2007 Major League Baseball preview

I don't see the Phillies winning anything this year.

As a Cub fan, I am looking forward to seeing what Lou Pinella can do with this team. I like a lot of their offseason moves. If their pitching can remain healthy, they may have a shot at making some noise this year.

 

I like the Reds' chances this year. St. Louis could've been had last year, and the Reds didn't have all the pieces in place. Now that they've finally figured out that pitching is key, the Reds' front office has made enough moves to keep the Reds competitive. The bullpen concerns me, but if that piece gets straightened out, the Reds could really do some damage in the NL Central.

 

I heard that Buster Olney (ESPN guy) picked the Cleveland Indians to win it all. Quite bold. I think they will be good, but not that good. Here is my prediction for the AL Central, the best division in baseball:

Tigers, 100-62 (will win the World Series)
Indians, 93-69 (might get the Wild Card - will be close)
White Sox, 88-74 (will continue to underachieve; key players are getting old)
Twins, 84-78 (will slip back some, even with their inordinate home field advantage :laugh: )
Royals, 70-92 (will show more signs of improvement like they did the 2nd half of '06)

 

Yep, on Mike&Mike this morning, Buster picked the Indians. A little bit later, Steve Phillips was on. Phillips didn't get on-board the Indians pick, but not for the reasons you might think. He didn't agree with Buster because, in his mind, they lacked a leader in the clubhouse.

Yes, it wasn't because he thought their hitting and pitching wasn't good enough, it was because he couldn't figure out who their leader would be. I expect that Phillips will be picking the New York Yankees to win the Series because they have clubhouse leadership.

It's not as if we needed another example that Steve Phillips doesn't know anything, but we got it anyway. Hitting and pitching better than the other team is far, far more important than having a leader in the clubhouse.

 

Atlanta is definitely back in the thick of things. I don't give anything to the Phillies...maybe a shot at the wild card. They have been favored to be good the past few years, but always seem to drop off. I won't totally underestimate them though. I still like Atlanta. I predict the Mets to crumble. They may contend with Philly for the wild card.

 

The best division in baseball is certainly the AL Central otherwise known as the AL flyover division. I think that this division will once again produce the AL wildcard team. Here is my prediction:
Detroit
Cleavland (wildcard)
Chicago
KC

Unfortunatly I am moving oversees at the end of the month and one thing I will miss will be baseball! My wife who isn't a real big sports fan said the same thing. Thank God for the the internest though, I can at least keep track of news and socres.

 

hey fellow Cubbie fans, is this year finally next year?

 

Probably not, but we can dream :laugh:

 

Not a Cub fan, but I like the Cubs chances, mostly because the Central is a weak division. Although I think they overpaid for average-at-best pitching, they upgraded nonetheless. They definitely upgraded the offense by getting Soriano and keeping Ramirez.

Prediction
The Cubs will be better and articles will be written lauding Piniella and giving him the lions share of the credit whether he really deserves it or not. I think Lou is a good manager, but the Cubs are going to be as good as their players are. When the inevitable articles come out about Lou turning around the Cubs, let's just remember that his Tampa Bay teams were lacking in talent and they lost no less than 91 games in each of his 3 seasons there.

 

I love how you completely left out the Twins and their blight of a stadium! :laugh:

 

Oops!

That was an accident. I will revise things then:

Tigers
Indians (wildcard)
WhiteSox
Twins
Royals

There... thats better.

 

Come on, Cleavland? You are a couple hours away, you should know how to spell Cleveland! You don't ever see anyone spelling Detroyt wrong! :laugh:

BTW, I'd have no problem if good 'ole Buster's predictions come true I think the leader in the clubhouse will come near the trading deadline, if Trot Nixon doesn't take hold first.

 

I love how you're still obsessed about the Metrodome, Andy! :laugh:

Clubhouse leadership means nothing if the Indians don't pitch better than they did in '06.

 

I know, just realize that every time the Twins are discussed, I will play that card to the hilt.

 

Did a girlfriend break up with you in the Metrodome or what? I've never seen anyone go out of their way so much to bash a ballpark...or anything :laugh: I don't like it, but I don't stay up 24/7 and obsess over it or anything. :saint:

 

The NL Central weak? You're kidding, right? St Louis improved, Houston improved, the Reds improved, the NL Central is the toughest division in the NL. It will be wide open, though, and anybody can win it, including the Cubs.

 

Wrong Jack. The only team winning the NL Central and the World Series is the Cardinals! You have proved your lack understading by including the phrase "including the Cubs" The cubbies will win the pennent when the 4 horseman come charging. :laugh:


GO CARDINALS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO CARDINALS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO CARDINALS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Did I mention? GO CARDINALS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Bill

 

The Cards are way overrated. The only reason they won the was that Detroit played poorly after a weeks rest. In baseball the best team doesn't always win. I predict the Cubs will have a great year.

 

Just to let you in on the joke - at this point, I am just presenting a caricature of myself. I know some of you remember my tirade against the Yuck-a-dome last year, so I don't want to disappoint on that reputation. IOW, I am exaggerating...Or am I? :laugh: