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| Author | Message |
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metsfan718
  
| | #1 posted April 3, 2009 at 6:40am (EST) |
The other topic died so lets try to keep this active. Only a few days away! What are you predictions,surprises,etc for beginning this season? I love my Mets but the Braves and Phillies look nice also.
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mentalpowers
 
| | #2 posted April 3, 2009 at 8:25am (EST) |
I hardly know what to make of the two east divisions, especially the NL.
I could see any one of the Mets, Phillies, Braves, or even the Marlins (seriously) winning this division. They all have some strengths, but they all also have some serious weaknesses. I know a bunch of you are NL East fans, so maybe we can spark a discussion about the division. Here's my personal view for each team:
Phillies-They're the team to beat after winning the World Series, and not completing scrapping the team like the Marlins do when they win. I'm not sold on Ibanez being a significant upgrade over Burrell, especially for the price. The potential for arm trouble for Hamels really scares me; he threw a lot of innings last season and had a minor problem earlier in camp. He's an elite pitcher and I hope he stays healthy, but I have my concerns. Howard and Utley are, of course, amazing, and Victorino is very good. I'm not fully convinced that Werth will continue to perform as well as he did last year. The back end of the rotation doesn't instill much confidence either.
Mets-There's no debating that Reyes, Wright, Beltran, and Santana are great. Delgado had a great season last year, but a sub-par one the previous year and is old; I expect numbers closer to 2007. Maine and Perez are question marks. Pelfrey is decent and could continue to improve, though he could also level off. The fifth spot in the rotation is not good. Castillo and Schnieder are also below average. The bullpen is definitely better than last year. I think K-Rod is overrated and had a very bloated saves record last year, but he and Putz are still a significant upgrade.
Braves-The Braves rebuilt their rotation, bringing in Lowe, Kawakami, and Vazquez. I don't know what to expect from the Japanese import, but Lowe was very good in the NL last year, especially in the second half. He should continue to be solid, though more of a number two than an ace. Vazquez should rack up the Ks and perform better overall with a better defense and home field. Chipper's old and brittle, but very talented. McCann might be the best offensive catcher in the game. Francouer, Kotchman, Schafer, and Anderson all have some fairly serious question marks. I have concerns about the bullpen too.
Marlins-They have a great starting staff, when healthy, with Johnson, Nolasco, Volstad, Sanchez, and Miller. The bullpen isn't too bad, but isn't particularly great either. Hanley is one of the best offensive players in the game and Uggla is one of the best offensive second basemen in the game. Their whole outfield has something to prove, though Maybin and Hermida have the talent to be good to great players. Cantu will need to have another solid season for this team. Catcher and third base are basically black holes.
Nationals-Dunn gives them some power and on-base ability and Milledge and Dukes look like they're tapping into their great talent. Zimmerman is a very good third baseman when healthy. Willingham can hit. Flores is an acceptable catcher. The entire pitching staff is mediocre at best right now. Jordan Zimmerman has a chance to be special, but I don't have high expectations for him this season. |
AlphakirA
(frozen)
| #3 posted April 3, 2009 at 8:51am (EST)
edited April 3, 2009 at 9:02am (EST) |
Mets - 93-69
Phillies - 88-74
Marlins - 87-75
Braves - 82-80
Nats - 69-93
That's my prediction. I don't see the fuss over the Braves, and we all are well aware that the Mets bullpen is the only thing that put the Phillies over the Mets last year, as noted by their vs. records - the Mets were still the better team. With that being 'fixed' (or at least better with the 2 new additions, and major subtraction of Heilman), I can't see how the Mets win anything less than 93, and to me that's lowballing it. I have some fears about the 5th, but really, who'd we have last year, Brian Stokes and Nelson Figueroa with Luis Ayala closing?! I'll take my chances.
Also, the Yankees get wild card and miss winning 1st by 3 games. Yup. Fact. Sabathia underperforms, Burnett overperforms, Rivera loses it, Jeter hits .290 instead of over .300, and ARod has constant nagging injuries throughout the year. Cody Ransom hits a surprising .280 but it doesn't mean jack.
