Grimis
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|  #1 Posted on 1.4.04 0920.16 | Instant Rating: 7.29 | Better do it now, before Opening Day:
AMERICAN LEAGUE
East
1. Boston
2. New York
3. Baltimore
4. Toronto
5. Tampa Bay
I just don't see the Red Sox finishing second at this point, unless their health really does become a concern. Which with Nomah, Trot, and maybe Pedro(soon?) out, it is. The Yankees rotation is not what it was, and Enrqiue Wilson at 2nd is a joke. The Orioles are better than advertised. Tampa Bay is light years beyond where they were, which still isn't enough to climb out of last.
Central
1. Kansas City
2. Chicago
3. Minnesota
4. Detroit
5. Cleveland
The Royals are going to build off last year. The White Sox will be more motivated playing for Ozzie Guillen. The Twins bullpen is severely weakened without Guardado and Hawkins. Detroit has gotten better too; with Ugi and Pudge, plus the roation has seen tough times before. I don't see the Indians doing much of anything soon.
West
1. Anaheim
2. Oakland
3. Seattle
4. Texas
Hard to pick against the Angels after all of the improvements they have made. Oakland and Seattle could just as easily flip flop depending on their bullpen situation. Seattle wins on points because Rhodes is not an established closer, but Oakland's rotation is that much better.
Wild-Card: New York
Yankees win by a smudge because Oakland and Seattle will kill each other.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
East
1. Philadelphia
2. Florida
3. Atlanta
4. Montreal
5. New York
Phillies are the class of this division. Marlins would probably be in better shape if their bullpen stayed together and if Armando Benitez were not there(they dumped Urbina for him?!?). Montreal has taken a step back. And they are the New York Mess for a reason.
Central
1. Chicago
2. Houston
3. St. Louis
4. Milwaukee
5. Pittsburgh
6. Cincinnati
Cubs win if their pitching stays healthy. Even with Prior on the shelf they're OK for now with the Maddux signing. Houston's rotation is oustanding, but with Dotel closing that could be a reason for concern. St. Louis would be up their with the top two if they had one more good starter. And the gapt between the top of the Central and the bottom of the Central is as wide as the Grand Canyon.
West
1. San Francisco
2. Arizona
3. San Diego
4. Colorado
5. Los Angeles
Giants are the best of a weaker lot. Arizona could easily win the division if the rotation comes through and Jose Valverde establishes himself as the closer. San Diego is going to be much improved, and Khalil Green will be a star. Coloraod is the same place it always is, and the Dodgers offense is a bunch of pea shooters.
Wild-Card: Houston. It'll be between them and the Marlins.
American League Champion: Anaheim
National League Champion: Chicago
World Series Champion: Chicago Cubs
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Sujuk
Since: 23.5.02
From: Oklahoma
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| #2 Posted on 1.4.04 0931.18 | Instant Rating: 4.88 | AMERICAN LEAGUE
East
1. Boston
2. New York
3. Toronto
4. Baltimore
5. Tampa Bay
I'm not impressed with the Yankees pitching staff.
Central
1. Kansas City
2. Minnesota
3. Detroit
4. Chicago
5. Cleveland
Royals have too much young and growing talent, plus an added Juan Gonzalez in the middle.
West
1. Anaheim
2. Oakland
3. Seattle
4. Texas
Wild-Card: Oakland.
Oh how I wish my Texas Rangers would not finish in last, but alas, there is no chance.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
East
1. Philadelphia
2. Florida
3. Atlanta
4. Montreal
5. New York
This division bores me to tears.
Central
1. Houston
2. Chicago
3. St. Louis
4. Milwaukee
5. Cincy
6. Pittsburgh
Prior is too big a question mark at this point for me to take them over Houston, though Chicago's offense should be better this year.
West
1. Arizona
2. San Fran
3. Dodgers
4. Colorado
5. San Diego
Nenn and Schmidt on the DL, Bonds with no roids to take. Well, at least they don't have Jose Cruz Jr in the outfield anymore.
Wild-Card: Chicago.
American League Champion: Boston
National League Champion: Chicago
World Series Champion: Boston (hey, it could happen)
(edited by The Amazing Salami on 1.4.04 0732)
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My tapeworm tells me where to go | Gugs
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| #3 Posted on 1.4.04 1023.11 | Instant Rating: 5.39 | AL EAST
1. Boston
2. New York
3. Baltimore
4. Toronto
5. Tampa Bay
The Yankees don't have team chemistry, and they've gotten too far away from the mold that won them all those championships.
