(03-21-2011 02:03 PM)Brookes Owl Wrote:  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.

if things go right, the Dodgers can definitely win the division. Ethier needs to stay healthy, Kemp needs to play to his potential (as you said), and Furcal needs to stay healthy (always a question). Their lineup definitely has its question marks, but the bullpen is pretty good (although broxton is definitely sliding) and the rotation is quality. Good things usually happen when you have Kershaw and Billingsley at the top of the rotation

(03-22-2011 09:15 AM)flyingswoosh Wrote:  

(03-21-2011 02:03 PM)Brookes Owl Wrote:  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.

if things go right, the Dodgers can definitely win the division. Ethier needs to stay healthy, Kemp needs to play to his potential (as you said), and Furcal needs to stay healthy (always a question). Their lineup definitely has its question marks, but the bullpen is pretty good (although broxton is definitely sliding) and the rotation is quality. Good things usually happen when you have Kershaw and Billingsley at the top of the rotation

Yeah, that's the thing (Kershaw and Billingsley, and Broxton) - in the playoffs when the pitching rotations tighten up and there are more rest days one or two hot pitchers and a good reliever can really carry a team. But like I said, if the Dodgers get that far I'm going to have mixed feelings.

And, the Dodgers got rid of Sherrill. That's worth about 10 wins right there. He gets to bring down the Braves now.

(03-22-2011 11:48 AM)Raider_ATO Wrote:  And, the Dodgers got rid of Sherrill. That's worth about 10 wins right there. He gets to bring down the Braves now.

very true. what a bum

The Blue Jays could really surprise some people in a good way this year. I'm really excited about the future of this team. As for the Marlins, I think they'll be in contention for a playoff spot. They have solid young pitchers, and a solid lineup.

(03-25-2011 08:07 PM)Blazer4Life14 Wrote:  The Blue Jays could really surprise some people in a good way this year. I'm really excited about the future of this team. As for the Marlins, I think they'll be in contention for a playoff spot. They have solid young pitchers, and a solid lineup.

Totally agree about the Jays and yeah the Marlins could have a good season and have a bright future. Like you said, they have a good group of young pitchers, along with a lineup that has Ramirez and Stanton in the middle. They've already sold out all of the highest level expensive seats at their new ballpark, so that should help give their payroll some consistency. The braves and phillies definitely will have some more competition in the coming years with the Marlins and a Nationals team that could add Strasburg and Harper as well as a few other prospects

Rockies fan here. Was so nice to get off to a 2 game sweep of the Dodgers. They have been the Rox kryptonite since the Rockies entered the league.

While S.F. looks really tough again, I believe that the NL West and the AL East will be fighting it out for the title of toughest division in baseball. I think the only team that has NO chance at the NL West is Arizona. I once again expect the NL West to come down to the final game.

The Rockies look to be improved this year. Locked up two of the most exciting young players for years to come - SS Troy Tulowitski and OF Carlos Gonzales. Deeper this year in pitching. The two major problems that plagued them last season - poor road record and slow start in April, need to be fixed.

So far, they are off to a 4-1 start. Feels like spring. It was 84 degrees for game #2 and the nexc day it was snowed out.

Sure glad baseball is back.

Geez, tough start for the Jays. They have six losses by a combined 7 runs. But, nobody in the AL East seems interested in doing any good (aside from the Orioles), so that's good.

I think this the most important thing about it. 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. So it is very necessary for each and every team.