AL Playoffs:
Detroit Tigers over NY Yankees in 5
Boston Red Sox over LA Angels in 3.
Boston Red Sox over Tigers in 6.
NL Playoffs:
Colorado Rockies over Atlanta Braves in 4.
Philadelphia Phillies over Milwaukee Brewers in 4.
Phillies over Rockies in 5.
World Series:
Boston Red Sox over Phillies in 7.
Awards:
AL Cy Young: Justin Verlander
AL MVP: Adrian Gonzalez
AL ROY: Michael Pineda(Sea) over Mike Moustakas(KC)
NL Cy Young: Roy Halladay
NL MVP: Troy Tulowitzki
NL ROY: Freddie Freeman(Atl) over Bryce Harper(Wash)
Thursday, March 31, 2011
2011 MLB Season Preview Pt. 6: The AL Central
The last installment of the 2011 MLB season preview is here and I saved the AL Central for last. This division has been a close race seemingly every year since 2006 and this year will be no different. It's a three team race this year between the Detroit Tigers, the Chicago White Sox and the Minnesota Twins. Let's take a look...
1. Detroit Tigers - This is the year the Tigers finally win the AL Central behind the strong pitching of Justin Verlander and hitting of Miguel Cabrera, Magglio Ordonez and Victor Martinez. Cabrera has shown this spring that he seemed to have shaken his DUI and put it behind him but he needs to stay sober now. He also needs the guy in front of him and behind him to stay healthy so he gets to swing the bat late in games, those guys are Ordonez and Martinez. The rotation is the only question I can't answer, what Scherzer and Porcello show up? How does Phil Coke do in the rotation and can Brad Penny stay healthy? The Tigers have some arms waiting in the minors if need be but can't rely heavily on them. Verlander contends for the Cy Young and Cabrera for the MVP.
Key additions: C/1B/DH Victor Martinez, RHP Joaquin Benoit and RHP Brad Penny.
Key losses: OF Johnny Damon and RHP Armando Galarraga.
2. Chicago White Sox- When healthy the White Sox have the best rotation in the AL Central but only when healthy. Jake Peavy is coming off a scary injury from last year and won't start the season with the big league club. Their closer situation is scary as they have no real closer with experience back there but their offense is scary in a good way. Adding Adam Dunn to this team makes this team that much more offensive. They fall short of the division crown by one game.
Key additions: DH/1B/OF Adam Dunn, RHP Jesse Crain and RHP Phil Humber.
Key losses: RHP Bobby Jenks, RHP J.J. Putz, RHP Freddy Garcia, RHP Scott Linebrink and OF/DH Manny Ramirez.
3. Minnesota Twins - The Twins really sat idle this offseason losing key components to their bullpen and watching their middle infield leave too. I think getting Joe Nathan back is huge and they have Matt Capps to close if he goes down but they can't replace Joe Mauer or Justin Morneau should they go down. I think the high of playing in a new ballpark is gone and the Twins aren't as deadly as they were last year.
Key additions: 2B Tsuyoshi Nishioka.
Key losses: RHP Jon Rauch, RHP Jesse Crain, LHP Brian Fuentes, RHP Matt Guerrier, SS J.J. Hardy and 2B Orlando Hudson.
4. Kansas City Royals - The Royals from last year to this year look completely different and for good reason. They have traded away or lost a lot of the guys that made up last year's team but I think the future is bright for this team. They barely beat out the Indians for fourth place thanks in large part to rookie Mike Moustakas.
Key additions: LHP Jeff Francis, OF Melky Cabrera, OF Jeff Francouer and SS Alcides Escobar.
Key losses: RHP Zack Greinke, RHP Gil Meche OF David DeJesus and SS Yuniesky Betancourt.
5. Cleveland Indians - Carlos Santana and Shin-Soo Choo give fans in Cleveland hope but they can't carry this team alone. Cleveland lacks a starting rotation if Fausto Carmona pitches like he did the last two years. The bullpen showed last year they can save games if given a lead but the offense just won't be there. The Indians are going to have fans in Cleveland anxiously awaiting the Browns season if they have one.
Key additions: INF Orlando Cabrera, INF Adam Everett and 1B Nick Johnson.
Key losses: All of their losses came mid-season last year when they were traded away. None to report.