Cubs beat Mets in NLCS
Angels beat Boston in ALCS
Cubs over Angels for World Domination
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mentalpowers
| | #4 posted April 3, 2009 at 3:44pm (EST) |
Sheffield might be close to signing with the Mets: http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/04/mets-close-t...
It doesn't seem to make much sense to me.
Adam, will you never learn that the Angels aren't going to beat the Red Sox in the playoffs? I'm also a little surprised that you'd pick the winner of the AL Central to have a better record than the Angels. |
SEspo
| | #5 posted April 3, 2009 at 6:03pm (EST) |
Yankees
Red Sox
Rays
Orioles
Blue Jays |
AlphakirA
(frozen)
| | #6 posted April 3, 2009 at 6:42pm (EST) |
mentalpowers wrote:
> Sheffield might be close to signing with the Mets: http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/04/mets-close-t...
>
> It doesn't seem to make much sense to me.
gosh darnIT. If there's one player I do NOT want playing for the Mets it's this punk. He's the very last thing they need. They have a great young kid that they have enough confidence in to start and to solid right fielders...why the fudge would they need this old butt-hole?! I have seats right behind LF, I swear to God...if he's playing left he's getting crap thrown at him all season long.
> Adam, will you never learn that the Angels aren't going to beat the
> Red Sox in the playoffs? I'm also a little surprised that you'd pick
> the winner of the AL Central to have a better record than the Angels.
Well, my Angels pick is the only thing I question, but I think the White Sox or Twins could surprise some people this year, along with Seattle (though not making it anywhere near the playoffs).
Are you going to put up predictions on the rest of the divisions? You're one of the few people here that I take their MLB opinions seriously. |
somethingweird
| | #7 posted April 3, 2009 at 7:19pm (EST) |
SEspo wrote:
> Yankees
> Red Sox
> Rays
> Orioles
> Blue Jays
I really don't think that the Yankees are going to win the division. I actually agree with Alpha's prediction almost 100%. Sabathia is not going to win enough games to justify his salary. A-Rod will come back a few weeks into the season only to under perform and ultimately head back to the DL for his second hip surgery, rather than waiting until the end of the season. I don't think that Ransom will hit .280, but his defense actually looks pretty decent, but I'm thinking the Yanks will find another, more suitable replacement when A-Rod heads back to the DL. |
somethingweird
| | #8 posted April 3, 2009 at 7:24pm (EST) |
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb...
I think Sheff will actually be a pretty decent addition to the Mets this year. Like the article says, they could use a right hand hitting outfielder once he gets into shape. Until then, he could be a pretty decent pinch hitter. Nothing spectacular, but at $400k, seems like a pretty good bargain. |
mentalpowers
| | #9 posted April 3, 2009 at 9:25pm (EST) |
IHeartJustinMcElroy wrote:
> mentalpowers wrote:
>> Sheffield might be close to signing with the Mets: http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/04/mets-close-t...
>>
>> It doesn't seem to make much sense to me.
>
> gosh darnIT. If there's one player I do NOT want playing for the Mets
> it's this punk. He's the very last thing they need. They have a great
> young kid that they have enough confidence in to start and to solid
> right fielders...why the fudge would they need this old butt-hole?! I
> have seats right behind LF, I swear to God...if he's playing left
> he's getting crap thrown at him all season long.
>
>> Adam, will you never learn that the Angels aren't going to beat
> the
>> Red Sox in the playoffs? I'm also a little surprised that you'd
> pick
>> the winner of the AL Central to have a better record than the Angels.
>
> Well, my Angels pick is the only thing I question, but I think the
> White Sox or Twins could surprise some people this year, along with
> Seattle (though not making it anywhere near the playoffs).
>
>
> Are you going to put up predictions on the rest of the divisions?
> You're one of the few people here that I take their MLB opinions seriously.
I posted a general prediction of every team and the playoffs before spring training in another thread. I'll look up the thread tomorrow. Things have certainly changed since then (Manny was unsigned, which I think I noted), so I'll also make an updated prediction post tomorrow.
