ISSUE #1 (Week One part 1)

Week One part 1

(March 31^st – April 3^rd)

“Whew! It’s Opening Weekend”

New York Mets

(0 – 0)

                Game 1:  Mets @ Marlins on Friday April 1^st at 7:10pm

                         Mike Pelfery (15-9  3.66ERA) vs. Josh Johnson (11-6  2.30ERA)

            Game 2:  Mets @ Marlins on Saturday April 2^nd at 7:10pm

                         J. Niese (9-10  4.20ERA) vs. Javier Vazquez (10-10  5.32ERA)

            Game 3:  Mets @ Marlins on Sunday April 3^rd at 1:10pm

                         R.A. Dickey (11-9  2.84ERA) vs. Rickey Nolasco (14-9  4.51ERA)

                                    Projected Lineups

           METS                                             MARLINS

1.      Jose Reyes SS                                      1.  Chris Coghlan CF

2.      Angel Pegan CF                                   2.  Omar Infante 2B

3.      David Wright 3B                                 3.  Hanley Ramirez SS

4.      Carlos Beltran RF                                4.  Mike Stanton RF

5.      Jason Bay LF                                       5.  Gaby Sanchez 1B

6.      Ike Davis 1B                                        6.  Logan Morrison LF

7.      Josh Thole C                                       7.  John Buck C

8.      Brad Emaus 2B                                   8. Matt Dominguez 3B

Beltran could be ready to play, if not it really won’t surprise any Met fan at the start off the season.  One trend here, by looking at the predicted starting pitchers and lineups of both teams, I feel the Mets will continuously look much better on offense then their pitching match-ups throughout the season.   

Game One will be tough for the Mets to get base runners at a regular because not only is Josh Johnson a force on the mound, but he plays real well against the Amazin’s posting a (7 – 1 record with a 2.74 ERA) lifetime against the Mets.  With that said he is also use to going up against Johan Santana the past couple of years, but no no no my friend…Big Pelf is the Mets stand-in #1 this year.

Game Two will be very interesting to see if Javier Vazquez can bounce back from an up and down, but mostly down season with the team across the bridge.  He was lights out for Atlanta two years ago, but can and will give up home runs if he gives up anything at all.  It’ll be like a two for one deal, get a hit and add a run all at the same time.  Mr. Niese will have some proving to do this year being a part of the five man rotation from the beginning and a good start will obviously hold off any question marks to be blurted out so early in the season.

Game Three might be the best match-up of all three games.  Dickey vs. Ricky, oh I had to say it.  Of course, this dynamic of a hilarious matchup will change if Terry Collins decides to put R.A. Dickey in the 2 spot of the rotation, but let’s all hope not…oh and if this pitching match-up does occur and Keith Hernandez doesn’t have fun with Dickey verses Ricky from the SNY booth I’ll be utterly disappointed.  Mets have the upper hand here if R.A. is for real and not just blowing smoke up every New Yorkers ass.     

I think the Mets will have a tough time in game one against Johnson, especially if they go quietly in the first few innings.  Josh is not known for going well over 100 pitches a game and the fact that its game one I’ll bet the pitch count is stricter than strict.  Pelfery is going to struggle and it doesn’t look good after day one.  However, the Mets offense will greet 2011 in games 2 and 3 by putting up some runs and most importantly letting Terry Collins round out and straighten out the batting order.  There is a ton of talent in the Mets lineup they just need to be patient, hit line drives and master the “small ball” aspect of the game.  Step one: get their first traveling series win over quickly facing a Florida team who has a weaker lineup and an over-all mediocre young looking club.  It’s always important to start the season out on the right foot because the Mets will be flying to Philadelphia for a four game series starting on Tuesday and as we all know the opposing pitching will only get tougher.

(2 – 1 after the three game series in Florida)

______________________________________________________________________________

New York Yankees

(0 -0)

       Game 1:  Tigers @ Yankees on Thursday March 31^st at 1:00pm

                  Justin Verlander (18-9  3.37ERA) vs. C.C. Sabathia (21-7  3.18ERA)

       Game 2:  Tigers @ Yankees on Saturday April 2^nd at 4:10pm

                  Max Scherzer (12-11  3.50ERA) vs. A.J. Burnett (10-15  5.26ERA)

      Game 3:  Tigers @ Yankees on Sunday April 3^rd at 1:10pm

            B. Penny (3-4  3.23ERA)/Rick Porcello (10-12  4.92ERA) vs. Phil Hughes (18-8  4.19ERA)

Projected Lineups

          TIGERS                                            YANKEES

1.      Austin Jackson CF                                 1.  Brett Gardner LF/CF

2.      Ryan Raburn LF                                     2.  Derek Jeter SS

3.      Magglio Ordonez RF                             3.  Mark Teixeria 1B

4.      Miguel Cabrera 1B                               4.  Alex Rodriguez 3B

5.      Victor Martinez DH                               5.  Robinson Cano 2B

6.      Jhonny Peralta SS                                  6.  Nick Swisher RF

7.      Will Rhymes/Scott Sizemore 2B            7.  Jorge Posada DH

8.      Brandon Inge 3B                                   8.  Curtis Granderson CF (A. Jones)

9.      Alex Avila C                                           9.  Russell Martin C

Can anyone really look at this Yankee lineup and tell me where the hole is?  It’s an absolutely ridiculous top to bottom order of danger at every at bat.  Regardless of what Yankee comes out of the dugout, doing the usual slow walk up to the batter’s box, there is the potential of the opposing starter having immediate problems in the inning.  All you heard in the off season in the New York area was Bernie Madoff when gossiping about the Mets and oh woe-is-me in the pitching situation for the Yankees.  Well, let’s sit back, look up a few lines on this computer screen and go over the Bronx Bombers batters 1 thru 9 again…do it…I’ll wait…

Now, where do you see worry?  This team will be an offensive powerhouse eighty percent of the time, leaving in a few spoiled moments for your yearly draught/slump from players here or there. It’s a long season and shit happens.  To have the Grandy-man batting 8^th (hopefully if feeling healthy) with power and speed and have Russell Martin as your 9^th batter is unheard of.  We seem to forget Martin was batting in the 3^rd or 6th slot for most of his time in LA and won a Silver Slugger award during that stint in Hollywood.  I mean just look at the bottom four for Detroit.  Apples and oranges my friends…apples and oranges.  Plus to be quite honest, I like the top three in the Yankees rotation, I’ve said it before.

Game One will be a fantastic season opener for Yankee fans and ESPN.  Two big teams with plenty of playoff potential, multiple on each squad and a pitching matchup that should make you feel the intensity like its August instead of April…well March really.  The only problem is that C.C. is known to have a bit of a slow start and I hope that doesn’t dwindle any spirits in the stands at the home opener in the Bronx.

Game Two has another good matchup in my eyes with the young strikeout pitcher Max Scherzer going for Detroit and "the return” of A.J. Burnett.  I placed quotations around (the return) because I think he will pitch much better than his disastrous 2010 campaign.  He will gain four more victories at the least and I think Yankee fans will enjoy a 14 win season.  Just do yourself a favor while you’re watching him Saturday and you see A.J. getting a little wild and lose around the strike zone early in the game stare at your TV and repeat…settle down big boy…find your happy place…like a tattoo artist’s chair.  And he’ll be all right.

Game Three should be Phil Hughes’ game to win or lose.  Not to put down whoever starts for Detroit whether it is Penny or Porcello, but it’s game three…a Sunday afternoon and the beginning of Phil’s walk into Yankees history.  I think he’ll be here for a while.  He was real reputable last year in his first full year.  Yeah, he slowed down towards the end of the season, but that’s expected from any one pitching over 176 innings for the first time in his career.  He’s fresh, he’s healthy, his ball moves a ton no matter what pitch he throws and I think he improves mightily in 2011 while gaining more experience.  The only bashing I can make for this guy is that the game is in Yankee Stadium where he went (11 – 4 record with a 4.66 ERA) last season.  (Really not as bad as all the papers made it sound last year.)  Two responses to that…Detroit will put up runs, it’s just how many?  And two, the past is the past…possibly.

I see the Yankees trying to kick start the AL East race with a bang out of the box.  If that offense begins to roll and the fans spit there love early and beastly to let the multi-million dollar players know that this needs to be a better year than last year (as the Bleacher Creatures always do) then I see nothing but good things this opening weekend.  I would like to give the Yankees all three because I really feel a blunt-type start from them sending a message to Boston quickly, but to be safe I give one game to Miguel,…I mean Leyland, oh damn…Detroit.

(2 -1 after the home opener series)

TRADE UPDATE:  The Yankees traded Sergio Mitre to Milwaukee for Chris Dickerson, leaving an open spot in the Yankee’s bullpen.  Bartolo Colon will now start the season in the bullpen and Freddy Garcia will win that #5 spot in the rotation like the Doctor prescribed.

