2008 MLB Predictions

[Virginia Giant]

Once again it's time to make your Major League Baseball predictions.

 

 

 

 

A.L. East

 

 

N.Y. Yankees - The rotation has a shot to be really good, not to mention Hank said it was time to restore the universe to order.

 

 

Boston Red Sox - Beckett, Maz and Lester should all be good, but losing Curt should be felt.

 

 

Tononto Blue Jays

 

 

Tampa Bay Rays

 

 

Baltimore Orioles - They traded their only 2 good players

 

 

 

A.L. Central

 

 

Detroit Tigers

 

 

Cleveland Indians

 

 

Chicago White Sox - You ass clowns got Nick Swisher, hope you go into the toillette.

 

 

Minnesota Twins

 

 

Kansas City Royals

 

 

A.L. West

 

 

Seattle Mariners - I think adding Berard will make them a little better than the Angels, though it will be a dog fight between them.

 

 

Los Angeles Angels of Anheim in Orange County, California USA 92801

 

 

Texas Rangers - We'll pull out a few more wins than people expect, but still won't be ready to compete until at least '09 at the earliest. It all comes down to pitching, and with Millwood and McCarthy both nursing injuries it don't look good. Jennings and Padilla have looked good. The news from Rangers Land is a lot of the youngsters are really close. German Duran is make the leap and become our utility infielder might skip AAA to do so. Hurley is close and should be called up later this year. Hamilton is crushing the ball, Bradley says he'll be ready for opening day and now Byrd gets to play left, which he is much more suited to. Kinsler looks like he is gonna lead off against both lefties and righties (which I think is much smarter than switching him back and forth depending on who the starter is. Hank is healthy, well, other than whiplash he got from being ass ended in his car. The battle between Salty and Laird seems hot which I'm glad tosee someone woke up Laird.

 

 

 

Oakland Athletics - ha ha, you fags suck now.

 

 

 

 

 

N.L. East

 

 

N.Y. Mets

 

 

Philadelphia Phillies

 

 

Atlanta Braves

 

 

Washington Nationals

 

 

Florida Marlins

 

 

 

A.L. Central

 

 

Chicago Cubs The Brewers might actually take the division this year.

 

 

 

Milwaukee Brewers

 

 

St Louis Cardinals

 

 

Houston Astros

 

 

Cincinnati Reds

 

 

Pittsburg Pirates

 

 

N.L. West

 

 

San Diego Padres This might be a toss up of the top 4 teams.

 

 

Los Angeles Dodgers

 

 

Colorado Rockies

 

 

Arizona Diamondbacks

 

 

San Fransisco Giants

 

 

 

World Series - Mariners defeat Brewers

[Ditto]

AL east

Yankees-I think the kids will bring it+good bench coming in. Melky break out year. And, of course, Girardi.

 

Redsox-4 solid starters, but Timlin and Veritek older. Maybe Manny, too.

 

Rays-Going out on a limb here because better pitching will help the AL east be the best division in baseball this year. Will have to bring up Price early, though, and may have closer problems.

 

Blue Jays-Solid, but I don't see any improvement from last year.

 

Orioles-We'll have to see.

 

AL west

Indians-Solid, especially pitching.

 

Tigers-Cabrera. Any pitching, they flip flop with Indians.

 

Twins-No reason

 

White Sox-Same

 

Royals-Same

 

AL west

Mariners-Erik Bedard will help them repeat

 

Angels-May flip flop with Seattle, but I don't see it.

 

A's-What will they pull out of their hats this year?

 

Rangers-Oh, well, VG

 

NL east

Mets-Could dominate, but Pedro and El Duque are concerns. Outfield? Will Beltran's knees hold up?

 

Phillies-They believe. Could again flip flop with Mets.

 

Braves-

 

Nats-

 

Marlins-

 

NL west

Cubs-'cause VG picked 'em

 

Cards-I really have no idea here, but wtf

 

Brewers-

 

Reds-

 

Astros-

 

Pirates-

 

NL west

Padres-This is a toughie, so I'm more or less going with last year

 

Rockies-What a friggin' ss

 

Diamondbacks-Because of Torre handling Dodger pitching staff

 

Dodgers-See above.

 

Giants-Who?

