Major league Baseball 2010
 

mlb

I'm sticking to whats already written here.
The Rays remain in contention for a world series.
I keep going on about this line-up of Bartlett, Zorbist, Crawford, Longoria, Upton and Pena.
For those of you who watch basebal from a distance, be advised that Longoria is a better bat the Alex Rodriguez, and easily a better fielder than Alex Rodriguez.
Longoria is without doubt or debate, the greatest 3rd baseman in the game.
Crawford is the cheetah of the major leagues, one of the 10 best baseball players in the game.
Upton's speed and Pena's power ....they just need to up their batting average a tad.

The other story in this division, are the baltimore orioles.
Specialists say that the orioles are doomed to battle with the jays for last place, but I guess i just see a little more clear than they do.
Jones, Roberts, Tejada, Markakis and young weiters make a serious line-up.
Starting pitcher Matusz a lot of people don't know yet, but you'll see just how good this kid is.
Meredith and Mike Gonzales should have a good season, making this bullpen a lot more solid than one might think.
I still project the Orioles in 3rd place in this division above the red sox.

For me, this easily the best bet of the season.
The Chicago White Sox will win this division.

I'm still kinda 50/50 on wether or not the angels can still win this division.
its a bad bet regardless at such a small price.
The only mistake i see i've made in my early projections is on the rangers who's line-up looks amazing.
I'm not sure if they can contend without starting pitchers though

The main reason for making this particular thread is this division here, in which i've completely changed my mind having watched the teams so far this season.
Its in regards to the Atlanta Braves
I've already given the credit to the pitching, my remark was in regards to their weak bats...umm, yeah, they're bats are not so weak after all.
In fact, they are outstanding.
Regardless if chipper jones plays this whole season or not, McCann is one of the 3 best catchers in the game.
Main course for this season though is Jason Heyward.
I've watched a lot of bats in my life....this is the greatest potential i have ever seen.
The swing this young man has me baffled.
quote me on this please ......
Jason Heyward , in time, will be a greater bat than Albert Pujols
Jurrjens is arguably one of the 5 best starting pitchers in the game.
Wagner so far has looked pretty good out there so far, can you imagine how elite this bullpen would be if saito finds his form of 2 years ago.
The Atlanta Braves can be considered a candidate for the world series

Having watched, my opinion in this division has not shifted much, other than a little flash from the pirates who look to be moving along well in thier rebuilding...if i was in charge though, i'd draft again this season regardless if the capabilities opf the team is greater.

The Giants are catching my eye a little....they'd always have to be considered a danger with that kind of rotation.
If their bats can put up a few runs, they're gonna be winnning a lot more games than they lose.

Early predictions for the world series:

Atlanta Braves vs Tampa Bay Rays
Atlanta Braves vs Chicago White Sox

Atlanta Braves vs Tampa Bay Rays = 110/1
Atlanta Braves vs Chicago White Sox = 165/1

baseball is totally fixed.

just a step up from pro wrestling...... a SHORT step...

The Royals *still* have no fucking bullpen. Blew a five to nothing lead today after 6 shutout innings by Bannister. Our bullpen can't get outs on girl scouts.

QUIT TALKING ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL 2010.

The Royals are the kind of team that need their starters to go 8 innings so that the absolute elite closer "Soria" can close the game out.
Grienke can certainly go 8 innings, and you can be sure that he'll be winning 75-80% of his starts this season.
I was talking about Hochevar last season, If he can go 7 innings, he'll be winning over 60% of his starts.
The teams not too bad if you consider the estimated stats of these 2 starters.
If Butler lives up to his potential, him and Guillen make up a solid 3-4.
The division is not so tough beyond the Sox and twins.

Heading towards the first third of the season, this is what the standings look like so far.....

AL East
1)Tampa Bay Rays 29-11
2)NY Yankees 25-15
3)Toronto Blue Jays 25-17
4)Boston red sox 21-20
5)Baltimore orioles 13-28

The Rays have the best record in baseball, and they've yet to really start running.
David Price leading the AL with his 6 wins and 1.81 ERA.
Not to mention Evan longoria leading the AL with 27 RBI's.
The Yankees have to be disapointed with the starters who are well under par.
The Jays are in the same position they were last year where they had their worst season in decades...you can expext the same this season/or worse.
The red sox, as mentioned are not close to contention.
The orioles are still waiting for the return of their lead-off man Brian Roberts.....they should have a good 2nd half.

