MLB Playoff Thread

[displacedyankeedem]

Any baseball fans here?

Anyways, thought it would be good to start a thread on the pennant races that are finally starting to come into view.

In the AL East, I think the Yanks are simply too good to be beat, but they'll eventually regret trading for Benitez. Boston is my pick for the AL wildcard, especially now that they've done away with their "closer by committee" situation; Kim was the final big piece that they needed. Toronto gave it a valient ride, but it's really hard to try to keep up with the likes of NY and Boston's bank accounts.

The AL Central has the makings of a great race. I'm going to pick Kansas City, the feel good story of this entire year. It's finally good to see a really small market team break through and do well. The White Sox have the capability(and the money) to try and make it a race; and the Twins aren't going to roll over and play dead. It's not inconceivable that one of these teams could be the AL wildcard.

In the AL West Seattle is phenominal. They're a shoo-in for the division. Oakland could be Boston's top competition for the AL Wildcard with their unbelievable pitching.

In the NL East, Atlanta's gonna run away with it(though I harbor serious doubts about their rotation), and Philly's gonna grab the wildcard. Florida's simply gonna be a day late and a dollar short.

The NL Central has to be baseball's most dysfunctional division. The Cards have the best team on paper; but they haven't managed to perform to the level they should. The Astros rotation isn't deep enough; and the Cubbies need more power.

In the AL West I'll pick the Giants, but if the Dodgers can get more offense-watch out Phillies. I see Arizona also putting up a challenge for the wildcard, if Schilling and Johnson can get back on track.

And just for the record-I'm a Pirates fan, so I have no stake in any of these teams.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

1. Good Assessment, SC_Dem

Don't count the Red Sox out of the AL East race-there's still 1/2 season left! They are nipping at the Yankees' heels and have the best offense in the AL (team average has recently fallen to .293). It is good to see that their bull pen woes seem to be mending, but the weakness is with the starting rotation. Lowe hasn't put up good numbers this season, Wakefield is erratic, and Burkett is useless. Mendoza has been sharp lately, but they have to do something with the starting rotation.

[displacedyankeedem]

6. Possible Starters Available

It might not hurt the Sox to try and pick up a starter or two through a trade. Jeff Suppan(Pittsburgh) has been very consistant, Steve Trachsel (NY Mets) is also a decent starter, and don't let Mike Maroth's(Detroit) numbers fool you he's also very good. All three teams will want prospects.

[Darth_Ole]

2. I think the Royals are going to crap out in the second half of the season.

Just like the Twins did a couple years ago. The Twins have won four in a row so it appears they're back on track. So I'll have to pick them.

But I don't think the AL Central as a whole is the toughest division. So I think it's unlikely that an AL central team would beat out someone like Oakland, Boston, or Toronto for the Wild Card.

[WindRavenX]

3. As a Yankees fan, let me tell you: Yanks won't get far

All season long, they haven't been hitting w/ RISP well, their bullpen has a bipolar personality (they'll be lights out for 2 days, then suck ass for the next week), most of their offense is reliant on home runs which is NOT something you want to see for a postseason team, defense is weak...
I just don't see the team getting past more consistant teams. On paper, the Yankees are the best team in baseball, but all season, they have been so inconsistant in all departments that they have at times struggled. Granted, they have survived MAJOR injuries (Jeter, Bernie, Nick Johnson) that have taken most of their usual offense away, but I dunno..
Seattle has, IMO, the most consistant offense, defense, and has the best relief pitching that perform consistantly day in and day out.

[PittPoliSci]

4. four words

Pittsburgh Pirates take all.

[displacedyankeedem]

7. Be afraid of what's coming

Yeah, the Pirates are half respectable now, but the fire sale is coming. Mike Williams was traded this afternoon to Philadelphia, and Giles, Kendall, Suppan, Ramirez, Lofton, Sanders, D'Amico and Benson have all been rumored. This is fine with me(the Pirates wouldn't have made it this year nayways), but GM Dave Littlefield better sign it in blood that the Pirates will make the playoffs by 2006. I'm sick and tired of 'rebuilding' from the last 11 years; there must be change. It's gotten pretty depressing watching every season pass without the Buccos in the playoffs(as well as teams like Milwaukee, Detroit, and Montreal) while Atlanta and the Yankees are in it every d*** year.

[WilliamPitt]

5. The BoSox look strong

I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know.

OK? I know.

But they look strong. They are the 1995 Cleveland Indians with better pitching. We'll see.