2009 MLB Prediction Thread [Forum Archive]

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2009 MLB Prediction Thread

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Posted by: soxmuscle

AL Pennant - Boston Red Sox
NL Pennant - Atlanta Braves
World Series - Boston Red Sox

AL East: Boston Red Sox
AL Central: Kansas City Royals
AL West: Oakland Athletics
AL Wild Card: New York Yankees

NL East: Atlanta Braves
NL Central: Chicago Cubs
NL West: Arizona Diamondbacks
NL Wild Card: New York Mets

AL Sleeper - Oakland, KC, Minnesota
NL Sleeper - San Francisco, Arizona, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh
AL Cy Young - Josh Beckett (Bos)
AL MVP - David Ortiz (Bos)
AL Rookie of Year - Matt Wieters (Bal)
NL MVP - Carlos Beltran (NYL)
NL Cy Young - Javier Vasquez (Atl)
NL Rookie of Year - Tommy Hanson (Atl)

Best Rotation - Boston Red Sox (Beckett, Lester, Matsuzaka, Wakefield, Penny, Smoltz, Buchholz)
Best Offense - Texas Rangers
Best Bullpen - Boston Red Sox (Papelbon, Okajima, Ramirez, Delcarmen, Masterson, Saito, Lopez)

Posted by: min0 lee

Posted by: min0 lee

AL MVP -Derek Jeter (NYY)

Comeback player of the year- David Ortiz (Bos)

Posted by: IainDaniel

Kansas wins the central hahahaa.

Posted by: IronAddict

I'll take Japan for the win, Alex.

Posted by: soxmuscle

Quote:

Originally Posted by IainDaniel

Kansas wins the central hahahaa.

I don't understand.

Have you seen that division?

Posted by: soxmuscle

Quote:

Originally Posted by min0 lee

I think Josh Beckett has a huge chance to win the Cy Young although the Ortiz AL MVP award is a little unlikely.

Posted by: soxmuscle

Quote:

Originally Posted by min0 lee

AL MVP -Derek Jeter (NYY)

Posted by: IainDaniel

Quote:

Originally Posted by soxmuscle

I don't understand.

Have you seen that division?

They will still be the bottom feeder there.

Cleveland or minny for the win.

Posted by: soxmuscle

Quote:

Originally Posted by IainDaniel

They will still be the bottom feeder there.

Cleveland or minny for the win.

So in your mind, the White Sox, Royals and Tigers have no chance?

Get with the program, Iain, the season starts tonight.

Posted by: IainDaniel

No that is division is fairly wide open like you said....

However I still think KC is the bottom feeder of the crop.

Posted by: soxmuscle

These are my predictions for gambling purposes.

I see good value in the Royals at 10 to 1 to win the Central.

Many "experts" have them slotted anywhere from first to last, but the majority I've seen have them coming in third place.

Either way, they'll be much improved which was my original point in crowning them the Champs of that division.

Lets see your predictions, buddy.

Posted by: IainDaniel

I agree with you other then the AL Central and NL east.

I know we chatted about Atlanta earlier, and I still don't think they are good enough to compete in that division.

Posted by: soxmuscle

The more and more I look into the Braves, the less and less appealing they are to me.

Still, their rotation is going to be excellent and as you can see, I really expect a big year from Javier Vasquez.

That said, I expect McCann to be a legit power threat this year, I expect Kotchman to improve and there really isn't a chance in anybody's mind that Francoeur is as bad as he was last year.

They're going to be a dark horse in a good division, but I think they'll be hanging around all year, especially with the Marlins looking like it'll be tough for them to compete this season.

Posted by: soxmuscle

Boston Red Sox - Staff predictions - Boston.com

Somebody agrees with me on the Royals.

Keep laughing.

Posted by: soxmuscle

Josh Beckett, my Cy Young prediction for the American League, has the best line of any pitcher yet this year.

He seems to be lights out in odd years, hopefully it keeps up.

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by soxmuscle

Josh Beckett, my Cy Young prediction for the American League, has the best line of any pitcher yet this year.