AL Central
1)Minesota Twins 24-16
2)Detroit Tigers 23-17
3)Chicago White Sox 16-23
4)Kansas City Royals 17-25
5)Clevland Indians 15-24

Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau lead things for the twins while closer Raunch has been a great replacement for the injured Nathan.

AL West
1)Texas Rangers 23-18
2)Oakland A's 20-21
3)LA Angles 19-23
4)Seattle Mariners 14-26

This division looks open, although i would be suprised if texas hangs on to the lead...not that there's some super team in this division waiting to overtake them, its just the rangers have a habbit of falling apart mid-summer.

NL East
1)Philadelphia Phillies 24-15
2)Florids Marlins 22-19
3)Washington Nationals 21-20
4)Atlanta Braves 20-20
5)New York Mets 19-22

the Braves 20 Year old Jason Heyward leads his team with 29 RBI's, 8 Homeruns, batting .288, but with a lot of walks leading to a .406 on base percentage.... so yeah, he's got patience.
Most outstanding feature of Heyward is his clutch preformance as he's had an overwhelming amount of walk off at bats this season.

NL central
1)Cincinnati Reds 23-17
2)St.Louis Cardinals 23-18
3)Chicago Cubs 19-22
4)Milwakee Brewers 18-22
5)Houston Astros 14-26

Look at the Reds!
Voted as most suprising team in the major leagues.....no suprise to me, as i began pointing them out last season.

NL West
1)San Diego Padres 24-16
2)San Fransisco Giants 22-17
3)LA Dodgers 22-18
4)Colorado Rockies 19-21
5)Arizona Diamondbacks 17-24

The Padres will not remain on top here, this will end up a three horse race at most between the Dodgers, giants and rockies pending injuries.

Half way through the season now, and this is how the divisions look.
Highlighted in Green are my pre-season picks.

AL East
1)New york Yankees --
2)Tampa bay Rays -2
3)Boston Red Sox -5
4)Toronto Blue Jays -11.5
5)Baltimore Orioles -28

The Rays will end up winning this division.
The Yankees should also make the post-season as the wild card, unless the tigers challenge them a little.
The Red Sox have not done that bad, but key injuries (Martinez, Ellsbury),and the general age of the players, forbid any hope for anything more than an above .500 record.
The Jays simply suck....there's not much more to say about them..... their batting average, their rotation, their bullpen, their closer, their best players age ...there's just nothing there, its a disgrace.
The baltimore orioles, since the start of the season, have been without their lead-off man speedster brian Roberts, and without their closer Mike Gonzales, so it looks like another drafting season....and good for them, its the only way they're ever gonna be able to compete in this division.

AL Central
1)Detroit Tigers --
2)Chicago White Sox -0.5
3)Minnesota Twins -2
4)Kansas City Royals -8
5)Clevland Indians -14

After a very weak start, the Chicago White sox have been on a tear, and now have caught up, and will eventually take the lead in this division.
It won't be without competition though....i must admit, that i underestimated this tigers team a little bit.
Miguel Cabrera is having the season of his life!! Austin Jackson came out of nowhere, and is a very good lead off man.
Boesch has also come out of nowhere, and has added a serious bat to this line-up.
I can't say they came out of nowhere as they did catch my eye at the start of the season, its just that i didn't expect them both to be in such form early on.
All this though will fall short as the Tigers face some serious pitching problems, both in the rotation, as well as their bullpen.
103 mile/per hour throwing relief pitcher Zumaya is out!
Other than Verlander and perhaps Sherzer, the tigers simply do not have starting pitchers capable of keeping this team in contention for this season.
The Twins are still there, despite their recent slump. Should Mauer find his power again, i wouldn't put it past this team to be around at the end of the season.
Royals fans are starting to feel good about this team.....they should start losing some games though as the they should be considering some of these draft targets.
The Clevland Indians are rebuilding at this time, but are at a very early stage.

