The MLB season is getting down to crunch time, and it's shaping up to be an exciting September to set up an even more exciting October. Let's go through the NL division by division:
NL East: The Atlanta Braves are the "home" team of Nashville, so I get to see all of their games. They look just strong enough to hold on to the division lead for the remainder of the season, but the loss of Prado (for now) and Chipper Jones (season) will really make it hard. The Phillies now have Chase Utley back, and they know how to make a big run at the end of the season, and in the playoffs. Maybe it's wishful thinking, but I think the Phillies will come just short of making the postseason this year. The Mets Francisco Rodriguez isn't used to blowing games, let alone blowing seasons by blowing his cool. His season ended after he injured his hand punching his girlfriend's dad. But, if he didn't go on the DL for that, his severely damaged common sense function would have landed him there. The Marlins are the Marlins> Miami doesn't know they exist, and the rest of the world could care less about an average team. A guy from my high school has been signed to a minor league contract with the Nationals, so he deserves a shout-out. Congratulations, Robbie Ray.
NL Central: Another two horse race. Cincinnati has the lineup to win the division, but the young pitchers have to show themselves down the stretch. Leake and Wood are two up-and-coming sensations, and I think they can provide this young and talented team led by Joey Votto to a postseason berth. The Cardinals will have to play consistently stellar baseball to win this division, but aces Carpenter and Wainwright might spark them to have a late season run at the division title. The rest of the teams aren't even worth mentioning.
NL West: The Padres will win the NL West, guaranteed. They are a bunch of no-name, consistent players who have everything that it takes to make it to the World Series, and there is too much competition for one team to catch them. The Giants are a solid team with a little less hitting than they would like. They have made their lineup work, and that is why they lead the wild card race. They shouldn't be going anywhere. Unfortunately, the competition in the division will more than likely keep the Giants from making a run at the West-dominant Padres. The Rockies, despite having the best pitcher in baseball, can't keep the winning going enough to gain significant ground. The Dodgers just seem helpless despite their major additions to make a push. Whenever they seem to gain a game, they fall back again after a couple of games after that.
The Cincinnati Reds will win the NL Pennant this year behind their youthful hitting and pitching. Dusty Baker has been there before and can lead them to the World Series in a much weaker division than the AL. I can't see any team jumping out as the "best in the west," however, so in reality any of these teams has a shot to win the pennant. As you could imagine, I have to predict the AL team to win the World Series. If you recall, I picked the Rays to win the AL Pennant, so my World Series winner has to be those Tampa Bay Rays.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Touch 'Em All: AL
The MLB season is getting down to crunch time, and it's shaping up to be an exciting September to set up an even more exciting October. Let's go through the AL division by division:
AL East: The powerhouse. The Rays continue their streaky play, now winning 5 in a row after going on a losing skid after a winning streak. Streaky, right? Two crucial pitchers are on the DL (Wade Davis and Jeff Niemann) but new sensation Jeremy Hellickson is dazzling so far. I can't see a collapse in the near future. The Yankees, meanwhile, keep on trucking. They are expected to win every night, but when the Rays are on a losing skid, they can't seem to pull away in the division. The Red Sox might as well surrender, there is no way of catching either team. The Orioles are an interesting case. Since Showalter took over the managerial duties, they have played with a new ferocity and passion that was lacking during their trip to the MLB cellar. This team could act as the spoiler to either the Rays or Yankees and cost one team the division.
AL Central: Minnesota has good hitting, but streaky pitching. Mauer and Morneau are bound to produce every night, and if the pitching is good, they will easily win the division. Also, their incredible fan base at Target Field has got to fuel them. Chicago seems to have lost their "thing" that they had during their hot streak. Great pitching will be the only thing that can save them. Detroit can forget about their chances.
AL West: Simply, Texas. In October, the question will be whether they can beat an AL East team. Their regular season record against the AL East says no way, but I have confidence they will rise to the occasion, or at least come close.
The AL pennant will go to the Tampa Bay Rays. They have the most depth, especially at pitcher, although Texas could battle close. The Yankees can, of course, always win a pennant, but the Rays seem destined to make a trip back to the World Series this year.
AL East: The powerhouse. The Rays continue their streaky play, now winning 5 in a row after going on a losing skid after a winning streak. Streaky, right? Two crucial pitchers are on the DL (Wade Davis and Jeff Niemann) but new sensation Jeremy Hellickson is dazzling so far. I can't see a collapse in the near future. The Yankees, meanwhile, keep on trucking. They are expected to win every night, but when the Rays are on a losing skid, they can't seem to pull away in the division. The Red Sox might as well surrender, there is no way of catching either team. The Orioles are an interesting case. Since Showalter took over the managerial duties, they have played with a new ferocity and passion that was lacking during their trip to the MLB cellar. This team could act as the spoiler to either the Rays or Yankees and cost one team the division.
AL Central: Minnesota has good hitting, but streaky pitching. Mauer and Morneau are bound to produce every night, and if the pitching is good, they will easily win the division. Also, their incredible fan base at Target Field has got to fuel them. Chicago seems to have lost their "thing" that they had during their hot streak. Great pitching will be the only thing that can save them. Detroit can forget about their chances.
