We Have a Fever, the Only Cure is... Less Cowbell?

So the 2008 World Series is upon us. This season it pits the NL East Champions Philadelphia Phillies against the AL East Champions Tampa Bay Rays. The Phillies are trying to end a 25 year title drought in the city of Philadelphia, while the Rays are trying to complete their worst-to-first run in typical Disney style. Tom and I decided it was a good idea to break down what we're expecting from this series.
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K-Mart's Prediction

What's Good:
We aren't seeing Manny vs. Boston. Two weeks ago, ESPN was fawning over the chance of having Manny Ramirez and his LA Dodgers to exact some measure of revenge against Boston for the tumultuous end he experienced there. It's also nice to see two high powered offenses go at it in one of the friendliest hitter's parks in the nation, Citizens Bank Park. This likely won't be a quick series either. I can't fathom either team sweeping this series.

What's Bad:
The faux fans in Tampa get validation for being fans for about a month. We have to listen to them shaking their cowbells and Dick Vitale rail on how "his" Rays are awesome. Jamie Moyer breaks down again.

What to Expect:
Cowbells in Tampa, raucous fans in Philly. Lot's of scoring. The Phils bullpen proves the difference in this series.

The Prediction:
Phillies win in 5. They steal game one in Tropicana Field, then sweep their games at home. The Phillies really want to win this at home.

The MVP:
Chase Utley. Utley continues his hot streak and finally starts driving in some runs.
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T. Kinslow's Prediction

What's Good: No more FrankTV ads and the rest of TBS' awful postseason coverage. God that was so bad. Like really bad. It was Seussical bad. Chip Carey is terrible, he was slurping the Rays all postseason long and really just had a lack of professionalism. Buck Martinez was...well...Buck Martinez, which mean's he's horrendous. Whoever that other guy was terible too. Also, tell Craig Sager to get his ass to the Men's Warehouse and get a real suit.

What's Bad: The sound of cowbells ringing in your ears long after the series has ended. Man those things are awful. They just sum up why I hate that loser fan base. Combine that with the blue Mohawks and we should just lump them into the Axis of Evil right now.

Axis of Evil

1. Iraq
2. Iran
3. North Korea
4. Tampa Bay Rays Fans

What to Expect: Home runs, and lots of them, especially in that homer dome in Philadelphia.

The Prediction: Phils in six. Anyone but Tampa, go Phils.

The MVP: Shane Victorino. It's always guys like Victorino that usually walk away with the MVP award. He should have won the NLCS MVP so look for Victorino to have another big series.

The City of Tampa Bay Can Sit On Their Thumbs

There, I said it.

This group of "fans" makes me wanna wretch. Just look at all of them dancing around with those fresh Rays caps on, with the tags still on them. They can take their annoying ass cowbells and sit on them. The fans suck, the stadium sucks, the city sucks and they don't deserve to enjoy a winning baseball team. I hope the Rays move to a city that will always support them. I don't care where, it could be in Moscow, Russia and go by the name the Moscow Bolsheviks for all I care.

I don't get what it is with these loser cities that don't go all year to watch these teams, then they make the playoffs and they all act like they're diehards. They should be put in a rocket and fired directly into the sun. I really hope that the Phillies destroy them. I mean just bludgeon them into a slow, painful, merciful end.

As good as the Rays were, and they were the better team, I just don't get how Joe Maddon gets so much credit. He overmanaged the whole series and nearly cost his team a trip to the World Series. How many high draft picks did Tampa have for years? I mean, if this were a football team, people would be like, well it's about time they made something of themselves. But all of a sudden Joe Maddon is a genius. Give me a break. If he's a genius, Terry Francona's a member of MENSA...and he's a moron.

On another note, if TBS gets another playoff game again, I'll cry. Chip Carey is awful, I'm sick of hearing about FrankTV, and if I come home to see Steve Harvey on my TV when a ball game should be on again, I may hurt someone.

Turning my attention to the Red Sox....

