quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:
I love watching baseball in person. I try to catch a mlb or minor league game when I'm traveling. In fact, I had a baseball disappointment this morning, my friend is getting married near Boston (I've wanted to catch a game at Fenway for years) and I checked the Red Sox's schedule only to learn she picked a weekend they're on the road

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:
I love watching baseball in person. I try to catch a mlb or minor league game when I'm traveling. In fact, I had a baseball disappointment this morning, my friend is getting married near Boston (I've wanted to catch a game at Fenway for years) and I checked the Red Sox's schedule only to learn she picked a weekend they're on the road

I'm a lifelong fan of the:

quote:

Originally posted by nhracecraft:

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:
I love watching baseball in person. I try to catch a mlb or minor league game when I'm traveling. In fact, I had a baseball disappointment this morning, my friend is getting married near Boston (I've wanted to catch a game at Fenway for years) and I checked the Red Sox's schedule only to learn she picked a weekend they're on the road

Dude, it's still Spring Training. ALL of the games are on the road....In Florida!

quote:

Originally posted by KevinCW:
I was about to make my "seasonal" baseball post....

My favorite time of year. I sadly haven't followed as closely as I usually do beyond my team's division... So I can't predict other divisions this year nearly as well (I didn't do that badly last year, IIRC I predictd most of the playoff teams)

OK....

So my preview is going to be NL Central specific as that is what I have followed...

I never thought I'd actually type this, but the Cubs are still going to be the team to beat:

Cubbies:

Still retaining most of their team, only losing some backups and Dexter Fowler. Good offense with Rizzo, Bryant leading the pack. Good pitching. Jake Arrieta is in a contract year and while less dominant than he was the previous year, he has EVERY bit of motivation to have a great season. I think they will lead the NL Central all season. They Achilles heel they have is pitching depth. A significant injury to Lester, Arrieta or another of the man four starters will hurt them as their depth isn't strong. Two injuries (very possible in a long season) will be very tough to overcome. If the team is healthy, ESPECIALLY their pitchers, they will be the team to beat. If they are not, they could totally implode. They lost Chapman as the closer, but have a good one to take his place which should not be THAT big of a deal. Their X-factor is Joe Maddon. He is one of the best managers in the game, and can easily squeeze the best from players when the chips are down. I don't think they will be QUITE as good as last season, but they will be one of the best teams in baseball if they avoid injuries, especially to their starting pitching.

Cardinals:

This is my team, so I am obviously a bit biased. This will be an interesting year for the Redbirds... We see an aging core of Yadi, Wainwright, Peralta, giving way to the young guys of Martinez, Piscotty, Grichuk, and Carpenter. Can the new kids (Diaz, Wong, Kelly) pick it up? Aging Ace Adam Wainwright was disappointing last year, but again, was removed from total repair on his Achilles tendon... Lance Lynn is coming off Tommy John surgery and also on a contract year. Budding stay Michael Wacha has been plagued by injuries from the 162 season grind and hasn't yet put together a total season yet. Carlos Martinez has the talent to be a staff ace, but is still young and not quite proven. Alex Reyes was supposed to be the "next big thing" but is now a total loss to Tommy John for all of 2017 and now expected to make his case as staff ace for 2018. Mike Leake was supposed to be solid innings eater and solid number 3 starter with good defense behind him, but given she shitty defense in 2016 was less than impressive. Pitching will be a huge question, prolly the biggest. IF the pitching is healthy, and there for the year, this will be a good team. Can displaced closer Trevor Rosenthal be the new "fireman" like Andrew Miller was in Cleveland? Can Korean sensation closer Sung Won Oh continue what he did last year? Offensively, this team is stacked with OBP (On Base Percentage) Their first 3 batters in the order (Fowler, Diaz, Carpenter) were 3 of the top 5 in the league last year. Each of those three has a better than 1/3 chance of getting on base with means that from the first inning onward, you will likely be facing the number 4 hitter with at LEAST one runner on base. Leadoff hitter Dexter Fowler can take a base with a steal, he can go first to third on a hit, and go second to home on a hit. The idea is stacking on base percentage will lead to both stacking runners, and forcing pitchers to make mistakes. The number 4 and 5 hitters will be crucial. This is both a transition year for the Cards, and a formative year... With all the best draft picks hitting the majors the past few years, the next crop of stud prospects in waiting is a few years off... I pick them for second place in the division, but a solid contender for a wild card spot. IF the Cubs pitching gets injured... and the Cards pitching doesn't... first in the division