Living in a Fantasy 1-2-3:

-          Who (will) kill it?  NL - 1. Obviously, Albert Pujols is the definition of this category and will be seen here quite a bit throughout the season.   2. Roy Halladay is of course a two start pitcher this week and as of March 22 he’s posted a 0.45 ERA in spring training.  3.  Jason Hayward started off his rookie season by showing the country the “pop” on his bat was no farce writing by journalists vacationing at spring training last season…he will now open up his sophomore season with more.  AL - 1.  Alex Rodriguez, which if he turns into a major bust this year I’m considering myself a failure, so Go Get’um A-Rod! Everyone, including myself said he had a quiet year last year mainly focusing in on his lower than normal .270 AVG which in the long run is not too shabby.  He also posted 30HRs and 125 RBI’s, come to think of it not too quiet Alex just not Babe Ruth enough I guess.  2.  Jon Lester is another two start pitcher in this gigantic first week of baseball and anytime this guy is pitching there are people striking out.  3.  I had to give the third slot to Manny Ramirez/Jake Peavy.  Manny will do big things in a quiet town because pitchers will still walk him before throwing strikes.  Manny knows how to make contact and everyone seemed to forget about him on draft day because of his DH status.  Jake Peavy was another forgotten soul on Draft day until the late, late rounds because of his problems with injury.  Understandable from any perspective.  This year he should be a solid #3 starter over in Chi-town and if he makes his scheduled starts opening week I think the numbers will be worthy.  

-          Who (will) thrill it?   AL – If last year has any indication on this year I was told by a colleague that Oakland A’s manager Bob Geren reveres the way of speedsters on the base paths...or is Billy Bean the one who finally said to start running.  The A’s should aggressively scurry around the base path constantly keeping the opposing defense in Seattle on their toes.  Coco Crisp could be a boneafied sleeper and Cliff Pennington is quick.  As situation has it these young guys need to get on base frequently and have the want of the famous racecar driver Ricky Bobby…to wanna go fast.   NL - Let’s just do it, just to see how it goes…The Phillies will be playing the lowly Houston Astros on opening weekend at home and the new and improved starting 5 for that cracked bell city might shut them down completely.  To see Roy Halladay open the season then get a look at the new comer/former teammate Cliff Lee pitch on day two and have that followed by either Roy Oswalt or dare I say the best #4 starter in the majors right now Cole Hamels you got yourself some old-fashioned “must-see-TV” if you’re a baseball fan.

-          Who’s on Deck?   This section will work better when you see what players are starting to heat up on the horizon and ready to break out.  Be careful what you wish for, but the only thing on deck for me is tickets to a Houston/Mets game in April and my favorite headache a Pirate/Mets game in May.  Can’t afford the 35 dollar parking in the Bronx so I’ll just stay local and trek up the Grand Central Pkwy to witness first hand of how the Mets approach this season.  Parking at Citi Field I’m sure will be at least 20 bucks, but me and my lady tend to save money by bringing in our own hero sandwiches.  Plus I scored the two tickets on Stubhub for 70 bucks, 4 tickets two games…beat that Mr. Steinbrenner*.

Adam Hammer’s Loose Lips

-  “It looks like Bartolo Colon will win a spot in the Yankees rotation. And no, I'm not going to make a fat joke, that is way too low class. I'm going to make a lazy eye joke, here it is:

Bartolo Colon's eye is so lazy, if it were a person, it would be as fat as Bartolo Colon!”

-  “Unlike the police in the Jon Benet Ramsey case, we are about to close out Spring Training. The grueling 4 hour workouts, the agonizing 3PM tee times, tube after tube of sun screen, it's all coming to an end. Players will soon be flying to their first series, but not the Phillies. They will have to take ambulances back to Philly.”

Best Series you Missed – Obviously none yet my friends, unless you count the battle between my mind and my fingers as I wrote my silly-ass predictions last week.  Now that was a series of disasters.  It sure wasn’t a baseball series in the definition of a three or four game matchup, but I sure did battle with my thoughts.

Best Series for you to Catch – I won’t always provide you with two possible gems in the baseball world, but since there were no series last week to miss, I’ll start you out with two.

SERIES 1:  The 2010 World Champion S.F. Giants start out away this year.  Sad, but nonetheless makes their first series even more enticing to watch.  They travel to the city of angels to face the L.A. Dodgers.  This is a classic rivalry and great pitching matchups to start off a season with an extra game in it to make it a four game series.  What these two teams were going to do was play one game in SF (I guess to raise the banner and accept the rings) celebrate last season in front of their arch-nemesis’ and then travel down to LA for the rest of the three games.  I don’t know who decided that this idea was as well thought out as Kate Gosling’s idea of having a million children, dumping her sperm donor husband and then realizing she liked fame better then family all along.  So, as it should be all four games will be played in Dodger town and should be a solid opening series for viewers.  Probable for the Giants is Lincecum, Sanchez and Cain facing the Dodgers Kershaw, Billingsley and Lilly.