1. Detroit Tigers - This is the year the Tigers finally win the AL Central behind the strong pitching of Justin Verlander and hitting of Miguel Cabrera, Magglio Ordonez and Victor Martinez. Cabrera has shown this spring that he seemed to have shaken his DUI and put it behind him but he needs to stay sober now. He also needs the guy in front of him and behind him to stay healthy so he gets to swing the bat late in games, those guys are Ordonez and Martinez. The rotation is the only question I can't answer, what Scherzer and Porcello show up? How does Phil Coke do in the rotation and can Brad Penny stay healthy? The Tigers have some arms waiting in the minors if need be but can't rely heavily on them. Verlander contends for the Cy Young and Cabrera for the MVP.
Key additions: C/1B/DH Victor Martinez, RHP Joaquin Benoit and RHP Brad Penny.
Key losses: OF Johnny Damon and RHP Armando Galarraga.
2. Chicago White Sox- When healthy the White Sox have the best rotation in the AL Central but only when healthy. Jake Peavy is coming off a scary injury from last year and won't start the season with the big league club. Their closer situation is scary as they have no real closer with experience back there but their offense is scary in a good way. Adding Adam Dunn to this team makes this team that much more offensive. They fall short of the division crown by one game.
Key additions: DH/1B/OF Adam Dunn, RHP Jesse Crain and RHP Phil Humber.
Key losses: RHP Bobby Jenks, RHP J.J. Putz, RHP Freddy Garcia, RHP Scott Linebrink and OF/DH Manny Ramirez.
3. Minnesota Twins - The Twins really sat idle this offseason losing key components to their bullpen and watching their middle infield leave too. I think getting Joe Nathan back is huge and they have Matt Capps to close if he goes down but they can't replace Joe Mauer or Justin Morneau should they go down. I think the high of playing in a new ballpark is gone and the Twins aren't as deadly as they were last year.
Key additions: 2B Tsuyoshi Nishioka.
Key losses: RHP Jon Rauch, RHP Jesse Crain, LHP Brian Fuentes, RHP Matt Guerrier, SS J.J. Hardy and 2B Orlando Hudson.
4. Kansas City Royals - The Royals from last year to this year look completely different and for good reason. They have traded away or lost a lot of the guys that made up last year's team but I think the future is bright for this team. They barely beat out the Indians for fourth place thanks in large part to rookie Mike Moustakas.
Key additions: LHP Jeff Francis, OF Melky Cabrera, OF Jeff Francouer and SS Alcides Escobar.
Key losses: RHP Zack Greinke, RHP Gil Meche OF David DeJesus and SS Yuniesky Betancourt.
5. Cleveland Indians - Carlos Santana and Shin-Soo Choo give fans in Cleveland hope but they can't carry this team alone. Cleveland lacks a starting rotation if Fausto Carmona pitches like he did the last two years. The bullpen showed last year they can save games if given a lead but the offense just won't be there. The Indians are going to have fans in Cleveland anxiously awaiting the Browns season if they have one.
Key additions: INF Orlando Cabrera, INF Adam Everett and 1B Nick Johnson.
Key losses: All of their losses came mid-season last year when they were traded away. None to report.
2011 MLB Season Preview Pt. 5: The NL Central
The NL Central was expected to be won by the St. Louis Cardinals last year so you can imagine the surprise it was when the Cincinnati Reds came out on top. This year it's expected to be a two team race between the defending champs, the Cincinnati Reds and the Milwaukee Brewers. So who wins it...
1. Milwaukee Brewers - The Brewers worked like mad men this offseason to turn this team into a contender by trading for pitchers Zack Greinke and Shawn Marcum without losing too much from their big league team. This is likely to be Prince Fielder's last season in Milwaukee but they'll still have a great core to build around after this one. This lineup is going to be stacked if key pieces like Fielder, Braun and Weeks stay healthy. Their big question is how starters 3-5 pitch after Greinke and Marcum, they'll be well enough to squeak out this division crown. Greinke will start the season on the DL due to a cracked rib.
Key additions: RHP Zack Greinke, RHP Shawn Marcum, SS Yuniesky Betancourt and OF Mark Kotsay.
Key losses: SS Alcides Escobar, RHP Trevor Hoffman and Prospect Brett Lawrie.
2. Cincinnati Reds - The Reds really didn't do much this offseason because they returned basically everyone of importance off of last year's Central winning team. That being said I expect it to be a close race between them and the Brewers with the team staying the healthiest winning this thing. The Reds have some key young pitchers and their stud first baseman who have battled injuries in their past. They can't afford to lose those guys if they want to win this. 6-8 in their lineup scare me and could be a reason why they falter but Edgar Renteria could come off the bench to try and boost the shortstop position.
Key additions: SS Edgar Renteria.
Key losses: SS Orlando Cabrera.
3. St. Louis Cardinals - Many people expected the Cardinals to contend this season for the Central but that was before they lost Adam Wainwright for the season. The rotation is scary after Chris Carpenter because you don't what you'll get on a constant basis not to mention Carpenter has his own his history of injuries. Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday won't be able to carry this team if the pitching fails them. Ultimately I don't think the Cardinals will have the fire power to finish any higher than third.
Key additions: OF/1B Lance Berkman and SS Ryan Theriot.
Key losses: RHP Adam Wainwright and SS Brendan Ryan.
4. Chicago Cubs - The lovable losers are going to have that going for them as the Cubs will continue their over 100 year drought of not winning the World Series. This is dysfunctional already coming out of spring training. Sure they cut Carlos Silva because of what he did but how long before Big Z blows his lid or Alfonso Soriano decides to take a game off. I don't see this Cubs team being any better than last year's team which is bad news for their fans.
Key additions: RHP Matt Garza, 1B Carlos Pena, RHP Kerry Wood and INF Blake DeWitt.
Key losses: RHP Carlos Silva(money-wise), RHP Braden Looper and OF/1B Xavier Nady.
5. Pittsburgh Pirates - The Pirates have had 18 consecutive losing seasons in a row and this year looks like they'll make it 19. Their rotation and bullpen are weak at best and the hurting Kevin Correia can't pitch every day for them. The Pirates have a lot of young talent like Andrew McCutchen, Neil Walker, Jose Tabata and Pedro Alvarez but those guys will struggle at times. Until ownership shows they're willing to spend to win this team won't get any better and could lose superstar McCutchen in a few years.
Key additions: RHP Kevin Correia and 1B Lyle Overbay .
Key losses: LHP Zach Duke, OF Lastings Milledge, 3B Andy LaRoche and UTL Delwyn Young.
6. Houston Astros - The Astros won 76 games last year which was mind blowing in itself but I don't see a repeat this year. The team is bad just about everywhere you look with the exception of Hunter Pence. Maybe Brandon Lyon can close games this year because he won't have the pressure on him to keep this team in contention. Better luck next year Houston.
Key additions: 2B/SS Clint Barmes, INF Bill Hall and LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith.
Key losses: RHP Matt Lindstrom and LHP Tim Byrdak.
1. Milwaukee Brewers - The Brewers worked like mad men this offseason to turn this team into a contender by trading for pitchers Zack Greinke and Shawn Marcum without losing too much from their big league team. This is likely to be Prince Fielder's last season in Milwaukee but they'll still have a great core to build around after this one. This lineup is going to be stacked if key pieces like Fielder, Braun and Weeks stay healthy. Their big question is how starters 3-5 pitch after Greinke and Marcum, they'll be well enough to squeak out this division crown. Greinke will start the season on the DL due to a cracked rib.
Key additions: RHP Zack Greinke, RHP Shawn Marcum, SS Yuniesky Betancourt and OF Mark Kotsay.
Key losses: SS Alcides Escobar, RHP Trevor Hoffman and Prospect Brett Lawrie.
2. Cincinnati Reds - The Reds really didn't do much this offseason because they returned basically everyone of importance off of last year's Central winning team. That being said I expect it to be a close race between them and the Brewers with the team staying the healthiest winning this thing. The Reds have some key young pitchers and their stud first baseman who have battled injuries in their past. They can't afford to lose those guys if they want to win this. 6-8 in their lineup scare me and could be a reason why they falter but Edgar Renteria could come off the bench to try and boost the shortstop position.
Key additions: SS Edgar Renteria.
Key losses: SS Orlando Cabrera.
3. St. Louis Cardinals - Many people expected the Cardinals to contend this season for the Central but that was before they lost Adam Wainwright for the season. The rotation is scary after Chris Carpenter because you don't what you'll get on a constant basis not to mention Carpenter has his own his history of injuries. Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday won't be able to carry this team if the pitching fails them. Ultimately I don't think the Cardinals will have the fire power to finish any higher than third.
Key additions: OF/1B Lance Berkman and SS Ryan Theriot.
Key losses: RHP Adam Wainwright and SS Brendan Ryan.
4. Chicago Cubs - The lovable losers are going to have that going for them as the Cubs will continue their over 100 year drought of not winning the World Series. This is dysfunctional already coming out of spring training. Sure they cut Carlos Silva because of what he did but how long before Big Z blows his lid or Alfonso Soriano decides to take a game off. I don't see this Cubs team being any better than last year's team which is bad news for their fans.
Key additions: RHP Matt Garza, 1B Carlos Pena, RHP Kerry Wood and INF Blake DeWitt.
Key losses: RHP Carlos Silva(money-wise), RHP Braden Looper and OF/1B Xavier Nady.