[xxi-xxv]

VG did not pick the Rangers, wow something must be wrong in the universe

 

Anyway here is how it will go

 

AL East

Red Sox, better top to bottom than any team in baseball, Schilling is a loss, but Beckett is so good

Yankees, I just do not see how they are gonna get innings out of 3 young guys whom have never given that amount of innings before

Blue Jays, could challenge the Yanks if they stay healthy

Rays, no joke this team has more young talent than ANYONE in baseball, 2 years from now watch out

Orioles - 14-16 wins a piece for the Yanks and Sox

 

AL Central

Tigers, loaded if they do not implode should challenge for leagues best record

Indians, will win AL wildcard based on beating division bottom feeders up

Twins, retooling for 2009 and beyond, nice young nucleus

White Sox other teams just too strong, maybe in the NL central, not the AL

Royals, go figure a last place Royal finish

 

Al West

Mariners, good starting pitching, good closer, solid lineup.

Angels, solid again, just not as good as the Mariners

Rangers, year after year I think the same thing, if this team could pitch well they will win a lot

A's, rebuilding as usual due to money

 

NL East

Phillies, they are the champs, have 3 dynamite players and if they can get ANY pen help should be better

Braves, solid starting pitching, good lineup, will miss ANdruw Jones ask Glavine

Mets, as overrated a bunch I have seen in years, best starting pitching in the division top to bottom, but have a 1b, 2b, Lf who are old and have seen better days and unproven guy in RF, this will be as crash and burn as you can get, yet again setting Met fans up for utter despair

Nats, getting better and have the guy Omar would love to be managing his team playing better than they are

Marlins, see Oakland A's

 

Nl Central

Cubs, why not, best of a mediocre bunch

Brewers, will be better, just not that much

Astros, lots of offense outside Oswalt little pitching

Reds, getting better

Cardinals, a mess getting messier, LaRussa is gonna hit the pitcher 8th, next

Pirates, The National leagues AAA team

 

Nl West

DBacks, pitching, pitching and more pitching

Padres, pitching, pitching and not as much as the Dbacks

Rockies, come down from 07

Dodgers, Clueless Joe is back

Giants, in 2 years if Cain and Lincecum are what they appear to be this team will be on top

[fringe]

I don't see why everyone is so down on the Dodgers. From where I'm looking these guys are loaded. And don't say Torre is going to be a negative. Even if, you're talking +/- 5 games.

 

I think they will win over 90 games and take the NL West and it pains me greatly to say this.

 

And ditto, watch out for the Blue Jays, they make a lot of noise. Don't they have like 3 Aces?

[Virginia Giant]

I don't see why everyone is so down on the Dodgers. From where I'm looking these guys are loaded. And don't say Torre is going to be a negative. Even if, you're talking +/- 5 games.

 

I think they will win over 90 games and take the NL West and it pains me greatly to say this.

 

And ditto, watch out for the Blue Jays, they make a lot of noise. Don't they have like 3 Aces?

I picked them to finish second in the west.

[Virginia Giant]

VG did not pick the Rangers, wow something must be wrong in the universe

 

Anyway here is how it will go

 

AL East

Red Sox, better top to bottom than any team in baseball, Schilling is a loss, but Beckett is so good

Yankees, I just do not see how they are gonna get innings out of 3 young guys whom have never given that amount of innings before

Blue Jays, could challenge the Yanks if they stay healthy

Rays, no joke this team has more young talent than ANYONE in baseball, 2 years from now watch out

Orioles - 14-16 wins a piece for the Yanks and Sox

 

AL Central

Tigers, loaded if they do not implode should challenge for leagues best record

Indians, will win AL wildcard based on beating division bottom feeders up

Twins, retooling for 2009 and beyond, nice young nucleus

White Sox other teams just too strong, maybe in the NL central, not the AL

Royals, go figure a last place Royal finish

 

Al West

Mariners, good starting pitching, good closer, solid lineup.