Unless certain teams hit especially hard luck while others get particularly lucky with players developing/breaking out, the two east divisions look the most interesting. |
SEspo
| | #10 posted April 3, 2009 at 10:45pm (EST) |
Well, I feel that the Yankees and Red Sox will be incredibly tight.. I don't think the Rays have enough at all to win the division. |
Felty
 BTRs
(abandoned)
| | #11 posted April 4, 2009 at 1:32am (EST) |
Braves will win NL East. That's my bold prediction. I don't think the Rays will do as well as they did last year either. And as always I curse the Yankees and their new stadium and the Mets too. World Series champs=Chicago White Sox in a shocking defeat of the Cubs who finally make it to the series only to get swept and blown out in every game. |
metsfan718
| | #12 posted April 4, 2009 at 3:40am (EST) |
I think the Braves are good but in the end I think it's between the Phillies and Mets.
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AlphakirA
(frozen)
| | #13 posted April 4, 2009 at 5:16am (EST) |
Felty, care to make a bet  I say Braves make 3rd place if they're lucky. I made money off of the Braves the last two years predicting their failures, I'd love nothing more than to do it again. And I will also gladly make a $20 wage against anyone interested stating that there's no chance in hell of the Yankees making it past the first round - if that far. |
GonePostal
  
| #14 posted April 4, 2009 at 9:41am (EST)
edited April 4, 2009 at 9:44am (EST) |
"Fudge the haters."
-Derek Jeter
P.S.
This topic should be here: The Official GameTZ Sports Discussion Forum
Visit The Official GameTZ Sports Discussion Forum |
mentalpowers
| | #15 posted April 4, 2009 at 9:55am (EST) |
Here's a link to where I made my early predictions. I think I'll make a post about each division. I definitely know more about certain divisions, so some will be pretty comprehensive with my own thoughts, while others (particularly the central divisions) will be less detailed. |
mentalpowers
| | #16 posted April 4, 2009 at 10:32am (EST) |
I just started doing my analysis of the AL West, team by team. I'm not even done with the first team, the Angels, and it's already a significantly sized post.
If I made each division a separate thread in my personal forum(it's been the baseball forum for probably about a year without much interest beyond the first few weeks), would you guys join in on discussions there?
I know the thread here in general tends to do a lot better since it's more easily accessible. I'd feel like I'd have more freedom without flooding general or this thread. It would also encourage on simultaneous discussions on multiple divisions. |
AlphakirA
(frozen)
| #17 posted April 4, 2009 at 1:51pm (EST)
edited April 4, 2009 at 1:51pm (EST) |
^ Sounds interesting enough to me. I feel private forums are usually filled with less crapbags so I'm all for it.
I don't see a link in your post,; I'll check your recently posted posts though. |
mentalpowers
| | #18 posted April 4, 2009 at 2:15pm (EST) |
Ha. I forgot to paste the link apparently. Here it is: http://gametz.com/forum/General/topic/332232.html#...
It's just the old discussion thread we have. My first post in it contains my predictions. |
mentalpowers
| | #19 posted April 4, 2009 at 2:20pm (EST) |
Here's the link to my forum: http://gametz.com/forum/USER%3A15341
If anyone wants to start the other divisions, you can go ahead. |
Felty
BTRs
(abandoned)
| | #20 posted April 5, 2009 at 4:43am (EST) |
I will bet they make 3rd place in the NL East but I don't really have more faith than that. I do think they are improved though, they added a veteran hitter and a couple decent starters with potential to have good seasons. But I doubt the Mets or Phillies are gonna be any worse than they were last year, so it's tough. |
AlphakirA
(frozen)
| | #21 posted April 5, 2009 at 1:14pm (EST) |
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090404&c...
Ok, I feel a little better about Shef now. Just glad he isn't making any demands and seems to be satisfied taking Anderson's role as a pinch hitter. |
GonePostal
| | #22 posted April 5, 2009 at 5:38pm (EST) |
You should feel better. Shef is a beast. He'll get you 30 homers and 100 rbi.