Go away Jason Varitek. Go far, far, far, FAR away. Go so far away that I forget who you even were. You fossil. You had one hit, ONE HIT in the whole series. You couldn't even call a good game anymore. How many fastballs can you throw to Evan Longoria before you realize that he's going to hit them, and far. You suck, that is all.

Coco Crisp, die slow. Learn how to slide in to second you jackass.

Alex Cora, go away. I'm looking at you too Julio Lugo.

I've never seen a team get so far with 7-9 hitters so pathetic. I mean every time I saw the names Varitek, Cora, Kotsay and someone I'm forgetting, I knew we were going hitless. Something needs to be done about that in the offseason.

Make a play for Mark Texieria and try to move Lowell for bullpen help. Combine that with a trade for one of Texas' young catchers and we're in business. Make sure Jed Lowrie is the starter next year at shortstop and try to get Jacoby Ellsbury's head out of his ass.

Yes, I'm bitter. Tampa doesn't deserve this team. Go Phils.

St. Louis Cardinals: World Class Enigmas

Seriously, how are the Cards this good? The Cubs had a 9 game win streak and the Cards were still right behind them. Let's take a look at their roster.

The pitching staff is one motley crew. Ron Villone and Russ Springer are two journeymen. Ryan Franklin is a former top prospect for the M's who never reached his potential. Todd Wellemeyer was a middling reliever for the Cubs and is now the staff ace. Huh? Kyle Lohse just plain sucks. Everyone else is a minor leaguer or some kind of prospect. Can that group really keep up the pace? A team ERA of 3.90 all season?

Two of the worst hitting catchers in baseball are the Cards' backstops: Yadier Molina and Jason "I got traded for $1" LaRue.

Everyone's least favorite SS, Cesar Isturis, bats behind the pitcher for God sakes. At second base they have three of the GRITtiest players in baseball, Aaron Miles, Adam Kennedy, Brendan Ryan. (For those that don't know, GRIT means a a small white player who is not a good athlete and has limited range in the field and no power but puts the ball in play and steals bases and is played up as being better than he is because he "tries". Perfect example is former Cardinal David Eckstein).

The outfield is more former prospects who are now playing like they should have, like Ludwick and to some extent Ankiel. However, those two are possibly two of the worst fielding outfielders in baseball. Who thought Ryan Ludwick would hit .318? Silence, just as I thought.

Looking at this group, can we really expect them to stay this hot? I don't and most experts don't either. With Pujols now hurt, it's only a matter of time before we see the real St. Louis Cardinals.

Boston's Lester Throws No Hitter

BOSTON (AP)—Jon Lester has survived cancer and pitched a World Series clincher for the Boston Red Sox.

Now he can add a no-hitter to his already amazing list of accomplishments.

The 24-year-old lefty shut down Kansas City 7-0 Monday night for the first no-hitter in the majors since Red Sox rookie Clay Buchholz threw one last September.

It was Lester’s first major league complete game. And what a way to do it.

“You don’t feel tired in that situation. You’ve got so much adrenaline going,” he said. “I’m sure it will hit me in the morning.”

Lester (3-2) allowed just two baserunners, walking Billy Butler in the second inning and Esteban German to open the ninth; he also had an error when he threw away a pickoff attempt.

Lester struck out nine, fanning Alberto Callaspo to end the game before pumping both fists in the air.

Catcher Jason Varitek, who has been behind the plate for a record four no-hitters, lifted his pitcher into the air. Manager Terry Francona gave a long, hard embrace to Lester, who missed the end of the 2006 season after he was diagnosed with a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

“I’ve been through a lot the last couple of years. He’s been like a second dad to me,” Lester said. “It was just a special moment right there.”

What a great story. Lester isn't one of those pitcher that you think can go out there every fifth day and give you a win but he's a solid, young starter and has a bright future and is an inspirational story. Good for Lester and hopefully he can have a great year. Seems like everything is turning up Jon Lester's way recently.


