On to the NL
EAST
The Phillies will not only repeat as champs in this division, but could very well go to a third straight World Series. This is a team that lost Pedro Feliz at third and replaced him with an all-star caliber hitting machine in Jason Kidd's son. Oh, not THAT dome piece, but ex-Tiger Polanco. I swear if he wasn't my height and not hitting out Bret Boone circa 2001 homers I would think he was on steroids. Come to think of it, he did just hit a grand slam. Uh-oh. Someone get me the Mitchell Report. Anyways, they lost great late-season pick up Lee to free agency, but replaced him with the best pitcher now in this division (although yes, it pains me extremely to say so). An absolute innings hoarder who throws complete games like Spring Training warm ups. This team is built to win. And I can't see Rollins having another off year. As long as Hamels is a decent number 2 they'll coast. On to the lowly Mets. I say Sanatana is a shade behind Halladay not because of their on field performance statistics, or pedigree. I say this simply because Santana will have to kill himself to get the Mets in contention because the rest of the assholes behind him can't seem to consistently put it together from game to game. Perez, Maine, Pelfrey, and who cares seem like the dumb ass little brothers. No better yet, henchmen, having just watched Boondock Saints 2(Great BTW), to Santana's mob boss. And just like Yakavetta at the end Santana doesn't stand a chance. Wright will not hit just 10 taters again. I call a revert back to the old David. Problem is Reyes won't get it back until mid season. Just in time for Beltran to come back. That all adds up to more of the same and just not enough season. IF these pitchers can muster some kind of support behind Johan the Mets might not finish dead last. In the majors. The Braves are my surprise Wild Card because I think they'll sneak in. They will steal series', while splitting others, and hang around just long enough that a major injury to the Cubs, Brewers, and Giants will cause the Bravos, yes Bravos, to sneak in. Their pitching, although young in comparison to most staffs, is solid and skilled. And have I talked about Heyward? Jesus what can't I say about this kid. Canon for an arm. Griffey-esque swing and mechanics. Blazing speed. He's like a left handed Hawk. See what the baseball Gods give us when we do right by someone when it comes the Hall? What would happen if we get Blylevan finally in? Or look away and recognize Bonds for his overall talent? Or imagine if Rose were let in? Ooh we might get Pujols/Mauer/Hanley. Yikes. Oh we did. His name is Jason Heyward. The Marlins are just not hungry enough. Hanley is just playing hard because that's his nature, but they will not contend this year.
CENTRAL
The Cards are the NL Twins, as explained in an earlier blog, so they will win this division. I say that of course as long as their arms hold up. Carpenter has had a good run, and knock on wood Marbles, he'll hurl another 200 this year. Wainwright is the most underrated number 2/1 pitcher in the league. Lohse is an ex-Twin so he's in the bag and if they can get anything from the newly acquired Penny, they'll be set to contend if need be in August. The Brewers are the team that I just can't figure out. They're pitching tells me they shouldn't matter, but they're hitting tells me otherwise. The crazy part is, pitching is what they built up this off season. Randy Wolf is apparently good, but I wouldn't want him representing the top of our staff. And this is coming from someone who's teams "ace" most of baseball hasn't even heard of. Fielder is playing for a bigtime deal so expect huge numbers from him. Braun is the next super duper star, based solely on the number of commercials I have already seen him in this morning, and they play great D. If their pitching holds up they'll contend. If not, so long Prince, with Braun soon to follow. Oh and a thousand thank you's to your organization for taking the plague known as Gomez off of our hands. And for an All-Star quality defensive SS in Hardy!? We have know officially wiped the residue left from that horrendous Santana trade completely off of us. No wonder we had to get a new stadium. As far as the Cubis and Reds go. I don't trust the Cubs hitting. All of their stars are another year older and I don't see Soriano turning it around. Simply, they are a Zambrano arm injury away from not contending. The Reds are the up and comer in the NL to me. Solid young core of pitching, with the veteran Harang providing tutelage to the kids. He is a pitcher who just so happens to hold advice on the most critical aspect of pitching, innings eating. Although, with Dusty at the helm they won't have that worry. Just ask Kerry Wood and Mark Prior. Isn't one of their starters out already this year because of Tommy John surgery? It starts now. Get Dusty out before he tears Chapman's arm completely off!
WEST
I care about this division the absolute least because one team doesn't even matter, and the other wouldn't if it were not for dominant pitching. That team, Los Gigantes, has Mr. Everything in Lincecum, a resurgent former Cy Young win (in my opinion), and three other solid pitchers. I like Cains makeup and Sanchez is a productive lefty. If Derosa can generate any run support with Kung Fu Panda then they could threaten to win this division. An injury to the pitching staff and see the Mets breakdown. This division is really all about the Rockies and Dodgers. Torre's bunch will score runs behind Manny, Ethier, Loney, Kemp and their own great young crew. The significant problem they have is with their pitching. Vicente Padilla was your opening day starter? Huh? Where's Kershaw? If I hear another he's-just-not-quite-there-yet talk about this kid I'm going to start believe that it will never come. My main question about this team is which Manny will they get? The usual consistent hitting machine that provides stellar protection in the line-up? Or the declining, could care less, pre-retiree that I have seen recently. If it's the latter, they have some things to worry about. And not just because they are paying him 20 million. I trust Manny won't go out like that, but even if so, it won't be enough. Pitching will let this team down. So that leaves us with the default champ the Colorado Rockies. Not great, not even good in my eyes. But they have depth, solid kids to parallel grizzly vets, and the pitching that will hold up in a weak division. As usual, Rockies win late.
WORLD SERIES
Phillies over Twins
Their pitching will beat our pitching. Simple as that.
Can't wait for Tiger's first strike off the green. Welcome back you ol' Gigalo!
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