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How is your team looking for this year? - JFlight21 - 02-26-2011 06:23 PM
...
RE: How is your team looking for this year? - flyingswoosh - 03-13-2011 11:03 PM
alright, we're back baby! I miss this board.
I guess i'll get it started. The Giants are looking great. I realize we had a lot of things go right last year (brooks conrad anyone?), but I really think this team has a shot to repeat. They won it all last year without the Panda. This offseason he lost a ton of weight which will mostly help in the field and on the bases, but will also help him clear his hips better at the plate and drive through the ball. I don't put stock into anything that happens during spring training (unless it's a drop in velocity), but i do have to say that from what i've seen and heard, the panda is smoking the ball all over the field and has definitely been taking more pitches so we'll see if that translates at all. We'll also have Derosa, who I realize isn't the greatest player ever, but he's a versatile player who's capable of hitting .280 and driving in 80 runs. Another thing that will help our regular season record will be having Posey, Ross and a healthy Freddy Sanchez for the whole season. Another possibility for the lineup will be Brandon Belt. he's one of the most advanced hitting prospects in baseball. he most likely won't make the team out of camp, but he'll be up no later than June. Belt is actually a lot like a left handed hitting Posey, adding him to the lineup could be another boost for a lineup that's already pretty damn good (as long as the panda hits). Belt is an excellent first baseman and a capable left fielder.
As for the pitching, they seem to have picked up right where they left off. Their ERA in the Arizona League is a full run better than the next closest staff. Zito pitched great the last 2 times out, but I don't expect he'll be any better or worse than he was last year. A big difference for the staff will be having an improved Bumgarner for the whole season. He dominated the Reds in his last outing, which was encouraging even though it was spring. I expect him to have a big season.
All in all, I really think this team is capable of repeating. There's only one thing that could derail our chances; Cain's elbow. he was scratched a couple weeks ago with elbow inflammation and said it was nothing. Luckily, it seems like the team wasn't lying. He's thrown a couple bullpens and has pitched a simulated game. He's due to start Monday's game against the Brewers. If everything feels fine and his stuff is good, he'll start the season as the #3 guy, behind Sanchez and we'll be ready to go. He's one of the 5 irreplaceable players on the team, so his health is vital to our performance.
I really believe that this team has the opportunity to be the best Giants team, top to bottom, that I've ever seen. Hell, even their fielding is good, other than tejada
RE: How is your team looking for this year? - JFlight21 - 03-16-2011 01:15 PM
I agree the Giants will be better. Having Posey for an entire year will help tremendously, plus the Padres lost Adrian Gonzalez so that should give them a few more wins too. I'd be shocked if they didn't win the NL West.
As far as the Reds...
I really like the direction of this team because of the depth and the youth. In the rotation, Cueto, Volquez, Bailey, Wood and Leake are all young and have boatloads of potential. I really expect Volquez and Bailey to break out this year out of that group. Also, Chapman should anchor the bullpen. As far as positional players, Votto, Stubbs and Bruce will be the cornerstones. I think it's unrealistic to expect Rolen to produce like he did last year so guys like Stubbs and Bruce will need to continue to improve if the Reds want to have the NL's best offense again. Honestly, I think Bruce will be more than up to the challenge and I expect him to challenge for NL MVP this year as he really came on in the playoffs and the last two months of the years. Should be an exciting year for the Reds and I expect another division title.
RE: How is your team looking for this year? - flyingswoosh - 03-16-2011 01:43 PM
Yeah i expect you to be in contention for the division title. The brewers will be there with you, because besides their improved rotation, they're one of the few teams that can compete with your lineup. Definitely an exciting time to be a Reds fan.
And wainwright's injury helps too
BTW, Cain threw 3 shutout inn against the brewers on Monday and struck out Braun to end the 3rd. There have been no reports of pain the elbow, so I'm assuming the last piece of the puzzle is good to go. Bumgarner had good stuff yesterday. he gave up a couple solo HR's, but he also K'd 6 in 4 innings and has now struck out something like 18 in 15 innings this spring, which is a lot more than the zero K's he had last spring. I'm very excited to see his progress this season
Do you want to do a prediction thread like we used to?
RE: How is your team looking for this year? - RaiderATO - 03-16-2011 03:10 PM
Braves:
Pitching is going to have at least 3 solid starters. Hanson-R, Lowe-R, Hudson-R, for sure. Jurrjens-R is coming off an injury. Minor-L and Beachy-R are fighting for the 5th spot or AAA (don't believe either will be in the bullpen). Some want Minor in because he's the only lefty starting prospect. Kris Medlen (starter/reliever) is out until August or later with TJ surgery.
