NL East: Braves (I know that's going against the grain, but I think they have the fewest question marks in their pitching staff, among the contenders in the division) NL Central: Cardinals NL West: Giants NL Wild Card: Mets
NL MVP: Pujols NL Cy Young: C. Zambrano
AL East: Yankees AL Central: Twins AL West: Angels AL Wild Card: Tigers
I don't know nuttin'. It's just wishful thinking, I suppose.
I'm just thinking that with all the media attention on Matsuzaka and his contract...and with all the attention that Schilling commands from the media...with the Jon Lester story unfolding over the season...and the microscope that Papelbon's going to be under...that maybe Beckett has that break-out year that has been predicted for so long.
He's got great stuff...his IP have gone up over the last four years. SOs have always been good. With this line-up and defense behind him, this could be when the stars all line up right for Josh Beckett.
I'm probably thinking that Zito winning(or coming close) is very much not happening. He's going to a new league and they haven't seen his nasty stuff yet.
I believe Derek Lowe is in his final year of his contract so he should do well. His era in the spring has been super low.
I really don't know how to feel about the Braves winning the east. After last year the shine wore off.
I will say the Marlins could be a surprise team. They could also be like the Royals after a surprise year..
Great signing for the Tigers. Guillen is really one of the underated short stops in the league, and now is getting his due.
On a down note for the Tigers, Kenny Rogers will now miss half the season after surgery to remove a blood clot. In a way though, this could be a blessing, he should be fresh for a playoff run.
I think Jeremy Bonderman is going to have by far his best year yet. He has been better than average, especially for a two pitch pitcher, but now he has added a change up and Pudge said he is going to be devastating this year. Opening day for the Tigers is Monday home against the Blue Jays!!!
Hey look, it's another old man (just like Buck O'Neil) who has devoted his life to the game and the league who's going to get his heart broken. Way to go...
I realize he could get hurt...even killed by sitting in that dugout. But if he had the choice, I bet Johnny (87 years old) wouldn't rather go any other way. Nomar's got the right idea.
As a Met fan, I'm surprised to see so many picking the Mets to win the division. I'm worried about their rotation, the right handers in the bullpen and a pretty old team overall that is a year older from last season. How many 40+ year old players do they have on the opening day roster? Four?
I'm picking the Phillies to win the NL East and Mets to make the Wild Card barely over the Braves. Hate to say it, but the Braves are on their way up.
I find that tough to agree with, Brian. If Barry stays healthy, I think it would be hard for him NOT to reach 755. He hit two HRs in his first two at-bats in tonight's game against the Athletics in Oakland!
Alright, guess I'll give some predictions, even though it's going to be a total homer pick.
AL East: Boston AL Central: Cleveland AL West: LA-Aneheim AL Wild Card: Minnesota
NL East: Atlanta NL Central: St. Louis NL West: Arizona NL Wild Card: Philadelphia
NL Champs: Atlanta AL Champs: Cleveland
Braves over The Tribe in 6
Anyway, the Mets beat the Cards tonight. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't still absolutely terrified of that Mets lineup. We'll just see how the starting rotation holds up.
yeah, it's too bad. i have a baseball package with my cable and get to see pretty much all the games. that's one historical moment i won't be watching.
I saw some of the ESPN predictions. Several like the Dodgers to win the NL but I fear they won't have the slugging to win. They have the pitching. I don't know if Pitching and Defense can win anymore.