5. Pittsburgh Pirates - The Pirates have had 18 consecutive losing seasons in a row and this year looks like they'll make it 19. Their rotation and bullpen are weak at best and the hurting Kevin Correia can't pitch every day for them. The Pirates have a lot of young talent like Andrew McCutchen, Neil Walker, Jose Tabata and Pedro Alvarez but those guys will struggle at times. Until ownership shows they're willing to spend to win this team won't get any better and could lose superstar McCutchen in a few years.
Key additions: RHP Kevin Correia and 1B Lyle Overbay .
Key losses: LHP Zach Duke, OF Lastings Milledge, 3B Andy LaRoche and UTL Delwyn Young.
6. Houston Astros - The Astros won 76 games last year which was mind blowing in itself but I don't see a repeat this year. The team is bad just about everywhere you look with the exception of Hunter Pence. Maybe Brandon Lyon can close games this year because he won't have the pressure on him to keep this team in contention. Better luck next year Houston.
Key additions: 2B/SS Clint Barmes, INF Bill Hall and LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith.
Key losses: RHP Matt Lindstrom and LHP Tim Byrdak.
2011 MLB Season Preview Pt. 4: The AL East
Part four of my 2011 MLB season preview has brought us to what is easily the most competitive division in all of baseball. It's also a division with the two biggest payrolls in all of baseball. Say hello to the AL East. Not many people had last year's winner, the Tampa Bay Rays coming out on top but this guy did. However this year's winner shouldn't surprise most people.
1. Boston Red Sox - The Red Sox had a huge winter as they won on both front, the free agent and the trade market. When you look at this lineup, it's stacked in every position except catcher and possibly shortstop depending on how you look at it. If Boston is going to win this division then they need their starters not named Clay Buchholz and Jon Lester to return to form. John Lackey, Josh Beckett and Daisuke Matsuzaka all struggled last year and it showed when the Red Sox finished third. I look for Boston's big moves, Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford to help immensely in their run for first.
Key additions: 1B Adrian Gonzalez, LF Carl Crawford, RHP Bobby Jenks and LHP Dennys Reyes.
Key losses: C/1B Victor Martinez and 3B Adrian Beltre.
2. New York Yankees - The Yankees come up short for this division but they're my front runners for the Wild Card. They really didn't make any big splashes this offseason like they have in the past. Yeah they poached Rafael Soriano from Tampa Bay but the rest of their moves were rather minor in comparison. Their rotation after C.C. Sabathia scares me and losing Andy Pettitte doesn't help any. But when you're not afraid to spend like the Yankees are, you can easily go out and trade for the help you need.
Key additions: RHP Rafael Soriano, C Russell Martin, RHP Freddy Garcia, RHP Bartolo Colon and OF Andruw Jones.
Key losses: LHP Andy Pettitte and RHP Javier Vazquez.
3. Tampa Bay Rays - Last year few people saw the Rays coming up and taking first in this division but after their offseason of losing so many pieces from last year's puzzle it'll be hard to see the Rays finishing any higher than third this year. The bright news is the Rays seem to relish the underdog role and they still have Evan Longoria, David Price and B.J. Upton but it won't be enough. You just can't replace what they lost and expect to win in this division.
Key additions: OF/DH Manny Ramirez, OF Johnny Damon and RHP Kyle Farnsworth.
Key losses: LF Carl Crawford, RHP Rafael Soriano, RHP Joaquin Benoit, RHP Matt Garza, SS Jason Bartlett and 1B Carlos Pena.
4. Baltimore Orioles - You wouldn't know this club has had 13 straight seasons under .500 but they have. Buck Showalter has this club headed in the right direction but I think this year they still fall short of .500. They revamped their lineup to be a potentially scary one but their pitching is far behind the kind of hitting they have. They brought in multiple pieces to help build around Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, Brian Roberts and Matt Wieters. Sorry Buck and O's fans.
Key additions: 3B Mark Reynolds, SS J.J. Hardy, 1B Derek Lee, DH Vladimir Guerrero and RHP Kevin Gregg.
Key losses: RHP Kevin Millwood.
5. Toronto Blue Jays - The Jays surprised a lot of people last year by finishing over .500 but this year I don't see them doing it again since they're going to the youth movement. That being said the future looks very bright for this team. Pitchers like Kyle Drabek and Zach Stewart and shortstop Brett Lawrie give them hope in a year or two. The big question this year for the Jays is can Jose Bautista repeat last season's offensive display?
Key additions: OF Juan Rivera, OF Rajai Davis, RHP Frank Francisco and RHP Jon Rauch.