Bullpen should be strong. A lot of young arms can come in as set-up or closer (Venters, Kimbrel). O'Flaherty and Moylan have been added to with Proctor, Linebrink, Marek and Sherrill (ugh) as middle inning and matchup guys. We couldn't get rid of Kawakami (and his contract), but I wouldn't expect to see much of him outside of AAA. I don't know much about new young additions, just who we've traded for and acquired.
Lineup changes: Uggla in at 2B adds a strong L bat in the lineup. Prado moves to LF and will continue leading off. Chipper comes back from his late injury and has been doing well in spring training. McLouth will hopefully get confidence and health back and finally perform for the Braves in CF. Freeman is added at 1B. Don't expect much offense, but be surprised by the big man's defense.
Bench players should be as strong as last year. Hinske will be the first PH choice. Mather looks to be the best utility addition since losing Infante. Schafer hopes to be the backup OF and a few others are being tossed around the infield.
1. Prado - LF
2. McLouth - CF
3. Jones - 3B
4. Uggla - 2B
5. McCann - C
6. Heyward - RF
7. Gonzalez - SS
8. Freeman - 1B
That's my best guess. The days Chipper isn't in the lineup could shuffle a lot of things (Prado to 3B maybe, along with batting order shuffles).
Its hard to pick a rotation order with Hanson, Hudson, and Lowe as 1ABC. Jurrjens as 4 and Beachy/Minor as 5AB. I'd like to see Hanson get the opening day start.
I've got hope for this season. More than last season. Even with the Phillies' in the division (along with the improving Nats, sneaky Marlins, and "potential filled" Mets) I expect the Braves to win it or be in it to win at the end of the season. Playoff bound.
RE: How is your team looking for this year? - JFlight21 - 03-16-2011 03:31 PM
In looking at the three teams that people just posted about, do any of you guys actually think your team could challenge the Phillies?
RE: How is your team looking for this year? - ClairtonPanther - 03-16-2011 03:51 PM
The Pirates are the Pirates... Enough said.
RE: How is your team looking for this year? - flyingswoosh - 03-16-2011 04:45 PM
(03-16-2011 03:31 PM)JFlight21 Wrote: In looking at the three teams that people just posted about, do any of you guys actually think your team could challenge the Phillies?
not only do i think we could challenge, i think we will beat them. Utley, polanco and lidge have all had injuries of varying severity. Howard is showing signs of decline too. With Werth gone, I have to believe they're susceptible to good left handed pitching and we happen to have 2 of those.
As for the Braves, I definitely think they can beat the Phils. If Utley's injury puts him on the shelf for awhile, their lineup will be infinitely worse than last year's. Braves have excellent pitching, provided Hudson and Lowe can hold up and duplicate last season's performance. Uggla's bat adds some much needed power, heyward will be even better and chipper might provide some hitting.
And i didnt even mention that the braves and giants have much better bullpens than the Phils.
Do I think the Reds can beat the Phillies? probably not, but it's way too early to tell. Will your starters take the next step? probably. Will Bruce and Stubbs continue to improve?
Oh and Raider, welcome to the mlb board. we always need a braves fan
RE: How is your team looking for this year? - flyingswoosh - 03-16-2011 04:46 PM
(03-16-2011 03:51 PM)animus Wrote: The Pirates are the Pirates... Enough said.
sorry man. i know that's gotta be tough. at least you'll get to watch a few good young hitters and some good prospects. that's something i guess
RE: How is your team looking for this year? - ClairtonPanther - 03-16-2011 06:15 PM
(03-16-2011 04:46 PM)flyingswoosh Wrote:(03-16-2011 03:51 PM)animus Wrote: The Pirates are the Pirates... Enough said.
sorry man. i know that's gotta be tough. at least you'll get to watch a few good young hitters and some good prospects. that's something i guess
Only to see them traded away for "PROSPECTS". The cycle continues.
RE: How is your team looking for this year? - JFlight21 - 03-16-2011 07:48 PM
(03-16-2011 04:45 PM)flyingswoosh Wrote:(03-16-2011 03:31 PM)JFlight21 Wrote: In looking at the three teams that people just posted about, do any of you guys actually think your team could challenge the Phillies?
not only do i think we could challenge, i think we will beat them. Utley, polanco and lidge have all had injuries of varying severity. Howard is showing signs of decline too. With Werth gone, I have to believe they're susceptible to good left handed pitching and we happen to have 2 of those.
As for the Braves, I definitely think they can beat the Phils. If Utley's injury puts him on the shelf for awhile, their lineup will be infinitely worse than last year's. Braves have excellent pitching, provided Hudson and Lowe can hold up and duplicate last season's performance. Uggla's bat adds some much needed power, heyward will be even better and chipper might provide some hitting.
And i didnt even mention that the braves and giants have much better bullpens than the Phils.
Do I think the Reds can beat the Phillies? probably not, but it's way too early to tell. Will your starters take the next step? probably. Will Bruce and Stubbs continue to improve?
Oh and Raider, welcome to the mlb board. we always need a braves fan
I think if Utley and Howard are healthy the entire year then no one will catch the Phillies. They are so far superior to any other team in baseball as far as starting pitching.
RE: How is your team looking for this year? - flyingswoosh - 03-16-2011 10:43 PM
(03-16-2011 07:48 PM)JFlight21 Wrote:(03-16-2011 04:45 PM)flyingswoosh Wrote:(03-16-2011 03:31 PM)JFlight21 Wrote: In looking at the three teams that people just posted about, do any of you guys actually think your team could challenge the Phillies?
not only do i think we could challenge, i think we will beat them. Utley, polanco and lidge have all had injuries of varying severity. Howard is showing signs of decline too. With Werth gone, I have to believe they're susceptible to good left handed pitching and we happen to have 2 of those.
As for the Braves, I definitely think they can beat the Phils. If Utley's injury puts him on the shelf for awhile, their lineup will be infinitely worse than last year's. Braves have excellent pitching, provided Hudson and Lowe can hold up and duplicate last season's performance. Uggla's bat adds some much needed power, heyward will be even better and chipper might provide some hitting.
And i didnt even mention that the braves and giants have much better bullpens than the Phils.
Do I think the Reds can beat the Phillies? probably not, but it's way too early to tell. Will your starters take the next step? probably. Will Bruce and Stubbs continue to improve?
Oh and Raider, welcome to the mlb board. we always need a braves fan
I think if Utley and Howard are healthy the entire year then no one will catch the Phillies. They are so far superior to any other team in baseball as far as starting pitching.
i have to disagree. on paper their top 4 are better than ours, but in a best of 7, our guys can easily match up. I also think Howard is declining and easy to pitch to. I have no doubt that we can take them down. We beat Cliff Lee twice in the series and he had a better lineup behind him
RE: How is your team looking for this year? - flyingswoosh - 03-16-2011 11:15 PM
Honestly, i'm more afraid of the Braves than the Phillies. The former always give us a lot of trouble. We never have too much trouble with the Phillies. I'd rather face Howard or Utley than McCann. He kills us and is definitely the most underrated catcher in baseball. Such an awesome hitter. I didn't see one hole in his swing in the playoffs, as opposed to heyward who has a gaping hole anywhere above the belt. He just couldn't handle the high pitch, whether it was a ball or a strike
RE: How is your team looking for this year? - JFlight21 - 03-16-2011 11:50 PM
We'll see. Obviously anything can happen in a 5 or 7 game series but I just think that even if they have a average offense then they will be an extremely dominant team. However, if any of them get hurt which Hamels and Oswalt have in the past then they could definitely fall back to the pack.
I know managers aren't as influential in baseball as they are for other sports like basketball or football but I'm still curious to see how the Braves react now that Cox is no longer on the bench. I doubt it makes much of a difference but he did so well for the past twenty years that you always wonder...
RE: How is your team looking for this year? - flyingswoosh - 03-17-2011 07:37 AM
(03-16-2011 11:50 PM)JFlight21 Wrote: We'll see. Obviously anything can happen in a 5 or 7 game series but I just think that even if they have a average offense then they will be an extremely dominant team. However, if any of them get hurt which Hamels and Oswalt have in the past then they could definitely fall back to the pack.
I know managers aren't as influential in baseball as they are for other sports like basketball or football but I'm still curious to see how the Braves react now that Cox is no longer on the bench. I doubt it makes much of a difference but he did so well for the past twenty years that you always wonder...
although Cox managed really poorly against us in the division series. I was kinda surprised
I know you're skeptical of anyone's chances against the phillies, but what's weird is that i'm 100% sure we'd take them in a 7 game series. I've never been this confident before about a Giants team. They're deep, they're balanced, they have great pitching, good fielding, the potential for a great lineup and an awesome bench. To be honest, Pablo Sandoval is the big key to all of this. A lineup with a resurrected Panda + torres, sanchez, huff, posey, ross, belt and tejada would be amazing and would give us a bench of Burrell, Derosa, Fontenot and Schierholtz. But like you said, we'll see...
