakin' thyroid problem?! Come on now. Even I feel kinda bad, and thats from a Pirates fan who has had nothing but losing for 17 years. But, they could have a decent pitching staff and their bullpen is better this year than it has been. Once they get everyone healthy, I think the Mets will also make a run for the wild card spot. Biggest questions: When and Who comes back healthy for the majority of the seaon and for how long.
The Nationals are making good strides. They are coming along faster than the pirates every have, and I think they are only going to get better especially in their pitching. The signing of I-rod I think was phenomenal for this young staff, and will really help in bringing along strasburg during spring training. I think they need to let him pitch in the minors for a little while until he shows he can dominate. They have a decent line up with good veterans with productive pasts: Dunn, I-Rod, Zimmerman, Morgan. Biggest Questions: When will Strasburg help and can I-rod be as influential as everyone thinks.
The Marlins have a lot of players to play up to expectations: Coughlan, Maybin, Bonifacio; and can Josh Johnson have back to back healthy seasons. He could very well be the best pitcher in the NL, but he also needs to stay very healthy. Also, I think Logan Morrison is this years Rookie of the Year. Biggest Questions: Will they continue to surprise and will Josh Johnson stay healthy.
Oh! By the way, did any of you guys hear anything about the Phillies talking internally about a first basemen swap of Ryan Howard for Albert Pujols, I swear I just saw that scroll across the screen on espnews.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
The Pancake Challenge!
Hey everyone, I am setting up a NCAA men's basketball tournament challenge. You know the drill, fill out the bracket and we shall see who wins.
Here is the link. The password is yummy, the group name is The Pancake Challenge, the group ID is 44802. There is no money involved, too hard to gather the money, so it is just for fun. Maybe I will award the winner some kind of prize...
Good luck to everyone...
Here is the link. The password is yummy, the group name is The Pancake Challenge, the group ID is 44802. There is no money involved, too hard to gather the money, so it is just for fun. Maybe I will award the winner some kind of prize...
Good luck to everyone...
Sunday, February 28, 2010
2010 MLB Predictions: AL Playoffs & Awards
AL Wildcard: Boston Red Sox
ALDS: White Sox OVER Red Sox, Mariners OVER Yankees
ALCS: White Sox OVER Mariners
AL MVP: Miguel Cabrera
AL Cy Young: Jake Peavy
AL ROY: I would have picked Julio Borbon, but I don't think he qualifies as a rookie by like 20 or 30 at bats, but I will choose Neftali Feliz, from the same team.
ALDS: White Sox OVER Red Sox, Mariners OVER Yankees
ALCS: White Sox OVER Mariners
AL MVP: Miguel Cabrera
AL Cy Young: Jake Peavy
AL ROY: I would have picked Julio Borbon, but I don't think he qualifies as a rookie by like 20 or 30 at bats, but I will choose Neftali Feliz, from the same team.
2010 MLB Predictions: AL West
Before I go on with my predictions, I want to post this, I figured it might be something Josh and Offord would enjoy since they like to put so much stock in the importance of such statistics that I find subjectively obsolete. But I think it may help my argument for who I think is going to come out on top for the division this season. Here are my predictions for the AL West:
Mariners
Rangers
Angels
Athletics
I know everyone thinks I'm crazy with my predictions half the time, and now I look ready for the straight jacket for predicting the mighty Angels to fall in the AL West, the division they have owned for the better part of a decade, but I think this is the year of the Mariner. Maybe its my personal love for the one last "natural" hall of fame slugger left in the big leagues; or the fact they have 2 center fielders covering the wides expanses of Safeco's spacious alleys and a 3rd in Griffey, if necessary, despite his age; or maybe it could be they have a former AL Cy Young award winner in addition to one of this years front runners for the same award; or it could be the solid defense they display across the diamond to go with a speedy line up. The only things I think may hinder them is their possible lack of power and how well they hold on to leads late in the game. The wild card for the Mariners is the emotion that could be on display night in and night out for this almost definitely being Griffey's last season in the Bigs and the send off they want to give him.