Visit The Official GameTZ Sports Discussion Forum |
AlphakirA
(frozen)
| | #23 posted April 5, 2009 at 5:42pm (EST) |
Not at PH. And maybe the Yankees love scum (Clemens, Shef, Jackson, Pettitte, Jeter, etc.) but we don't. |
GonePostal
| | #24 posted April 5, 2009 at 5:45pm (EST) |
He will be an everyday outfielder in no time. (And you take Jeter and Jackson off that list immediately!) The Mets have had their share of steroid abusers.
Visit The Official GameTZ Sports Discussion Forum |
AlphakirA
(frozen)
| | #25 posted April 5, 2009 at 8:02pm (EST) |
No, they don't. They've had one chump RP in which they got rid of him because of it. The Yankees pay premium for their scum and steroid abusers.
Hitting 225 and being 40 doesn't get you to be an everyday outfielder. Maybe on the Yankees - since they have no talent out there - but not with the Mets. |
BluePhoenix
| | #26 posted April 5, 2009 at 8:12pm (EST) |
I don't wanna hear improvisation in the national anthem |
AlphakirA
(frozen)
| | #27 posted April 5, 2009 at 8:16pm (EST) |
It should be required that only the unknown and Whitney Houston are allowed to sing the National Anthem. I didn't hear the version which I assume was before tonights game, but I assume it's just as bad and disrespectful as every other rendition. |
Millington
  
| | #28 posted April 5, 2009 at 11:35pm (EST) |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SFoBVAecQ8
-I'm dynamite! |
Felty
BTRs
(abandoned)
| | #29 posted April 6, 2009 at 1:43am (EST) |
Braves! |
AlphakirA
(frozen)
| | #30 posted April 6, 2009 at 2:13am (EST) |
That was the first time in my life that I was rooting for the Braves  |
LiL_Ramsey
| | #31 posted April 6, 2009 at 10:36am (EST) |
I'm worried about getting too excited after last night. Myers was really off his game (at least at the start), and after the second inning, we pretty much did nothing. Lowe was spectacular though.
I had low expectations entering last season, especially after all the hype over the Braves last year. Maybe with nobody talking about us this year, we can finally get back into the playoffs. I know the AL East is really good, but from top to bottom, I'd still say the best division is the NL East. Like Joe said, I could really see 4 teams winning the division, and the Nationals are getting better every year.
Rock Band forum |
LiL_Ramsey
| | #32 posted April 6, 2009 at 10:38am (EST) |
Also, I hope that last night was an indication of how Schafer will be playing all season. Anderson played well, too, and I think Francouer will excel with his new approach at the plate.
Rock Band forum |
metsfan718
| | #33 posted April 6, 2009 at 12:41pm (EST) |
Yeah Lowe was nasty. I think he is the key for the Braves to at least have a chance to make the playoffs.
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AlphakirA
(frozen)
| | #34 posted April 6, 2009 at 5:25pm (EST) |
Mets win and show exactly what they were supposed to do last year - win when in a tight position. No more Sanchez and Ayala, now it's Putz and Frankie Rodriguez.  |
metsfan718
| | #35 posted April 6, 2009 at 5:53pm (EST) |
YEAH BABY METS WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
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mentalpowers
| | #36 posted April 6, 2009 at 6:04pm (EST) |
Oh man, Sabathia struggling? I fudgein' love it! |
AlphakirA
(frozen)
| | #37 posted April 6, 2009 at 6:45pm (EST) |
They (Baltimore) had bases loaded with 1 out and blew it because of a stupid move by Mora  . I'm tellin ya, I know it's day one, but Yankees are 2nbd if not 3rd place team at best. |
metsfan718
| | #38 posted April 6, 2009 at 6:50pm (EST) |
Oh crap there coming back.
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SEspo
| | #39 posted April 6, 2009 at 7:03pm (EST) |
Yes, let's go crazy over 1 game, win or lose. 161 more games. Season is over. |
OuTrAgE
 
| | #40 posted April 6, 2009 at 7:28pm (EST) |
PIRATES WIN! YANKEES SUCK! PIRATES > YANKEES!
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