AL West
1)Texas Rangers --
2)LA Angels -5.5
3)Oakland A's -9.5
4)Seattle Mariners -16

I did predict the fall of the Angels, but I thought it would probably be the A's that took them over.
For now, early July, its the heavy hitting Rangers, who just added Cliff Lee to their rotation.
Lets keep in mind how weak texas has played in late summer these past seasons.
This division is still open, even to my injury struck angels.
The A's, despite being 9.5 games behind, are a very serious young team, that just keep making the right moves for the future.
The Mariners got the right idea adding speedster figgins to the start of the batting order to compliment ichiro suzuki, but they forgot to add some power in there, so there's no one to bring them in.
Lets see if this team collapses or rebuilds in the off-season.

NL East
1)Atlanta Braves --
2)New York Mets -4
3)Philadelphia Phillies -5.5
4)Florida marlins -10.5
5)Washington Nationals -12.5

Wow! The Braves are ranked #1 in the National league! ....all this, without their #1 bat Jason Heyward, who has been on the DL these past few weeks...He's on his way back as we speak.
The Braves are 5.5 games ahead of their main rivals Philies!
The Mets have found some form from some unexpected pitchers in their rotation.
I always liked Pagan to be a lead-off man, and here he is doing it.
Jose Reyes, still faces some health issues.
David Wright is looking pretty good out there, and is the main reason why this team is still around coming into mid-season.
I'm not suprised that the Mets are in 2nd, and i won't be suprised if they end up in 2nd.
The reason is that the Phillies have some serious issues.
Halladay, who always been overated, is proving to be less than people thought.
Hamels still has a year or two before he reaches his full potential.
J.A Happ has been on the DL since day 1, and despite his rehab, does not look to be his old self.
The rest of the rotation have no buisness in the major leagues.
The line-up see's the God of 2nd basemen Chase Utley on the DL for another month.
Rollins is just a mediocre shortstop, despite his great season a couple years ago.
What exactly does that leave in the line-up? Howard? ...sure, but one powerfull strike-out batter is not gonna win any pennant for you.
Especially when the team you're playing for has a non-existant bull pen.
The Phillies bullpen is sooo weak, that they've got starting pitcher Contreras as the main man....like wtf dudes, get some relief!!
So yeah, forget the phillies.
The Florida Marlins, despite their under .500 record, are looking pretty good!
If this team can hold on to Hanley Ramirez for a couple more years, and fill in some of the holes in their rotation and bullpen, they might just be the team to take command in this division in the up-coming years!
Finally some good news in Washington!
Young superstar starting pitcher Strasburg is selling out the park in Washington, and wherever else he pitches.
He is a strike-out artist who has everyone convinced that he will be one of the absolute elite pitchers in baseball for years to come!
Not much else to say about the team, but its a good start.

NL Central
1)Cincinnati Reds --
2)St.Louis Reds -3
3)Chicago Cubs -10.5
4)Milwakee Brewers -11.5
5)Houston Astros -13.5
6)Pittsburgh pirates -18

Now here's something to feel proud about!
The Reds are 11 games ahead of the 3rd place cubs, and are currently in a two horse race for the NL central!
Phillips, Votto and Bruce are getting it done producing runs like theres no tommorow.
The bullpen, as mentioned before is elite, with Cordero, masset and Rhodes.
The Reds find themselves in this position, playing half the season without their #1 starter Volquez, who is in re-hab as we speak, and should be returning to the rotation just after the mid-season break!
The Cardinals are clearly not the favorite to win this division.
The line-up is overall weak despite the 2 heavy bats.
It was the rotation that was gonna put them in contention, and its not looking quite as good as it did when the season started.
Garcia started off the season as their best starter(Quoting the cardinals general manager), and he was....but he's lost something out there, command, velocity, and i don't think he'll keep it up.
Chris Carpenter is clearly not the pitcher he was last season, so, as you can see, this cardinals team is not as strong as they seemed.
The rest of the division is kinda weak.....the Cubs, the Brewers, the Astros, all on the decline......while the pirates seem to be doing all the right things(Drafting), and will be above these other teams in the next couple seasons.

NL West
1)San Diego Padres --
2)LA Dodgers -3
3)Colorado Rockies -3
4)San Fransisco Giants -5
5)Arizona Diamondbacks -17.5

I could say that i underestimated the Padres, but i don't think i did.
To me, the Padres remain one of the worst teams in baseball, and will finish this season in 4th place in this division.
If i ran the team, i would be dead last rubbing my hands together looking at the draft.
The Dodgers and the Rockies are the real contenders.
I wouldn't be suprised if the rockies won it in the end should Tulowitzki come back from the DL in full form.
The Giants depend a lot on Lincecum, who has faced a few problems this season......Giants, get some bats!
I'm not fond of the way the Diamondbacks are being run.