Yahoo!: Lester Throws No-Hitter Against Royals

Philadelphia Phillies: The March to 100

Win #2: Phillies 8, Reds 4
Eight seems to be the magic number of runs the Phillies need to win. Tonight the Phillies received an outstanding performance from Chase Utley (MVP! MVP!) who went 2-4 with 2 home runs, and 3 rbi's. Pat Burrell added a two run home run and Ryan Howard added his first rbi of the season with a sacrifice fly in the 1st. The Phillies bullpen looked good, going 4 innings an allowing only one hit. Kyle Kendrick however, struggled a little giving up 8 hits, 4 runs and 2 walks in five innings of work, so we will see how he pans out this season. 2 down, 98 to go.

Phillies in '08!

Philadelphia Phillies: The March to 100

Win #1: Phillies 8, Nationals 7
Well this pre-season Jimmy Rollins boldly predicted that the Phightin's would win 100 games. In honor of his prediction, after each Phils' win I will recap the game on here. The Phillies finally won their first game of the season after blowing a lead in the opener and wasting a gem by Cole Hamels last night. Today, it was the Nationals that would blow the lead. Jamie Moyer and the Phillies' defense was a little slow to get into the swing of things today. The Phillies committed four errors and staked the Nats a 5-0 first inning lead. The Phillies and Nationals traded runs until the bottom of the 6th when the Phillies hit 8 consecutive singles to score six runs and take a 7-6 lead. The bullpen couldn't hold the lead though, as they gave the run back in the top of the 8th inning when Rollins couldn't stop a grounder from squirting through to the outfield. The Phillies managed to load the bases in the bottom of the 8th, but Jayson Werth grounded out to end the threat. Charlie Manuel proved that he's either really thick skinned, or he's an adrenaline junkie by rolling the dice and sending Tom 'I-Lost -My-Flash' Gordon on the mound after he gave up 5 runs to the Nats on Monday in a tie game. This time Gordon managed to walk a couple of batters and give up a single to load the bases, but he escaped the jam by getting Willie Harris to ground out to end the inning. In the bottom of the 9th, Geoff Jenkins gave the Phillies hope by smoking a double to right field, but the threat ended after Carlos Ruiz grounded into a double play to end the inning. Clay Condrey pitched a solid 10th inning by striking out two batters. He would eventually earn the win. Jesus Colome would get the loss in the bottom of the tenth. After allowing a lead-off single to Rollins, Shane Victorino laid down a beautiful bunt, and Rollins made a heads-up base-running play and went from first to third on the bunt. Colome then intentionally walked Chase Utley and Ryan Howard to get to Werth, but he couldn't find the strike zone again and walked Werth on four pitches to allow Rollins to score the game winning run. One win down, 99 to go.

Phillies in '08!

Larry Bowa is at it Again

Well it didn't take long for Larry Bowa to earn his first ejection and suspension of the year. Bowa was ejected during the L.A. Dodgers opening day victory against San Fransisco for arguing with third base umpire Eddie Montague when the umpire tried to tell Bowa he needed to stand inside the lines for the third base coach's box. Bowa, who is already upset that he has to wear a helmet to coach, exploded at Montague for this and was ejected before manager Joe Torre could get out there to defend him. These new rules that require third base coaches across the league to wear helmets and stand within the painted lines on the field are kinda ridiculous. Yes, it's sad that Mike Coolbaugh died last year after being struck by a foul ball, but the MLB has overreacted. In the hundred some years that baseball has existed, the amount of deaths is low. One death should not cause the MLB to make sweeping changes to its rules because the chances that this will happen again is low. Also, these coaches are grown men, I think they can decide for themselves if they want to wear a helmet or not or where they want to stand. An alert third base is not gonna get hit with a ball. Coolbaugh's accident was a freak accident, but the MLB should not have reacted in this way by enforcing these new changes. With Bowa though, well it's nice to know that some things will never change.

Yahoo! Sports: Bowa Thinks Outside the Box

2008 AL East Preview

AL East

1. Boston Red Sox

Strengths: The lineup. The Red Sox lineup is always deadly with David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez and it should be even stronger with Jacoby Ellsbury starting this season. JD Drew did show some flashes in Spring Training but expect more of the same from JD Spew and look for Jason Varitek to continue his downward spiral into the abyss (0-8, 6 k in two games vs. Oakland.)

