by Rickhouse on March 27 at 2:51PM
Chicago Cubs 92-70
I’m all for guarded optimism and whatnot, but it’s a little surprising our resident Cubbie blogger J-Cizzle stuck the North Siders with only 86 wins. Look, no one who is currently wearing white socks wants to admit it, but these Cubs are pretty solid, specifically when playing in the worst division of the talent-challenged National League. The Cubs have the best pitcher in the division, arguably the hitter in the division (Peta Prince probably has something to say about that), and maybe even the best manager in the division. And for whatever reason, I like that karmic effects that something like naming Kerry Wood your closer does. Predict them to win the National League? Ha, no. But they should win over 90 games, right?
Milwaukee Brewers 85-77
With injuries to the pitching staff already mounting, it’s going to be hard for them to get out of the gates strong. Remember, Mike Cameron is suspended for the first 25 games as well. But if Yovani Gallardo can come back and give them a solid number two starter behind a healthy Ben Sheets, it could be enough to win this division. Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder may the scariest 3-4 combo in the major leagues, but can the guys in front of them get on so they can score runs?
Houston Astros 79-83
Every year a surprise team starts out hot and then fades towards the end. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was Houston this year, based on their lineup and the strength of the division. Adding Miguel Tejada to Carlos Lee, Hunter Pence, and Lance Berkman is nice, but you can’t win in baseball without pitching. Roy Oswalt works, but their number two starter? Woody Williams. Actually he probably isn’t, but just thinking about that made me laugh. See, this is why the Cubs are going to win 90 games. The third best team in their division has a rotation prominently featuring Woody Williams. I rest my case.
St. Louis Cardinals 76-86
Somehow, I doubt they’ll be as bad as they should. Looking at this team on paper, it’s almost inconceivable that they won the World Series two years ago. Count me among the people that are bummed about Pujols’ injury too. When someone is that good, it sucks when they get hurt. It’d be like seeing LeBron go down right now.
Cincinnati Reds 75-87
The Reds seem to be the hot choice in the division this year, which means they’ll finish no better than third. It’s a shame they hired Dusty here because I was all set to make the Reds my team in the NL. Jay Bruce, Homer Bailey, Joey Votto, and Johnny Cuerto should all be on the opening day roster, but instead will languish in AA while Baker plays Corey Patterson. Being a White Sox fan gets frustrating at times, especially last year, but if this situation were replicated in Chicago, it may be enough to make me turn away for a summer. I mean, you have all these young studs and won’t play them on your terrible team? That probably won’t go over well in Cinci either.
Pittsburgh Pirates 61-101
Does seeing Tampa Bay and Kansas City kind of turn it around motivate them at all? I mean, this is usually a three horse race for most pathetic team, but the Pirates may just run away with the title now.
Note 1: We brought the heat today at Top Ten. Over 6,000 hits already for Olsen's 'Major League' post.
Note 2: Sweet 16 preview up at the Sun-Times.
I’m all for guarded optimism and whatnot, but it’s a little surprising our resident Cubbie blogger J-Cizzle stuck the North Siders with only 86 wins. Look, no one who is currently wearing white socks wants to admit it, but these Cubs are pretty solid, specifically when playing in the worst division of the talent-challenged National League. The Cubs have the best pitcher in the division, arguably the hitter in the division (Peta Prince probably has something to say about that), and maybe even the best manager in the division. And for whatever reason, I like that karmic effects that something like naming Kerry Wood your closer does. Predict them to win the National League? Ha, no. But they should win over 90 games, right?
Milwaukee Brewers 85-77
With injuries to the pitching staff already mounting, it’s going to be hard for them to get out of the gates strong. Remember, Mike Cameron is suspended for the first 25 games as well. But if Yovani Gallardo can come back and give them a solid number two starter behind a healthy Ben Sheets, it could be enough to win this division. Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder may the scariest 3-4 combo in the major leagues, but can the guys in front of them get on so they can score runs?
Houston Astros 79-83
Every year a surprise team starts out hot and then fades towards the end. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was Houston this year, based on their lineup and the strength of the division. Adding Miguel Tejada to Carlos Lee, Hunter Pence, and Lance Berkman is nice, but you can’t win in baseball without pitching. Roy Oswalt works, but their number two starter? Woody Williams. Actually he probably isn’t, but just thinking about that made me laugh. See, this is why the Cubs are going to win 90 games. The third best team in their division has a rotation prominently featuring Woody Williams. I rest my case.
St. Louis Cardinals 76-86
Somehow, I doubt they’ll be as bad as they should. Looking at this team on paper, it’s almost inconceivable that they won the World Series two years ago. Count me among the people that are bummed about Pujols’ injury too. When someone is that good, it sucks when they get hurt. It’d be like seeing LeBron go down right now.
Cincinnati Reds 75-87
The Reds seem to be the hot choice in the division this year, which means they’ll finish no better than third. It’s a shame they hired Dusty here because I was all set to make the Reds my team in the NL. Jay Bruce, Homer Bailey, Joey Votto, and Johnny Cuerto should all be on the opening day roster, but instead will languish in AA while Baker plays Corey Patterson. Being a White Sox fan gets frustrating at times, especially last year, but if this situation were replicated in Chicago, it may be enough to make me turn away for a summer. I mean, you have all these young studs and won’t play them on your terrible team? That probably won’t go over well in Cinci either.
Pittsburgh Pirates 61-101
Does seeing Tampa Bay and Kansas City kind of turn it around motivate them at all? I mean, this is usually a three horse race for most pathetic team, but the Pirates may just run away with the title now.
Note 1: We brought the heat today at Top Ten. Over 6,000 hits already for Olsen's 'Major League' post.
Note 2: Sweet 16 preview up at the Sun-Times.
|
Comments
Cardinal70
said
That's a reasonable prediction for the Cardinals, assuming Pujols stays healthy. I still think that they can creep over .500, maybe.
Before I can do that, I need to know why you like teams like Wazzu and the Pats.
The Cubs have the best pitcher in the division? Do you mean Big Z? I think I'll take Roy Oswalt over him. Sheets is better than Zambrano too, but never healthy enough. Wait--Aaron Harang is probably better than Zambrano too. At least last year. Adam Wainwright might have had a better year than Zambrano too.
If I had to build a team, I'd take C-Zam over Oswalt, Harang, and Sheetes.
Pray. For. Wazzu.