Here are rankings, by position, of the most coveted players in the major leagues.
The considerations of these rankings, are based on potential, age, value, and salary.
This is the present and future of baseball.
It'll give you a better grasp on who holds the most valued prospects for the future of the game:


Pitching - Starters
1) Stephen Strasburg (Washinton Nationals)
2) Tim Lincecum (San Fransisco Giants)
3) David Price (Tampa Bay Rays)
4) Aroldis Chapman (Cincinnati Reds)
5) Drew Pomeranz (Clevland Indians)
6) Josh Johnson (Florida Marlins)
7) Mike Leake (Cincinnati Reds)
8) Barret Loux (Arizona Diamondbacks)
9) Aaron Crow (Kansas City Royals)
10) Brian Matusz (Baltimore Orioles)

Young is where its at when it comes to starting pitching.
Older experience starters are overpaid and with lingering injuries as arms tend to wear and tear.

Catcher
1) Joe mauer (Minnesota Twins)
2) Yasmani Grandal (Cincinnati Reds)
3) Matt Weiters (Baltimore orioles)
4) Justin O'Connor (Tampa Bay Rays)
5) Kellin Deglan (Texas Rangers)

A lot of good young catchers coming up.

First Base
1) Justin Smoak (Seattle Mariners)
2) Joey Votto (Cincinnat Reds)
3) Miguel Cabrera (Florida Marlins)
4) Adrian Gonzales (San Diego Padres
5) James Loney (LA Dodgers)

I'm sure a lot of people would ask where is albert pujols, Ryan howard and Prince Fielder?
You gotta go young, and consider all things when ranking the value/ability/age/cost of a player.
Billy Butler would probably be ranked 6th or 7th.
A lot of teams sacrifice their future for a pennant run.
A great example can be seen in this latest Texas Rangers/Seattle Mariners trade, where texas got starting pitcher Cliff lee and gave up Justin Smoak and then some. The Mariners obviously need his power... but overall, when you look back at the trade in a year or two, you'll see that Seattle, by far, won in that trade.

2nd Base
1) Chase Utley (Philadelphia Phillies)
2) Brandon Phillips (Cincinnati Reds)
3) Robinson cano (NY Yankees)
4) Ian Kinsler (Texas Rangers)
5) Kolbren Virtek (Boston Red Sox)

these 2nd basemen are rare in a day of mediocre 2nd basemen.

3rd base
1) Evan Longoria (Tampa Bay Rays)
2) Pedro Alvarez (Pittsburgh Pirates)
3) Ryan Zimmerman (Washington Nationals)
4) Zach Cox (St.Louis Cardinals)
5) Pablo Sandoval (San Fransisco Giants)

These are some serious bats!
Alex is not in the top 10 with all things considered

Short Stop
1) Tim Beckham (Tampa Bay Rays)
2) Manny Machado (Baltimore Orioles)
3) Troy Tulowitzki (Colorado Rockies)
4) Elvis Andrus (Texas Rangers)
5) Eric Aybar (Anaheim Angels)

Hanley Ramirez could have just as easily been placed in 1st place here, but an owner would go with these players for various reasons.

Outfield
1) Jason Heyward (Atlanta Braves)
2) Bryce Harper (Washington Nationals)
3) Carl Crawford (Tampa Bay Rays)
4) Ryan Braun (Milwakee Brewers)
5) Austin Jackson (Detroit Tigers)
6) Donovan Tate (San Diego Padres)
7) Jacoby Ellsbury (Boston red Sox)
8) Jay Bruce (Cincinnati Reds)
9) BJ Upton (Tampa Bay Rays)
10) Justin Upton (Arizona Cardinals)

You could argue with conviction about a lot of players not in this list.

Pitching - Relief
1) Johny Venters (Atlanta Braves)
2) Tyler Clippard (Washinton Nationals)
3) Daniel Bard (Boston Red Sox)

There are a lot of young relief pitchers that i've yet to mention, but you gotta understand that pitchers at a young age, often alter their careers based on the needs of the team they play for (Starters, relievers,closers)

Pitching - Closer
1) Jonathon Broxton (LA Dodgers)
2) Joakim Soria (Kansas City Royals)
3) Leo Nunez (Florida Marlins)

You still go young here, but a little experience is a must.
These are the most dominant young closers in the game at the moment.