Weaknesses: The rotation. Other than Josh Beckett, the Red Sox have no other proven commodities in the rotation. Daisuke Matsuzaka looked erratic in the season opener vs. Oakland and Jon Lester got rocked in his start. Boston will need Clay Buchholz to step up along with Tim Wakefield this season and pray that Curt Schilling will be able to give them anything at all for the stretch run.

Player to Watch: Jacoby Ellsbury. Ellsbury shined in the second half of the season and the postseason and took the starting job away from Coco Crisp. Let's see if he can put it together for 162 games. My vote is yes.

Outlook: More of the same from the Red Sox. Slugging teams into submission and winning with just enough pitching to get by except for every fifth day when Josh Beckett takes the mound. Sox win the division.

2. New York Yankees

Strengths: The lineup. Just like their rivals the Red Sox, the Yankees have a killer lineup headed up by reigning MVP Alex Rodriguez (*cough fraud *cough). Throw in Bobby Abreu, Hideki Matsui, and Derek Jeter and you've got a lineup that can run any pitcher out of the game early.

Weaknesses: The rotation. The Yanks have a lot of young talent in the rotation in Ian Kennedy and Phil Hughes and no one really knows what they will bring to the table. Mike Mussina had an awful 2007 season and I wouldn't expect much more from Moose this season. Chien Ming Wang seems to be the rock of this rotation and Andy Pettitte should do a fine job this season if his HGH shipments arrive on time.

Player to Watch: Joe Girardi. Okay, he's not a player but he's important. It will be different watching Yankee games without Joe Torre calling the shots and it will be interesting to see how Girardi handles the pressure and scrutiny of the New York news media. My bet is that he lasts two months before assaulting a reporter with a bat.

Outlook: The Yanks lose a close divisional race to the Red Sox

3. Toronto Blue Jays

Strengths: Pitching. The Jays have good starting pitching in Roy Halladay and AJ Burnett but not much behind that. They also have BJ Ryan on the back end to close the door but he's been struggling with injury problems and it should concern the Jays and what's left of their fans.

Weaknesses: Lack of depth. The Jays have some good players in Alex Rios, David Eckstein, and Lyle Overbay but really lack a deep lineup. The Jays have holes at third base (unless you consider Scott Rolen a viable option.) and shortstop and I don't know what they can do to address them

Player to Watch: BJ Ryan. Can he finally stay healthy and be the guy that we saw in Baltimore? My guess is no but it should be fun to watch.

Outlook: Talented enough to win a good number of games, but not enough talent to compete with the Sox and Yanks

4. Tampa Bay Rays
Strengths: Mentality. The Rays have been playing hard all spring and haven't backed down to anyone and expect that to translate to the regular season. The Rays are a scrappy little team with a lot of young talent and expect them to be in their fair share of games.

Weaknesses: Pitching depth. Behind Scott Kazmir and the on-and-off James Shields, the Rays have no real viable options in the rotation or bullpen. Expect a lot of no decisions for Kazmir this season as the bullpen blows a lot of his quality starts.

Player to Watch: BJ Upton. Upton batted a solid .300 with 82 RBI and 24 home runs in 129 games. Look for Upton to have a breakout season.

Outlook: A young, scrappy team that falls short throughout the season but competes each day.

5. Baltimore Orioles

Strengths: None

Weaknesses: Everything. They traded away their best pitcher in Erik Bedard and their best hitting threat in 'roided up shortstop Miguel Tejada. They have no rotation and their lineup is riddled with the Aubrey Huff's and Kevin Millar's of the world while Nick Markakis wonders how it all went so horribly wrong.

Player to Watch: No one. Don't watch an Orioles game unless your team plays them. Even then, flip a coin.

Outlook: They'll stink. They'll really really stink and finish near the bottom of the standings in all of baseball.