He seems to be lights out in odd years, hopefully it keeps up.

Its .....only...one....game....

Posted by: soxmuscle

Yup, one very very good game.

He's going to win it.

Posted by: I Are Baboon

Quote:

Originally Posted by min0 lee

Its .....only...one....game....

Why do you always have to piss on the Red Sox posts? You never see us doing that to Yankee posts.

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by soxmuscle

Yup, one very very good game.

He's going to win it.

Jeter was 3 for 5....think about it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Are Baboon

Why do you always have to piss on the Red Sox posts? You never see us doing that to Yankee posts.

Posted by: calalily1972

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Are Baboon

Why do you always have to piss on the Red Sox posts? You never see us doing that to Yankee posts.

We piss on NYY as much as they piss on the Bosox. It will never change.

Although I do have to say.........Mino....really?.........and I mean really? Jeter?

Posted by: Triple Threat

Quote:

Originally Posted by soxmuscle

Josh Beckett, my Cy Young prediction for the American League, has the best line of any pitcher yet this year.

D. Lowe (W, 1-0)
IP H R ER BB K HR
8.0 2 0 0 0 4 0

Posted by: soxmuscle

Jeter didn't have an extra base hit and while I have nothing against him, he has virtually no chance of winning any award this year. Except maybe the Golden Glove, which has been a joke of an award since Jeter first won it.

Lowe didn't strike out ten and has nothing to do with the American League Cy Young race.

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by calalily1972

We piss on NYY as much as they piss on the Bosox. It will never change.

Although I do have to say.........Mino....really?.........and I mean really? Jeter?

It's a running gag Soxmuscle and I have.

He doesn't want to admit how much he admires Jeter.

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by soxmuscle

Jeter didn't have an extra base hit and while I have nothing against him, he has virtually no chance of winning any award this year. Except maybe the Golden Glove, which has been a joke of an award since Jeter first won it.

Lowe didn't strike out ten and has nothing to do with the American League Cy Young race.

You can't go by 1 game, if that was the case we might as well end the season now.

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by soxmuscle

Josh Beckett, my Cy Young prediction for the American League, has the best line of any pitcher yet this year.

He seems to be lights out in odd years, hopefully it keeps up.

Pena is batting .1000.
I know he's only 1 for 1 but I think he may just take the rookie of the year awards.

Damn I miss Soxmuscle. Buy a PC soon.

Posted by: shiznit2169

Who woulda thunk it?

The Florida Marlins, the team with the lowest payroll in the MLB, is the only remaining undefeated team with a 4-0 record.

Ladies and Gentlemen, your Florida Marlins!!!

Posted by: soxmuscle

Quote:

Originally Posted by min0 lee

Pena is batting .1000.
I know he's only 1 for 1 but I think he may just take the rookie of the year awards.

Damn I miss Soxmuscle. Buy a PC soon.

haha, get out of here.

I'm simply stating, after one trip through the rotation, Beckett has the best line of any starter. Nothing more, nothing less.

You've seen like 15 years of average to below average defense from Derek Jeter and still believe he's the best in the game.

My mother is sending me her work one for the rest of the school year. So for the next month or so, I should be set

Posted by: min0 lee

Jeter is a God.

Posted by: topranked

Look for Cinci to make some noise,if not this year def in the near future

Posted by: Nate K

Quote:

Originally Posted by min0 lee

Jeter is a God.

yay he'll be batting in the 8 spot in a year or two.

Posted by: min0 lee

Jeter is certainly right up there as the best short stop in the last 100 years, without a doubt.

That move to his right where he catches hard hit grounders and then with all the grace of a ballerina he throws a dart to first with his cannon of an arm certainly contributed something wonderful to baseball - his is a name that will forever be synonymous with athletic triumph.

On top of all that, he's wonderfully modest, good looking, hung and humble. You have to love him... especially when dealing with foes like Boston the way he breezes he breezes past Boston fans through what once upon a time the valley of death. This is boundary pushing stuff, people - he is nothing less that a trailblazer, the light by which the darkness in which other would-be baseball players is destroyed and replaced with wonderful creation - more than just a man, a God amongst us, here to show the very limits of the imagination of Man, and then go beyond them.....he is the wind beneath my wings.