To put all on one list for you, I'll go with the top 25 coveted players in Major League Baseball
(According to W.HI.P)

1) Evan Longoria 3rd base Tampa Bay Rays
Still only 24 years old, coming off a 100 run, 33 homer run, 113 RBI season.
His batting average is up to .300 this season and he has started stealing bases (13)
On the defencive side, there is no 3rd baseman close to being as good as Evan.
This is the most coveted players in baseball!

2) Jason Heyward Out Field Atlanta Braves
Jason's swing is as fast as a swing can be, and his power is evident.
Although only 20 years old, he's a very patient hitter, walking already 42 times in his first season.
Heyward's gonna be around for a very long time, so get used to him.

3) Joe Mauer Catcher Minnesota Twins
Even though this guy is 27, he remains the tiger woods of catchers.
He holds a career .323 batting average, coming off a remarkable .365 batting average season.
He's probably one the favorite catchers to throw to.
One could argue that he is the most coveted asset in the game.

4) Jonathon Broxton Closer LA Dodgers
This 26 year old, is the best pitcher in the game.
He's a closer, so he dosent' have to stay out there, but while he's up on the mound, he is the most dominating of them all.
Since pitching in the major leagues, he has 475 strike-outs in 355 innings,
Without argument, he is the best closer in the game.

5) Stephen Strasburg Starting Pitcher Washington Nationals
When this 21 year old takes the mound, everyone watches.
He's the most watched starting pitcher since he joined the major leagues, and he has not disapointed.
2.32 era, 1.01 whip, and 61 k's in 42.2 innings pitched.
Whats most remarkable about his pitch is its movement.
Strasburg has surpassed Lincecum as the #1 Starter in the game

6) Bryce Harper Outfield Washington Nationals
This is the youngest player on this list (17).
Although little has been seen from him, he is probably, the most coveted player in baseball.

7) Carl Crawford Outfield Tampa Bay Rays
This is one of my favorite players in baseball.
He's an all rounder with speed, power, fielding, and an overall perfection in all aspects of his game.
he's batting .321! He led all players in stolen bases with 60!
He's looking to better that as he has 31 half way through this season.

8) Tim Lincecum Starting Pitcher San Fransisco Giants
This 26 year old is a strike-out artist.
He has 807 strikouts in 715 innings pitched since joining the major leagues.
He's got a 2.94 era and a 1.17 whip.
His pitches have great movement, and his style of throwing is awesome.

9) Ryan Braun Outfield Milwakee Brewers
I'm not a fan of Braun, but i can't not put him in this list.
He's 26 years old, and is one of the abolute elite bats in the game.
He's got a career 305 batting average, and has 106 homeruns so far.

10) Joakim Soria Closer Kansas City Royals
One of the dominating pitchers in the game.
26 years old, with a career 2.13 era and 0.9 whip.
He records more than a strikout per inning

11) Tim Beckham Short Stop Tampa Bay Rays
Now here's a guy i'd want on my team!
This 20 year old is one of the best short stops i've seen play.
He's got speed, power, and elite fielding ability.
He's yet to join this world series rays team, but all eyes will be on him when he makes his anticipate debut!

12) Pedro Alvarez 3rd base Pittsburgh Pirates
This 23 year old has amazing abilities!
He just needs a little time in the major leagues to find his proper powerfull swing.
One may argue that Zimmerman would be a better option at 3rd base,
but I'd go with this guy who seems to have greater potential.

13) Manny Machado Short Stop Baltimore Orioles
This 18 year old is about as good as a prospect can get.
He's an all round player... should make his debut in the majors at 20 years old.
Watch out for this guy!

14) David Price Starting Pitcher Tampa Bay Rays
I've been talking about this guy for the past couple years.
He's 24 now, having the season of his life.
He's 12-4 with a 2.42 era this season!

15) Ryan Zimmerman 3rd base Washington Nationals
Ryan makes it 3 nationals in the top 15.
I suppose we should be seeing Washington in a pennant race in the next couple years?
Ryan is a .300 hitter over 100 run and 100 rbis, 33 homerun kinda guy.
He's 25, and a rare, good 3rd baseman.