The reason i put the the Rangers over the Angels is because I like their offense so much more, and their bullpen, in my opinion, is more solid. Now, the Angels have a much better rotation, but I think they are relying too heavily on half of their line-up to continue their progress on what were career years for half of their line up. Yes, a couple of these players are still young at SS, 2B and 1B, but the meat of their line up is in the outfield and they are aging and breaking down. To expect a full healthy season from all of them, including Hideki Matsui is asking for too much. They brought in Fernando Rodney to sure up the back end of their bullpen, but they also brought him in case fuentes is as erratic as he was last season. Towards the end of the season you will see the Angels fall out of the race for the division and then the wild card. The Rangers are once again, going to have one of the best offenses in the league. They have decent defense especially in center and left, a gold glover at third and who I think will be a future gold glover at short. I think the offense only got better with what I would call "cheap" signing of Vladdy to hit out of the DH and flip-flop on the defensive side of the ball with Cruz. I like the Rotations 1 and 2 guys, but can Feldman continue to be a 15+ wins pitcher and can the talented Rich Harden stay healthy enough to pitch an entire season? Their bullpen is deep, atleast in potential closer depth, though the role itself is strongly in the hands of Francisco. The last thing I'm really looking forward to is where the young flame thrower Neftali Feliz ends up. He could end up being a stellar 3rd or 4th starter or end up in the bullpen for a little while to groom him into the starters role and build arm strength in the same way the Rays handled David Price.
The athletics brought in Ben Sheets and have a relatively young and speedy outfield. They brought in Kouzmanoff, who still has some power potential and is definitely a reliable back up plan to the oft-injured eric chavez. The rest of their rotation outside of Sheets is going to rely on Dallas Braden and Justin Duchscherer? I like the Pirates odds more with Hart and Lincoln. Their bullpen I don't think is very deep, though they do have a couple options at closer and people who can interchange towards the back end. In the end, I don't think they have what it takes in the division, but it's the A's and like the Marlins and the Twins before them, always seem to find a way to stay competitive at least for a little while.
CDP: The rangers will have 4 players hit 30+ home runs but still come up short in their bid for a playoff birth and Griffey will hit 25 home runs.
Mariners
Rangers
Angels
Athletics
I know everyone thinks I'm crazy with my predictions half the time, and now I look ready for the straight jacket for predicting the mighty Angels to fall in the AL West, the division they have owned for the better part of a decade, but I think this is the year of the Mariner. Maybe its my personal love for the one last "natural" hall of fame slugger left in the big leagues; or the fact they have 2 center fielders covering the wides expanses of Safeco's spacious alleys and a 3rd in Griffey, if necessary, despite his age; or maybe it could be they have a former AL Cy Young award winner in addition to one of this years front runners for the same award; or it could be the solid defense they display across the diamond to go with a speedy line up. The only things I think may hinder them is their possible lack of power and how well they hold on to leads late in the game. The wild card for the Mariners is the emotion that could be on display night in and night out for this almost definitely being Griffey's last season in the Bigs and the send off they want to give him.
The reason i put the the Rangers over the Angels is because I like their offense so much more, and their bullpen, in my opinion, is more solid. Now, the Angels have a much better rotation, but I think they are relying too heavily on half of their line-up to continue their progress on what were career years for half of their line up. Yes, a couple of these players are still young at SS, 2B and 1B, but the meat of their line up is in the outfield and they are aging and breaking down. To expect a full healthy season from all of them, including Hideki Matsui is asking for too much. They brought in Fernando Rodney to sure up the back end of their bullpen, but they also brought him in case fuentes is as erratic as he was last season. Towards the end of the season you will see the Angels fall out of the race for the division and then the wild card. The Rangers are once again, going to have one of the best offenses in the league. They have decent defense especially in center and left, a gold glover at third and who I think will be a future gold glover at short. I think the offense only got better with what I would call "cheap" signing of Vladdy to hit out of the DH and flip-flop on the defensive side of the ball with Cruz. I like the Rotations 1 and 2 guys, but can Feldman continue to be a 15+ wins pitcher and can the talented Rich Harden stay healthy enough to pitch an entire season? Their bullpen is deep, atleast in potential closer depth, though the role itself is strongly in the hands of Francisco. The last thing I'm really looking forward to is where the young flame thrower Neftali Feliz ends up. He could end up being a stellar 3rd or 4th starter or end up in the bullpen for a little while to groom him into the starters role and build arm strength in the same way the Rays handled David Price.
