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Post by Allen Wiener on Apr 21, 2012 14:59:41 GMT -5
Might as well start a new, all-inclusive thread for the ongoing long season.
Anyone watching the Nats? At the end of last season I predicted they'd be in contention and quite possibly in the playoffs. I still think so, but they've exceeded expectations so far. This won't go on forever and the inevitable slump is, well, inevitable (as with all teams), but they sure are fun to watch!!
Did someone say Dead Sox? Hmmmm. Whatever happened to them anyway? Same old dead pitching staff and sleeping front office will send them out of the playoffs for a 3rd straight year. Early prediction for the AL playoffs: Spankees, Rays, Tigers, Rangers and someone else for the new, dopey 5th wheel/one-game playoff.
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Post by Paul Sylvain on Apr 22, 2012 19:59:56 GMT -5
Early prediction for the AL playoffs: Spankees, Rays, Tigers, Rangers and someone else for the new, dopey 5th wheel/one-game playoff. Sure as heck won't be the Red Sox, that's for sure. The Sox will be lucky to finish third in the AL East. I mean, how do you blow a 9-0 lead to lose 15-9? They could have survived one seven-run inning by the Yanks, but how do you allow two such innings back-to-back? Oh, right. Because they had to go to the bullpen. I am so glad I got to know and follow the Rangers while I was in Dallas. Texas has been my team for the past couple of years, so at least having one good team in my pocket numbs the pain I have to endure watching the "Dead" Sox. Ayuh - stick a fork in 'em, turn 'em over, they're done. Paul
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Post by Allen Wiener on Apr 22, 2012 23:03:49 GMT -5
Normally, I'd say the season is still young, but the Sox organization is beginning to look like the do-nothing Orioles'; they have needed pitching help for several years and any competent organization would have known that and made some serious player moves. The Sox just went to sleep and they are stuck with the same losers they've gone with for the past few seasons. I don't mind a team not winning as long as they are trying to keep their fans interested (and act like THEY'RE interested). We've known for years around here that Angelos hasn't cared about his team or its fans. Maybe the excitement the Nats are stirring up here at this end of the Beltway will wake them up (although I doubt it). I'm still waiting to see if the Sox' front office ever wakes up.
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Post by markpatrus on Apr 23, 2012 9:14:32 GMT -5
Hopefully the Braves will at least make it that far this year.
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Post by jmolini on Apr 24, 2012 13:05:37 GMT -5
The Red Sox should have kept Francona (managers don't "lose" locker rooms as much as players do) dealt some players, and gone into restock and retool mode while remaining competitive. Not a reactionary reinvent mode - under those circumstances Valentine is a bad fit. Especially in today's game with today's players. Funny how Theo left and then.....but now he's here in Chicago and Cub fans are beyond drinking the kool aid they're drowning in it....just hope they realize it could be a long drink, 3 - 5 years..and this owner Ricketts ain't exactly popping open the purse...heck he wants the city to put up half the dough to "renovate" Wrigley and the half he'll put up won't exactly go into the park but outside the park in the form of a structure that houses offices, parking, a museum and of course the required and necessary restaurant because as everybody knows the road to a championship starts with fine dining...
Said it last year the Nasty Nats were looking like a team to not be taken lightly..and the Cards were the team to beat....
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Post by loucapitano on Apr 24, 2012 16:16:05 GMT -5
Thanks Allen - I wondered when you would start the 2012 Penant thread. Also, thank you for including the Yankees in the playoffs. I hate to say it, but the Red Sox have been such a worthy competitor over so many years, I reallyfeel their pain. Not enough to gloat over the 15-9 wake-up call. Tonight we play Dallas again. We got em once, I don't think the Texans will let it happen twice. Lou from Long island Looks to be a great season.
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Post by Hiram on Apr 25, 2012 14:30:39 GMT -5
Despite losing the last two games in walk-off fashion, the reigning World Series Champions are the team to beat in the Senior Circuit. I had a glorious off-season thanks to an October Classic that ranks as one of the greatest ever played.
The departure of Albert Pujols has created an atmosphere in the clubhouse where the players look to each other to step up, not one player. The Redbirds started out like gangbusters but have hit hard times the last five games; such is the nature of the marathon that makes up the baseball season.
I like the Nats in the East, mainly because I have no love lost for any other team in that division. Beyond that, they appear to be on the rise and if healthy all season, Strasburg will post some eye-opening numbers. Zimmerman's health is a concern, if they lose him for any length of time, that will hurt them.
The AL East I think is going to be wide open as long as the Highlanders' pitching remains in disarray. If and when the Yankees get their arms in order, they will separate themselves from the pack with a potent lineup. Failing that, I can see every team in the East being competitive (yes Allen, even the O's.)
I don't think its possible for Boston to be this bad all season. They have nowhere go but up at this point.
I have been struck by the utter futility of several teams to score runs; Marlins, Mets, Phillies, A's, Pirates all averaging less than 3.5 runs per game. Pirates are approaching the abyss with 35 runs scored in 16 games. Texas has scored 65 more runs than the Bucs with only two additional games played.
