National League Central
This division drives me crazy. There are six teams, yet only four in the AL West. What kind of moron would align the league this way. Oh, that's right -- Bud Selig is commissioner. But I digress. This is the division that can boast the last two National League champs and the last two wild cards. But they're 0-8 in World Series games and I believe the time has come for a little changing of the guard. The Cards should still have barely enough to survive the division, riding on the coattails of the best player in baseball and a new stadium, but a shakeup is on the horizon.
St. Louis Cardinals The new stadium is going to excite this team and, as usual, Cardinal Nation will provide the Red Birds with a distinct homefield advantage. They lost some pitching and pride since last year, but they still have Albert Pujols and one of my favorite players in centerfield, Jim Edmonds. They topped 100 wins the last two seasons. They'll be hard pressed to do so in '06, but should still win.
Milwaukee Brewers I think a lot of people are picking the Cubs to place second, or even the Astros because of last season. I'm going to pick the Brewers. The Cubs rely too heavily on damaged goods in their rotation and, frankly, the Astros do not have a prayer without Roger Clemens. Since this division is not loaded with teams that spend a lot of money, it offers a great opportunity for those "small market" teams. I see a great season out of Ben Sheets and a wonderful performance out of Prince Fielder (is that a great baseball name or what?). Who knows -- maybe the Brewers can even steal the wild card.
Chicago Cubs I'm taking the Cubs next over the Astros despite the fact that I should know better. The Astros have much better pitching, even without Roger Clemens. Plus the Cubs two aces cannot stay healthy to save their souls. But the Cubs do have one thing going for them. Offense. I believe Derrek Lee was not a one season shot and they will enjoy Juan Pierre's amazing speed over there. Still, you win with pitching. The Cubs will have to wait till next year. Again.
Houston Astros Really, the division should stop here, because the other two teams are atrocious and embarrassing. The Astros proved last year that you really can win with pitching alone. Well, until you face Ozzie and Company. But the big three in their rotation were more formidable than any we've seen in years. Pettitte will be back, and will be terrific. Oswalt will again dazzle. But without Roger Clemens, this team's rotation will just be great (as opposed to terrifying). And with an offense as anemic as theirs, great just won't cut it.
Pittsburgh Pirates This is the team of Clemente, Stargell and Parker? The only reason I'm not picking them dead last is because as bad as they look, they can still pitch a little. And that's more than we can say for...
Cincinnati Reds If ever there was a player more deserving of a better break it's Ken Griffey Jr. It was he, and not Barry Bonds, who was the most exciting player of the 1990's. He was the "Chosen One" who was going to break all the records. Imagine where we'd all be now, if his injuries hadn't gotten the best of him. He, and not that San Francisco flaxseed oil man, would be staring at Babe Ruth. And all of America would be rooting like crazy for The Kid. Junior is still one of my favorite players and I was so happy to see him begin to return to form last year. But he needs out of Cincy. They may have the worst ownership in baseball and and even more troublesome pitching staff. The race will again be on to see if Adam Dunn can strike out 300 times in a season and if Austin Kearns can realize his potential. Personally, I'm hoping Junior gets traded to a contender. I want to see that famous smile again.
St. Louis Cardinals The new stadium is going to excite this team and, as usual, Cardinal Nation will provide the Red Birds with a distinct homefield advantage. They lost some pitching and pride since last year, but they still have Albert Pujols and one of my favorite players in centerfield, Jim Edmonds. They topped 100 wins the last two seasons. They'll be hard pressed to do so in '06, but should still win.
Milwaukee Brewers I think a lot of people are picking the Cubs to place second, or even the Astros because of last season. I'm going to pick the Brewers. The Cubs rely too heavily on damaged goods in their rotation and, frankly, the Astros do not have a prayer without Roger Clemens. Since this division is not loaded with teams that spend a lot of money, it offers a great opportunity for those "small market" teams. I see a great season out of Ben Sheets and a wonderful performance out of Prince Fielder (is that a great baseball name or what?). Who knows -- maybe the Brewers can even steal the wild card.
Chicago Cubs I'm taking the Cubs next over the Astros despite the fact that I should know better. The Astros have much better pitching, even without Roger Clemens. Plus the Cubs two aces cannot stay healthy to save their souls. But the Cubs do have one thing going for them. Offense. I believe Derrek Lee was not a one season shot and they will enjoy Juan Pierre's amazing speed over there. Still, you win with pitching. The Cubs will have to wait till next year. Again.
Houston Astros Really, the division should stop here, because the other two teams are atrocious and embarrassing. The Astros proved last year that you really can win with pitching alone. Well, until you face Ozzie and Company. But the big three in their rotation were more formidable than any we've seen in years. Pettitte will be back, and will be terrific. Oswalt will again dazzle. But without Roger Clemens, this team's rotation will just be great (as opposed to terrifying). And with an offense as anemic as theirs, great just won't cut it.
Pittsburgh Pirates This is the team of Clemente, Stargell and Parker? The only reason I'm not picking them dead last is because as bad as they look, they can still pitch a little. And that's more than we can say for...
Cincinnati Reds If ever there was a player more deserving of a better break it's Ken Griffey Jr. It was he, and not Barry Bonds, who was the most exciting player of the 1990's. He was the "Chosen One" who was going to break all the records. Imagine where we'd all be now, if his injuries hadn't gotten the best of him. He, and not that San Francisco flaxseed oil man, would be staring at Babe Ruth. And all of America would be rooting like crazy for The Kid. Junior is still one of my favorite players and I was so happy to see him begin to return to form last year. But he needs out of Cincy. They may have the worst ownership in baseball and and even more troublesome pitching staff. The race will again be on to see if Adam Dunn can strike out 300 times in a season and if Austin Kearns can realize his potential. Personally, I'm hoping Junior gets traded to a contender. I want to see that famous smile again.
posted by E-Luv at 8:43 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home