The athletics brought in Ben Sheets and have a relatively young and speedy outfield. They brought in Kouzmanoff, who still has some power potential and is definitely a reliable back up plan to the oft-injured eric chavez. The rest of their rotation outside of Sheets is going to rely on Dallas Braden and Justin Duchscherer? I like the Pirates odds more with Hart and Lincoln. Their bullpen I don't think is very deep, though they do have a couple options at closer and people who can interchange towards the back end. In the end, I don't think they have what it takes in the division, but it's the A's and like the Marlins and the Twins before them, always seem to find a way to stay competitive at least for a little while.
CDP: The rangers will have 4 players hit 30+ home runs but still come up short in their bid for a playoff birth and Griffey will hit 25 home runs.
Friday, February 26, 2010
2010 MLB Predictions: AL Central
I'm sorry guys, I'm kinda bored right now and I have time to continue on with my predictions. So I am going to continue with the AL Central. What can you say about the AL Central? How about White Sox! White Sox! White Sox! I think they are going to run away with this division. I really don't think this is going to be close (but of course I am going to be wrong); Heres the AL Central Predictions:
White Sox
Tigers
Indians
Twins
Royals
The White Sox look absolutely perfect on paper. They have a stellar rotation, especially with a healthy Peavy; crazy depth defensively and offensively; and players who can play above average defense at more than 2 positions. They brought in the best defensive outfielder(andruw jones) and infielder(omar vizquel) from the last 20 years, and if Andruw Jones starts to rake, sheesh! Can you imagine how much better the defense up the middle is going to be this year? With young guys at second and short in their 2nd and 3rd year respectively, just think of all the information they are going to absorb from the future hall of famer. Detroit has a chance...to really struggle this year. They definitely have the quantity at starting pitcher, but its the quality i worry about outside of Verlander. Johnny Damon I don't think made them all that better, and if this team is going to improve at all offensively, Inge can't strike out so often, Ordonez has to hit atleast like 3 years ago and Guillen has to be healthy all season. I think the team that is going to take the biggest dive is going to be the Twins. I'm not at all impressed with their rotation and their biggest acquisitions in the offseason are a flimsy wristed second basemen and a short stop who's had more mental lapses than Shutter Island. I believe the Indians are better than people believe, especially offensively with a healthy Sizemore and an improving Cabrera along with Choo and the newly added Russell Branyan to add 30 home runs. The Royals are getting there and have a great future with a very talented and young pitching staff, but they need a lot of pieces to fall into place offensively...Jason Kendall?? I mean come on!
CDP: The Cy Young and MVP will come out of this division( I will have those when i finish both leagues, they will be included with my playoff predictions.)
White Sox
Tigers
Indians
Twins
Royals
The White Sox look absolutely perfect on paper. They have a stellar rotation, especially with a healthy Peavy; crazy depth defensively and offensively; and players who can play above average defense at more than 2 positions. They brought in the best defensive outfielder(andruw jones) and infielder(omar vizquel) from the last 20 years, and if Andruw Jones starts to rake, sheesh! Can you imagine how much better the defense up the middle is going to be this year? With young guys at second and short in their 2nd and 3rd year respectively, just think of all the information they are going to absorb from the future hall of famer. Detroit has a chance...to really struggle this year. They definitely have the quantity at starting pitcher, but its the quality i worry about outside of Verlander. Johnny Damon I don't think made them all that better, and if this team is going to improve at all offensively, Inge can't strike out so often, Ordonez has to hit atleast like 3 years ago and Guillen has to be healthy all season. I think the team that is going to take the biggest dive is going to be the Twins. I'm not at all impressed with their rotation and their biggest acquisitions in the offseason are a flimsy wristed second basemen and a short stop who's had more mental lapses than Shutter Island. I believe the Indians are better than people believe, especially offensively with a healthy Sizemore and an improving Cabrera along with Choo and the newly added Russell Branyan to add 30 home runs. The Royals are getting there and have a great future with a very talented and young pitching staff, but they need a lot of pieces to fall into place offensively...Jason Kendall?? I mean come on!