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate K

yay he'll be batting in the 8 spot in a year or two.

You can't always be number one, it's a curse that he has to age.
It's really a pity that future generations will miss out on such greatness, I....will keep his flame lit....I ...will protect his name.....I ....will place roses on his grave on his birthday when he passes away...but will he? He is a God you all know.

Posted by: soxmuscle

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate K

yay he'll be batting in the 8 spot in a year or two.

Please, dear god.. keep him in the lead off hole.

What was left of his gap power is evaporating and overall, he's been one of the worst regulars in the game a week through the season.

Once again, DO NOT TAKE HIM OUT OF THE LEAD OFF HOLE!

Posted by: soxmuscle

David Ortiz will not win the MVP award this year. Wild prediction that would have paid a hell of a lot and took a chance on him coming back.

It's more depressing than it is upsetting - one of the best hitters over the last decade is cooked, just like Jeter.

Posted by: lnvanry

AL
Red Sox
Detroit
Oakland
Wild Card-Royals

NL
NYM
Cubs
Padres
Wild Card-Cardinals

NL champ-Cubs
AL champ-Oakland

Cubs win, cubs win, cubs win!

YouTube - Harry Caray memorable calls(audio)

Posted by: cutnbulk

I like the Cubs this year...said it last year too. We'll see what happens!

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by soxmuscle

David Ortiz will not win the MVP award this year. Wild prediction that would have paid a hell of a lot and took a chance on him coming back.

It's more depressing than it is upsetting - one of the best hitters over the last decade is cooked, just like Jeter.

His star didn't shine so long, how old is he?
Is he really shot?

Posted by: IainDaniel

Steroids

Posted by: I Are Baboon

I am picking the Mets to win it all.

AL East: Boston
AL Central: Minnesota
AL West: Anaheim of California County
WC: Tampa Bay

NL East: NY Mets
NL Central: St Louis
NL West: LA
WC: Florida

Posted by: IainDaniel

AL East: Tampa
AL Central : Minnesota
AL West: Angels
WC: Yanks

NL East: Mets
NL Central: Chicago
NL West : LA
WC: Philly

AL Champs: Tampa
NL Champs: Cubs

WS: Cubs

Posted by: largepkg

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Are Baboon

I am picking the Mets to win it all.

AL East: Boston
AL Central: Minnesota
AL West: Anaheim of California County
WC: Tampa Bay

NL East: NY Mets
NL Central: St Louis
NL West: LA
WC: Florida

Finally someone giving my boys some love!

Like I said in the Baseball prospectus thread, the Marlins have one of the best rotations in baseball. No one is giving my boy Josh Johnson a chance for the Cy Young? If that kid stays healthy he'll win it. Mark it down!

I know it's only 8 games in but this line up is doing some very nice things. Bonifacio is looking like a legit lead off and might be the fastest man in the game now. Our top five are hitting out of there minds. Cantu is a stud hitter. I just hope they leave him at first because at third he's horrible!

Our biggest problem is our defense. They're terrible! Hopefully pitching will make up for that.

Go Fish!

Posted by: soxmuscle

Quote:

Originally Posted by min0 lee

His star didn't shine so long, how old is he?
Is he really shot?

This is his age 33 season but hasn't been healthy for over a year now.

I will continue to pull for him but his power just isn't there and with the shift defenses employ and his slow speed, he really isn't an effective player without that power.

Posted by: soxmuscle

Quote:

Originally Posted by IainDaniel

Steroids

I don't know.

He's a big boy naturally and his arms are so damn little that I find it hard to believe.

Plus, his quotes when the story first began a couple of years ago.

I just don't see it, but I definitely could be wrong on this one.

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by soxmuscle

It's more depressing than it is upsetting - one of the best hitters over the last decade is cooked, just like Jeter.

Really?
2009 STATS

Jeter
BA HR RBI OBP SLG
.296 4 11 .352 .494

Ortiz
Ba HR RBI OBP SLG
.237 0 11 .287 .342

Posted by: soxmuscle

Ortiz may not be cooked either.