16) Troy Tulowitzki Short Stop Colorado Rockies
Just like Ryan above, he's also a .300, 100 run/rbi 33 homerun kinda guy.
He's also 25.

17) Aroldis Chapman Pitcher Cincinnati Reds
At 21, he's about to make his major league debut with the reds.
Aroldis is clearly a starter, however, due to the multiple starters that the reds have, he may just start his career in the pen.
In time, he will get in the reds rotation.
His start is highly anticipated, and my bet is that he will not disapoint!

18) Austin Jackson Outfield Detroit Tigers
This 23 year old has a .300 batting average in his debut year for the detroit tigers.
He's the tigers lead-off man this season, doing a good job in center field.
Jackson has respectable speed.

19) Johny Venters Relief Pitcher Cincinnati Reds
Johny made his debut this year at 25, but he's been amazing!
He's got a 3-0 record with a save and a 1.30 era and a 1.10 whip.

20) Justin Smoak 1st base Seattle Mariners
He just made his debut in the majors at 23.
There's no doubt he's got power, he's just struggled a little bit so far, facing these major league starters.
I like what i've seen so far from this guy.....give him some time.

21) Elvis Andrus Shortstop Texas Rangers
At 21, this guy is ready for the majors!
He's fast, with fielding ability, and he's not afraid to swing the bat, recording 92 hits in 84 games this year.

22) Joey Votto 1st base Cincinnati Reds
One of the absolute elite 1st basemen in the majors.
At 26, he's got a .311 career batting average.

23) Tyler Clippard Relief pitcher Washington Nationals
I've been watching 25 year old Clippard over the past couple years.
If this guy ever sorts out some of the control issues that he has, he'll be lights out!

24) Donovan Tate Outfield San Diego padres
What an athlete this 19 year old is!
Top of the line. he can do anything!
It might be a year or two before we get to see him in the majors, but i'll be watching!

25) Drew Pomeranz Starting Pitcher Clevland Indians
Pomeranz is a 21 year old left handed pitcher.
I've seen him a couple times, and i can tell you that he's more than worthy of being on this list.
I highly await his major league debut!

When you see me giving long term betting tips, make the bets.
These two above that i gave now have a different value

Atlanta Braves vs Tampa Bay Rays = 9/1
Atlanta Braves vs Chicago White Sox = 40/1

Heading towards the last stretch of the season, these are the standings two thirds into it.
Highlighted in Green are my pre-season picks

AL East
1)New york Yankees --
2)Tampa bay Rays -1.5
3)Boston Red Sox -6
4)Toronto Blue Jays -10
5)Baltimore Orioles -31.5

Nothing has changed here at all, 2nd place will clearly be the wild-card.
The Red-sox are plagued with injuries as their best bat is out for the season.
The jays condemn themselves more by neglecting to draft.....again.
The orioles on the other hand, find themselves in a very interesting position as they're in a race for the #1 pick!

AL Central
1)Chicago White Sox --
2)Minnesota Twins --
3)Detroit Tigers -9
4)Kansas City Royals -16
5)Clevland Indians -16

Nice little battle here between the sox and the Twins.
The white sox have the clear edge here, as Morneau is injured for Minnesota.
The Tigers have fallen from contention as anticipated.
Things are not quite as bad as they look in Kansas and Clevland....the future looks a little brighter with some of the moves that were made, especially in Clevland.

AL West
1)Texas Rangers --
2)Oakland A's -8
3)LA Angels -8.5
4)Seattle Mariners -22

The A's have picked it up a little bit of late, and look pretty good, despite their weaker bats.
i would not be suprised if the A's pitching made this division a race by the end of the season.
The Rangers usually slow down in the hot months.


NL East
1)Atlanta Braves --
2)Philadelphia Phillies -1
3)New York Mets -8.5
4)Florida marlins -9
5)Washington Nationals -15

The Braves are remarkable.
I know i projected them to win the national league, but i must say that i'm more optimistic now.
Prado's on his way back to the top of the line-up as we speak, and all aspects of pitching are elite at this time.
The phillies find themselves, despite some late form, in a very tough predicament, as both Utley and Howard face health issues.
The Bullpen remains a reference to the weakest in the league.
The Mets are falling, while the Marlins are probably leaving it a little too late to make a run.
Lets see how fast things can change in baseball, as i project the nationals on top of this division by 2013.