Key losses: OF Vernon Wells, RHP Shawn Marcum and C John Buck.
1. Boston Red Sox - The Red Sox had a huge winter as they won on both front, the free agent and the trade market. When you look at this lineup, it's stacked in every position except catcher and possibly shortstop depending on how you look at it. If Boston is going to win this division then they need their starters not named Clay Buchholz and Jon Lester to return to form. John Lackey, Josh Beckett and Daisuke Matsuzaka all struggled last year and it showed when the Red Sox finished third. I look for Boston's big moves, Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford to help immensely in their run for first.
Key additions: 1B Adrian Gonzalez, LF Carl Crawford, RHP Bobby Jenks and LHP Dennys Reyes.
Key losses: C/1B Victor Martinez and 3B Adrian Beltre.
2. New York Yankees - The Yankees come up short for this division but they're my front runners for the Wild Card. They really didn't make any big splashes this offseason like they have in the past. Yeah they poached Rafael Soriano from Tampa Bay but the rest of their moves were rather minor in comparison. Their rotation after C.C. Sabathia scares me and losing Andy Pettitte doesn't help any. But when you're not afraid to spend like the Yankees are, you can easily go out and trade for the help you need.
Key additions: RHP Rafael Soriano, C Russell Martin, RHP Freddy Garcia, RHP Bartolo Colon and OF Andruw Jones.
Key losses: LHP Andy Pettitte and RHP Javier Vazquez.
3. Tampa Bay Rays - Last year few people saw the Rays coming up and taking first in this division but after their offseason of losing so many pieces from last year's puzzle it'll be hard to see the Rays finishing any higher than third this year. The bright news is the Rays seem to relish the underdog role and they still have Evan Longoria, David Price and B.J. Upton but it won't be enough. You just can't replace what they lost and expect to win in this division.
Key additions: OF/DH Manny Ramirez, OF Johnny Damon and RHP Kyle Farnsworth.
Key losses: LF Carl Crawford, RHP Rafael Soriano, RHP Joaquin Benoit, RHP Matt Garza, SS Jason Bartlett and 1B Carlos Pena.
4. Baltimore Orioles - You wouldn't know this club has had 13 straight seasons under .500 but they have. Buck Showalter has this club headed in the right direction but I think this year they still fall short of .500. They revamped their lineup to be a potentially scary one but their pitching is far behind the kind of hitting they have. They brought in multiple pieces to help build around Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, Brian Roberts and Matt Wieters. Sorry Buck and O's fans.
Key additions: 3B Mark Reynolds, SS J.J. Hardy, 1B Derek Lee, DH Vladimir Guerrero and RHP Kevin Gregg.
Key losses: RHP Kevin Millwood.
5. Toronto Blue Jays - The Jays surprised a lot of people last year by finishing over .500 but this year I don't see them doing it again since they're going to the youth movement. That being said the future looks very bright for this team. Pitchers like Kyle Drabek and Zach Stewart and shortstop Brett Lawrie give them hope in a year or two. The big question this year for the Jays is can Jose Bautista repeat last season's offensive display?
Key additions: OF Juan Rivera, OF Rajai Davis, RHP Frank Francisco and RHP Jon Rauch.
Key losses: OF Vernon Wells, RHP Shawn Marcum and C John Buck.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
2011 MLB Season Preview Pt. 3: The NL East
Up next in my season preview is the NL East, a division full of talent both hitting and pitching. I ultimately feel that this division is going to come down to one thing and one thing only... How healthy can the Phillies starting rotation stay? If they steal healthy, the division is theirs if not look out for Atlanta to swoop in with the steal.
1. Philadelphia Phillies - Plain and simple the Phillies have the best rotation in baseball. But to win the East they and the rest of the team need to stay healthy. Chase Utley, Brad Lidge and Domonic Brown are all starting the season on the DL and Placido Polanco has been banged up already. Losing Jayson Werth is huge for this team as they're mostly a left handed lineup now and might need to trade for a right handed bat at some point. The saying is though, good pitching beats good hitting more often than not and the Phillies have good pitching.
Key additions: LHP Cliff Lee and 2B Luis Castillo
Key losses: OF Jayson Werth
2. Atlanta Braves - The Braves can contend for this division crown much like they did last year but this year's team has some questions. How well will Chipper Jones and Martin Prado play this year both coming off of season ending surgeries. Can Nate McLouth return to form, will Jason Heyward hit the sophomore slump, can Jonny Venters or Craig Kimbrel be effective as a first time closer and can Brandon Beachy and Mike Minor pitch well in the back end of the rotation? If yes is the answer to a majority of these questions we could have a tight race like we did last year. Dan Uggla was the biggest move the team made in the offseason and is coming off a career year which saw him hit 33 home runs.