AL CENTRAL
1. Chicago
2. Minnesota
3. Kansas City
4. Cleveland
5. Detroit
The only team that I know won't win is Detroit. The AL Central is like the NBA East; someone has to win.
AL WEST
1. Oakland
2. Seattle
3. Anaheim
4. Texas
Zito, Hudson and Mulder just keep getting better. This division beats up on itself too much to get the Wild Card.
AL WILD CARD
New York
NL EAST
1. Atlanta
2. Philadelphia
3. Florida
4. Montreal
5. New York
There's a reason the Braves have won however many division titles in a row. Granted, that reason now plays in Chicago, but...
NL CENTRAL
1. Chicago
2. Houston
3. St. Louis
4. Cincinnati
5. Pittsburgh
6. Milwaukee
Why does this division have 6 teams? It's not fair to the Reds, Pirates and Brewers; they can have an exceptional season by their standards and still finish fourth.
NL WEST
1. Arizona
2. San Francisco
3. San Diego
4. Los Angeles
5. Colorado
Big Unit's got something to prove this year; 25 wins if he stays healthy.
NL WILD CARD
San Francisco
AL CHAMPION
Boston
NL CHAMPION
Chicago
WORLD SERIES CHAMPION
Neither, as Selig declares a tie.
What are you, some sort of critic? | spf
Scrapple
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| #4 Posted on 1.4.04 1053.00 | Instant Rating: 6.85 | AL East:
Yankees
Red Sox
Blue Jays
Orioles
Devil Rays
I just can't see the Yankees not winning it. You know come the middle of the year they will shore up any holes they have (Magglio Ordonez to the Yanks?) The unbalanced schedule is going to play huge this year, as not only will the Jays and Orioles play a huge part in deciding who gets to take the East, but having to play each other so many times in such a loaded division could siphon off enough wins to keep whichever team comes in 2nd from getting a Wild Card...
AL Central:
Or perhaps they could just eliminate the playoff spot for this division and have 2 wild cards.
Royals
Twins
White Sox
Cleveland
Tigers
Cleveland could cause teams fits and possibly sneak up on some people. There are a lot of good young players there. Royals look good but the starting pitching is spotty. Twins have no bullpen. None. They turned it into VIP seating I think. White Sox will have at least 2 stretches where they win 9 of 10, and 2 more where they lose 10 of 12. Truly schizo team. Detroit...yeah.
AL West:
Angels
A's
Mariners
Rangers
This division is always a coin flip. I like the Colon pickup, he'll eat up a lot of innings and help keep them in games. You could convince me of any of these top 3 teams winning though.
NL East:
Phillies
Marlins
Atlanta
Mets
Expos
Phillies just look loaded for bear this season. I don't like to discount the Marlins, but it's hard to see them pulling it off again. But who knows? Atlanta finally implodes once and for all.
NL Central:
Astros
Cubs
Cardinals
Pirates
Reds
Brewers
Quite the gap between 3-4 in this division. All those bottom feeders should equal a wild card berth for the second place team. If Prior had been healthy I would have put the Cubs first, but I think the loss of their ace drops them back a game or two and puts them in the Wild Card spot.
NL West:
Diamonbacks
Giants
Padres
Dodgers
Rockies
No Schilling, but a healthy Unit should be enough. Much like the AL West though, I could see 2 or even 3 teams taking this division. I don't think whomever takes it gets out of their first series in the playoffs.
Div. Playoffs:
Yankees over A's
Angels over Royals
Cubs over Phillies
Astros over D'backs
LCS:
Yankees over Angels (no repeat performance)
Cubs over Astros
World Series:
It's all about pitching. No collapse this time. No Steve Bartman. The goat dies forever. Cubs in 6.
Toil not to gain wealth, cease to be concerned about it. Proverbs 23:4 | SC
Potato korv
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| #5 Posted on 1.4.04 1104.37 | Instant Rating: 6.20 | I don't know if I can remember my predictions I made a couple months ago.
AL EAST
1. Boston
2. New York*
3. Toronto
4. Baltimore
5. Tampa Bay
LET'S GO O'S! Eh. It's really annoying being a fan of a team in this division if you aren't rooting for one of the top two.
AL CENTRAL
1. Minnesota
2. Kansas City
3. Cleveland
4. Chicago
5. Detroit
I've picked Chicago for like four straight years and they keep making retarded decisions, so F them. I'd like to pick KC but I don't think their starters are good enough.
