Who cares what people say man... Just be yourself because believe it or not...I enjoy your posts around here. Also, many feel the Twins are better than the White Sox... Is that true? And how? I just feel the White Sox have the much better starting pitching
I'll post a more detailed breakdown later, but I like Minnesota's starting pitching and lineup better. Also, they have Joe Nathan closing. Quentin's injury put Minnesota over the top, in my view. Of course, they haven't been playing very well of late.
Crawford being back should be a big boost. He certainly wasn't expected to come back from that hand injury. We'll see how effective he can be. He's been out a long time and obviously that's an injury that can linger. It looks like he'll be on the postseason roster. He's a spark for the team and is a real threat on the bases. Otherwise, I like Tampa Bay a lot. I would favor them to win over either Chicago or Minnesota. Better starting rotation and a lineup that is better than Chicago's and almost as good as Minnesota's. Kazmir, Shields, and Garza is tough to match as far as starters go. The bullpen has been very good with Balfour, Howell, and Bradford. Percival is back, although he reminds me of the Indians using Borowski. The closer is the weak link. Minnesota scares me more than Chicago does. Liriano, Blackburn, Baker, and Slowey looks a little better to me than does Buehrle, Vazquez, Floyd, and Danks, plus that bullpen with Nathan at the back end... Chicago is still a good team, but their lineup isn't nearly as scary without Quentin, who drove that team. 36 homers and 100 RBI in 130 games is a lot to lose. His OBP was nearly .400. They still have a lot of power, but they rely on the home run too much.
Yisman, thanks man...You pointed out some key factors! I keep on over-looking the Quentin injury and you know what? It looks like the Twins actually have the better overall pitching so as a Rays fan, I'll be rooting for the White Sox to make it over the Twinkies
Mets -210 lost to the Marlins, 4-2 Padres -153 lost 6-1 to the Pirates Red Sox -125 lost 6-2 to the Yankees. Mussina's 20th win
first start for CC with the Brewers was July 8 7/8 7/13 7/18 7/23 7/28 8/2 8/8 8/13 8/18 8/24 8/31 9/5 9/10 9/16 9/20 9/24 9/28 Until this month, he was getting normal rest before his starts. In a span of 13 days, however, he threw a ton of innings and pitches. When I have more time, I'll put in the data.
I will definately be rooting against the Cubs..... after the effort they put in against Milwaukee fuck them. Florida didn't lay down for the Mets and the Cubs shouldn't have for the Brewers. I'd love to see an Angels vs Dodgers WS...... sorry but living on the West Coast it'd be great because it'd be an incredible series that none of you East Coasters wouldn't watch.
None of us East Coasters wouldn't watch, or none of us would watch? I think it's the latter. That would probably be as unpopular as the 2000 Subway Series was in terms of national ratings. Clearly TV wants the Cubs in there more than anything. I don't know that the AL team would really matter one way or the other in terms of ratings.
if I was predicting, I'd go chalk with the #1 seeds. Angels and Cubs. They are the #1 seeds and it wasn't a fluke. I think those are the two most talented teams.
Come on man...They may have the most talent, I would still say the Rays have the best OVERALL team...But thats because I love em so much that I cant look @ them like another fan would. But come on man...If the Rays were in the AL West...And the Angels were in the AL East...I can bet my bottom dollar that the Rays would have the best record in the AL The Rays are the champions of the best divison in all of baseball...The Rays are battle tested. The Angels...They play in a joke of a divison.
the Angels seem pretty stacked to me. The sheer amount of pitching, pretty good lineup, etc. Maybe they got a boost from slightly weaker competition, but they were 30-16 vs. the AL East. Much better record than the Rays there.
Good point... The Angels really did dominate the Red Sox this year, something like 8-1? I cant remember but I think the Angels went 3-6 against the Rays
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If we are predicting WS contenders, toss my hat in for Chicago Cubs vs Boston Red Sox. The Sox come together when it counts, and the Cubs love to cock tease their fans. BoSox 2008 WS Champs.