CDP: The Cy Young and MVP will come out of this division( I will have those when i finish both leagues, they will be included with my playoff predictions.)
2010 MLB Predictions: AL East
When it comes to parity in the Majors, I believe every team is starting to field respectable professional ball club to remain competitive within the sport, especially in the National League. When it comes to the AL East however, as much as I would like to rain on the Yankees parade and say that Derek Jeter not being guaranteed a Yankee's contract this year would portend the downfall of the franchise and sink them to the bottom of a very competitive division (for second place); every written word would be no more than literary carrion. We all know the Yucking Fankees are the best team in baseball as much as all of us Pirates fans hate to admit. A 200 Million dollar payroll does that for you. So without further ado, here are my AL East predictions:
Yankees
Red Sox
Orioles
Rays
Blue Jays
I hate the Yankees, but despite losing Godzilla and Damon, I think they may have gotten even better. They improved on the defensive side of the ball with Granderson and he is going to bring a little more youth and sizzle to the line up. They brought back Javier Vasquez to the Rotation, AS THEIR 4TH STARTER! He is a potential number 2 starter for any team in the majors and could possibly be a number 1 for any number of NL teams(the pirates). At the same time, I think that is his greatest fault. He is definitely a better NL pitcher than AL, so i guess we'll see the turn out for the yanks with him. I came real close to swapping the positions of the Sox and the Rays, but the Red Sox have the best pitching staff in the Majors. They worry me though because I think they have too many offensive question marks outside of Pedroia and Youk and I think it will hurt them. I don't trust the Rays pitching, or the O's for that matter, but I think the Orioles have such better offensive potential despite, in my opinion, only 2 or 3 consistent commodities in the line up. The Blue Jays have an all star second basement...?(like how i did that)
Crazy Division Prediction (CDP): Either the Red Sox or Rays will lose an early season MVP candidate and it will determine who finishes second in the division. Derek Jeter finishes second in the MVP vote, Carl Crawford has 75+ steals for the season.
Yankees
Red Sox
Orioles
Rays
Blue Jays
I hate the Yankees, but despite losing Godzilla and Damon, I think they may have gotten even better. They improved on the defensive side of the ball with Granderson and he is going to bring a little more youth and sizzle to the line up. They brought back Javier Vasquez to the Rotation, AS THEIR 4TH STARTER! He is a potential number 2 starter for any team in the majors and could possibly be a number 1 for any number of NL teams(the pirates). At the same time, I think that is his greatest fault. He is definitely a better NL pitcher than AL, so i guess we'll see the turn out for the yanks with him. I came real close to swapping the positions of the Sox and the Rays, but the Red Sox have the best pitching staff in the Majors. They worry me though because I think they have too many offensive question marks outside of Pedroia and Youk and I think it will hurt them. I don't trust the Rays pitching, or the O's for that matter, but I think the Orioles have such better offensive potential despite, in my opinion, only 2 or 3 consistent commodities in the line up. The Blue Jays have an all star second basement...?(like how i did that)
Crazy Division Prediction (CDP): Either the Red Sox or Rays will lose an early season MVP candidate and it will determine who finishes second in the division. Derek Jeter finishes second in the MVP vote, Carl Crawford has 75+ steals for the season.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
2010 MLB Predictions
Nice predictions (Josh), I mostly agree. I think this is the toughest season in recent memory to predict because so many teams are looking good, in my opinion. In the NL, I would not be shocked if any of the following made the playoffs - Phillies, Mets, Braves, Cardinals, Cubs, Reds, Brewers, Dodgers, Rockies, Giants, D'Backs. In the AL, I could see the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, Tigers, Twins, White Sox, Angels, Mariners, and Rangers. That is quite a field of teams that have a shot. Since a lot of them are crapshoots for me, I'll probably get them exactly right, because when I am "sure", they are always way off.