AL WEST
1. Oakland
2. Anaheim
3. Seattle
4. Texas
I could see any of the three winning, really. Seattle is old but might have one last season left in them. Anaheim's playing Darin Erstad at first base, which takes his CF defense away, which is really the ONLY reason to be starting Darin Erstad at all. I'd not pick Oakland since they lost another star player, but they keep losing bats and winning 100 games anyway, so what do I know?
Playoffs: Boston over Minnesota, New York over Oakland, Boston over New York
NL EAST
1. Atlanta
2. Philadelphia
3. NY Mets
4. Florida
5. Montreal
Atlanta still has a lot of good hitting (particularly if Drew stays healthy) and their pitching is good enough to win this division. The Mets could easily be better than people think they will be.
NL CENTRAL
1. Chicago
2. Houston*
3. St. Louis
4. Pittsburgh
5. Cincinnati
6. Milwaukee
Chicago-Houston is a fresher version of Yankees-Sox. I'll take the Cubs just because I expect the Astros to start slow and turn it up in the second half.
NL WEST
1. Barry Bonds
2. Randy Johnson
3. Brian Giles
4. Jim Tracy
5. Todd Helton
Playoffs: Chicago over Barry Bonds, Houston over Atlanta, Houston over Chicago
World Series: Houston over Boston
scottcom
cubs.org | Quezzy
Knackwurst
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| #6 Posted on 1.4.04 1513.14 | Instant Rating: 5.88 | Ok, i'll throw my predictions in, mine look a little bit different than everyone else's (probably because they are wrong)
AL East (why do we always start with the East in these things? West Coast biased people! Ahem..sorry.
1. Yankees
2. Redsox
3. Baltimore
4. Tampa Bay
5. Toronto
I don't care if the Yankees don't have team chemistry, or they're pitching isn't good enough (which i don't really agree on anyway), it doesn't matter, they're the Yankees, the Redsox are the Redsox. Like spf said, if they need to fill a spot at the trade deadline they will, and they will win. Baltimore is improves but i'm not as impressed with Tejada/Palmeiro/Javy as i would've been if they had Vlad. But they'll still finish 3rd. And Tampa will finish ahead of SOMEBODY this year, I just know it. (Just like I knew Florida was going to the Final Four)
AL Central
1. Royals
2. Indians
3. Twins
4. Whitesox
5. Detroit
Ok, call me crazy but I do think the Indians will finish 2nd. Again like spf said (he must be smart) Cleveland has a lot of good young players. Lawton, Gerut, Bradley, Escobar, Broussard, Crisp, Sabathia, Jason Davis, Cliff Lee. In a division that isn't all that impressive i'll think they'll finish in a surprising second. Kansas City will win it in the end though.
AL West
1. Oakland
2. Anaheim
3. Seattle
4. Texas
I'll still take Hudson/Zito/Mulder over any other threesome. Anaheim is much improved but Oakland will win by just a few games. I don't buy Seattle right now, Cameron is gone, Edgar and Olerud are another year older and will have to bounce back from some injuries, made a couple nice additions though, they'll be in it at the end but I don't see them finishing higher than third.
NL East
1. Phillies
2. Braves
3. Mets
4. Marlins
5. Expos
Phillies obviously should win, Braves don't look as good but still should finish second in a weak division. Mets should be a .500 or better team because Piazza, Floyd, Cameron and Glavine SHOULD all have a better year. If Matsui and Reyes can get on base it could be a dangerous scoring tandem. Like the Angels last year I think the Marlins will take a step back because of the losses of Pudge and Lee. Expos minus Vlad Guerrero = last place.
NL Central
1. Astros
2. Cubs
3. Cardinals
4. Pirates
5. Reds
6. Brewers
The Astros and Cubs are pretty even all around, but I like Houston's offense slightly better. I'm looking forward to these two going at it more than Redsox/Yankees, i can't wait to see a three game series of Prior vs. Oswalt, Wood vs Pettitte, Maddux vs. Clemens.
NL West
1. Rockies
2. Padres
3. Diamondbacks
4. Giants
5. Dodgers
Yes, I did say the Rockies, I like their offense to dominate, enough to get past a pretty weak conference. First Kent, then Aurilia, Bonds is starting to lose all his help. But he alone will out score the Dodgers.