SERIES 2:  Staying in the National League another great division matchup is Cincinnati vs. Milwaukee.  Both teams have young talent and I picked both to be on top of the NL Central come late September.  The ball in known to fly out of Great American Ballpark repeatedly and both squads have power hitters that will put on a show and beef up their stats early in this three game series to open up 2011.  Braun, Fielder and Hart should smack a few, while reigning NL MVP Joey Votto will try and counter punch with Jay Bruce and Brandon Phillips as well.  The only thing missing from this series will be two good pitchers from each side in Johnny Cueto for the Reds most likely sitting out to soreness in his pitching arm and Zack Greinke on the Brew-Crew taking an early seat because of a slightly cracked rib.  Whatever that means… still with all that said the series should be electrifying with one team trying to make a statement early on.  First game is Thursday the 31^st with Yovani Gallardo probable for the start against I would think Edinson Volquez coming back for what hopes to be his first full year pitching since coming over from Texas in the Josh Hamilton trade a few years back.  They have an off day Friday night then back for two Saturday and Sunday with the likes of 17 game winner Bronson Arroyo and Travis Wood for Cincinnati taking on the newly acquired Shawn Marcum (if healthy) and Randy Wolf. 

And now for your reading pleasure…

***

The Future; According to the Late-Great George Carlin

-          “All people will speak the same language, but no one will speak it well”

NEXT WEEK

Monday April 4^th

(Week One part 2)

“Opening Week (the extended version)”

: Thank you all for lending your eyes and minds, and enjoy the first weekend of the 2011 baseball season.

Last Quip by Doctor KAS - “Gas prices will thrive this summer surpassing 4 bucks a gallon.  When can we stop caring about the hippies and far, far left-wing lunatics and start drilling in Alaska?  It’s safe, its local money, and oh wait…maybe it’ll help us leave the Middle East and the 3 wars we are currently fighting. The day will never exist when America starts caring about Americans first.”

Preseason Issue #3

 "Outside The Boroughs"

(Preseason Issue #3)

A look around the league,

So short and so sweet

NL Central

           

            Cincinnati’s youngsters need to stay calm and understand that what they did by winning 91 games last year was not a fluke.  Dusty Baker fell upon some solid players and should be able to ride the lucky train again, barring any foolish decisions he might make throughout the season.  This group of ballplayers defines the word "team" and should only gain confidence and chemistry because of last year’s run to the top of the NL Central.  If they can pitch as good and keep the production on offense all down the eight position player lineup they could gain five or so more victories to solidify a return to the postseason.  Not too hard to consider with last year’s NL MVP Joey Votto and a now seasoned Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce. The closer Francisco Cordero is a big question mark for me.  Age and his late season falter last year raised these questions, but I’m a firm believer of some team, any team for that matter to bring back the platoon-type closer role that teams like the Mets used in the 80’s.  (Like in Atlanta this year, why not use Kimbrel and Ventures on and off? One’s a righty and the others a lefty, but I guess contracts and money means more than making sense of it all and what is best for the team.)  I also have a tough time giving credit to Dusty Baker.  I honestly don’t know why or have any concrete reason behind these thoughts besides his duffle-bag of past failures. My trust in Baker just doesn’t exist.

            In early February I was going to give the NL central and even the NL Championship to the St. Louis Red Birds until Adam Weinwright went down.  Yes, a twenty game winner for two straight years is that important.  I thought with Carpenter, sophomore Jamie Garcia and the bats of Matt Holliday and Albert Pujols would be enough to carry this team to a big part of the promise land, but times have changed.  So in my crazy mind St. Louis went from NL Champs to missing the playoffs.  Lohse and Westbrook seem to be garbage men to me and now I’m having doubts about Carpenter getting though 200+ innings this year whether it is due to the injury bug or getting traded.  J. Garcia enters his possible sophomore slump, there are times when Holliday can’t hit, most of the lineup is unproven professionals and with all of these growing possibilities Pujols might cry.  