Definitely in decline though, no?

Posted by: I Are Baboon

It's sad watching Ortiz at the plate. He looks completely overmatched, even by journeymen middle revievers. He's not pulling anything, and is popping up damn near everything. Seems like Francona is keeping him the three spot out of loyalty. In my opinion, Ortiz needs to get dropped to 6th or 7th. 3-4-5 should be Youkilis-Bay-Lowell.

Posted by: min0 lee

He used to eat Yankee pitching like it was plantains, we had no answer to him....it is sort of sad to see a good guy, good player decline. He's only 33, if his age is not a lie.

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by soxmuscle

I think Josh Beckett has a huge chance to win the Cy Young

Zack Greinke of your Royals is 5-0 ERA of 0.50! Wow!

Josh Beckett 2-2 ERA 7.22

I am sure Beckett will get better but that kid is hot!
Notice I never make predictions.

Posted by: soxmuscle

I drafted Zack Greinke on my fantasy team - it's so nice finally seeing him put it all together.

Beckett has been bad since the start on Opening Day. Hopefully he gets better and I'm able to acquire him in my fantasy league for fifty cents on the dollar.

You don't make predictions, you just rip on people who do.

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by soxmuscle

I drafted Zack Greinke on my fantasy team - it's so nice finally seeing him put it all together.

Beckett has been bad since the start on Opening Day. Hopefully he gets better and I'm able to acquire him in my fantasy league for fifty cents on the dollar.

You don't make predictions, you just rip on people who do.

Please, the Ortiz prediction was really over the top.....even though the only time I watch Boston is when they the Yankees I know the man there is now Youkills. Or should I say the new Yankee killer.

Posted by: soxmuscle

How is that over the top?

two years ago he had an OPS in the thousands, three years ago he hit 54 home runs.

when you get back from an injury and your 100% healthy, you have a great chance of regaining your past form. no?

Posted by: IainDaniel

Wrist injuries are pretty serious especially with a hitter of his stature.

Posted by: soxmuscle

I'm beginning to find that out, although in Ortiz' case, it seems as if it's not only his wrist thats hindering him.

Posted by: IainDaniel

What else is hindering him?

Posted by: soxmuscle

He's just not right up there at the plate, both mentally and physically.

He's second guessing himself, he's getting angry when he doesn't swing at pitches he thinks he should have swung at and vice versa.

Watching him in the Tampa series this weekend was something else. I've never seen him get so visibly frustrated in my life.

Now of course, he has no business hitting in the three hole and he should have been mad about how despicable he looked at the plate this past weekend, but it was still interesting to see.

You'll probably see Gammons or some ESPN hot shot go into detail on it tonight during the Yankees broadcast.

He's just not himself.

Posted by: min0 lee

I bet my money he's really 43 years old.

Posted by: IainDaniel

Does MLB have it wrong.

Do fans really not care about steroid use?

If so that would explain this

Manny Ramirez doing well in All-Star voting - Los Angeles Times

Posted by: min0 lee

Fans quickly forget when there Roid user wins them games, I've forgiven A-rod.

It only changes when they retire and they are about to enter the Hall Of Fame.

Posted by: IainDaniel

I don't see why it should matter when they enter the hall either. They were the best of the ERA, that is what the hall is about right?

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by IainDaniel

Kansas wins the central hahahaa.

Quote:

Originally Posted by soxmuscle

These are my predictions for gambling purposes.

I see good value in the Royals at 10 to 1 to win the Central.

Many "experts" have them slotted anywhere from first to last, but the majority I've seen have them coming in third place.

Either way, they'll be much improved which was my original point in crowning them the Champs of that division.

Lets see your predictions, buddy.

Hope fading after Royals lose of 16 of 21 games
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)—After beginning the year on such a promising note, the Kansas City Royals must feel trapped in a cruel and savage time warp.