AL Wildcard: Angels
NL Wildcard: Cubs
Div. Playoffs
Angels over Yankees
A's over Royals
Cubs over Phillies
Astros over Rockies
LCS
A's over Angels
Astros over Cubs
World Series
A's over Astros
MVPS
National - Todd Helton
American - Vlad Guerrero
CY Yougs
National - Roy Oswalt
American - Barry Zito
Rookie of the Year
National - Kaz Matsui
American - Joe Mauer
Lance's Response:
THAT IS AWESOME! | DONUTDREAMS
Pinkelwurst
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| #7 Posted on 1.4.04 1514.04 | Instant Rating: 6.45 | Off the seat of my butt:
AMERICAN LEAGUE
EAST
1. YANKEES YANKEES YANKEES
2. Boston*
3. Baltimore
4. Toronto
5. Tampon Gay
I laugh at the earlier post about the Yankees' lack of team chemistry. Uh, they've played two games? Hard to say that on April Fool's Gay? Okay. If the Yankees get a serious injury to a major player, they'll fall to second, but if the Red Sox get a serious injury to a major player, they won't make the playoffs at all. So it evens out. Nice to see the O's make some moves this season.
CENTRAL
1. Kansass City
2. Chicago
3. Minnesota
4. Cleveland
5. Detroit
You watch Juan Gone makes the difference here. White Sox, eh, I can't see Big Hurt listening to Ozzie. Indians could sneak in here somewhere. Poor I-Rod.
WEST
1. Oakland
2. Anaheim
3. Seattle
4. Texas
Give the nod to pitching over Vlad. M's would win the AL Central, at least one of the NL divisions and compete for the NL wild card.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
EAST
1. Atlanta
2. Philadelphia
3. Florida
4. New York
5. Montreal
Braves always win. Even when they're not supposed to, they do. At least in the regular season, then they collapse like Rob Feinstein at the Toys 'R Us (HO HO BURN DOODS I MADE A SMARK JOKE IN THE SPORTS FORUM w00t). Philly and the Marlins will make respectable foes. Mets and 'Spos won't.
CENTRAL
1. Houston
2. St. Louis*
3. Chicago
4. Milwaukee
5. Pittsburgh
6. Cincinnati
Stros made some nice moves. The longer Prior is out, the less I like the Cubs' chances. If St. Louis makes a midseason move for some pitching help, they could very easily take this thing. POO HOLES.
WEST
1. San Francisco
2. San Diego
3. Los Angeles
4. Arizona
5. Coloardo
Giants the best of a less than awesome bunch. Padres have lots of nice young talent. Arizona has lots of Old people.
GAYOFFS
DIVISION SERIES
AL -- New York d. Kansas City 3-1; Oakland d. Boston 3-2
NL -- St. Louis d. San Francisco 3-1; Houston d. Atlanta 3-0
LCS
AL -- New York d. Oakland 4-2
NL -- St. Louis d. Houston 4-3
WORLD SERIES
New York d. St. Louis 4-2
(edited by DONUTDREAMS on 1.4.04 1614)
donuts baby donuts | SC
Potato korv
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| #8 Posted on 1.4.04 1537.46 | Instant Rating: 6.24 | Originally posted by Quezzy
Cleveland has a lot of good young players. Lawton
Matt Lawton is 32 years old and has been terrible in Cleveland. His salary is an albatross.
(edited by ScottieKStones on 1.4.04 1638)
scottcom
cubs.org | The Amazing Salami
Sujuk
Since: 23.5.02
From: Oklahoma
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| #9 Posted on 1.4.04 1542.23 | Instant Rating: 5.11 | Originally posted by ScottieKStones
Originally posted by Quezzy
Cleveland has a lot of good young players. Lawton
Matt Lawton is 32 years old and has been terrible in Cleveland. His salary is an albatross.
(edited by ScottieKStones on 1.4.04 1638)
And apparently they're going to part ways with Milton Bradley just days before the season starts.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ mlb/news/story?id=1773330
(edited by The Amazing Salami on 1.4.04 1342)
My tapeworm tells me what to do
YOU
My tapeworm tells me where to go | J.T. Dutch
Pickled pork
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| #10 Posted on 1.4.04 1753.16 | Instant Rating: 4.70 | A.L. East ... 1-New York, 2-Boston, 3-Baltimore, 4-Tampa Bay, 5-Toronto.
A.L. Central ... 1-Chicago, 2-Kansas City, 3-Minnesota, 4-Detroit, 5-Cleveland.