The team that will prevail from all of this banter and yacking is the Brewers.  With Braun, Fielder (contract year), Weeks, McGehee, Cory Hart and a sweet four man rotation it reminds me of  their payroll…on the up and up.  Now I do understand that Zack Greinke will miss the start of the season, but if they hold a tight grip slightly above .500 until his return they will be sailing on, in a no wake zone.  John Axford needs to have a rock-solid first full-time role as the closer, the chances will be plentiful.  The only big job manager Ron Roenicke has to fill is the #5 spot in the rotation and with the look of some prospects like Manny Parra, Frankie De La Cruz and Willy Peralta it seems like he has some options.  This organization and team seems to be all in this season.  The only quandary is they still might need to match something on the “river” card to solidify the playoff spot.  The Brew Crew will beat up on the Pirates (as always).  They should also take ten wins from the Astros, Cubs and Cards.  That’s at least forty wins within the division right there.  Split the matchups with Cincinnati and they’ll be halfway home.  The Brewers will fight in there last round with Prince Fielder.

            On to the basement dwellers…starring the Cubs, Pirates and Astros.  The Cubbies have bad luck it seems every year they take the field and this year especially the clubs players seem older then the franchise.  Matt Garza is a bit overrated, Carlos Pena needs to worry about his awful batting average and Kerry Wood’s return really means nothing.  A middle reliever doesn’t win Championships.  It helps to get you there, but not really a big deal.  These three will not lift the team up high enough to make a big enough splash. 

The Pirates, oh boy what can I say?  They have my heart, but my eyes have a tough time watching.  Hopefully the kids can play and win some games.  Pedro Alverez, Jose Tabata and Andrew McCutchen look to be fantastic, but when you give up 5+ runs a game and Paul Maholm is your #1 starter, well there’s not much you can say in the positive way.  Last year the team was last in the Majors with a 5.00 ERA.  The pitching is obviously ugly and if I have to hear anymore commentary on how beautiful PNC Park is I might choke myself out. 

Finally, the Houston Astros.  They seem to know how to play in the second half each year but with the five foot nothing Wandy Rodriguez as the projected #1 starter in the rotation they won’t be going anywhere.  They will play around in the basement of the NL Central testing out third basemen Chris Johnson and first baseman Brett Wallace to see what the future holds.   All of this will be in the background while Carlos Lee tries to make fans forget about his performance last season.  And he will.

NL CENTRAL

1.  Cincinnati Reds

2.  Milwaukee Brewers  (Wild Card) 

3.  St. Louis Cardinals

4.  Pittsburgh Pirates

5.  Chicago Cubs

6.  Houston Astros

AL Central

          This is a very competitive division minus the horrid squad in Cleveland.  First it was the Browns, then loosing LeBron for the Cavaliers and now, or should I say again with the Indians.  However, the top three teams are so interesting.  It will shape up to be a dogfight that we all can enjoy, with Michael Vick.  The Twins have been very competitive until they meet up with the Yankees in the playoffs every year under the great mind and control of Ronald Clyde "Gardy" Gardenhire.  A gloomy 2011 is here though, so all you Twin City maniacs get ready to be disappointed early.  With an already banged up Mauer, a head knocked Morneau, a recovering former top closer Joe Nathan, a DL stint regular Kevin Slowey and a pitching staff that flip-flops between good and bad like a U.S. politician… I can’t see them finishing better than the two other stacked teams in their division. 

            Detroit I like very much, in particular Jim Leyland and the way a man at his age can get the respect and the job done every year.  Mr. Leyland battles with a team filled with injuries during the season and finds ways to win, but just quite never enough.  The addition of Victor Martinez is huge.  Along with a healthy Magglio and hopefully a corrected Brandon Bosch to mirror the first half of last year the team should gain a few wins.  The bats in Detroit will and always do produce, a fact that can't be written-off.  A set back is in the pitching like so many other clubs.  Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer can top the rotation striking out the world and all who dare to come armed in the batter’s box wielding a bat, but who will pick up the slack in the three other games without them?  They will challenge, they will fight and Jim Leyland will have them ready for combat as the race in the AL Central starts at game one.



            The Chi-Town Sox are taking over the city of Chicago again!  Oh wait, I mean still.  I stand by Ozzie, not what he says because I have a real tough time understanding him, but how he manages a team.  It’s exactly the way to do it…heart, soul and fire…with a whole lot of crazy.  Don’t knock his knowledge of the game as well, the man is smart and has no problem taking chances.  The power is there for this team, the speed is there and the pitching is there.  What else do you need to win a division?  Getting rid of Bobby Jenks was wonderful and it breaks open the competition for Matt Thornton and Chris Sale.  If the White Sox come out strong, unlike the past few years I say they go on long.  Adam Dunn heedless to say is a big addition to any lineup no matter how low his batting average sinks.