Key additions: 2B Dan Uggla, LHP George Sherrill and RHP Scott Proctor.
Key losses: Bobby Cox, LHP Billy Wagner, 1B Troy Glaus and UTL Omar Infante.
3. Florida Marlins - They still have Josh Johnson and Hanley Ramirez which is bad news for both of those players because they traded away Dan Uggla. The Marlins are going to play a lot of games in front of crowds around 10,000 people or less because this team is still a bit away from contending. They do have good players like: Josh Johnson, Hanley Ramirez, Mike Stanton and Chris Coghlan but still have holes elsewhere. Maybe once their new stadium is finished the ownership will spend some money on talent but for now the Marlins finish third in the race for the cellar of the NL East.
Key additions: RHP Javier Vazquez, UTL Omar Infante, C John Buck and RHP Edward Mujica.
Key losses: 2B Dan Uggla and OF Cameron Maybin.
4. New York Mets - The Mets are going to rely on pitching heavily this year to win games and the bad news for them is two of key pitchers from the bullpen are gone(Pedro Feliciano and Hisanori Takahashi). They have plenty of talent but are for whatever reason so dysfunctional that they can never seem to put it all together at the same time. With new management they could maybe put it together and surprise people, then again maybe they won't and they'll finish fourth again.
Key additions: RHP Chris Young and LHP Chris Capuano.
Key losses: LHP Oliver Perez, 2B Luis Castillo, LHP Pedro Feliciano and LHP Hisanori Takahashi.
5. Washington Nationals - Yes they signed Jayson Werth in the offseason but Ryan Zimmerman and he can't save this franchise from the cellar. Bryce Harper will probably make his debut sometime in June much like Strasburg did last year. But without Strasburg this team lacks starting pitching and boasts a not so strong bullpen. It'll be a rough year in DC once the Capitols make their exit from the NHL Playoffs. On the plus side, look for left fielder Michael Morse to have a good year.
Key additions: OF Jayson Werth.
Key losses: OF/1B/DH Adam Dunn, OF Josh Willingham and OF Nyjer Morgan.
1. Philadelphia Phillies - Plain and simple the Phillies have the best rotation in baseball. But to win the East they and the rest of the team need to stay healthy. Chase Utley, Brad Lidge and Domonic Brown are all starting the season on the DL and Placido Polanco has been banged up already. Losing Jayson Werth is huge for this team as they're mostly a left handed lineup now and might need to trade for a right handed bat at some point. The saying is though, good pitching beats good hitting more often than not and the Phillies have good pitching.
Key additions: LHP Cliff Lee and 2B Luis Castillo
Key losses: OF Jayson Werth
2. Atlanta Braves - The Braves can contend for this division crown much like they did last year but this year's team has some questions. How well will Chipper Jones and Martin Prado play this year both coming off of season ending surgeries. Can Nate McLouth return to form, will Jason Heyward hit the sophomore slump, can Jonny Venters or Craig Kimbrel be effective as a first time closer and can Brandon Beachy and Mike Minor pitch well in the back end of the rotation? If yes is the answer to a majority of these questions we could have a tight race like we did last year. Dan Uggla was the biggest move the team made in the offseason and is coming off a career year which saw him hit 33 home runs.
Key additions: 2B Dan Uggla, LHP George Sherrill and RHP Scott Proctor.
Key losses: Bobby Cox, LHP Billy Wagner, 1B Troy Glaus and UTL Omar Infante.
3. Florida Marlins - They still have Josh Johnson and Hanley Ramirez which is bad news for both of those players because they traded away Dan Uggla. The Marlins are going to play a lot of games in front of crowds around 10,000 people or less because this team is still a bit away from contending. They do have good players like: Josh Johnson, Hanley Ramirez, Mike Stanton and Chris Coghlan but still have holes elsewhere. Maybe once their new stadium is finished the ownership will spend some money on talent but for now the Marlins finish third in the race for the cellar of the NL East.
Key additions: RHP Javier Vazquez, UTL Omar Infante, C John Buck and RHP Edward Mujica.
Key losses: 2B Dan Uggla and OF Cameron Maybin.
4. New York Mets - The Mets are going to rely on pitching heavily this year to win games and the bad news for them is two of key pitchers from the bullpen are gone(Pedro Feliciano and Hisanori Takahashi). They have plenty of talent but are for whatever reason so dysfunctional that they can never seem to put it all together at the same time. With new management they could maybe put it together and surprise people, then again maybe they won't and they'll finish fourth again.