A.L. West ... 1-Anaheim, 2-Seattle, 3-Oakland, 4-Texas.
A.L. WILD CARD ... Kansas City.
N.L. East ... 1-Atlanta, 2-Philadelphia, 3-Florida, 4-New York, 5-Montreal.
N.L. Central ... 1-Houston, 2-Chicago, 3-St. Louis, 4-Pittsburgh, 5-Cincinnati, 6-Milwaukee
N.L. West ... 1-Arizona, 2-Los Angeles, 3-San Diego, 4-San Francisco, 5-Colorado.
N.L. WILD CARD ... Chicago.
Hey, Sacto ... remember us? Don't choke, now.
J.T. Dutch |
| Torchslasher
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| #11 Posted on 1.4.04 1829.26 | Instant Rating: 5.75 | Sho' Nuff:
AL East:
1. Yankees
2. Boston
3. Toronto
4. Baltimore
5. Tampa Bay
Come on, the Yankees lineup plays like an all star team, and the Sox are banged up. I do hope that I'm wrong about this though.
AL Central:
1. Kansas City
2. Minnesota
3. Chicago
4. Detroit
5. Cleveland
AL West:
1. Anaheim
2. Oakland
3. Seattle
4. Texas
BIAS ALERT: I'm an Angels fan.
AL Wildcard: Boston
Angels over Yankees
Boston over KC
Angels over Boston
NL East:
1. Phillies
2. Florida
3. Atlanta
4. Mets
5. Expos
Atlanta will be a .500 team this year.
NL Central:
1. Houston
2. Cubs
3. St. Louis
4. Cincinatti
5. Pittsburgh
6. Milwaukee
NL West:
1. Giants
2. LA
3. Arizona
4. San Diego
5. Colorado
Wishful thinking has my Dodgers playing above themselves the one time that no one expects it.
NL Wildcard: Chicago
Phillies over Chicago
Houston over Giants
Phillies over Houston
WS: Angels over Phillies
Behold the scary undead powers of WESTERN-TAKER! | SC
Potato korv
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| #12 Posted on 1.4.04 1920.22 | Instant Rating: 6.24 | Originally posted by Torchslasher
Come on, the Yankees lineup plays like an all star team
I must disagree with both you and Ben Affleck about this. Kenny Lofton, Hideki Matsui, Bernie Williams and Enrique Wilson are half of the lineup.
scottcom
cubs.org | redsoxnation
Scrapple
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| #13 Posted on 1.4.04 2037.30 | Instant Rating: 5.65 | Time to roll the dice:
AL East
1. Boston
2. New York (WC)
3. Toronto
4. Baltimore
5. Tampa
The shortstop and Nixon being hurt in April could be a concern, but Nixon has never hit in April in his career, and a month off might mean the shortstop doesn't fold like a cheap accordion down the stretch like he did last season. Plus, Fenway is a pitchers park in April, so the lack of offense doesn't hurt as much. Yankees will win around a hundred, and hopefully the D-Backs stay in contention so Randy Johnson doesn't land in their rotation. Blue Jays would win the Central by 10 games, but they aren't in the Central. Still don't like the O's pitching, and Tampa's pitching still is weak.
AL Central
1. None of the Below
1a. Since I have to pick someone Kansas City
2. Minnesota
3. White Sox
4. Cleveland
5. Detroit
Milton Bradley being booted drops Cleveland out of the 3 spot. KC is the best of a bad lot.
AL West
1. Anaheim
2. Oakland
3. Seattle
4. Texas
Only team in this division I like is Anaheim. I think the losses finally catch up to Oakland for a year, and Seattle is seeing age weaken them.
NL East
1. Atlanta
2. Philadelphia
3. Florida
4. Montreal
5. Sid Eudy's Softball Team
6. Metropolitans
Until someone beats Atlanta, I'll pick them. Larry Bowa is the great equalizer to the Phillies talent. Benitez is a disaster waiting to happen, and I don't think lightning strikes twice. Expos will try, and fade. Gee, Soriano for Reyes would look good to the Mets now, wouldn't it?