            Kansas City will have the best second half of baseball this season and that could through a monkey wrench heading towards the end of the season for a top division team who might have to play them six or so more times.  Once the Royals get all their kids up and out from the minors (and they seem to have plenty down there) to meld and watch them for the future, this team will have a ton of spunk and grit as they attempt to bring winning baseball back to KC in 2012 and 2013.  

            I’ve said all I have to say about Cleveland and I’ll end it with a three word note to the city…

Dear Cleveland Indians fans,

I am sorry.

AL CENTRAL

1.  Chicago White Sox

2.  Detroit Tigers

3.  Minnesota Twins

4.  Kansas City Royals

5.  Cleveland Indians

NL West

        No joke, I’m not lying and I never will, but in March of last year on an online contest sponsored by Gillette I picked the San Francisco Giants to go to the World Series.  I was shocked; of course the ending of the story had me losing the contest anyway by also predicting the Yankees to beat them in six games.  So I guess no million dollar check from the shaving company for me, boo-hoo. 

            I’m so completely torn with this division it kills me.  The Giants are pretty much in tack with the same team as last year minus Juan Uribe who traveled down the coast to play for the rival Dodgers.  I like the team and everyone on it just as I did last year, but something in my mind is off.  There pitching is sick, the bats are worthy especially under pressure.  With the idea of forty pounds off of the Kung-Fu Panda and an entire year with Buster Posey behind the plate why question myself?  Not to mention a Madison Bumgarner’s first full year and more prospects waiting in line as well.  All these facts and proven skills by winning a World Series last year and it still has me thinking that Bruce Bochy and the gang will fall short in 2011.  No matter how much I enjoy watching “The Freak” mow down his competition the Giants will slip and slip hard.

            Colorado and Don Mattingly’s L.A. Dodgers will battle back and forth all over this divisions face.  I think this year turns the luck and persistence upside down to sit the right way for Mattingly for the first time in a while.  His pitching staff of Kershaw, Lilly, Billingsly, Kuroda and whoever becomes number five because of John Garland’s latest injury will be consistent.  They will be a force and keep runners off the bases or at least keep runs from piling up on the scoreboard.  On the other side, the Dodgers do have bats as well with Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp taking the load.  This team will improve drastically from last year’s mess and battle hard with the Giants and Rockies all marathon long.

            The Rockies certainly have bats with power and pop, but the dependability isn’t always there, as is with their pitching as well.  Ubaldo Jimenez posted a 19 – 8 win/loss record with a 2.88 ERA and a blistering 214 strikeouts to build a gorgeous stat book for last year, but still his second half was just asi-asi (so-so).  It seems to me that Colorado’s pitching is either lights out or a chaos and the same goes for their offense.  The greatest name in baseball, Troy Tulowitzki better live up to that contract and stay healthy and the same goes for last year’s MVP contender Carlos Gonzalez.  If Carlos can do three quarters of the production he put up last year he’ll be worth all the pennies in his contract.  “Das alotta pennies!”

            With the waves in LA straightening out to a comfortable balance this year for the Dodgers I think Colorado will just fall short to miss there infamous made up month of “Rock-tober”.  The Giants are going to be in the mix most of the season, but as the season dwindles into late August the winds will be blowing too much for the Giants to with stand as the Rockies and Giants fight for 2^nd place.

            While the “Whale’s Vagina” Padres suffer a real hard reality check and fall down in the standings it makes one team go up by default.  Arizona unimpressively gains ground in the division by playing two or so games better then Padres.  Both are bottom of the barrel clubs and if you don’t think the fleeing Adrian Gonzalez is happy as a pig in shit then you my friend don’t know baseball.

NL WEST

1.  Los Angeles Dodgers

2.  San Francisco Giants

3.  Colorado Rockies

4.  Arizona Diamondbacks

5.  San Diego Padres

AL West

The lone four team division, where if you’re an “okay” bunch, you might just get by.  I understand that the Angels of Anaheim have been great in recent past just like the Oakland A’s were at one time.  Even Seattle had an amusing little run a few years back winning 120 plus games, but last year was the Rangers turn.  It was the first playoff win and World Series appearance in franchise history.  Don’t get me wrong, I caught myself hitching a ride on the Texas bandwagon last year and it was fun.  Congratulations to Mr. Nolan Ryan as well.  To see that stern heavy face behind home plate throughout the playoffs almost scared me half to death, I couldn’t imagine playing for the man.  This feels all hunky-dory in a Cinderella type-land, too bad Mike Scioscia doesn’t deal with losing all that well.  As quick as it started the one-star state’s party might be over. 