Angels, solid again, just not as good as the Mariners

Rangers, year after year I think the same thing, if this team could pitch well they will win a lot

A's, rebuilding as usual due to money

 

NL East

Phillies, they are the champs, have 3 dynamite players and if they can get ANY pen help should be better

Braves, solid starting pitching, good lineup, will miss ANdruw Jones ask Glavine

Mets, as overrated a bunch I have seen in years, best starting pitching in the division top to bottom, but have a 1b, 2b, Lf who are old and have seen better days and unproven guy in RF, this will be as crash and burn as you can get, yet again setting Met fans up for utter despair

Nats, getting better and have the guy Omar would love to be managing his team playing better than they are

Marlins, see Oakland A's

 

Nl Central

Cubs, why not, best of a mediocre bunch

Brewers, will be better, just not that much

Astros, lots of offense outside Oswalt little pitching

Reds, getting better

Cardinals, a mess getting messier, LaRussa is gonna hit the pitcher 8th, next

Pirates, The National leagues AAA team

 

Nl West

DBacks, pitching, pitching and more pitching

Padres, pitching, pitching and not as much as the Dbacks

Rockies, come down from 07

Dodgers, Clueless Joe is back

Giants, in 2 years if Cain and Lincecum are what they appear to be this team will be on top

 

 

 

Reverse Phycology.

[Herc]

if mark prior is even 80% of what he was last time he was fully healthy, the NL west wont even be close

[fringe]

yes and if omar vizquel hits 52 homer, giants have a shot.

[Herc]

vizquel's never hit 52, prior won 18 last time he was healthy--and all indications are that he finally is

[fringe]

Penny. Lowe. Billingsley.Kuroda and then Schmidt in the 2nd half- that's pretty formidable.

Plus the best hitting depth by far. I can't see how SD is going to run away from that- let alone AZ and CO- 95 wins to take that division. 82 won't cut it anymore

[Herc]

Penny. Lowe. Billingsley.Kuroda and then Schmidt in the 2nd half- that's pretty formidable.

Plus the best hitting depth by far. I can't see how SD is going to run away from that- let alone AZ and CO- 95 wins to take that division. 82 won't cut it anymore

 

of course not, 89 wasn't enough for second place last season. still, i can't see how adding prior doesn't make what was, by far, the best pitching in baseball last season even better. penny always slows down in the 2nd half, and even so he's no peavy, just like lowe's no chris young. dodgers have some nice hitters, but who in that lineup's gonna make the all-star team? is a .220 hitter who hit half the hrs he hit a few years ago and a manager suddenly going to make them jump 3 teams? i dont see it. maybe loney and kemp are the real deal, but i feel safer relying on proven veterans who might not have a smuch upside but can still provide timely hitting. chase headly could end up better than those two youngins the dodgers have anyway

[Ditto]

And ditto, watch out for the Blue Jays, they make a lot of noise. Don't they have like 3 Aces?

If you're adding that kid in there, Litsch (sp), yeah. Actually, they have at least 5 starters that could make them the envy of the league... if you can keep them off the DL.

 

I didn't forget them, btw. But I have to pick the Yanks after bragging about the kids all year, and if I pick them ahead of the Sox, Nem might toss me off the boards.

 

And I have a question for you. Why do you rate Torre so high? Don't you think it's George's money that getting him into the HOF... if he doesn't blow it now, that is.

[xxi-xxv]

Interesting stat I read today in regards to NL pitching. There is a pitcher, whom since he became a full time starter in his teams rotation in August 2006 has a better winning% than Peavy(.583 to .493) a better ERA than Tim Hudson(3.81 to 4.04) and a better batting average against than John Smoltz(.228 to .248).

 

That pitcher? JOHN MAINE

 

I knew he had been good, but when looked at in those terms he has been very underrated.

[fringe]

If you're adding that kid in there, Litsch (sp), yeah. Actually, they have at least 5 starters that could make them the envy of the league... if you can keep them off the DL.

 

I didn't forget them, btw. But I have to pick the Yanks after bragging about the kids all year, and if I pick them ahead of the Sox, Nem might toss me off the boards.

 

And I have a question for you. Why do you rate Torre so high? Don't you think it's George's money that getting him into the HOF... if he doesn't blow it now, that is.

I don't rate Torre high at all- I don't put much value in any manager. As I said +/- 5 games on managers decisions.

[Herc]

if peavy didn't pitch with shoulder tendinitis all season long in '06 that stat wouldn't exist. it's arguable at this point if even johan is better than him, i can't wait to find out now that they're both in the NL.