NL Central
1. Houston
2. Chicago (WC)
3. St. Louis
4. Milwaukee
5. Pittsburgh
6. Cinci
Houston has solid pitching and a solid order. Can't pick the Cubs to win a division 2 straight years, that goes against laws of nature. St. Louis has an offense, but very suspect pitching. And, how does 1 title in 25 years make LaRussa a genius? Throw 4-6 in a hat, they all are sub .500
NL West
1. San Diego
2. Arizona
3. San Francisco
4. Rockies
5. Dodgers
The NL answer to the AL Central. Padres because, well, someone has to win, and some team comes out of nowhere the past few years, so why not them. Arizona is second mainly as protection against Randy Johnson being traded to the Yankees. Giants will fall this year. Rockies have hitting but no pitching. Dodgers have no hitting but Jeff Weaver. Thus, Dodgers in last.
AL Playoffs
Red Sox over KC in 4.
Yankees over Angels in 5.
Red Sox over Yankees in 6 (I'm not screwing around with a Game 7)
NL Playoffs
Cubs over Braves in 4.
Astros over Padres in 3.
Astros over Cubs in 5.
World Series
Red Sox over Astros in 7, as Clemens gets sent into retirement giving up 6 runs in 2 innings.
Why is TVLand stealing my ideas from DEAN's Workrate Report's? They had to be stealing, as I thought I had the only demented mind that could put Bea Arthur and Abe Vigoda in a sex scene. | Big Bad
Scrapple
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| #14 Posted on 1.4.04 2151.05 | Instant Rating: 5.56 | AL East: Red Sox, BLUE JAYS, Yankees, Orioles, Devil Rays
I'm such a diehard fan, I know, but the Jays have a chance if Boston and NY kill each other. Realistically, the Jays will be in third.
AL Central: White Sox, Royals, Twins, Indians, Tigers
Guillen will be a huge boost to Chicago's team attitude
AL West: Angels, Mariners, Athletics, Rangers
Wild Card: Someone out of the east
Pennant: Red Sox
NL East: Phillies, Marlins, Braves, Mets, Expos
Hail hail, Atlanta is finally dethroned
NL Central: Astros, Cubs, Cardinals, Pirates, Reds, Brewers
NL West: Padres, Giants, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Rockies
Wild Card: Cubs
Pennant: Cubs (Prior will be healthy by October, fingers crossed)
Greatest World Series ever: Cubs over Red Sox, since Boston will be too emotionally spent after beating the Yankees
 | geemoney
Scrapple
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| #15 Posted on 1.4.04 2214.11 | Instant Rating: 3.70 | AL East:
1. Yankees
2. Red Sox*
3. Orioles
4. Blue Jays
5. Devil Rays
The Yankees are the Yankees, and unless they implode, they should win the division. The Red Sox COULD pose a serious threat- is Francona that much of an upgrade over Grady? The O's have the bats, and I think their pitching will be better than most people think. The Jays are stuck in limbo (Halladay can't pitch 5 days a week), and the Rays are gradually getting better, but they play in a tough division.
AL Central:
1. Royals
2. Twins
3. White Sox
4. Indians
5. Tigers
A bottom-heavy divisioni. The Royals and Twins are pretty even, but Pena I like better than Gardenhire. Can Ozzie and The (Big) Hurt get along? The Indians are "re-building" and all the Pudges in the world won't save Detroit from the cellar.
AL West:
1. A's
2. Angels
3. M's
4. Rangers
Their arms will carry the A's into the playoffs, but Vlad will power the Angels up the charts. Even if the M's get Griffey back, they're just not good enough to compete with the top two. Did the Rangers do anything to help solve their pitching problem in the offseason?
NL East:
1. Marlins
2. Phillies
3. Braves
4. Mets
5. Expos
Okay, everyone knows I'm a Marlins fan, and I'm probably just being a homer on this one. As long as the pitching staff avoids injuries, they have as good a chance as any. And I love how everyone is overrating Derrek Lee, saying the Marlins won't be able to replace him in the lineup. The Phils are the Phils, meaning they'll crack when it counts (and Bowa will feel the wrath). Bobby Cox can't replace the losses by the Braves this offseason. The Mets still don't have enough pieces (but they are getting there), and the Expos will continue to bring up the rear until they get out of Montreal.
NL Central:
1. Cubs
2. Astros*
3. Cardinals
4. Pirates
5. Brewers
6. Reds
This will be a dogfight between the top three. The Cubs will ride their pitching (again) to the division title. The 'stros will close in, and I think I'm liking their lineup better than the Cubs. The Cards would be good enough to probably win two other divisions in baseball. The Pirates got some good bargain pickups this offseason. The Brewers lost one of their only intimidating hitters in Sexson. The Reds need Deion back.