It’s no longer 2009. It’s 2005. They’re not the team that improved its record three years in a row, charmed everyone who believes in the work ethic and became the sexy pick in the AL Central. Again they look like stumblebums and sadsacks, hopeless also-rans in the midst of a long and dreary 100-loss year.

The schedule, in what almost seemed an act of mercy, gave the Royals Monday off before they launch a nine-game road trip. So there was time to collect their thoughts following a painful 1-5 homestand in which almost nothing went right and even Zack Greinke(notes) failed to hold a three-run lead.

What’s so shocking is that just three weeks ago, the bad times finally seemed to be behind them.

Posted by: min0 lee

So far from what I see it's Boston vs. either the Phillies or *gasp* the Dodgers.

Posted by: soxmuscle

Haha.

Once again, hindsight is 20/20; you don't have the right to question my picks given that you didn't make predictions of your own.

You're making an NFL Prediction thread and actually participating in it instead of constantly bumping it and tearing apart people who had the balls to make their predictions.

Eli Manning MVP?

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by min0 lee

AL MVP -Derek Jeter (NYY)

Comeback player of the year- David Ortiz (Bos)

Wow.....who would have thought this would almost be the case.

Although I don't think he has all of the numbers to be MVP this year he sure has made a case.
I was just kidding with this one, and with the god awful start Papi had and then to turn it around I would give him the comeback player award if it was done within the season.

Posted by: soxmuscle

Jeter shouldn't win it but he'll be in contention, for sure.

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by soxmuscle

Jeter shouldn't win it but he'll be in contention, for sure.

They say that being on a winning team helps out...I can see if the stats are the same.

Posted by: soxmuscle

Nobody's stats are comparable to Joe Mauer.

Has a full time catcher ever had a better season than the one Joe Mauer is currently having?

When all is said and done and if he can remain healthy, Joe Mauer will go down as the best catcher to ever live.

Posted by: Double D

Obviously to late for predeictions, but Cards and Phillies in the NLCS looks pretty good. Thats series would be fun.

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by soxmuscle

Nobody's stats are comparable to Joe Mauer.

Has a full time catcher ever had a better season than the one Joe Mauer is currently having?

When all is said and done and if he can remain healthy, Joe Mauer will go down as the best catcher to ever live.

There were a few good defensive and offensive catchers out there, that's a position that's hard to judge so soon.
They may try to save him and switch him to first in the future.

Here's my real short list in no special order.

Johnny Bench
Yogi Berra
Bill Dickey

The generous picks..
Munson
Fisk
Pudge
Piazza (mostly his bat)

Posted by: min0 lee

Yankees beat Red Sox, clinch American League East title

The Yankees finally can christen their new home with Champagne after they clinched the American League East title and home field advantage in the playoffs Sunday afternoon against - of all teams - their bitter rivals, the Red Sox.
Hideki Matsui's two-run single off Takashi Saito in the sixth inning erased a one-run Boston lead and prompted the 47,576 fans at the new Stadium to leap to their feet, beginning the celebration that was capped by the Yanks' 4-2 victory.
As the game ended, the Yankees streamed onto the field, the Sox filed out of the visiting dugout, forced to endure Yankee merriment for the second time in five years. The Yankees last clinched the division in a game against the Red Sox in 2005 when they won on the next-to-the-last day of the season at Fenway.
Mark Teixeira gave the Yankees an insurance run in the eighth inning by blasting his 38th homer - one off the lead in the AL - off Daniel Bard.
Andy Pettitte (14-7) was terrific and perhaps cleared up any lingering concerns that his left shoulder is fatigued. He allowed seven hits and two runs in six innings, striking out four and walking three. Pettitte has won at least 14 games in a season 12 times.
He was a tick better than Boston starter Paul Byrd (1-3), who allowed three runs and seven hits in 5.2 innings.
Brian Bruney retired all five batters he faced over the seventh and eighth innings, Phil Coke struck out David Ortiz to end the eighth and Mariano Rivera pitched the ninth for his 44th save. The Red Sox had the tying runs on with one out on a hit and a Robinson Cano error and they were in scoring position when Rivera retired Jacoby Ellsbury on a tapper back to the mound for the final out with everyone who was left in the seats standing.
The Yankees gathered near the mound for hugs and back slaps as Frank Sinatra's version of "New York, New York" blared through the loudspeakers and fans applauded.
The Yankees have the choice of whether they want to play in the division series that has a day off between Games 1 & 2, a choice they could make because it would mean only using three starting pitchers in the first round and they could use everyone in their bullpen in every game. The deadline to pick is one hour after their opponent is settled, which right now looks like it would be the AL Central winner.
The Yankees trailed, 2-1, entering the bottom of the sixth inning but scored twice with two out to take the lead. Mark Teixeira singled on a pop into center that Jacoby Ellsbury dove for but couldn't snare and Alex Rodriguez battled back from an 0-2 count to hit a liner into center for another hit.