NL Central
1)Cincinnati Reds --
2)St.Louis Cardinals -1
3)Milwakee Brewers -11
4)Houston Astros -15
5)Chicago Cubs -16
6)Pittsburgh pirates -24

This remains a two horse race.
Experts are NOW jumping on the Reds band-wagon.
It will be interesting to watch how this evolves.
The reds all round play vs the cardinals elite starters and weak bats.
I still give the edge to the Reds.
Out of the rest of the teams in this division, the Pirates look to be contending by 2012

NL West
1)San Diego Padres --
2)San Fransisco Giants -2
3)Colorado Rockies -6.5
4)LA Dodgers -7
5)Arizona Diamondbacks -21.5

Huge leap from the Giants, as Lincecum and Cain find their form.
The Padres should be caught here, I can't contemplate them winning this division.
I expect the rockies or the dodgers to be close to the giants before the end of the season, making this a 3 horse race.

So, ever went to a baseball game and a hockey game broke out?

Anybody see Joey Votto get thrown out of the game for...WHAT? He may have said something about the crappy call, but in baseball I believe you are allowed to mention your disagreement to the umpire, as long as you're not totally calling him out and showing him up.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?...=.jsp&c_id=mlb

I don't think it was a strike either, but regardless, he must have said something reallllllyyyy snarky to the ump to get thrown from the game. What do you see?

In contrast, here is a story about a mistaken call, responsibility, and sportsmanship:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/...SectionsArea.5

The Votto call is probably cause he said something nasty, or cause the ump is a cardinals fan, or simply cause votto's canadian.

Now the gallaraga one is a whole different story.
There are countless close calls at first base that always end up being called out...this is done so that the game speeds up.
They call them out even when they're evidently safe.
..so this 9th inning no-hitter breaker was totaly unnacceptable.
He's out by a mile!
Not one person can excuse that call.
if it had been close, or even slightly safe, no one would have said anything if he had called him out, based on the calls that are made in the majors, and under the circumstance.
it was a heist.

Twins!
I love this team. So solid and strong with Gardy leading the way. And what a farm. Danny Valencia? huh? ya hunh.
Ready for the post season. Gorgeous new park. It feels good. Just need Morneau back and hungry.

New park? They've left the big marshmellow with the trash bags in the outfield? That's a good move!

I had good years in the metrodome, but I tell ya, Target field is so well done and fun. Not a bad seat, each section has its character...
But for me, best feature: The organist Sue Nelson plays this vintage 60s keyboard--like right out of your grandma's front room. She plays it in the upperdeck pub- where the good beer is anyway. Shh. you can get a cheap ticket then find a great standing pub view right by the organist behind home plate-- that's going to be prime real estate during the playoffs.

And this one belongs to the Reds!

NL Central Title!

I don't follow baseball much these days, but that clip gives me a fond remembrance of The Big Red Machine. I was pretty young, but I remember even one of the nuns in elementary school took us to a room with a TV to watch the "Redlegs."

My younger brother and his wife and little girls are really ecstatic, as each one of them has a crush on Votto. ;)

You called it, W.HI.P.!

Oh thank you Shawnee!
The Reds have as good of a chance of making the world series, as any of the other teams in the national league.
Votto is top of the line!

I've also got the league leading Rays from the American league.
Also the Braves are pretty close to making it!

This early call is probable
Atlanta Braves vs Tampa Bay Rays = 110/1
and i have a LOT of money on it!

Don't discount those Phillies yet W.HI.P - They got three starters who are HOT HOT HOT right now and their bats have been alive lately.

Alright, Play-offs!

Philadelphia Phillies vs Cincinnati Reds
This will be an interesting series, the Reds are clearly the superior team with all things considered....
Reds in 6

San Fransisco Giants vs Atlanta Braves
Excellent match-up!
The Braves bats are the difference here.
Braves in 7


Tampa Bay Rays vs Texas Rangers
The Best team in baseball against a team that's lucky to be here.
Lucky in the sense that their main challenge in the division was coming from a no-name A's team.
Rays in 4

Minnesota Twins vs NY Yankees
This is up in the air.
If everyone stays healthy,
Twins in 7

Kick some Philly butt, Cincy! :)

Now, where can I bet a buck or two? ;)

on the lottery.....?