NL West:
1. Giants
2. Dodgers
3. Diamondbacks
4. Padres
5. Rockies
The Giants have some power players in Bonds, Schmidt and Nen (if he can stay healthy). The Dodgers offense will do just enough to hold off the D-Backs, as Brandon Webb has some big shoes to fill replacing Schilling. Giles-Nevin-Klesko will give some teams problems, but will their pitching hold up? Unitl the Rockies learn how to win away from Coors, they're not going anywhere.
AL Playoffs:
Yankees over Royals in 4.
Red Sox over A's in 7.
Yankees over Red Sox in 6.
NL Playoffs:
Giants over Astros in 6.
Cubs over Marlins in 7 (even I'm not that much of a homer)
Cubs over Giants in 5.
World Series:
Yankees over Cubs in 6. Sorry Cubs fans....wait til' next year.
TV, Exclusive Wrestling Announcement and More!: http://parksg.blogspot.com | SC
Potato korv
Since: 11.12.01
From: Valparaiso, IN
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Last activity: 145 days
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| #16 Posted on 1.4.04 2227.30 | Instant Rating: 6.32 | Originally posted by geemoney
The O's have the bats, and I think their pitching will be better than most people think. The Jays are stuck in limbo (Halladay can't pitch 5 days a week)
The O's pitching is ass terrible, and Halladay didn't pitch five days a week last year and they won 86 games. Miguel Batista and Ted Lilly are a serious upgrade over Cory Lidle and Mark Hendrickson. Sidney Ponson is not a serious upgrade over Sidney Ponson. Toronto can hit, too. Baltimore's lineup is improved, sure, but is Javy Lopez going to hit 40 homers again? I hope so. Palmeiro is going to be 40 years old in September.
I mean, I'll be glad if I'm wrong, but realistically, the Blue Jays are still better than Baltimore, even if Baltimore tried to give us hope by throwing money at three hitters. If Matt Riley and Kurt Anglesworth come through, the pitching could be surprising. But the organization hasn't developed a *good* young pitcher since...Mike Mussina?
scottcom
cubs.org | redsoxnation
Scrapple
Since: 24.7.02
Since last post: 1 day
Last activity: 11 hours
| #17 Posted on 1.4.04 2234.28 | Instant Rating: 5.65 | Originally posted by geemoney
is Francona that much of an upgrade over Grady?
Forgetting Game 7 for a moment, Little probably cost them 8-10 games last season because he had no clue on how to run a pitching staff. Having the flux at pitching coach due to Cloninger's health problems probably contributed to it somewhat, but in his 2 years he never had a grasp for when was the time to pull a pitcher or leave him in, with all of that culminating in Timlin in 8th/Williamson in 9th becoming an epithy on many future grave sites.
Why is TVLand stealing my ideas from DEAN's Workrate Report's? They had to be stealing, as I thought I had the only demented mind that could put Bea Arthur and Abe Vigoda in a sex scene. | drjayphd
Scrapple
Moderator
Since: 22.4.02
From: Connecticut
Since last post: 2 days
Last activity: 2 days
| #18 Posted on 2.4.04 0238.51 | Instant Rating: 6.71 | | You wanted the best, you got... Out of Context Quote of the Week.
"I don't know what a glory hole is in this context, but it makes me laugh." (PalpatineW)
geemoney: Grady's become for Boston what Jeff Cirillo is to Seattle... as in, anyone looking for a position with the Red Sox can put "Is Not Grady Little" on their resumé. 
Mine:
AL East:
1. Boston
2. Yankees (WC... and in more ways than one)
3. Toronto
4. Tampa Bay
5. Baltimore
AL Central:
1. Kansas City
2. Minnesota
3. White Sox
4. (a bucket of warm spit)
5. Detroit
6. Cleveland
AL West:
1. Anaheim
2. Oakland
3. Seattle
4. Tejas
AL thoughts: Boston just doesn't have the land mines the Yankees will. The Red Sox have some injury issues, but they survived without Nomar (for all intents and purposes) in the ALCS quite nicely. Our problems are more obvious, but the Yankees have the potential to blow up even worse. And for some reason, I feel like Tampa Bay's going to bust their asses and get out of last, while Palmiero and Javy will do somewhat less than Jack Shit and Tejada won't do quite as well as expected. Also, I second Scottie's comment on Ponson (which made me crack up).