Posted by: Triple Threat

I know it's only the AL east title, but it was great that the Red Sox players had to watch the Yankees celebrate.

Posted by: IainDaniel

Worst attendance for MLB since 2003.

Posted by: min0 lee

I wonder why.

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by soxmuscle

AL Pennant - Boston Red Sox
NL Pennant - Atlanta Braves x
World Series - Boston Red Sox

AL East: Boston Red Sox x
AL Central: Kansas City Royals x
AL West: Oakland Athletics x
AL Wild Card: New York Yankees x

NL East: Atlanta Braves x
NL Central: Chicago Cubs
NL West: Arizona Diamondbacks x
NL Wild Card: New York Mets x

AL Sleeper - Oakland x , KC x , Minnesota?
NL Sleeper - San Franciscox , Arizona x, Cincinnatix , Pittsburgh x
AL Cy Young - Josh Beckett (Bos) x
AL MVP - David Ortiz (Bos) x
AL Rookie of Year - Matt Wieters (Bal)

NL MVP - Carlos Beltran (NYL) x

NL Cy Young - Javier Vasquez (Atl) hmmmm

NL Rookie of Year - Tommy Hanson (Atl) Good pick

Best Rotation - Boston Red Sox (Beckett, Lester, Matsuzaka, Wakefield, Penny, Smoltz, Buchholz) x
Best Offense - Texas Rangers x while they were good, the Angels and Yankees had better numbers.
Best Bullpen - Boston Red Sox (Papelbon, Okajima, Ramirez, Delcarmen, Masterson, Saito, Lopez)

x Yankees and Angels tied for most saves while Boston was 14. I can't find a separate bullpen stat site.....blown saves, lost leads...

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by lnvanry

AL
Red Sox X
Detroit ?
Oakland X
Wild Card-Royals X

NL
NYM X
Cubs X
Padres X
Wild Card-Cardinals X

NL champ-Cubs X
AL champ-Oakland X

Cubs win, cubs win, cubs win!

YouTube - Harry Caray memorable calls(audio)

The Cards won their division and Boston settled for the WC

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Are Baboon

I am picking the Mets to win it all.

AL East: Boston X
AL Central: Minnesota ?
AL West: Anaheim of California County

WC: Tampa Bay X

NL East: NY Mets

NL Central: St Louis
NL West: LA

WC: Florida

X
Not bad.

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by IainDaniel

AL East: Tampa X
AL Central : Minnesota ?
AL West: Angels

WC: Yanks X

NL East: Mets X
NL Central: Chicago X
NL West : LA

WC: Philly X

AL Champs: Tampa X
NL Champs: Cubs X

WS: Cubs X

It's OK.

Posted by: IainDaniel

Was waiting for someone to do that LOL.

Posted by: min0 lee

The reason I never make predictions it's due to the fact I don't watch every team play, especially the West coast teams.

Next year once they make trades and sign free agents I'll jump in, I really did like that Texas team.
Let's see if the Jays improve, that GM you had was bad.

Posted by: IainDaniel

Jays are a decent team in a ridiculously hard division. Boston, New York, Tampa.

The basically had only on real starting pitcher Halladay..... the rest were rookies.

Halladay is for sure gone now, he was pretty tight with richarddi.

