2011 staff predictions
Since spring training is starting to wind down, we at The Hardball Times’ office decided to gather around at the break room and boldly make some predictions for the 2011 season.
AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST
1st 2nd 3rd 4th Derek Ambrosino TEX OAK LAA SEA John Barten OAK TEX LAA SEA Vince Caramela TEX LAA OAK SEA Mike Clark TEX LAA OAK SEA David Gassko OAK TEX SEA LAA Jeffrey Gross OAK TEX LAA SEA Jonathan Halket TEX OAK LAA SEA Chris Jaffe TEX LAA OAK SEA Brad Johnson TEX OAK LAA SEA Mat Kovach OAK TEX LAA SEA Kevin Lai OAK TEX LAA SEA Max Marchi OAK TEX SEA LAA Bruce Markusen OAK LAA TEX SEA Rory Paap OAK TEX LAA SEA Ben Pritchett TEX LAA OAK SEA Josh Shepardson TEX OAK LAA SEA Greg Simons TEX OAK LAA SEA Paul Singman OAK TEX LAA SEA Dave Studeman TEX OAK SEA LAA Paul Francis Sullivan LAA OAK TEX SEA Steve Treder TEX OAK LAA SEA David Wade TEX OAK LAA SEA Consensus TEX OAK LAA SEA
AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Derek Ambrosino CHW MIN DET CLE KC John Barten CHW MIN DET KC CLE Vince Caramela CHW MIN DET KC CLE Mike Clark MIN DET CHW KC CLE David Gassko CHW MIN DET CLE KC Jeffrey Gross CHW DET MIN KC CLE Jonathan Halket CHW MIN DET CLE KC Chris Jaffe CHW MIN DET KC CLE Brad Johnson DET CHW MIN KC CLE Mat Kovach CLE KC MIN DET CHW Kevin Lai CHW DET MIN KC CLE Max Marchi MIN CHW CLE KC DET Bruce Markusen CHW DET MIN KC CLE Rory Paap MIN CHW DET CLE KC Ben Pritchett DET CHW MIN KC CLE Josh Shepardson MIN DET CHW CLE KC Greg Simons DET CHW MIN KC CLE Paul Singman DET MIN CHW KC CLE Dave Studeman MIN CHW DET CLE KC Paul Francis Sullivan CHW MIN KC DET CLE Steve Treder CHW MIN DET KC CLE David Wade DET MIN CHW CLE KC Consensus CHW MIN DET KC CLE
AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Derek Ambrosino BOS NYY TOR TB BAL John Barten BOS TB NYY TOR BAL Vince Caramela NYY BOS TB TOR BAL Mike Clark NYY BOS TOR BAL TB David Gassko BOS NYY TB TOR BAL Jeffrey Gross BOS TB TOR NYY BAL Jonathan Halket BOS NYY TB BAL TOR Chris Jaffe NYY TB BOS TOR BAL Brad Johnson BOS TB NYY TOR BAL Mat Kovach TB NYY BOS TOR BAL Kevin Lai BOS TB NYY TOR BAL Max Marchi TB TOR NYY BOS BAL Bruce Markusen BOS NYY TB BAL TOR Rory Paap BOS TB NYY TOR BAL Ben Pritchett BOS NYY TOR TB BAL Josh Shepardson BOS TB NYY TOR BAL Greg Simons BOS NYY TB TOR BAL Paul Singman BOS TOR NYY TB BAL Dave Studeman BOS NYY TB TOR BAL Paul Francis Sullivan BOS NYY TB TOR BAL Steve Treder BOS TB NYY TOR BAL David Wade BOS NYY TB TOR BAL Consensus BOS NYY TB/NYY TOR BAL
NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Derek Ambrosino SF COL LAD SD ARI John Barten COL SF LAD SD ARI Vince Caramela SF COL LAD SD ARI Mike Clark LAD SF COL SD ARI David Gassko SF LAD COL SD ARI Jeffrey Gross COL SF SD LAD ARI Jonathan Halket SF LAD COL SD ARI Chris Jaffe LAD SF COL SD ARI Brad Johnson COL SF LAD ARI SD Mat Kovach SF SD/COL ARI LAD Kevin Lai COL SF SD LAD ARI Max Marchi COL SF LAD SD ARI Bruce Markusen COL SF LAD SD ARI Rory Paap SF COL LAD SD ARI Ben Pritchett COL SF LAD ARI SD Josh Shepardson SF COL LAD ARI SD Greg Simons SF COL LAD SD ARI Paul Singman COL SF LAD ARI SD Dave Studeman SF COL LAD SD ARI Paul Francis Sullivan SF COL SD LAD ARI Steve Treder SF COL LAD SD ARI David Wade SF COL LAD SD ARI Consensus SF SF/COL LAD SD ARI
NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th Derek Ambrosino MIL STL CIN CHC HOU PIT John Barten CIN CHC STL MIL HOU PIT Vince Caramela MIL CIN STL CHC PIT HOU Mike Clark CIN MIL CHC STL PIT HOU David Gassko CIN MIL STL CHC PIT HOU Jeffrey Gross MIL CIN CHC STL HOU PIT Jonathan Halket CIN MIL STL CHC PIT HOU Chris Jaffe MIL STL CIN CHC HOU PIT Brad Johnson CHC STL MIL CIN PIT HOU Mat Kovach MIL CIN STL CHC PIT HOU Kevin Lai CIN MIL STL CHC PIT HOU Max Marchi CIN MIL CHC STL HOU PIT Bruce Markusen CIN MIL STL CHC PIT HOU Rory Paap MIL STL CIN CHC HOU PIT Ben Pritchett MIL CIN STL CHC PIT HOU Josh Shepardson MIL CIN STL CHC PIT HOU Greg Simons CIN STL MIL CHC PIT HOU Paul Singman MIL CIN STL PIT CHC HOU Dave Studeman CIN STL MIL CHC HOU PIT Paul Francis Sullivan CIN MIL STL HOU CHC PIT Steve Treder MIL CIN STL CHC PIT HOU David Wade MIL CHC CIN STL PIT HOU Consensus MIL MIL/CINSTL CHC PIT HOU
NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Derek Ambrosino PHI ATL FLA WAS NYM John Barten ATL PHI FLA WAS NYM Vince Caramela PHI ATL FLA NYM WAS Mike Clark ATL PHI WAS FLA NYM David Gassko PHI ATL FLA NYM WAS Jeffrey Gross PHI ATL FLA WAS NYM Jonathan Halket PHI ATL NYM FLA WAS Chris Jaffe PHI ATL FLA WAS NYM Brad Johnson PHI ATL WAS FLA NYM Mat Kovach ATL PHI FLA WAS NYM Kevin Lai PHI FLA ATL NYM WAS Max Marchi ATL WAS PHI FLA NYM Bruce Markusen ATL PHI NYM FLA WAS Rory Paap PHI ATL FLA NYM WAS Ben Pritchett ATL PHI WAS NYM FLA Josh Shepardson ATL PHI FLA NYM WAS Greg Simons PHI ATL FLA NYM WAS Paul Singman ATL PHI FLA NYM WAS Dave Studeman ATL PHI FLA NYM WAS Paul Francis Sullivan PHI FLA ATL WAS NYM Steve Treder ATL PHI FLA WAS NYM David Wade PHI ATL FLA NYM WAS Consensus PHI ATL FLA NYM WAS
AMERICAN LEAGUE WILD CARD/AWARDS
AL WC AL MVP AL Cy Young AL ROY Derek Ambrosino NYY Miguel Cabrera Jon Lester Michael Pineda John Barten TB Evan Longoria Justin Verlander Jake McGee Vince Caramela BOS Alex Rodriguez Brett Anderson Jeremy Hellickson Mike Clark BOS Joe Mauer Carl Pavano Jeremy Hellickson David Gassko NYY Adrian Gonzalez Jon Lester Jeremy Hellickson Jeffrey Gross TB Evan Longoria Justin Verlander Michael Pineda Jonathan Halket NYY Adrian Gonzalez Justin Verlander Jeremy Hellickson Chris Jaffe TB Alex Rodriguez CC Sabathia n/a Brad Johnson TB Adrian Gonzalez Jon Lester Michael Pineda Mat Kovach KC Carlos Santana C.J. Wilson Jeremy Hellickson Kevin Lai TB Evan Longoria Jon Lester Dustin Ackley Max Marchi TOR Ichiro Suzuki David Price n/a Bruce Markusen