That's right. 16-9 after a sweep of the Red Sox at The Ballpark.

BEST TRADE EVER

You beat me to the punch, Frog. I was just about to do a topic about Texas. You're right, the A-Rod deal could turn out to be very good for you guys.

Texas has a good chance to be really good for a long time if Blalock, Soriano, Teixera (sp?), etc stay. They won't make the playoffs this year, but if they keep this nucleus together and add some pitching, watch out. If the team is still in it near the trade deadline, look for them to acquire some pitching.

Also, Cordero has a chance at being a top 5 closer. He has great stuff.

CB, as optimistic as I want to be, I have to agree they probably won't make the playoffs this year. The West is real tough, and we've all seen the Rangers' signature Post-All Star fade too many times to get too excited.

BUT, this past weekend's series sweep vs. the BoSox really got The Metroplex pumped about a team they'd all but forgotten about for a few years. If they can stay close this year, fans will come out to The Ballpark and hopefully that will translate into Hicks being willing to spend some money on pitching this offseason (who will be available?). We do have a few good young pitching prospects, though. R.A. Dickey has been impressive, as has Colby Lewis on occasion (and when healthy). Ryan Drese and Joaquin Benoit have also had some good outings. And yes, Coco is a great closer.

cbfranchise3 Wrote:Texas has a good chance to be really good for a long time if Blalock, Soriano, Teixera (sp?), etc stay. They won't make the playoffs this year, but if they keep this nucleus together and add some pitching, watch out. If the team is still in it near the trade deadline, look for them to acquire some pitching.

Totally agree. The key for them is just getting pitchers who give them a chance to win. Nobody can put up great number in Arlington, but if they get some guys who can hold the opposition to 4 or 5 runs consistenly, they'll win a bunch of games. It looks like they've finally got some guys who can do that, too.

Best record now: Angels and Astros: My WS pick.

I agree with that. Astros look scary to me.

that's some pitching staff the Astros have in Houston, but I'll have to say the Cubbies can rival them any day, especially when Prior gets back into the rotation. It looks like the NL Central race could come down to which team has a better offense (assuming that both pitching staffs hold up the whole season), and right now it seems to me the cubbies look a bit more scary on offense.

I watched R.A. Dickey pitch last Sunday on TV. I was impressed...so much that I picked him up on my fantasy team. He'll get his first start for me tomorrow.

Also, wouldn't it be something if Michael Young ended up as the best SS in the AL after the A-Rod deal? He is hitting .373

yipg Wrote:that's some pitching staff the Astros have in Houston, but I'll have to say the Cubbies can rival them any day, especially when Prior gets back into the rotation. It looks like the NL Central race could come down to which team has a better offense (assuming that both pitching staffs hold up the whole season), and right now it seems to me the cubbies look a bit more scary on offense.

I like the Astros because I think their bullpen is better. But I could see the Cubs winning it, too.

GDawgs88 Wrote:

yipg Wrote:that's some pitching staff the Astros have in Houston, but I'll have to say the Cubbies can rival them any day, especially when Prior gets back into the rotation. It looks like the NL Central race could come down to which team has a better offense (assuming that both pitching staffs hold up the whole season), and right now it seems to me the cubbies look a bit more scary on offense.

I like the Astros because I think their bullpen is better. But I could see the Cubs winning it, too.

i think both of their bullpens' suck. Well the astros' bullpen doesn't suck, but it isn't very good.

I don't think so. Dotel is a very good closer and Lidge and Miceli are both having great years.

Their bullpen isn't as good as last year when it was the best in baseball, but it is still pretty good. I wouldn't call it a strength, but it is above average.

give miceli some time. he won't be like this forever.

I think Angels will make it to the World Series because they have Vladamir Guerreo, Expos are idiots, they gave up one of the best baseball players currently playing! Thank god I don't live in Montreal!

i dont think the Expos really wanted to give up vlad, but when your attendance is less than 5K on some nights, you dont have too many options