           

            In Texas, Ron Washington could be in need of an 8-ball come mid-season to deal with the loss of Cliff Lee and my man Vladi Guerrero.  If they trade Michael Young away that would boast a few more all-nighters.  But please Ron, whatever you do DO NOT give a line of that white stuff to Josh Hamilton…the poor kid has had enough for a lifetime, even if he is (and probably will be) sidelined with an injury.  Adrian Beltre, I do not trust his last season numbers .321 AVG with 28 dingers and 102 RBI’s, I blame it on Fenway Park just because I can’t think of a better excuse.  Nelson Cruz is another DL hanging waste.  The young pitching has promise with Lewis, C.J. Wilson, Hunter and Holland and second year closer Neftali Feliz.  A ton of pressure for that kid and I hope he can with stand the monkey setting up camp on his back.  As I’ve said more times then you want to read it, it all comes down to a marathon race and it’s a good thing for the Angels that Scioscia doesn’t physically have to run it.  He only has to manage it and we all know how well he does that.  He is filled with brilliant intelligence and a hefty-sack of pride.

            I’ve overheard a few people talking about the Oakland A’s this year maybe making a run, but I just don’t see it.  Personally I think they overachieved last year and embarked many fans on false hope.  Cliff Pennington is exciting to watch with some wonderful pitching last year from Trevor Cahill, Brett Anderson and Gio Gonzalez the A’s have promise. To me this division comes down to the rematch of Mike vs. Ron.  Yeah, yeah, yeah I know Oakland beat out the Angels last year, but it was by one game and I choose to block that out.  Texas and LA are the powerhouses.  Oakland is the scrappy bunch that could factor.  My monopoly money is on the Angels this year with an experienced outfield and a sweet sweet pitching staff who are terribly underrated.  All heads must be on straight to get the job done.

            The A’s will play hard and get some wins, but I don’t know if a couple additions to the bullpen and Hideki Matsui will really factor much a difference.  Some young and exciting players to watch like I've stated earlier, which is always fun.

            Seattle, well besides the one or two days a week King Felix Hernandez is on the mound let’s just say I’d rather watch Oakland.

AL WEST

         

1.  Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

2.  Texas Rangers

3.  Oakland Athletics

4.  Seattle Mariners

Into The Postseason

“Nostradamus Never Put Money on a Thing”

A large majority of the people I’ve talked with over the past few months through various message boards, fantasy leagues and around the workplace have all said the same thing, “Looks like a Red Sox and Phillies World Series.”  It seems that way, on paper.  I have tried my best to be different and mix things up a bit.  Boston’s possible injury situation screws with my head while Philadelphia’s age weighs heavily on my brain.  I wanted St. Louis, but now I just can’t seem to pull the trigger on the Cards so I end up with my fourth or fifth set of predictions.  It’s an extremely hard guessing game in a sport that spans over 26 weeks for 162 games.  A lot can happen and I can assure everyone it will.

National League                                         American League

Phillies                                                       Red Sox

Reds                                                           White Sox

Dodgers                                                     Angels

Brewers (WC)                                    Yankees (WC)

NL Championship Game                    AL Championship Game

 Phillies vs. Reds                 Yankees vs. White Sox

2011 World Series

Philadelphia Phillies

Vs.

Chicago White Sox

            Low and behold I find myself with these two teams.  I know the odds of this all coming down to these particular two teams is as much of a ridiculous fantasy as being adopted by some high profile celebrity and be set for life under their great fortune.  I can kiss that dream good-bye.  Funny thing is that I don’t even really want to see the Phillies make the long run.  If it was my choice Cliff Lee would’ve signed with the Pirates this year in a package deal with Alex Rodriguez and Tim Lincecum, and I’d laugh and laugh and laugh in an unexplained euphoria.  It didn’t so I have to pick out of these two…

Chicago White Sox

Adam Hammer’s “Loose Lips”

Take on 2011

AL East: Yankees. If you want to crown the Red Sox, then crown their ass, I'm taking the Yankees.

AL Central: Twins. Leyland won't take Miguel Should Have Taken a CABrera's crap for too long. Cabrera can and will put up sick numbers but will just drain the team of energy.

AL West: A's: Pitching, pitching, pitching…and Matsui. The division is a good race but K. Morales is a question mark for the Angels and the Rangers have only gotten worse since October.

AL Wild Card: The Red Sox. Cause if I didn't, I would get yelled at.