NL East:
1. Philly
2. Atlanta
3. Florida
4. Montreal
5. Mets
NL Central:
1. Cubs
2. Houston (WC)
3. Pittsburgh
4. St. Louis
5. Milwaukee
6. Cincinatti
NL West:
1. Arizona
2. San Diego
3. San Francisco
4. Colorado
5. Los Angeles
NL Thoughts:
If the Reds were in the AL Central... they'd be behind the Indians. And a potted plant. The NL West could go to anyone whose team name isn't "Dodgers" or "Rockies". Consequently, it'll be real tight between the top three there. Pittsburgh, I don't know. I think they've made enough good, cheap pickups to improve. The Patriots they are not, but they're in the right direction. Oh, and the Braves will suck heroically. But not as much as everyone behind them.
PLAYOFFS:
ALDS: Boston over Anaheim, Kansas City over Yankees (Royals will fatten up on their division... although that bucket of warm spit could give them matchup problems)
NLDS: Philadelphia over Houston, Cubs over Diamonbacks (the Phillies could pull it off, in spite of their Little-ish manager)
ALCS: Boston over Kansas City (okay, they're not THAT good, people... I think the ALDS would be an upset there)
NLCS: Cubs over Philadelphia (didn't I just call Larry Bowa "Little-ish"?)
World Series: Red Sox over Cubs. Michael Wilbon cries in his coffee ice cream (come on), Steinbrenner fires himself.
DEAN's Nuggets of Wisdom:
"A-Train could wear a Vampirella outfit and I would toast a load to it." | Grimis
Scrapple
Since: 11.7.02
From: MD
Since last post: 753 days
Last activity: 549 days
| #19 Posted on 2.4.04 0642.04 | Instant Rating: 7.29 | Originally posted by ScottieKStones
The O's pitching is ass terrible, and Halladay didn't pitch five days a week last year and they won 86 games. Miguel Batista and Ted Lilly are a serious upgrade over Cory Lidle and Mark Hendrickson. Sidney Ponson is not a serious upgrade over Sidney Ponson. Toronto can hit, too. Baltimore's lineup is improved, sure, but is Javy Lopez going to hit 40 homers again? I hope so. Palmeiro is going to be 40 years old in September.
I mean, I'll be glad if I'm wrong, but realistically, the Blue Jays are still better than Baltimore, even if Baltimore tried to give us hope by throwing money at three hitters. If Matt Riley and Kurt Anglesworth come through, the pitching could be surprising. But the organization hasn't developed a *good* young pitcher since...Mike Mussina?
The pitching is going to be better than everyone thinks. If(and it is a big IF)Ponson pitches like he did last year, I expect Ainsworth to have a stellar year. Riley should live up to potential(finally) and both DuBose and Bedard are two very good young lefties you've never heard of. With three lefties, we're in good shape.
(edited by Grimis on 2.4.04 0744)
We stopped pretending we would ratify Kyoto. We only spent $15 billion on AIDS in Africa. We did not take dictation from Paris. If we had done these things, it would minimize the world’s anger.
Is the world angry at Russia, which spends nothing on AIDS and rebuffed Kyoto? Is the world angry at China, which got a pass on Kyoto and spends nothing on AIDS for other countries?
Is the world angry at North Korea for killings its people? Angry at Iran for smothering that vibrant nation with corrupt and thuggish mullocracy? Angry at Syria for occupying Lebanon? Angry at Saudi Arabia for its denial of women’s rights? Angry at Russia for corrupt elections? Is the world angry at China for threatening Taiwan, or angry at France for joining the Chinese in joint military exercises that threatened the island on the eve of an election? Is the world angry at Zimbabwe for stealing land and starving people? Is the world angry at Pakistan for selling nuclear secrets? Is the world angry at Libya for having an NBC program?
Is the world angry at the thugs of Fallujah?
Is the world angry at anyone besides America and Israel?
- James Lileks | The Thrill
Banger
Since: 16.4.02
From: Green Bay, WI
Since last post: 4 days
Last activity: 1 hour
| #20 Posted on 2.4.04 0816.47 | Instant Rating: 4.25 | No love for my Brewers from any of y'all. Oh, right...we suck. *sobbing*
And J.T. Dutch, that's quite a race you have going with DJFrostyFreeze for the coolest Lakers avatar/background thingy...
Star wipe, and...we're out.
Thrillin' ain't easy.
THE THRILL
ACW-NWA Wisconsin Home Video Technical Director...& A2NWO 4 Life!
(Click the big G or here to hear the Packers Fight Song in RealAudio...or try .AU, .WAV or .MIDI!)
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