NL East
Phillies
Braves
Mets
Marlins
Nationals
May be the best division in the NL when all is said and done. The Nationals have done A LOT to improve, and if Strasburg is half the pitcher they expect, added to Lanaan, Marquis, Wang, and Zimmerman, these guys could seriously push the Mets and Marlins. Don't forget though, the Mets have a healthyish Beltran and Reyes, to go along with Wright, Bay, and Santana. You can't count these guys out yet...just wait until August.
NL Central
Cardinals
Cubs
Reds
Brewers
Astros
Pirates
Cardinals are the clear favorite, but the Reds are up and coming. The Cubs will be in their consistent 2/3 spot, so the only competition will be the Reds trying to move up the ladder. If not this year, then next year the Reds will be second.
NL West
Rockies
Dodgers
Giants
D'Backs
Padres
The D'Backs get Webb back and add Edwin Jackson, but still have too much youth to make it in this balanced division. Any of the top 3 could make it, but I like Ubaldo Jimenez to lead the Rocks into the playoffs. The Giants just haven't done enough on offense to move up yet.
NL Wildcard: Dodgers. I like the Braves, but they didn't do enough to improve their offense, and the Dodgers have Matt Kemp.
NLDS: Cardinals over Dodgers, Phillies over Rockies
NLCS: Cardinals over Phillies
NL MVP: If Pujols gets seriously injured, then Matt Kemp.
NL CY YOUNG: Tim Lincecum
NL ROY: Pedro Alvarez ... j/k. Heyward if he gets a shot, Escobar if not. Travis Wood - SP Reds - is a sleeper.
AL East
Yankees
Red Sox
Rays
Orioles
Blue Jays
I really like the Orioles. If they were in the Central I might take them to win the division. Alas, they are not. Next year could be their year, but for now, the big 3 will be at the top again. Close between the Rays and Sox, but Lackey and Dice-K will push them over the top.
AL Central
Tigers
White Sox
Twins
Royals
Indians
This is a boring division, but the top 3 teams all have a decent shot. The White Sox have arguably the best rotation in the AL, but I think top to bottom Detroit's is better. Detroit will need its youngsters Jackson, Sizemore, and Raburn to really step up, and Miguel Cabrera to avoid bars.
AL West
Angels
Rangers
Mariners
A's
I think this will be the most exciting division in baseball and probably the closest. The Angels are steady as usual, but, if a lot of things go right, the Rangers have potentially the second best team in the AL to the Yanks. However, I think experience and consistency will win out down the stretch.
For the wildcard, like I said before, there are a lot of teams that have a shot. Because of experience, I will take the Red Sox, but I would not be shocked if the Rangers overcame them. If not this year, then next year we'll see Texas in the playoffs, especially if Harden turns things around and Netfali Feliz is as good as expected.
AL Wildcard: Red Sox
ALDS: Tigers over Red Sox, Yankees over Angels
ALCS: Yankees over Tigers. Surprisingly, the Tigers were potentially the best offense last year, now their offense is a weakness. Yanks are too much to overcome.
World Series: Cardinals over Yankees in an exciting 7 game series.
AL MVP: Alex Rodriguez (Adrian Beltre CLOSE second)
AL CY YOUNG: Felix Hernandez
AL ROY: Michael Brantley, OF, Indians. Only because I think Feliz starts the year in the bullpen. The Rangers have a lot of quality starters and I think Colby Lewis gets a shot at the 5th spot.
NL East
Phillies
Braves
Mets
Marlins
Nationals
May be the best division in the NL when all is said and done. The Nationals have done A LOT to improve, and if Strasburg is half the pitcher they expect, added to Lanaan, Marquis, Wang, and Zimmerman, these guys could seriously push the Mets and Marlins. Don't forget though, the Mets have a healthyish Beltran and Reyes, to go along with Wright, Bay, and Santana. You can't count these guys out yet...just wait until August.
NL Central
Cardinals
Cubs
Reds
Brewers
Astros
Pirates
Cardinals are the clear favorite, but the Reds are up and coming. The Cubs will be in their consistent 2/3 spot, so the only competition will be the Reds trying to move up the ladder. If not this year, then next year the Reds will be second.
NL West
Rockies
Dodgers
Giants
D'Backs
Padres
The D'Backs get Webb back and add Edwin Jackson, but still have too much youth to make it in this balanced division. Any of the top 3 could make it, but I like Ubaldo Jimenez to lead the Rocks into the playoffs. The Giants just haven't done enough on offense to move up yet.
NL Wildcard: Dodgers. I like the Braves, but they didn't do enough to improve their offense, and the Dodgers have Matt Kemp.
NLDS: Cardinals over Dodgers, Phillies over Rockies
NLCS: Cardinals over Phillies
NL MVP: If Pujols gets seriously injured, then Matt Kemp.
NL CY YOUNG: Tim Lincecum
NL ROY: Pedro Alvarez ... j/k. Heyward if he gets a shot, Escobar if not. Travis Wood - SP Reds - is a sleeper.
AL East
Yankees
Red Sox
Rays
Orioles
Blue Jays
I really like the Orioles. If they were in the Central I might take them to win the division. Alas, they are not. Next year could be their year, but for now, the big 3 will be at the top again. Close between the Rays and Sox, but Lackey and Dice-K will push them over the top.
AL Central
Tigers
White Sox
Twins
Royals
Indians
This is a boring division, but the top 3 teams all have a decent shot. The White Sox have arguably the best rotation in the AL, but I think top to bottom Detroit's is better. Detroit will need its youngsters Jackson, Sizemore, and Raburn to really step up, and Miguel Cabrera to avoid bars.
AL West
Angels
Rangers
Mariners
A's
I think this will be the most exciting division in baseball and probably the closest. The Angels are steady as usual, but, if a lot of things go right, the Rangers have potentially the second best team in the AL to the Yanks. However, I think experience and consistency will win out down the stretch.
For the wildcard, like I said before, there are a lot of teams that have a shot. Because of experience, I will take the Red Sox, but I would not be shocked if the Rangers overcame them. If not this year, then next year we'll see Texas in the playoffs, especially if Harden turns things around and Netfali Feliz is as good as expected.
AL Wildcard: Red Sox
ALDS: Tigers over Red Sox, Yankees over Angels
ALCS: Yankees over Tigers. Surprisingly, the Tigers were potentially the best offense last year, now their offense is a weakness. Yanks are too much to overcome.
World Series: Cardinals over Yankees in an exciting 7 game series.
AL MVP: Alex Rodriguez (Adrian Beltre CLOSE second)
AL CY YOUNG: Felix Hernandez
AL ROY: Michael Brantley, OF, Indians. Only because I think Feliz starts the year in the bullpen. The Rangers have a lot of quality starters and I think Colby Lewis gets a shot at the 5th spot.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Fantasy Baseball 2010
Hey guys, guess what time of year it is? That's right, it's fantasy baseball time. I will be starting a league soon on yahoo and you all are invited to join.
I want to start a discussion about it right now. I am saying only one league this year, lets discuss what stats to use. And we need everyone involved to be die hard.
Obviously these are the people I know will join: myself, Offord, Imler, Ryan, Gideon. I am hoping Ryan can get Singer, Dave, and Ruskin. Hopefully James will participate.
We would just need four more folks to have a successful and highly competitive league. Let me know.
I want to start a discussion about it right now. I am saying only one league this year, lets discuss what stats to use. And we need everyone involved to be die hard.
Obviously these are the people I know will join: myself, Offord, Imler, Ryan, Gideon. I am hoping Ryan can get Singer, Dave, and Ruskin. Hopefully James will participate.
We would just need four more folks to have a successful and highly competitive league. Let me know.
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