Other playoff picks:
AL Central Winner:
Cleveland Indians
AL West Winner:
Seattle Mariners
AL Wild Card:
Detroit Tigers
AL Division Series:
Boston vs. Detroit
Seattle vs. Cleveland
AL Championship Series:
Boston vs. Cleveland
AL Winner:
Boston Red Sox
World Series:
Boston vs. New York Mets
World Series Champion:
Boston Red Sox

Other Awards:
AL MVP: Manny Ramirez
AL Cy Young: Josh Beckett

2008 NL Central Preview

NL Central

1. Cubs

Strengths: Power, defense, bullpen and top of the rotation. In Alfonso Soriano, Derek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, new additon Kosuke Fukudome, and youngsters Geovany Soto and Felix Pie, the Cubs have 6 guys who could all hit 20 homeruns this season. Soriano, Lee and Ramirez should all hit 30. Lee is a deserving winner of the hollow award called the Gold Glove. Ramirez is improving on defense. Before he became a hitting threat, Soto was always a threat behind the plate. He has good calling skills, and is exceptional about blocking balles in the dirt. Fukudome has an Ichiro-like canon of an arm, nailing runners at first base on more than one occasion in Japan. The bullpen is as good as any. Bobby Howry, Carlos Marmol, and Kerry Wood will hold down the end of the game with underrated Mike Wuertz providing strong middle relief. Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, and Rich Hill are strong pitchers who should all post ERAs under 4 this season.

Weaknesses: Lineup structure, back of rotation. In no world should Ryan Theriot and Soriano be the 1-2 hitters, but that's how they will enter the season. In an ideal world, Mark DeRosa and Fukudome would be at the top. Both are exceptional at getting on base. The end of the rotation was jsut handed to Ryan Dempster and Jason Marquis. Both are average on a good day. Neither will be a good bet to post respectable ERAs.

Rookie to look out for: Soto and Fukudome are both contenders for the ROY entering the season.

Overall: The Cubs will have to fight off the Brewers and Reds, but should have the divison locked up. How far they go otherwise will have to be determined.

2. Brewers

Strengths: Power power power and rotation/bullpen depth. Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder will be mashing homeruns this year. Bill Hall, Corey Hart, JJ Hardy and Rickie Weeks should all hit at least 20. The rotation is rather average buth has potential. Ben Sheets will take lead of the rotation once again with reliable Jeff Suppan behind him. Youngster Manny Parra and Yovani Gallardo (once he returns from injury) should help this staff. After a massive FAIL last year, the Brewers rehauled their pen, adding Dave Riske and the once massively dominant Eric Gagne. Riske is consistant and Gagne can still get the job done, albeit giving some fans heart attacks.

Weaknesses: Bench, defense. Craig Counsell shouldn't still be playing baseball but he gets a spot on the bench. On the flip side, Gabe Kapler, who was out of baseball last year, is back and also claims a bench spot. Former top prospect for the Tigers Eric Munson gets the nod as the back up catcher, but there has to be something said about you if you are backing up Jason Kendall at this stage. Defense won't be great. Braun is a butcher wherever he is and Hall is new at the hot corner.

Rookie to look out for: Parra. Showed good numbers in 26 innings last year with the big club and has the minor league numbers to show he can contribute this season.

Overall: How the pitching holds together could decide whether they take second place or first place.

3. Reds

Strengths: Offense, defense, youth. Adam Dunn and Brandon Phillips are jsut part of an offense that has no excuse to not score runs. Phillips, Corey Patterson, and others are all established strong defenders. The team has some of the best youngsters in baseball in Homer Bailey, Johnny Cueto, Joey Votto, and Jay Bruce.

Weaknesses: Manager. Dusty Baker will no doubt start the veterans, sit the young guys previously mentioned, bat the terrible OBP guy leadoff (check that one off already), and ruin his pitchers' arms.

Rookie to look out for: Votto, Bruce, and Cueto all should put solid numbers if they can make Baker forget his fetish for veterans.

Overall: They have enough to be competitive, but I can't see them overtaking the Brewers or Cubs.

