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Originally Posted by guy44
AL WEST
Los Angeles of Anaheim Anaheim of Los Angeles Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim:
...but hell, at the very least they will be as good this year as last. Nothing wrong with that.
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Yea, I see nothing wrong with them being as good as last year. I'd enjoy seeing the Red Sox take a circular saw to their season again.
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Originally Posted by guy44
Oakland Athletics:
Oakland is good, too, but some combination of Haren, Blanton, and Harden is not up to the task of replacing Mulder and Hudson yet.
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Agreed, but I think the A's could surprise some folks like the Rangers did last year. I doubt they'll make playoffs or even be in contention after the All-Star break.
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Originally Posted by guy44
Seattle Mariners:
The rich have a greater chance of getting through the eye of a needle than the Mariners have of experiencing a winning season.
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Seattle will be a lot better than this and I could definitely see them winning 82 games, which equals a winning season.
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Originally Posted by guy44
Chicago White Sox:
The lineup will consist of four men who I’m fairly confident will do well in Pierzynsky, Thomas, Konerko, and Rowand; four I’m unsure of in Willis, Iguchi, Uribe, and Dye; and I know Borchard, Crede, and Podsednik will fail like an Anna Nicole Smith drug test. (Too obvious?)
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Although the Sox will suck ass, it will be fun to watch Rowand and Podsednik steal over 100 bases this season. Of course, they'll also get caught in the realm of 50 times, thus enabling the Sox to lose an extra 20-25 games this season.
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Originally Posted by guy44
Kansas City Royals:
They suck, and have a long way to go; maybe it’s irrational, but I don’t think any team playing in a city that straddles two states has any right to be good.
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I never thought about it this way but it is true. I would go so far as to say Philadelphia is in the same boat, which leaves me pondering the likelihood of re-match of the 1980 World Series.
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Originally Posted by guy44
Boston Red Sox:
So why, you ask, do you pick the Sox over the Yanks? Well, I’ll tell you what…
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Okay, you're my new best friend. I agree with you but for the simple fact that the division is the only thing the Red Sox haven't taken away from the Yankees in the past year.
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Originally Posted by guy44
Toronto Blue Jays
Baltimore Orioles
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
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The only interesting thing about this bunch is Scott Kazmir and how many times Sosa and Vernon Wells will swing and miss at his fastball.
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Originally Posted by guy44
San Diego Padres:
I’ll admit that I thought the Padres were going to win the West in 2001. And 2002. And 2003. And 2004. Brian Giles , Phil Nevin and Ryan Klesko
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Okay, with a core line-up of players that begins or ends with any of these guys, a division title or contending are a definite pipe-dream. I coulda told you that years ago and saved you the agony of hoping for a division title since 2001.
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Originally Posted by guy44
Chicago Cubs:
My best guess: wild card.
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My best guess: Alou homers in the bottom of the 10th of a one game playoff for the wild card and the Cubs' fans suffer for another winter.
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Originally Posted by guy44
Pittsburgh Pirates:
All of which adds up to the Pirates’ best season in years: 76 to 80 wins. If they reach the high point of that projection, it’ll be the best Bucs season since 1992. In case you were wondering, Barry Bonds has hit 527 homers since then.
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I agree with this prediction but don't forget about the Bucs pitching staff trying to make it up to the Pittsburgh faithful by surrendering 527 homers this season.
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Originally Posted by guy44
Cincinnati Reds:
Jr.
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Well, Reds fans can take comfort that they will be watching a future hall of famer, at least, that is, until someone takes his contract. Paging Mr. Steinbrenner.
And yes, Junior will make the hall. They took Tony Perez, didn't they?
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Originally Posted by guy44
New York Mets:
...this team could be tough to beat. Then again, Pedro’s never healthy, and Piazza’s knees are Britney Spears marriage vows hollow.
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Interesting concept comparing some aspects of the Mets to Britney. I would change it up a bit, though, and say that Piazza's knees are failing faster than Britney's career and that Omar will take as much crap for signing Pedro from the NY media as Britney did for marrying Kevin Federline.
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Originally Posted by guy44
Florida Marlins:
The Marlins will repeat 2004: they will annoy everyone through September, but ultimately will be eliminated by the Cubs.
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I can't follow you on this one. The Fish are a force to be reckoned with and, IMHO, will take the division. Too many good hitters and too many good young, experienced pitchers.
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Originally Posted by guy44
Washington Nationals:
This wandering team, composed of but four good players, will be forever remembered as tragic. This time next year, the official won-loss record for the 2005 Washington Nationals will read: 45-117*.
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Agreed, but I can't wait for Ted Williams hat day where the first 10,000 fans (if they get that many) receive a frozen Senators hat that has one of Ted's epic managerial pieces of advice embroidered on the back such as "Swing the fucking bat you bush leaguer" or "Sid Hudson, you are worth less than empty bottle of scotch" or "Where's my scotch?" or "Where's my bourbon?" or "I shoulda hocked Mr. Coffee instead of this shit."
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Originally Posted by guy44
Yeah, that sounds about right.
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Good and entertaining analysis overall.
The Marlins were my only disagreement.