Key additions: RHP Chris Young and LHP Chris Capuano.
Key losses: LHP Oliver Perez, 2B Luis Castillo, LHP Pedro Feliciano and LHP Hisanori Takahashi.
5. Washington Nationals - Yes they signed Jayson Werth in the offseason but Ryan Zimmerman and he can't save this franchise from the cellar. Bryce Harper will probably make his debut sometime in June much like Strasburg did last year. But without Strasburg this team lacks starting pitching and boasts a not so strong bullpen. It'll be a rough year in DC once the Capitols make their exit from the NHL Playoffs. On the plus side, look for left fielder Michael Morse to have a good year.
Key additions: OF Jayson Werth.
Key losses: OF/1B/DH Adam Dunn, OF Josh Willingham and OF Nyjer Morgan.
Friday, March 25, 2011
2011 MLB Season Preview Pt. 2: The AL West
We started this thing off with the division that produced last year's World Champions and the next division we decide to preview is the one that produced our runner-ups... The AL West.
1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - This offseason was a rather quiet one for the Angels. They missed out on Carl Crawford and settled for Vernon Wells. I feel like this team has the best proven rotation but if the A's young arms prove themselves they could unseat Texas and LA. Offensively, the Angels have talent but some of it is old or coming off of injuries. The Angels are the second best offensive team and could get even better if top prospect Mike Trout busts onto the scene. The one flaw the Angels have, is can Fernando Rodney close out games? In his last season with the Tigers he converted 37 of 38 opportunities but last year as the 8th inning set-up man he blew 7. Which Rodney shows up this year. Also what hurts the Angels at the start of the season is Kendrys Morales starts on the DL. Mark Trumbo starts the season there and factors big to start their season.
Key additions: OF Vernon Wells, RHP Scott Downs and LHP Hisanori Takahashi.
Key losses: C/1B Mike Napoli, OF Juan Rivera and DH Hideki Matsui.
2. Texas Rangers - There's no question the Rangers have the offensive fire power to win this division but their pitching scares me. They lost Cliff Lee in the offseason but still have C.J. Wilson and Tommy Hunter however they decided Neftali Feliz is better suited as their closer and not in the rotation. Their lineup from top to bottom is one of the scariest lineups in baseball and then you add Adrian Beltre to that mix and wow. The only thing that worries me about the Rangers is first base and catcher, not sure if Mitch Moreland and Yorvit Torrealba will be that productive offensively. Mike Napoli could step in if the Torrealba experiment doesn't work out.
Key additions: 3B Adrian Beltre, C/1B Mike Napoli and RHP Brandon Webb.
Key losses: LHP Cliff Lee
3. Oakland Athletics - The A's have built up quite the stockpile of young arms in their rotation. Brett Anderson, Trevor Cahill and Gio Gonzalez are three of the best young arms in the game and then factor in Dallas Braden who threw a perfect game on Mother's Day last year and had that spat with A-Rod. If these guys dominate like they have the potential to, the A's could make a serious run at the division title. They offense has picked up a veteran presence with the additions of David DeJesus, Hideki Matsui and Josh Willingham. If this lineup meshes the A's could be a surprise front runner.
Key additions: OF David DeJesus, DH Hideki Matsui, OF Josh Willingham, RHP Grant Balfour, LHP Brian Fuentes and RHP Brandon McCarthy.
Key losses: 3B Eric Chavez and DH Jack Cust.
4. Seattle Mariners - While they still have "King" Felix Hernandez and Ichiro, the Mariners are still a long ways away from competing for the division. They are hoarding good minor league talent like Michael Pineda and Dustin Ackley(Pineda will start with the team, Ackley in the minors). This team will struggle offensively and possibly every day Hernandez isn't on the mound. If the Mariners want some inspiration, the same thing was said about the Padres last year and they missed the NL West division by 2 games.
Key additions: DH Jack Cust, SS Brendan Ryan, 2B Adam Kennedy and RHP Chris Ray.
Key losses: 1B Casey Kotchman and 2B/3B Jose Lopez.
1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - This offseason was a rather quiet one for the Angels. They missed out on Carl Crawford and settled for Vernon Wells. I feel like this team has the best proven rotation but if the A's young arms prove themselves they could unseat Texas and LA. Offensively, the Angels have talent but some of it is old or coming off of injuries. The Angels are the second best offensive team and could get even better if top prospect Mike Trout busts onto the scene. The one flaw the Angels have, is can Fernando Rodney close out games? In his last season with the Tigers he converted 37 of 38 opportunities but last year as the 8th inning set-up man he blew 7. Which Rodney shows up this year. Also what hurts the Angels at the start of the season is Kendrys Morales starts on the DL. Mark Trumbo starts the season there and factors big to start their season.