4. Astros

Strengths: Power, speed, defense. Lance Berkman, Carlos Lee, and Miguel Tejada should provide ample power. Michael Bourn and Kaz Matsui should also both steal 30 bases and Hunter Pence should kick in a few himself. Bourn, Pence, and Matsui are all good with the glove.

Weaknesses: Pitching. Rotation leaves much to be desired behind Oswalt and the bullpen is frightening, and not in a good way.

Rookie to look out for: JR Towles. He should put up good numbers for a young catcher this year while calling a solid game behing the plate.

Overall: They used to have no offense, now they have no pitching. If the pitching could compliment the offense, then they'd have a chance. Alas, it's not to be.

5. Cardinals

Strengths: Power. Albert Pujols, Troy Glaus, Chris Duncan, and Rick Ankiel should provide plenty of homers.

Weaknesses: Rest of team. The Cards wil have one of the worst middle infield tandems in baseball this season with Aaron Miles/ Adam Kennedy at second base and Cesar Izturis at SS. Izturis will also bat ninth on occasion behind the pitcher. Ugh. The rotation features former Cubs prospect Todd Wellemeyer as the number two starter. Problem is, he's not good. And he's the number two starter. The pen primarily has old guys past their prime and inexperienced young guys.

Rookie to look out for: Colby Rasmus. He should get a chance this year and should be an All-Star for years to come when he gets that chance.

Overall: The Cards have taken a hard fall from grace, winning the World series two years ago and to now becoming a heaping pile of crap. The only thing that is keeping them from last place is:

6. Pirates

Strenghs: They have that Jason Bay kid. And I heard Ian Snell, Tom Gorzelanny, and Zach Duke are decent. And Matt Capps may find a way to get a save when the team is winning on that rare occasion.

Weaknesses: They are the freaking Pirates. The lineup instills little fear into opponents outside of Jason Bay, who may be traded in the near future. Freddy Sanchez is listed as the number 3 hitter, but he isn't even a lock for 10 homeruns. The pitching has a chance to be good, but I can't see it yet.

Rookie to look out for: Steven Pearce. He should get a shot at first base and if he does, he'll hold it until the Pirates decide to trade him.

Overall: Another year in the basement.

Other playoff picks:

NL East: Phillies

NL West: Dodgers

NL Division Series:

Cubs over Mets

Phillies over Dodgers

NL Championship Series:

Phillies over Cubs

AL Champion:

Red Sox

World Series:

Red Sox over Phillies

NL Awards:

MVP: Ryan Howard

Cy Young: Brandon Webb

2008 NL East Preview

NL East


Philadelphia Phillies (89-73)
Strengths: The Phillies strength lies in their offense. They have one of the best lineups in baseball with former MVP Ryan Howard, reigning MVP Jimmy Rollins, and future MVP Chase Utley to anchor their lineup. Shane Victorino and Pat Burrell have to produce this year like they did towards the end of the season last year in order to make up for the loss of Aaron Rowand.

Weaknesses: The bullpen, like usual, the Phillies biggest question mark is the bullpen. Last year it was decimated by injuries to Ryan Madson, Tom Gordon and Brett Myers. This year hasn't started much better now that new closer Brad Lidge is beginning the season on the disabled list.

The jury is out on: The starting rotation could be good this year if it avoids the injury bug. Brett Myers has moved back into the rotation and the Phillies should be good with Myers, Cole Hamels, Jamie Moyer, Kyle Kendrick and Adam Eaton. Well, 4 out of 5 aren't bad, and if (read: when) Eaton starts to falter, the Phillies can plug Kris Benson into the rotation.

Outlook: The Phillies normally get off to horrendous Aprils, but they have a favorable schedule this year, with 12 games against teams that didn't reach the playoffs last year, 6 against the Mets (who they have owned over the past few seasons), and 9 against teams that made the playoffs or were in the hunt until the last week of the season. If the Phillies can come out of April at or near .500, they have a great shot at repeating as division champs. At the very least, they will win the wild card.


