Clearing The Bases - NL Predictions
Clearing The Bases – NL Predictions
By George Kurtz, The Fantasy Sports Forum.com
East
New York Mets
With the addition of Johan Santana, the Mets have to be considered the favorite to not only win the East, but to represent the National League in the World Series. Their offense is every bit as good as any other in the NL. And while their pitching may not match their offense, it’s certainly equal to if not better than any of their division opponents..
Atlanta Braves
This could be the Braves year after a couple of off-seasons, but I have a hard time seeing them beating the Mets with Tom Glavine and Mike Hampton in the rotation. Not to mention, John Smoltz is already missing his first start. They should be able to score plenty of runs with that lineup, however.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phils just don’t have the pitching. After Brett Myers and Cole Hamels, what do you have left? They can hit, and they will mash, but pitching is what wins you games, and the Phils don’t have it.
Washington Nationals
Washington opened up their beautiful new stadium. Good to see the fans support their Nats. They are still a few years away from serious contention, but they won’t be a terrible team. What’s the over/under on when Nick Johnson gets hurt?
Florida Marlins
What can you say about the Marlins? How about, good luck on getting that new ballpark.
Central
Chicago Cubs
Could this be the Cubbies year? I think so. They have quality pitching and quality hitting all around. They are built to win now. Sure they have questions at the back of their rotation, but who doesn’t in the Central. Key part for Chicago is Kerry Wood; if he can hand the closer role, leaving Carlos Marmol to handle the 8th, the Cubs could shut down opposing teams to close out their games.
Milwaukee Brewers
Wouldn’t blame anyone for picking the Brew Crew to finish first. Both teams are very similar. Once again Milwaukee needs Eric Gagne to be able to close out games. He certainly didn’t impress anyone on with his first chance.
Cincinnati Reds
The pitching is starting to show up for the Reds, and while it won’t be this season, they’re certainly headed in the right direction.
Houston Astros
The Astros can hit, but after Roy Oswalt, what is left in that rotation? It looks like it should be rebuilding time, but Carlos Lee, Miguel Tejada and Lance Berkman will keep them in many games.
St. Louis Cardinals
The Cards were well aware this would be a trying season for them. That’s one of the reasons why it was a bit of a surprise that Tony LaRussa signed on once again to manage the team. Not to mention, everyone is waiting for the elbow of Albert Pujols to explode.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Beautiful stadium, terrible team. They have been in the decade long rebuilding project, and it may be another decade before they are good again.
West
Arizona Diamondbacks
This is the best division in baseball, and you can make an argument for any of the top four teams to finish first. Arizona seems to be the most well rounded. They’re top two pitchers of Brandon Webb and Dan Haren will make life miserable for opposing hitters. They have an impressive array of young hitters. If Brandon Lyon fails at the closers role, Tony Pena is ready to step in.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Joe Torre couldn’t have stepped in to a much better situation. The Dodgers are loaded with young talent in both pitching and hitting. It seems that Torre has put faith in his young outfielders, Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp, which is a change from his days of favoring veterans. I believe the Dodgers are a year away from a division title.
Colorado Rockies
Yeah they won 22 in a row at the end of last season and went to the World Series; let’s see them perform that way over an entire season. I’m just not a big fan of the starting pitching, and the division is a beast.
San Diego Padres
Just not enough hitting in San Diego. Where are the runs going to come from? Once again, someone has to finish fourth in this division; the fathers are a good team, just not good enough.
San Francisco Giants
Hmmmmmmm. When Benji Molina is your cleanup hitter, enough said. Giant fans can look forward to the number once pick in the 2009 entry draft.
Wild Card Winner: Brewers
Pennant Winner: Mets
To post a comment on this article and see it here, CLICK HERE.
By George Kurtz, The Fantasy Sports Forum.com
East
New York Mets
With the addition of Johan Santana, the Mets have to be considered the favorite to not only win the East, but to represent the National League in the World Series. Their offense is every bit as good as any other in the NL. And while their pitching may not match their offense, it’s certainly equal to if not better than any of their division opponents..
Atlanta Braves
This could be the Braves year after a couple of off-seasons, but I have a hard time seeing them beating the Mets with Tom Glavine and Mike Hampton in the rotation. Not to mention, John Smoltz is already missing his first start. They should be able to score plenty of runs with that lineup, however.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phils just don’t have the pitching. After Brett Myers and Cole Hamels, what do you have left? They can hit, and they will mash, but pitching is what wins you games, and the Phils don’t have it.
Washington Nationals
Washington opened up their beautiful new stadium. Good to see the fans support their Nats. They are still a few years away from serious contention, but they won’t be a terrible team. What’s the over/under on when Nick Johnson gets hurt?
Florida Marlins
What can you say about the Marlins? How about, good luck on getting that new ballpark.
Central
Chicago Cubs
Could this be the Cubbies year? I think so. They have quality pitching and quality hitting all around. They are built to win now. Sure they have questions at the back of their rotation, but who doesn’t in the Central. Key part for Chicago is Kerry Wood; if he can hand the closer role, leaving Carlos Marmol to handle the 8th, the Cubs could shut down opposing teams to close out their games.
Milwaukee Brewers
Wouldn’t blame anyone for picking the Brew Crew to finish first. Both teams are very similar. Once again Milwaukee needs Eric Gagne to be able to close out games. He certainly didn’t impress anyone on with his first chance.
Cincinnati Reds
The pitching is starting to show up for the Reds, and while it won’t be this season, they’re certainly headed in the right direction.
Houston Astros
The Astros can hit, but after Roy Oswalt, what is left in that rotation? It looks like it should be rebuilding time, but Carlos Lee, Miguel Tejada and Lance Berkman will keep them in many games.
St. Louis Cardinals
The Cards were well aware this would be a trying season for them. That’s one of the reasons why it was a bit of a surprise that Tony LaRussa signed on once again to manage the team. Not to mention, everyone is waiting for the elbow of Albert Pujols to explode.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Beautiful stadium, terrible team. They have been in the decade long rebuilding project, and it may be another decade before they are good again.
West
Arizona Diamondbacks
This is the best division in baseball, and you can make an argument for any of the top four teams to finish first. Arizona seems to be the most well rounded. They’re top two pitchers of Brandon Webb and Dan Haren will make life miserable for opposing hitters. They have an impressive array of young hitters. If Brandon Lyon fails at the closers role, Tony Pena is ready to step in.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Joe Torre couldn’t have stepped in to a much better situation. The Dodgers are loaded with young talent in both pitching and hitting. It seems that Torre has put faith in his young outfielders, Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp, which is a change from his days of favoring veterans. I believe the Dodgers are a year away from a division title.
Colorado Rockies
Yeah they won 22 in a row at the end of last season and went to the World Series; let’s see them perform that way over an entire season. I’m just not a big fan of the starting pitching, and the division is a beast.
San Diego Padres
Just not enough hitting in San Diego. Where are the runs going to come from? Once again, someone has to finish fourth in this division; the fathers are a good team, just not good enough.
San Francisco Giants
Hmmmmmmm. When Benji Molina is your cleanup hitter, enough said. Giant fans can look forward to the number once pick in the 2009 entry draft.
Wild Card Winner: Brewers
Pennant Winner: Mets
To post a comment on this article and see it here, CLICK HERE.
posted by The Fantasy Sports Forum at
Friday, April 04, 2008
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