Posted by: I Are Baboon

Quote:

Originally Posted by min0 lee

The reason I never make predictions it's due to the fact I don't watch every team play, especially the West coast teams.

Neither do I. I only watch Red Sox and Yankees games. I watch a shit ton of ESPN though and listen to sports talk radio, so I get to hear a lot of opinions about different teams. I just kind of go by that.

With the NFL, I can sit watch any game no matter who's playing. With baseball though, I have a hard time staying interested without the Sox or Yanks playing, unless there is some reason for me to watch.

Posted by: IainDaniel

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Are Baboon

Exact same as me.

Posted by: I Are Baboon

Speaking of needing a reason to watch, I'm looking forward to that Twins/Tigers game tomorrow.

IAB prediction: Twins 9, Tigers 2. Twins get swept by NYY in ALDS.

Posted by: IainDaniel

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Are Baboon

Speaking of needing a reason to watch, I'm looking forward to that Twins/Tigers game tomorrow.

IAB prediction: Twins 9, Tigers 2. Twins get swept by NYY in ALDS.

Yep excited. 5pm start. In minny

I hope minny wins,but that will be good for NYY if they do.

Posted by: I Are Baboon

Quote:

Originally Posted by IainDaniel

Yep excited. 5pm start. In minny

I hope minny wins,but that will be good for NYY if they do.

5:00 start means I *might* get to see the whole game before falling asleep.

I think the only chance the Yanks had of losing the ALDS was if Detroit wrapped up the division Saturday and the could pitch Verlander in games 1 and 4.

Posted by: IainDaniel

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Are Baboon

5:00 start means I *might* get to see the whole game before falling asleep.

I think the only chance the Yanks had of losing the ALDS was if Detroit wrapped up the division Saturday and the could pitch Verlander in games 1 and 4.

If the Yanks blow this, it is one of the biggest collapses.

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by IainDaniel

If the Yanks blow this, it is one of the biggest collapses.

Stop that!

Even though they kicked their ass during the season this team right now is very hot.

Posted by: IainDaniel

Quote:

Originally Posted by min0 lee

Stop that!

Even though they kicked their ass during the season this team right now is very hot.

Can't help it.... this team has a disgusting amount of talent.

Posted by: I Are Baboon

There is absolutely no chance in hell that the Twins can beat the Yankees.

Posted by: Triple Threat

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Are Baboon

There is absolutely no chance in hell that the Twins can beat the Yankees.

Reverse psychology will not work.

Posted by: Triple Threat

Twins 7, Tigers 5. Nathan makes it exciting in the 9th, but manages to hold the fort.

Posted by: min0 lee

Posada isn't catching Burnett and he ain't happy.

Posted by: min0 lee

.

Quote:

NEW YORK -- The A.J. Burnett-Jorge Posada tandem performed to less than rave reviews during the regular season, so Yankees manager Joe Girardi is giving Burnett a different batterymate in the American League Division Series.
Before the Yankees held a pre-playoff workout at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, Posada told reporters that Jose Molina will be the catcher in Burnett's first start in the series.
Posada said Girardi told him of the decision Sunday in Tampa. Posada kept his reaction to a minimum, but the tone of his voice and the brevity of his responses were clear signs of his disappointment.
"I just hope we win that game. That's all I've got to say," Posada said.