New York Mets (88-74)
Strengths: The Mets starting rotation suddenly became one of the best in the National League with the addition of Johan Santana. They now have Santana, Pedro Martinez and El Duque (though he is tweaking his windup this year) which is a scary trio for any team to face.

Weaknesses: The Mets depth is one of the biggest knocks against this star studded team. The inevitable injuries to Moises Alou, Carlos Delgado and Luis Castillo will hurt the team again this year because they don't have anyone they can plug in that will adequately fill the gaping holes these players will leave in the lineup.

The jury is out on: Mets SS Jose Reyes. Last season Reyes put up MVP numbers in the first half of the season, but then was just mediocre after the All-Star break. For the Mets to be successful this year, Reyes has to produce all year.

Outlook: The Mets should challenge the Phillies for NL East superiority, but will fall just short again. However, they should lock up the NL wild card spot.


Atlanta Braves (84-78)
Strengths: Management. Bobby Cox has team with the potential to be a great team. He is the best manager in baseball and will be able to get the most out of his team.
Weaknesses, The jury is out on, Outlook: The starting rotation is old and fragile. Tim Hudson was a rock last year for the Braves, but Mike Hampton has battled injuries since he joined the Braves, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz are a combined 82 years old and first started together in 1988. Glavine's last start with the Mets was abysmal as he gave up 7 runs in just 1/3 of an inning to complete the Mets collapse. If he and Smoltz can't come through for the Braves this year then it will be the third straight season where the Braves miss the playoffs after 14 consecutive division titles.


Washington Nationals (73-89)
Strengths: The Nationals are opening a new ball park this year.
Weaknesses: Pretty much everything else. The Nationals picked up Paul Lo Duca who is no longer juicing. They picked up Elijah Dukes who has had his share of attitude problems, and he should fit nicely with Lastings Milledge. Now they should add Barry Bonds and they could have about the most potent outfield in the league. It would make for some great entertainment.

The jury is out on: Whether the Nationals or the Marlins will be the more inept team this year.

Outlook: A fourth place finish again should surprise no one.


Florida Marlins (71-91)
Strengths: The Marlins are a young team, and have the smallest payroll in baseball. Again. Oh and they still have Dan Uggla.
Weaknesses: They no longer have one of the best third basemen in baseball and a pitcher who has shown he can be dominant. On the plus side, they have a new bucket of baseballs.
The jury is out on: Whether the Marlins will break the 70 win mark.
Outlook: The Marlins should finish the year last in the NL.

Other playoff picks:
NL Central Division Winner:
Chicago Cubs
NL West Division Winner:
San Diego Padres
NL Division Series:
Phillies vs. Cubs
Padres vs. Mets
NL Championship Series:
Phillies vs. Mets
AL Champion:
Boston Red Sox
World Series:
Phillies vs. Red Sox
World Series Champion:
Boston Red Sox

Other Awards:
MVP:
Chase Utley
Cy Young Award:
Johan Santana

Jose Canseco "Vindicated" Excerpts On A-Rod

You stay classy Jose Canseco.

Baseball is BACK!

Well for those of you who live in Japan, or, like me, were up late studying and decided to watch the game, baseball kicked off their season at 6 a.m. eastern time. The Boston Red Sox and the Oakland Athletics began their season in a fashionable way- extra innings. When the game finally ended around 10 a.m., the Red Sox had escaped with a 6-5 win. The Sox trailed most of the game despite a brief lead in the 6th inning, but they tied it up in the 9th, and took the lead in the 10th for good. They escaped trouble in the bottom of the inning thanks to a base-running gaffe by Athletics left fielder Emil Brown, but a win is a win. Now to commemorate day one of the 2008 season, enjoy this YouTube video that combines two of my favorite things- baseball and Star Wars.



Phillies in '08!

St. Louis Cardinals: Kings of Hypocracy

Today the St. Louis Cardinals announced the release of Scott Spiezio after being charged in a six-count complaint involving drunken driving and assault in a car crash this past December.

When asked about the move, Cardinals manager Tony Larussa said "it’s a consistent message about what the team represents.”

Something with that picture doesn't seem right.