Pirates:

They got rid of some, and seem to be in a "soft" rebuild. It isn't a total rebuild, as they didn't trade McCutchen (although mostly because he had a bad years last year and his return wasn't great) they will compete, but not like the last few. I'll say, that if McCutchen has a good year and they are not in contention, they will trade him this year. Hopefully, moving to a corner outfield spot as he is projected to will help him out. They have 3 solid starting pitchers, but the other 2 are wild cards. I want to see another season of Kang at third of short, that man is a stud from Korea. He has been a great pickup for them.

Brewers:

Could surprise us all. They sold a lot last year, and got some prospects in a rebuild. Will be a down year IMO, but they aren't far off. 2018 and 2019 look like up years for the Brew Crew.

Reds:

They finally comitted to a rebuild, although 3 years to late. IIRC they traded Phillips and thank god. Too big a salary for too little return. The sun has set on him both offensively and defensively (not that he is bad by any means, just not for what they are paying him) I'm still shocked they havent' traded Votto. For a team in a rebuild they have a talent like him, but won't move him. They still pay him a LOT to be the best player on a losing team... That makes zero sense. What they could have gotten in return either of the past 2 years significantly outplays his value on a losing team. As i said, they should have committed to a rebuild 2 years ago and they would be close to contention now. Their first 2 pitchers are fine, but their back 3 have HUGE questions... I pick them for last in the division this year, and sadly, had they heeded my advice any of the past 3 years, they would be in contention...

As for the rest of the NL:

In the NL East... The Mets and Nats both have the pitching. Nats have Bryce Harper, while we all love to hate him, you can't argue with the man's talent. He will also be in a contract year... It will be hard to bet against him. I think the Mets/Nats slug it out and it comes down to injuries as to who takes first place. The other will have a solid shot at the wild card. The Braves, and Phillies and both in the middle of rebuild, and the Marlins aren't there yet, but a step closer. Marlins will be solidly in the middle of the pack. Braves look good in the 2019 and 2020 season though, watch out if they keep going.

In the NL West, I think this is the Dodgers year. I think they are by far the best team in the West. I am still shocked the Rockies didn't fire sale their outfielf and first base talent last year, but the rumors are they were asking for current talent, top prospects, mining rights on the moon, and the firstborn of the opposing General Manger. That will cost them. Blackmon had a career year IMO, and Cargo ain't getting younger. Plus... anyone that they have has to take into account playing at Coor's Field and that means their offensive numbers need to be taken with a grain of salt. With the return the White Sox got for Adam Eaton I would have thought Blackmon would have gone for at least 300 trillion dollars... I guess the other GM's saw the "Coor's Field" effect too, despite him having better splits on the road. All of that said, I think the Dodgers, if healthy, will be the second best team in the NL this year, compared to the Cubs. Like the Cubs, a pitching injury, or god forbid two, will sink them.

AL I will keep brief, and base this upon nothing as I am not following the unAmerican, DH-ing pansy league.

AL East: Yankees
AL Central: Indians
AL West: A's

I base the DHing pansies predictions on nothing, because that isn't baseball, the pitcher should have to bat.

Kevin

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:
I love watching baseball in person. I try to catch a mlb or minor league game when I'm traveling. In fact, I had a baseball disappointment this morning, my friend is getting married near Boston (I've wanted to catch a game at Fenway for years) and I checked the Red Sox's schedule only to learn she picked a weekend they're on the road

I'm a lifelong fan of the: