Thursday, February 23, 2006
NL EAST predictions
1. Braves- As skipper of the Braves, Bobby Cox has been responsible for more happy finishes than an Asian massage parlor. 14 consecutive seasons Los Bravos have won the East title, and like any deranged killer in a horror movie you won't believe they are dead until you see the body. The rotation led by John Smoltz and Tim Hudson is the best in the division, and assuming that all the prominent youngsters(McCann, Francouer, Johnson, Devine, etc.) continue to improve the Braves will remain the team to beat. Only a suspect bullpen may hold them back.
2. Mets- I swear I have seen this offseason before. The Mets sign big name free agents('06 versions:Billy Wagner, Carlos Delgado) like Brittany Murphy gets engaged, often and unsuccessfully. They did it in '05 (Pedro Martinez, Carlos Beltran), they did it in '04(Kaz Matsui, Mike Cameron, Braden Looper), they did it in '03 (Tom Glavine, Cliff Floyd) and on and on and on. Yet for all of their attempts to throw the GDP of Peru at the team that can't seem to overcome the Boys from the South. This year the Mets appear to have a potent lineup and better pitching than usual. If they can avoid injuries and Beltran looks more like his Houston version, they should, at least, win the wildcard. However given their history of underachieving don't be surprised if they don't.
3. Phillies- Rollins, Rowand, Abreu, Burrell, Howard, and Utley is as good a 1-6 batting order as you'll find in the NL. Considering that they play in the band box known as Citizens Bank Park, this team should score alot of runs. Unfortunately for the Phightin' Phils the pitching isn't up to snuff. Replacing Billy Wagner with Tom Gordon is like replacing Sienna Miller with Fran Drescher(oops wrong nanny, Jude). This team will score enough to be about 10 games over .500 again. But they won't pitch well enough to challenge for the division.
4. Nationals- This team has some good players, just not enough of them. I like Vidro, Johnson and Guillen as everyday players, and the pitching staff has a few bright lights in Hernandez and Cordero. Soriano will most likely play poorly in that huge ballpark, and I don't know if Patterson can replicate what he did last year. Frank Robinson is worth a few wins, but ultimately this team needs more thunder to really compete.
5. Marlins- Can someone please tell me who is still on this team? The Fish's transaction report read like a who's who of big name departures. Delgado, Pierre, Castillo, Lowell, Burnett, Beckett, Gonzalez, all have left for greener($) pastures and the Marlins are left with Dontrelle Willis, Miquel Cabrera and a bunch of never haves and haven't yets. True, some of the young talent is impressive(Jeremy Hermida has to be the ROY favorite and Yusmeiro Petit was arguably the Mets best pitching prospect). But when you are looking at a starting lineup that could have Wes Helms, Pokey Reese and Miquel Olivo in it you might as well have Charlie Sheen closing. Can you say rebuilding year? I like the way you say that.
1. Braves- As skipper of the Braves, Bobby Cox has been responsible for more happy finishes than an Asian massage parlor. 14 consecutive seasons Los Bravos have won the East title, and like any deranged killer in a horror movie you won't believe they are dead until you see the body. The rotation led by John Smoltz and Tim Hudson is the best in the division, and assuming that all the prominent youngsters(McCann, Francouer, Johnson, Devine, etc.) continue to improve the Braves will remain the team to beat. Only a suspect bullpen may hold them back.
2. Mets- I swear I have seen this offseason before. The Mets sign big name free agents('06 versions:Billy Wagner, Carlos Delgado) like Brittany Murphy gets engaged, often and unsuccessfully. They did it in '05 (Pedro Martinez, Carlos Beltran), they did it in '04(Kaz Matsui, Mike Cameron, Braden Looper), they did it in '03 (Tom Glavine, Cliff Floyd) and on and on and on. Yet for all of their attempts to throw the GDP of Peru at the team that can't seem to overcome the Boys from the South. This year the Mets appear to have a potent lineup and better pitching than usual. If they can avoid injuries and Beltran looks more like his Houston version, they should, at least, win the wildcard. However given their history of underachieving don't be surprised if they don't.
3. Phillies- Rollins, Rowand, Abreu, Burrell, Howard, and Utley is as good a 1-6 batting order as you'll find in the NL. Considering that they play in the band box known as Citizens Bank Park, this team should score alot of runs. Unfortunately for the Phightin' Phils the pitching isn't up to snuff. Replacing Billy Wagner with Tom Gordon is like replacing Sienna Miller with Fran Drescher(oops wrong nanny, Jude). This team will score enough to be about 10 games over .500 again. But they won't pitch well enough to challenge for the division.
4. Nationals- This team has some good players, just not enough of them. I like Vidro, Johnson and Guillen as everyday players, and the pitching staff has a few bright lights in Hernandez and Cordero. Soriano will most likely play poorly in that huge ballpark, and I don't know if Patterson can replicate what he did last year. Frank Robinson is worth a few wins, but ultimately this team needs more thunder to really compete.
5. Marlins- Can someone please tell me who is still on this team? The Fish's transaction report read like a who's who of big name departures. Delgado, Pierre, Castillo, Lowell, Burnett, Beckett, Gonzalez, all have left for greener($) pastures and the Marlins are left with Dontrelle Willis, Miquel Cabrera and a bunch of never haves and haven't yets. True, some of the young talent is impressive(Jeremy Hermida has to be the ROY favorite and Yusmeiro Petit was arguably the Mets best pitching prospect). But when you are looking at a starting lineup that could have Wes Helms, Pokey Reese and Miquel Olivo in it you might as well have Charlie Sheen closing. Can you say rebuilding year? I like the way you say that.