Maybe it's because LaRussa had his own DUI arrest last March and pled guilty in November.

If this is a constant message about what the team represents, LaRussa would be out of a job right now. It is the ultimate definition of hypocracy for LaRussa to say that the Cardinals organization takes a stand against DUI when LaRussa got no punishment whatsoever from the club.

LaRussa called his own DUI an "embarrassment," and apologized to "anyone who is close to me, members of the Cardinals organization, our fans."

I think it's embarrassing for LaRussa to come out and say what he said and owes Scott Spiezio an apology for his comments.

There's an old saying that says that people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. I think it's about time someone gave Mr. LaRussa some stones.

Angels Land Hunter

USA Today

Free-agent center fielder Torii Hunter signed a five-year, $90 million contract late Wednesday night with the Los Angeles Angels, agent Larry Reynolds told USA TODAY.
Hunter, considered the top free-agent center fielder on the market, spurned five-year offers from the Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals.

Hunter, 32, who hit .287 with 28 home runs and 107 RBI last season for the Minnesota Twins, is the Angels' second big acquisition this week. The Angels traded for starter Jon Garland of the Chicago White Sox on Monday in exchange for shortstop Orlando Cabrera.

"We are very excited to have Torii joining our organization," said Angels general manager Tony Reagins. "Not only is he an outstanding ballplayer but he's also an outstanding human being. He'll impact our ballclub and community in a very positive way."

The acquisition of Hunter will move Gary Matthews Jr. from center field to right field and Vladimir Guerrero to the DH spot.

Good pick up by the Angels and should give some help to Vlad who has no one who's a threat to surround him in the lineup a la David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez. At least they spent the money to bolster the lineup and leave more room to spend instead of throwing a ton of cash Alex Rodriguez's way.

Peavy Unanimously Takes NL Cy Young

ESPN

The San Diego Padres ace received all 32 first-place votes and finished with 160 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Arizona sinkerballer Brandon Webb, last year's winner, was a distant runner-up with 94 points. He was listed second on 31 ballots and third on one.

Lowell To The Yankees?....At First Base???

ESPN

As a Red Sox fan, the thought of this sickens me. This is Johnny Damon re-deux, not that losing Damon hurt the Sox in the long run, it's just the principle. The Sox have been balking at giving Lowell a fourth year on the contract and I think the Sox just have to bite the bullet on this one and give Lowell the extra year. If Theo Epstein and company were so willing to spend $110 million on a pitcher who never competed on the major league level just to keep him from wearing pinstripes, shouldn't they do it for their Gold Glove, All-Star, MVP candidate third baseman?

A-Rod A Yankee Again?

ESPN

Why does this not shock me? Once I heard that A-Rod asked for a whopping 350 million from the Yankees I knew he'd come back. Why? Because every other team that may have been interested in him backed off cause no one is insane to pay that much money, even the Yankees. Scott Boras, Rodriguez's agent greatly overestimated his client's value and they had to come crawling back to the Yankees.

Sabathia Wins The AL Cy Young

Pitcher	1st	2nd	3rd	Total
Sabathia, Cle	19	8	--	119
Josh Beckett, Bos	8	14	4	86
John Lackey, L.A.	1	5	16	36
Others receiving votes: Fausto Carmona, Cle, 7; Erik Bedard, Bal, 1; Roy Halladay, Tor, 1; Johan Santana, Min, 1.; Justin Verlander, Det, 1.

Posada, Yanks, Agree to Four Year Deal

ESPN

The New York Yankees and Jorge Posada agreed Monday nigh to a $52.4 million, four-year contract that keeps the catcher off the free-agent market.

A five-time All-Star, Posada said Sunday he was "really close" to a deal with the Yankees and his preference was to remain with the only major league team he's played for.

Like we all didn't see this coming. Good deal for the Yankees.

MLB Rookies of the Year

AL: Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia
ML: Brewers 3B Ryan Braun

I'm personally rather shocked that Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki did not win in the National League.

Note: Tulowitzki lost to Braun by two points.