 

 

the blue jays? halladay's an ace, burnett? on the cusp if he didn't get hurt so much. litsch? he was 7-9 with a 3.81 era, 50 k's in 111 IP. good pitcher, but i woudln't call him an ace. personally i like marcum and mcgowan better than him

[Ditto]

Litsch is a young kid who came on strong at the end of last season against 3 high scoring teams.

[Herc]

that doesn't make him an ace. he had an abysmal may, a great july, a good august, and a bad september (save his last 3 starts--one run given up against bos, nyy, and tampa). does he have promise? sure, but right now he's their fifth starter and for good reason (halladay, burnett, chachin, mcgowan are in front of him). if anything i'd be more excited about mcgowan, the guy almost pitched a perfect game last season

[Ditto]

Okay, maybe not an ace, but I would put him as #3.

[Herc]

you like him better than chachin and mcgowan? those guys are no chumps

[Ditto]

Chacin's had it rough the last couple of years, and going by Yahoo stats, yeah, I'd pick Litsch over McGowan. I don't think any of them put in a full season last year.

[fringe]

of course not, 89 wasn't enough for second place last season. still, i can't see how adding prior doesn't make what was, by far, the best pitching in baseball last season even better. penny always slows down in the 2nd half, and even so he's no peavy, just like lowe's no chris young. dodgers have some nice hitters, but who in that lineup's gonna make the all-star team? is a .220 hitter who hit half the hrs he hit a few years ago and a manager suddenly going to make them jump 3 teams? i dont see it. maybe loney and kemp are the real deal, but i feel safer relying on proven veterans who might not have a smuch upside but can still provide timely hitting. chase headly could end up better than those two youngins the dodgers have anyway

shit, 4 teams in that division may have 90 wins- and i know where a good portion of those wins are going to come from.

[Herc]

shit, 4 teams in that division may have 90 wins- and i know where a good portion of those wins are going to come from.

 

at least we dont get disrespected anymore.

 

you annoyed that the giants didn't spend more money? I thought that was how the team sold letting bonds go to the fans? I know they tried last season with soriano and aramis ramirez before finally bringing bonds back.

 

Brian Wilson's the closer right? How do you and the team feel about him? his numbers were pretty good last season

[fringe]

at least we dont get disrespected anymore.

 

you annoyed that the giants didn't spend more money? I thought that was how the team sold letting bonds go to the fans? I know they tried last season with soriano and aramis ramirez before finally bringing bonds back.

 

Brian Wilson's the closer right? How do you and the team feel about him? his numbers were pretty good last season

no, i'm not annoyed they didn't spend money- i look forward to watching the kids play. it would have been easier when the division sucked though. brian wilson's seems ok- i don't think a closer is very relevant for the giants this year.

next year, they'll be a much better free agent pool and the young arms will be primed.

[gateb]

I don't see how Prior is going to make an impact. Seriously, how many injuries has he had the last few years?

 

He's nothing but a name at this point. Nothing else to talk about in spring training for SD, so the resurrection of Prior gets brought up.

 

Admiral, you really think he can pitch well for three months, much less 6?

[Herc]

I don't see how Prior is going to make an impact. Seriously, how many injuries has he had the last few years?

 

He's nothing but a name at this point. Nothing else to talk about in spring training for SD, so the resurrection of Prior gets brought up.

 

Admiral, you really think he can pitch well for three months, much less 6?

 

-he says he hasn't felt this good since 2003

 

-if this weren't true, then why was he turning down 2 year deals (including one from SD) to sign a 1 year deal with san diego? obviously bc he has enough confidence in his health to have a sick contract year in the best pitching ballpark in the majors. if you aren't healthy and you know you aren't healthy then you take the extra years

 

-why is there nothign else to talk about in SD? they were one win away from their third straight playoff appearance(2 more than the mets during that span), they have the best pitching, from ace to closer, in baseball (again) and adding prior--even if he ends up being 80% of what he used to be--as a fifth starter will make it that much more unfair for the rest of the NL west. You really think Arizona, who had a negative run differential last season, is goign to repeat? Or Colorado--who needed to win 15 of 16 and to win that coin flip to get the play-in game in colorado instead of san diego (where they would've lost) just to make it to the playoffs--will do it again?

 

-they won 89 freaking games, one more than the mets, in a harder division, so i guess by that logic the mets dont have anything to talk about either?