Posada later added, "It's not like I didn't see it coming."
The Yankees plan to start CC Sabathia on Wednesday night in the series opener against the Tigers or Twins. Burnett will pitch Game 2 on Friday in New York, and Andy Pettitte will be the starter when the series shifts to Detroit or Minnesota for Game 3. That means Sabathia and Burnett will both be in line for two starts if the series goes the maximum five games.
Girardi said he went with Molina because Burnett and Molina have been working so well together lately, and he didn't want to disrupt their chemistry.
"When a pitcher and a catcher get in a rhythm, you hate to break it up,'' Girardi said. "And that's kind of the feeling we have going now. Jorge is our No. 1 catcher. But in this situation, we just are going to choose to catch Molina.''
Girardi said that Posada will probably not be used as a designated hitter when he's not catching; that role belongs to Hideki Matsui. Posada will be behind the plate for both Sabathia and Pettitte, but Girardi said he understands why Posada would be displeased over sitting out when Burnett is on the mound.
"I'm sure he's disappointed,'' Girardi said. "Jorge would want to play every inning. I don't blame him. That's how I want him to be. If I was in his shoes, I would want to play every game, too.''
It's become readily apparent that Burnett has developed a greater comfort level throwing to Molina than to Posada. According to Baseball-Reference.com, Burnett has struck out 79 of 434 batters while pitching to Posada this season. Opponents are hitting .270 against Burnett and have a .775 OPS when Posada is his catcher.
In contrast, Burnett has struck out 77 of 288 batters while throwing to Molina. Opposing hitters have a .221 batting average and a .658 OPS against Burnett when he's working with Molina.
Burnett, who went 13-9 with a 4.04 ERA in his first year as a Yankee, pitched perhaps his most memorable game of the season with Posada behind the plate. On Aug. 7 in New York, he threw 7 2/3 innings of one-hit, shutout ball to beat Boston 2-0.
But two weeks later, after Burnett was shelled for nine runs in a 14-1 loss to the Red Sox, his lack of synergy with Posada became an issue.
Molina was the catcher in Burnett's last six starts, and Burnett closed the season with a rush. He posted a 1.88 ERA in his final four appearances, and struck out 28 batters in 24 innings.
The Yankees are hoping that a more focused and efficient Burnett will compensate for the offense they sacrifice with Molina, a strong defender who has a .235 career batting average and a .277 OBP over parts of 10 seasons in the majors.
As the Yankees waited to learn the identity of their ALDS opponent, they resolved some housekeeping issues and kept a few decisions on hold. The Yankees still have to decide if they want to carry a third catcher, Francisco Cervelli, and if they would rather round out the roster with pinch runner Freddy Guzman or keep Damaso Marte as a second left-hander in the bullpen.
It appears that Joba Chamberlain -- who made 31 starts and one relief appearance in the regular season -- is available in a variety of roles out of the bullpen in the Division Series.
"He can do anything from being a one-inning guy to being a two- or three-inning guy or even a longer guy,'' Girardi said.
Jerry Crasnick covers baseball for ESPN.com.

Posted by: min0 lee

Twins it is.

Posted by: I Are Baboon

That was a hell of a game yesterday.

Posted by: IainDaniel

Fuck eh it was.

I didn't leave the TV.

Posted by: I Are Baboon

Philly over Colorado in 5
NYY over Minnesota in 3
St Louis over LA in 4
Anaheim over Boston in 5

Posted by: I Are Baboon

ESPN experts' picks

ESPN experts: Who's going to win? - MLB - ESPN

Posted by: min0 lee

Everyone is picking the Yankees to destroy the Twins based on their season 7-0 record.

The games were interesting...

5/15: NYY 5, MIN 4

Melky Cabrera hits a walk-off hit in the ninth.

5/16: NYY 6, MIN 4

Alex Rodriguez hits a two-run walk-off homer in the 11th inning.

5/17: NYY 3, MIN 2

Johnny Damon hits a game-winning homer in the 10th to give the Yankees their third straight walk-off victory.

5/18: NYY 7, MIN 6

Posted by: min0 lee

Boston was 8-0 so you just never know.

Posted by: I Are Baboon

The Twins hung tough in some of those games, but they still lost them all. I honestly can not see the Twins winning a game. Their only chance is knocking around Burnett in game two, but then they'd still have to outscore the Yankees.

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Are Baboon

The Twins hung tough in some of those games, but they still lost them all. I honestly can not see the Twins winning a game. Their only chance is knocking around Burnett in game two, but then they'd still have to outscore the Yankees.

Burnett is the big question mark but he has been pitching good games of late.

Posted by: IainDaniel

Quote:

Originally Posted by min0 lee

Burnett is the big question mark but he has been pitching good games of late.

Good meaningless games

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by IainDaniel

Good meaningless games

True, he's a head case for sure.

Posted by: min0 lee

Jeter ties it. 2-2

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