AL West: Simply, Texas. In October, the question will be whether they can beat an AL East team. Their regular season record against the AL East says no way, but I have confidence they will rise to the occasion, or at least come close.
The AL pennant will go to the Tampa Bay Rays. They have the most depth, especially at pitcher, although Texas could battle close. The Yankees can, of course, always win a pennant, but the Rays seem destined to make a trip back to the World Series this year.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Must Be Football Season
Brett Favre isn't sure about retiring or not, and the Titans are playing heart-attack football: must be football season.
And, indeed it is football season! The first week of preseason is more than halfway over, and already so many things have happened! Brett Favre has already retired and unretired once, but it isn't Favre making the noise at quarterback for the Vikings. WIth the uncertainty of the ancient quarterback, the Vikings are looking for their starter for this season to replace Favre. Tavaris Jackson started the game against the Rams last night, and proved that he is still just as inept as he was before the Favre era. Meanwhile, Sage Rosenfels lit up the scoreboard for 310 yards and three touchdowns. Still, though, Jackson is the main guy. Now we see why Brett Favre kept Brad Childress' job last year: he has no common sense. Rosenfels has proven himself as a backup for Matt Schaub in Houston, and I know him well. The Titans always seem to knock Schaub out, and Rosenfels time after time seems to light our defense up for all too many yards and touchdowns. If you look at the tape of this guy, he knows what he is doing way more than most backup quarterbacks, and deserves to have a chance to start for the Vikings this year. That is, if the big "if" of Favre not returning actually happens, of course.
Meanwhile, our good ole' Tennessee Titans have picked up right where they ended last season: playing heart-attack football. Even though the preseason is won or lost by the backups, the 20-18 loss was nail-biting. Here is my impression of the Titans team this year:
Vince Young looks sharp. He completed his passes in an impressive fashion, and showed he has matured through the offseason. Chris Johnson seems unchanged. He seems like the same back he was last year, and we will see more from him as the preseason progresses. Our wide receivers look more confident catching the ball. Good passes and good catches by Gage and Washington led to our first scoring drive. Defensively, we rested a lot of veterans, including both corners, starting 2nd year players Jason McCourty and Ryan Mouton. McCourty looked very impressive, as he had good coverage on his receiver the few times he was actually picked on. Mouton got burned several times, but did get a gift interception.
As for the backups, I was most impressed with 4th string QB Rusty Smith and WR Marc Mariani. Mariani was the go-to receiver the whole second half and Smith's passes were on target. I was most disappointed with QB Chris Simms. Recently pulled over for driving after smoking pot, he seemed high again on the field. His vision downfield was terrible and he just seemed incapable of completing a pass or doing anything worthwhile.
Stay tuned, as the Brett Favre saga might turn into the next CBS drama, while the Titans might be featured in the next edge-of-your-seat movie!
And, indeed it is football season! The first week of preseason is more than halfway over, and already so many things have happened! Brett Favre has already retired and unretired once, but it isn't Favre making the noise at quarterback for the Vikings. WIth the uncertainty of the ancient quarterback, the Vikings are looking for their starter for this season to replace Favre. Tavaris Jackson started the game against the Rams last night, and proved that he is still just as inept as he was before the Favre era. Meanwhile, Sage Rosenfels lit up the scoreboard for 310 yards and three touchdowns. Still, though, Jackson is the main guy. Now we see why Brett Favre kept Brad Childress' job last year: he has no common sense. Rosenfels has proven himself as a backup for Matt Schaub in Houston, and I know him well. The Titans always seem to knock Schaub out, and Rosenfels time after time seems to light our defense up for all too many yards and touchdowns. If you look at the tape of this guy, he knows what he is doing way more than most backup quarterbacks, and deserves to have a chance to start for the Vikings this year. That is, if the big "if" of Favre not returning actually happens, of course.
Meanwhile, our good ole' Tennessee Titans have picked up right where they ended last season: playing heart-attack football. Even though the preseason is won or lost by the backups, the 20-18 loss was nail-biting. Here is my impression of the Titans team this year:
Vince Young looks sharp. He completed his passes in an impressive fashion, and showed he has matured through the offseason. Chris Johnson seems unchanged. He seems like the same back he was last year, and we will see more from him as the preseason progresses. Our wide receivers look more confident catching the ball. Good passes and good catches by Gage and Washington led to our first scoring drive. Defensively, we rested a lot of veterans, including both corners, starting 2nd year players Jason McCourty and Ryan Mouton. McCourty looked very impressive, as he had good coverage on his receiver the few times he was actually picked on. Mouton got burned several times, but did get a gift interception.
As for the backups, I was most impressed with 4th string QB Rusty Smith and WR Marc Mariani. Mariani was the go-to receiver the whole second half and Smith's passes were on target. I was most disappointed with QB Chris Simms. Recently pulled over for driving after smoking pot, he seemed high again on the field. His vision downfield was terrible and he just seemed incapable of completing a pass or doing anything worthwhile.
Stay tuned, as the Brett Favre saga might turn into the next CBS drama, while the Titans might be featured in the next edge-of-your-seat movie!
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