Right now, the Rangers look like "Joliet" Jake and Elwood Blues...they are on a mission from God. Any team that wants to raise the AL Pennant has to get past the boys from Arlington first.
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Post by Allen Wiener on Apr 25, 2012 21:11:39 GMT -5
Holy beltway, Batman! What's goin' on here?? I look at the standings and think I'm standing on my head! But NO! Both of our teams are in first place!! Can't believe it will last, but the O's have already exceeded my expectations! Maybe that looniness on the last night of the season last year has had a carryover effect! And the Nats are living up to my expectations. Last year I had a strong feeling they'd be in contention and they are. If they could only add a bit more punch to the lineup, they'd be dynamite!
I expect the Yanks will work out whatever their problems are and find a way to win, but this is a very tough division. Despite the gloomy start, I agree that Boston will have its moments. Right now they are enjoying pounding hapless Minnesota, but the pitching staff remains as precarious as it has been for at least 2 years, so I don't expect much of them.
I agree regarding Texas and St. Louis and a rematch in the Series is entirely possible. As I've said, who'd hate that? I am not a fan of either team, but I enjoyed that series more than any in recent memory; a real joyride from start to finish!
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Post by Hiram on Apr 27, 2012 17:15:49 GMT -5
Mixed news for the Nats...good news that Zimmerman's MRI showed no structural damage. Bad news, he's still headed for the DL. Good news, roster spot now open for the #2 prospect in baseball, Bryce Harper, who will join the club tomorrow in Los Angeles. Pitching matchup will be Strasburg - Billingsley. This has the makings of a good ballgame!
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Post by Allen Wiener on Apr 27, 2012 17:42:01 GMT -5
Should be televised here late tonight, so I'll try to catch at least part of it. Fun to actually be involved for once!
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Post by loucapitano on Apr 29, 2012 11:30:05 GMT -5
It's awfully early to be prediciting October, although I agree it could be last year's WS Part Deux. Looking at the standings this morning and noticed many teams are over 500. Those under at this point don't seam to have much chance this season. But with the O's in 1st place and the Sox at 500, this division is wide open. If the Yanks can count on Hughs and Garcia to replace injured that injured pitch I never got to see, the division should be theirs. But don't bet on it...H & G seem on a race to the bottom. I expect a star to come out of the bullpen. Good luck to all!!! Lou from Long Island
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Post by Allen Wiener on Apr 29, 2012 13:07:11 GMT -5
I still think the Yanks will take the division, but it may well be a battle this year. Things are just beginning to shake out and it's already very interesting. Can't ask for more than that. Reality is starting to set in for the Nats; they've dropped 3 in a row on the west coast and Strasberg wasn't enough to win last night; the bullpen blew a 3-1 lead in the 9th to L.A. That can't go on and they still need more hitting. Still, the Dodgers are surprising a lot of people for a franchise that went broke. The Sox' bats have certainly awakened and they are finally on a hot streak, but I still think their pitching will undo them in the long run, although Lester threw a beaut last night in a 1-0 squeeker. Anyway, we're off and running!
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Post by Paul Sylvain on Apr 30, 2012 18:40:59 GMT -5
I agree that Boston will get it together but I think the team's downfall will be that it will be unable to maintain the level of pitching and hitting (especially pitching) needed to prevail in the AL East. As the Yankees always manage to do, they will fix what needs to be fixed, and hit their stride by early July. They will finish first, as should Texas.
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Post by Allen Wiener on May 1, 2012 8:02:44 GMT -5
Last night's Sox game and Yankee game are exhibit A and B respectively. The Sox managed to turn an 11-1 laugher against Oakland (playing below .500) into an adventure. All they had to do was open their bullpen and all hell broke loose. Bases continually loaded, 5 runs given up in a single inning by several pitchers -- all with TWO OUTS! No lead is safe and the pitching, if anything, is worse than ever.
The Yankees won a tense game vs. the Orioles, who got a whale of a performance out their young starter, Hammel, who made only one mistake all night - but it resulted in a two-run homer and the Yanks managed to make it hole up and won 2-1, despite starting one of their shakier pitchers. Once they went into their bullpen, however, it was all over.
Paul is right - the Yanks will find a way to fix whatever's broke, stay in contention during any lean days, and win the division. It's tiresome for the rest of us to see them do this day in and day out, year after year, but they know how to do it. The Sox don't (or won't).
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Post by loucapitano on May 1, 2012 15:48:26 GMT -5
Sorry the Yankees are so tedious Allen. Believe me, we have frustrations too. Plus, for the first time in years, I'm letting myself care about the Knicks and Rangers. The Knicks are a sorry bunch that don't seem to know how to balance a roster. I expect them to drop four straight to the Heat. The Rangers are so mercurial. One game, they own the ice, the next they play like they're discovering hockey for the first time. I find myself constantly shouting at ::)the forwards to quit fooling around and shoot the friggen puck. And quit playing the game in front of your own net. I must sound like I'm talking to the 12 year old soccer players I coached many years ago. Anyway, the Rangers in seven, hopefully, so my grandson won't get so mopey.
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