We are now about 3 weeks into the season, still early, but the division is starting to shape up. Surprisingly, the Fish are at the top with the Braves, Mets, and Phillies looking up. Here is my take on the start of the season for the Braves and some predictions.
The Braves have been somewhat digital this year when it comes to their offense. We tend to score in bunches, and mostly off the long ball. Garrent Anderson has been everything but impressive, and now he is injured. I hope he can make a comeback, but to be frank, I think the team will be better served with a platoon of Blanco and Diaz. Jeff Francour may be our best hitter this season, but one thing is for sure, to win we need Chipper to be healthy. McCann is having eye surjery, but I expect him to come back stronger then ever. Kelly is finding his groove, if only he can stop making errors. Our young stud Schaffer is starting to get found out, hoepfully he can adjust as pitchers adjust to him.
The pitching staff has been unsurprisingly deep, but it seems Glavine may be retiring. No worries, there is plenty of young talent to fill in. Derek Lowe has shown himself to be the number 1 starter, and Jair Jurjjens picked up where he left off, striking out batters and pitching quality starts. The bullpen has seemed shakey at times, and it may just be a closer by comittee between Soriano and Gonzalez. Blain Boyer is out there, and Peter Moylan is slowly finding his stide.
I am more convinced now then ever that this team can play above 500 this season and has a good chance to make the playoffs. But, this is the kind of team that is prone to skids. When the bats aren't hitting, everything seems to fall apart quickly. Baseball is sport of minimizing the damage, when we are down, Bobby has got to find a way to pick the team up. The bullpen may be our weakest point, but lets hope the starting pitching picks up the slack.
It is going to be a tight race, a three or four team race in the east. The "Natinals" have no chance, and have shown themselves to be the worst franchise in baseball. Don't count out the central division to take the wild card. The Cubs and Cards look good, but don't forget about those pesky Pirates. Out west, the Dodgers should take the division, but the Diamondbacks or the reloaded Padres may be looming. Once the Padres fall out of it, Jake Peavy may be on the move (sound familiar).
My prediction for the playoffs:
National League
Division Winners - Cards, Dodgers, Fish
Wild Card - Atlanta Braves (yes I am a homer)
American League
Division Winners - BoSox, ChiSox, Mariners
Wild Card - Yankees (but watch out for the Tigers)
World Series: BoSox vs Cardinals
Champions: Cardinals
That's right, my team to beat is the Cardinals. I reserve the right to be wrong, but that team is good. They hit well and pitch well (with some recent injuries). They have a top notch manager, and the Cards are a kind of team that can sneak into the playoffs and cause a lot of damage. As much as I want to believe that the Braves are the team to beat, I just don't see it yet. Maybe I will change my mind come all-stat time.
What do you think?
1 comments. Leave Your Own!:
you mad man! here's how I'm leaning..
American League: Red Sox, White Sox, Angels, Rays steal the wild card
Yankees struggle as Wang can't get it together, Joba can't pile up innings, and Pettitte reverts to being a 4.50 Era kinda guy. A-Rod doesnt look like his old self, and Teixeira can't carry a team by himself if his life (or $23M) depended on it. Rays are banged up and starting slow, but they'll get it together. Great roster. Once the Angels' pitching staff comes off the DL and Vlad returns, they'll run away with it. Hard to bet against them, and I'm not buying into the Mariners' ability to pitch or score. White Sox hit four million home runs, John Danks finishes in top 3 in ERA.
National League: Mets, Cardinals, Dodgers, Marlins win the wild card
Yeah I'm a Braves homer, but that might be the only homer we get all year. Hanson will be up by June and the starting pitching looks great rest of the year, but bottom line we dont score enough. Mets starting pitching remains subpar, but Santana wins the Cy Young, the bullpen blows next to nothing and that lineup continues to hit. I hate to pick them, but theyre solid. Marlins stay in it close, so do the Phillies, and eventually pull away in August. Cubs are too old and banged up, and the Dodgers are in a one-team race.
NLDS: Dodgers BEAT Marlins, Mets BEAT Cardinals
NLCS: Dodgers BEAT Mets
ALDS: Red Sox BEAT Angels, Rays BEAT White Sox
ALCS: Red Sox BEAT Rays
World Series: Red Sox BEAT Dodgers. Manny hits four home runs at fenway, but john smoltz picks up a win in game 6 for his second ring.
The Red Sox are so incredibly deep its insane. They're offense is going to be clicking on all cylinders all year, Youkilis could win the MVP and Bay, Ortiz and Lowell could drive in 90+ each. Seven+ GOOD starting pitchers available at any given time, John Smoltz will be given a chance to dominate in the postseason, and Papelbon will close the door every time. Best team in baseball.
*Cardinals aren't a terrible pick to win the division or the pennant, though. Big questions remain about their pitching staff, but if Carpenter returns somewhat healthy and Lohse, Pineiro and Wainwright can hold it down.. could be a nice sleeper. Pujols is the only active player who can win games and divisions all by himself.
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