Sunday, April 01, 2007
AL West Preview
The AL West is much improved. The Mariners and the Texas Rangers are both better, while the Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels of California have come back to the pack a bit. It says here whoever gets the better starting pitching out of the Mariners and the Rangers will surprise and catch the Angels. [watch the M's Felix Hernandez and the Rangers' Vincente Padilla] No playoff spots other than the division title will come out of the AL West, the other divisions are just too loaded. The Mariners, Angels, and Rangers will cluster between 78 and 85 wins.
The Oakland A's keep coming up with pitching. Piazza should reprise last year's Frank Thomas role. Outfield is solid, as is catcher, Jason Kendall. Young closer Huston Street may be the division's best. No reason to doubt or love new manager Bob Geren.
A's 1st place, over 89. The A's win, at the very most, a playoff series.
The Clarion likes the Mariners to steal second. We are huge Ichiro fans. They used to say the single season record for hits was one of those untouchable, never be broken, type of records. Before Ichiro. Also isn't it about time for Adrian Beltre to have a bounce back year. Had to be very impressed with the rookie year of catcher Kenji Johjima.
Mariners 2nd place, over 81
The Angels look like a team that will wilt. Says here Gary Matthews, Jr. will never reproduce his career year. Shea Hillenbrand has always been overrated. On the one hand, the right side of their infield sounds like an accounting practice, Kotchman and Kendrick. On the other hand, Vladimir Guerrero has to be in the discussion for the best all around player in the game, and the other corner outfielder Garrett Anderson is none to shabby either. Can't figure the Angels out. Is there a reason to be confident about their starting pitching? Is there a reason not to love their closer Francisco Rodriguez?
Angels 3rd place, under 89.5
The Texas Rangers are loaded with professional hitters, even if Sammy Sosa hits .220 and 12 dingers off the 'roids and with a plain ol' wood bat. Texiera, Blaylock, Wilkerson are solid, before one even gets to mentioning, the MVP candidate Michael Young, and All-Time gun for hire, the ageless, Kenny Lofton. If the Rangers can get any pitching at all...well that's probably not gonna happen, never mind.
Texas Rangers 4th place, over 78.5
The Oakland A's keep coming up with pitching. Piazza should reprise last year's Frank Thomas role. Outfield is solid, as is catcher, Jason Kendall. Young closer Huston Street may be the division's best. No reason to doubt or love new manager Bob Geren.
A's 1st place, over 89. The A's win, at the very most, a playoff series.
The Clarion likes the Mariners to steal second. We are huge Ichiro fans. They used to say the single season record for hits was one of those untouchable, never be broken, type of records. Before Ichiro. Also isn't it about time for Adrian Beltre to have a bounce back year. Had to be very impressed with the rookie year of catcher Kenji Johjima.
Mariners 2nd place, over 81
The Angels look like a team that will wilt. Says here Gary Matthews, Jr. will never reproduce his career year. Shea Hillenbrand has always been overrated. On the one hand, the right side of their infield sounds like an accounting practice, Kotchman and Kendrick. On the other hand, Vladimir Guerrero has to be in the discussion for the best all around player in the game, and the other corner outfielder Garrett Anderson is none to shabby either. Can't figure the Angels out. Is there a reason to be confident about their starting pitching? Is there a reason not to love their closer Francisco Rodriguez?
Angels 3rd place, under 89.5
The Texas Rangers are loaded with professional hitters, even if Sammy Sosa hits .220 and 12 dingers off the 'roids and with a plain ol' wood bat. Texiera, Blaylock, Wilkerson are solid, before one even gets to mentioning, the MVP candidate Michael Young, and All-Time gun for hire, the ageless, Kenny Lofton. If the Rangers can get any pitching at all...well that's probably not gonna happen, never mind.
Texas Rangers 4th place, over 78.5
Labels: baseball, Predictions, sports
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