Key additions: OF Vernon Wells, RHP Scott Downs and LHP Hisanori Takahashi.
Key losses: C/1B Mike Napoli, OF Juan Rivera and DH Hideki Matsui.
2. Texas Rangers - There's no question the Rangers have the offensive fire power to win this division but their pitching scares me. They lost Cliff Lee in the offseason but still have C.J. Wilson and Tommy Hunter however they decided Neftali Feliz is better suited as their closer and not in the rotation. Their lineup from top to bottom is one of the scariest lineups in baseball and then you add Adrian Beltre to that mix and wow. The only thing that worries me about the Rangers is first base and catcher, not sure if Mitch Moreland and Yorvit Torrealba will be that productive offensively. Mike Napoli could step in if the Torrealba experiment doesn't work out.
Key additions: 3B Adrian Beltre, C/1B Mike Napoli and RHP Brandon Webb.
Key losses: LHP Cliff Lee
3. Oakland Athletics - The A's have built up quite the stockpile of young arms in their rotation. Brett Anderson, Trevor Cahill and Gio Gonzalez are three of the best young arms in the game and then factor in Dallas Braden who threw a perfect game on Mother's Day last year and had that spat with A-Rod. If these guys dominate like they have the potential to, the A's could make a serious run at the division title. They offense has picked up a veteran presence with the additions of David DeJesus, Hideki Matsui and Josh Willingham. If this lineup meshes the A's could be a surprise front runner.
Key additions: OF David DeJesus, DH Hideki Matsui, OF Josh Willingham, RHP Grant Balfour, LHP Brian Fuentes and RHP Brandon McCarthy.
Key losses: 3B Eric Chavez and DH Jack Cust.
4. Seattle Mariners - While they still have "King" Felix Hernandez and Ichiro, the Mariners are still a long ways away from competing for the division. They are hoarding good minor league talent like Michael Pineda and Dustin Ackley(Pineda will start with the team, Ackley in the minors). This team will struggle offensively and possibly every day Hernandez isn't on the mound. If the Mariners want some inspiration, the same thing was said about the Padres last year and they missed the NL West division by 2 games.
Key additions: DH Jack Cust, SS Brendan Ryan, 2B Adam Kennedy and RHP Chris Ray.
Key losses: 1B Casey Kotchman and 2B/3B Jose Lopez.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Charlie Davies on the Comeback.
Saturday night marked the return of US Men's National Team striker Charlie Davies to the sport he loves so dearly. Just about a year and a half ago, Davies was involved in a horrific car crash that left a passenger dead and the driver hospitalized. The accident left Davies with a broken right femur and tibia, a broken left elbow, multiple facial fractures and a lacerated bladder. He had to go through several surgeries including having his face peeled back to repair his fractured face and skull.
On loan from Sochaux, Davies is playing for the MLS team DC United. In his first top flight game since his injuries, Davies appeared in the game as second half sub in the club's season opening game. It didn't take long for Davies to show that he might be back. In the 63rd minute, Davies converted a penalty shot and roughly 15 minutes later Davies was back at it. He won a ball from a falling defender and got around a charging keeper to bury the ball past a defender on the goal line for his second goal.
As expected after what he accomplished, Davies had quite the emotional and captivating post game interview too. P.S. If you thought I was lying about having his face peeled back, the scar goes across the top of his head from ear to ear.
What's really ironic is that many of Davies' teammates pegged him at being about 70 to 75 percent back to form. It'll be scary to see Davies once he gets to 90 percent of his form before the accident if not 100 percent. Charlies Davies proves he can conquer setback.
On loan from Sochaux, Davies is playing for the MLS team DC United. In his first top flight game since his injuries, Davies appeared in the game as second half sub in the club's season opening game. It didn't take long for Davies to show that he might be back. In the 63rd minute, Davies converted a penalty shot and roughly 15 minutes later Davies was back at it. He won a ball from a falling defender and got around a charging keeper to bury the ball past a defender on the goal line for his second goal.
As expected after what he accomplished, Davies had quite the emotional and captivating post game interview too. P.S. If you thought I was lying about having his face peeled back, the scar goes across the top of his head from ear to ear.
What's really ironic is that many of Davies' teammates pegged him at being about 70 to 75 percent back to form. It'll be scary to see Davies once he gets to 90 percent of his form before the accident if not 100 percent. Charlies Davies proves he can conquer setback.
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