NL East: Phillies. Do I really have a choice here? Despite Lee thinking he spurned the Yankees to go to a younger team, he joined the oldest team in baseball, and it shows. The team is a mash unit and will be one all year. Reports of Brad Lidge and his diminishing stuff will make it harder for the Phils to close a game than it was to close the Jon Benet Ramsey case.

NL Central: Reds. Wainwright out for the year, Carpenter older, and the emergence of Leake and Wood will make Cincy tough this year. By the way, Cueto's a dick.

NL West: Rockies. The Giants were a patch-work team and will have a hangover year. The Rockies have a nice combo of talent in all spots and it will get them a sweet first round elimination.

NL Wild Card: Brewers. Revamped pitching and a last run attitude with Prince will get them in gear.

World Series:

Yankees over Rockies.

(I'm not picking Philly or the Red Sox because I refuse to conform.)

*Adam’s side note directly aimed at me: “2011 Pittsburgh Pirates: Ready, set, terrible!”

Biggest Surprise in 2011:

-          One of the Mets or San Diego Padre pitchers will finally conquer and complete a no hitter this year. 

-          Atlanta Braves win 90 games and miss out on the playoffs because of a one game matchup for the wild card spot against the Milwaukee Brewers.

-          Kansas City Royals post in the top 3 win-loss record after the All-Star break.

-          Dare I say the Pittsburgh Pirates play hard and make it over .500 baseball this year? Nah, I wouldn’t say that, but if it does happen this could be me saying it.

-          Prince Fielder wins NL MVP making sure Milwaukee doesn’t have enough money for a new contract next year.

-          Bud Norris from the Houston Astros emerges as a Top 10 strikeout pitcher.

-          The New York Mets sell a quarter of the team to Mike Tyson, just for fun to see what he would do…First business, he wants to change the term “clubhouse” to the “Pigeon Hole”

-          Don Mattingly receives Manager of the Year award for turning around the LA Dodgers and getting back into the playoffs.

-          The World Series will experience its first 7 game series since 2002.

-          Alex Rodriguez will come back to form (now 2 years removed of steroids) and win the AL MVP award.

 Biggest Demise in 2011:

-          The San Francisco Giants miss out on the playoff as they try to defend the World Series title.

-          To make it even more dramatic 5 out of 8 playoff teams from 2010 do NOT make it back into the playoffs this year. (Twins, Rays, Rangers, Giants and Atlanta)

-          Carl Crawford and Josh Beckett do not make it a whole season due to injuries, which will affect their first round playoff loss.

-          Tampa bay Rays attendance falls even further into obscurity averaging 9,000 fans a game, not counting the few times the Yankees come to town, of course.

-          Either Wrigley Field or Fenway Park announces reconstruction is a future plan for a better and bigger ballpark, sadly leaving all history behind in this Great America Past-time.

-          San Diego Padres fall from second place after winning 90 games in 2010 to last place and become “the dumpster babies” in the NL West.

Quick Fantasy Outlook:

NL – Top 15

1. Albert Pujols  STL
2. Joey Votto  CIN
3. Roy Halladay  PHI
4. Hanley Ramirez  FLA
5. Prince Fielder  MIL
6. Tim Lincecum  SF
7. Ryan Braun  MIL
8. Ryan Howard  PHI
9. Troy Tulowitzki  COL
10. Buster Posey  SF
11. Carlos Gonzalez  COL
12. Cliff Lee  PHI
13. Andrew McCutchen  PIT
14. David Wright  NYM
15. Mike Stanton  FLA

NL “Surprise City” Picks

1.       Shawn Marcum  MIL

2.       Pedro Alverez  PIT

3.       Josh Thole  NYM

4.       Freddie Freeman  ATL

5.       Brandon Belt  SF

AL – Top 15

1. Miguel Cabrera  DET
2. Felix Hernandez  SEA
3. Adrian Gonzalez  BOS
4. Alex Rodriguez  NYY
5. Robinson Cano  NYY
6. Even Longoria  TB
7. Jon Lester  BOS
8. Carl Crawford  BOS
9. Josh Hamilton  TEX
10. Mark Teixeira  NYY
11. Dustin Pedroia  BOS
12. Joe Mauer  MIN
13. David Price  TB
14. CC Sabathia  NYY
15. Adam Dunn  CHW

AL “Surprise City” Picks

1.       Matt Wieters  BAL

2.       Kyle Drabek  KC

3.       Matt Thornton  CHW

4.       Michael Pineda  SEA

5.       Brian Matusz  BAL

        This Monday…

        Week One part 1

        (March 31^st – April 3^rd)

                 “Whew! It’s Opening Weekend”