RE: How is your team looking for this year? - RaiderATO - 03-17-2011 02:08 PM
(03-16-2011 04:45 PM)flyingswoosh Wrote: Braves have excellent pitching, provided Hudson and Lowe can hold up and duplicate last season's performance.
Don't forget Hanson. He had some bad luck last year. Something like a 3.33 ERA and 1.75 run support. Along with a large # of games he left with a lead, only to get no decision.
(03-16-2011 11:15 PM)flyingswoosh Wrote: ... as opposed to heyward who has a gaping hole anywhere above the belt. He just couldn't handle the high pitch, whether it was a ball or a strike
You got that right. He'd be super patient 75% of the time, and then he'd whiff at a high pitch. I hope he'll stay healthy. He'd always suck it up when he got hurt, and that affected his play when he wasn't on the DL.
(03-16-2011 11:50 PM)JFlight21 Wrote: I know managers aren't as influential in baseball as they are for other sports like basketball or football but I'm still curious to see how the Braves react now that Cox is no longer on the bench. I doubt it makes much of a difference but he did so well for the past twenty years that you always wonder...
Fredi is basically Bobby. He was Bobby's 3B coach and 2nd in command before going to the Marlins. Differences being, he doesn't wear spikes, allows music in the locker room, has infield fundamentals practice, and has a stretch time before the day starts. He'll still be that manager that sticks with a starter who is 0-25. He'll give him that confidence that he'll get another 25, then another, and another.
(03-17-2011 07:37 AM)flyingswoosh Wrote: although Cox managed really poorly against us in the division series. I was kinda surprised
He was doing the best with what he had. No Chipper, no Prado, thin middle infield backups, and some flubs by the OLD rookie Conrad.
I was impressed by the late season additions of Ankiel, Farnsworth, and Lee (I had hoped for more offense from Lee, though). Adding Uggla in the offseason helps out our infield depth, even with losing Infante.
RE: How is your team looking for this year? - flyingswoosh - 03-17-2011 02:33 PM
(03-17-2011 02:08 PM)Raider_ATO Wrote:(03-16-2011 04:45 PM)flyingswoosh Wrote: Braves have excellent pitching, provided Hudson and Lowe can hold up and duplicate last season's performance.
Don't forget Hanson. He had some bad luck last year. Something like a 3.33 ERA and 1.75 run support. Along with a large # of games he left with a lead, only to get no decision.
Believe me, i didn't. I didn't include him because he's a given. There's no doubt he'll have a great year. I expect he might be an all star. I mentioned Lowe and Hudson because they're question marks. They're old and Hudson hit a wall at the end of the season
RE: How is your team looking for this year? - Brookes Owl - 03-21-2011 02:03 PM
This will be a challenging year for Dodgers fans. Likely I will be cheering more for individuals and individual accomplishments than the team. The problem is that they do have enough talent to at least challenge for a wild card if not the division (esp if Kemp plays to his talent and Loney shows the power he keeps threatening to do). But any team success will serve to validate McCourt's ownership of the team (at least, in HIS eyes) and make the ownership situation that much more unsettled. This guy is a blight to Los Angeles and to MLB. I hate him almost as much as I hate Georgia Frontiere, and that's big hate.
RE: How is your team looking for this year? - RaiderATO - 03-21-2011 03:22 PM
(03-21-2011 02:03 PM)Brookes Owl Wrote: This will be a challenging year for Dodgers fans.
Through friendships, LA is my #2 team. Never been a big fan of the town, but the Dodgers seem to embody the part of LA that I envy. Outdoor in the great weather, nature (stadium doesn't look to the city, but to the mountains), venerability (Skully and Dodger Stadium), and a strong sense of history.
RE: How is your team looking for this year? - Brookes Owl - 03-21-2011 04:51 PM
(03-21-2011 03:22 PM)Raider_ATO Wrote:(03-21-2011 02:03 PM)Brookes Owl Wrote: This will be a challenging year for Dodgers fans.
Through friendships, LA is my #2 team. Never been a big fan of the town, but the Dodgers seem to embody the part of LA that I envy. Outdoor in the great weather, nature (stadium doesn't look to the city, but to the mountains), venerability (Skully and Dodger Stadium), and a strong sense of history.
Since the sale of the team by Peter O'Malley, first Fox and now McCourt are doing their best to toss that venerability and sense of history in the trash. Their lack of respect for the franchise, the town and its fans is just sad.