According to my brother (who has tickets but no high hopes for the playoffs) the odds would be better.

The Phillies will win the World Series.

There's no chance of that happening.
Phillie looks like the weakest link in the National League.
Texas is clearly the weakest link in the American League

Halladay pitches the first play-off no-hitter in 56 years:cheerldr:

you shouldn't be speaking too soon.
And Phillie play their next 4 games without him.
Against a team that clearly has superior bats.
A superior bullpen. and hello! a superior closer.

As far as the Rays first game is concerned, i wasn't aware that cliff lee's boyfriend was umping the game

Phillies off to an awesome postseason start. If the Twins can't get passed the damn Yankees again, I'm all for Philly.

Hey, YEAH! ;)

Perhaps, but thats why they play the games... For today the Phillies are up
1-0 and Halladay pitched history last night. First no-no in over 50 years. Suck it up. The series is FAR from over, I know that. But this is the fun part. My team's up and yours isn't nanny nanny boo boo :raspberry:

Now about those Eagles..... :greenface

classicman, this what you're not getting.
I called the reds from the start of the season, while they were HEAVY underdogs.
I've already won ...this is all just bonus.

you jump in at the end, on the favorite, well, that's just being part of the herd.

the Eagles are superior to the cowboys, but inferior to the redskins.
As a fan, i hope for as many losses as possible.

I got all that and follow your posts and predictions. Good for you.You are incorrect, This is what you are not getting -
I'm a lifelong hometown fan and my team won.
I get to crow till the next game. Thats all.
:cheerldr: GO PHILLIES. :cheerldr:

I admitted I don't follow baseball much these days, but I know what you mean. The Reds will always have a special place in my sports heart. You probably went to games as a kid, like I did (though not from Cincy we're close enough we went to games.) I hope I get to crow a little bit too!

Cincy fans will probably be able to crow after the next game.
For a team like that to get ZERO hits... law of averages and all...
but till then...
http://www.fiint.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/110.jpg

Lights OUT baby... Take a seat and have a hot dog...

:cool:

Yabbut, yummmmmm:

:lol:

Puh!
Wait till shel or spexxie post pics of all the hot Phillies players.

Baseball players have the best butts. I guess that it doesn't matter which team they play for. :lol:

Why, are you horny?

:D

Hahahhaaaa!

Ohhh yeahhhhh Who's laughing now?

Phillies 7, Reds 4
Phillies Take 2-0 Series Lead Over the Reds
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/...ticleLarge.jpg

What a crazy game.

Well crap! :mad2:

;)

Sometimes, it's not about who is better, it's about who is not worse. A big thanks to the Reds for a Phillies win!

BTW, what's with Utley's 2 throwing errors? Didn't he do that last year, too?

Hopefully he got them out of the way early in the postseason.

Congrats Phillies!

Stoopid Reds. In honor of their horrible playing, and in deference to my Philly friends, I'm going to hope for the Phillies to go all the way.

thanks Shaw...
Phillies sweep Reds out of playoffs
http://media.philly.com/images/101110-400-phil.jpg

Yanks over Rangers
 

“During that inning, I was kind of incredulous,” O’Day said. “For all of us to have that kind of night, the same night, was an aberration.”

See that there is yer problem, no self-respecting ball player would be lining up them 10 dollar werds that way.

It works, Griff, if you'll just imagine some chaw-spittin' and crotch-grabbin' amidst those werds.

:lol:

Phillies stayed in!

Whew - They got one foot in the grave and are tryin' to pull it out. We'll see what happens when they get home.

WORLD SERIES!
Its been a long time since we had a New York vs New York final, but here we are!

New York Giants vs New York Rangers

The New York Giants have to be considered the favorites here.
Eli Manning has come a long way, winning a superbowl, and adapting to various wide receivers.
The defense remains elite, holding the same pass rush defense mentality as they did when they won the superbowl.
The New York Rangers are clearly the underdog here.
With Marion Gaborik and his line-mate Prospal injured, scoring will be tough, so they'll have to rely on defense, which is not the rangers strong point.
The one little hope that the rangers have of winning the world series this year, is their superstar goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who is clearly elite.

Giants in 6

Uh, back away from the crack pipe. :rolleyes:

why, and ummm, how did you know?