NYY Alex Rodriguez Jon Lester Dustin Ackley Rory Paap TB Adrian Gonzalez Felix Hernandez Jeremy Hellickson Ben Pritchett NYY Miguel Cabrera Jon Lester Jeremy Hellickson Josh Shepardson TB Evan Longoria Francisco Liriano Jake McGee Greg Simons NYY Miguel Cabrera Justin Verlander Jake McGee Paul Singman TOR Jose Bautista Gio Gonzalez Jeremy Hellickson Dave Studeman NYY Josh Hamilton Felix Hernandez Jeremy Hellickson Paul Francis Sullivan NYY Kevin Youkilis Dan Haren Jeremy Hellickson Steve Treder TB Evan Longoria Jon Lester Jeremy Hellickson David Wade NYY Adrian Gonzalez Justin Verlander Jeremy Hellickson Consensus NYY Longoria/Gonzalez Jon Lester Jeremy Hellickson
NATIONAL LEAGUE WILD CARD/AWARDS
NL WC NL MVP NL Cy Young NL ROY Derek Ambrosino ATL Ryan Braun Roy Halladay Freddie Freeman John Barten SF Albert Pujols Tommy Hanson Cory Luebke Vince Caramela COL Troy Tulowitzki Yovani Gallardo Brandon Belt Mike Clark PHI Joey Votto Clayton Kershaw Freddie Freeman David Gassko MIL Albert Pujols Clayton Kershaw Brandon Belt Jeffrey Gross ATL Troy Tulowitzki Tim Lincecum Brandon Beachy Jonathan Halket ATL Albert Pujols Roy Halladay Mike Minor Chris Jaffe ATL Albert Pujols Zack Greinke n/a Brad Johnson ATL Troy Tulowitzki Roy Halladay Freddie Freeman Mat Kovach CIN Albert Pujols Pedro Martinez Bryce Harper Kevin Lai MIL Troy Tulowitzki Cliff Lee Mike Minor Max Marchi SF Troy Tulowitzki Roy Halladay Aroldis Chapman Bruce Markusen PHI Jason Heyward Roy Halladay Freddie Freeman Rory Paap ATL Albert Pujols Tim Lincecum Brandon Belt Ben Pritchett PHI Ryan Braun Tommy Hanson Brandon Belt Josh Shepardson PHI Albert Pujols Roy Halladay Aroldis Chapman Greg Simons ATL Jason Heyward Tim Lincecum Brandon Belt Paul Singman PHI Jason Heyward Roy Halladay Aroldis Chapman Dave Studeman PHI Jason Heyward Clayton Kershaw Brandon Belt Paul Francis Sullivan FLA Hanley Ramirez Josh Johnson Aroldis Chapman Steve Treder COL Troy Tulowitzki Tommy Hanson Brandon Belt David Wade COL Ryan Braun Roy Halladay Domonic Brown Consensus ATL Albert Pujols Roy Halladay Brandon Belt
AND ONWARD TO OCTOBER
Derek Ambrosino Red Sox over Phillies John Barten Red Sox over Rockies Vince Caramela Yankees over Rockies Mike Clark Braves over Twins David Gassko Phillies over Red Sox Jeffrey Gross Braves over Rays Jonathan Halket Red Sox over Braves Chris Jaffe Dodgers over Rays Brad Johnson Rays over Phillies Mat Kovach Indians over Reds Kevin Lai Red Sox over Phillies Max Marchi Rays over Braves Bruce Markusen Braves over A's Rory Paap Red Sox over Giants Ben Pritchett Brewers over Red Sox Josh Shepardson Red Sox over Braves Greg Simons Tigers over Braves Paul Singman Braves over Red Sox Dave Studeman Giants over Red Sox Paul Francis Sullivan Phillies over Angels Steve Treder Rays over Giants David Wade Red Sox over Phillies Consensus AL Champ: Red Sox NL Champ: Braves WS Champ: Red Sox
I’m wondering what Mr. Kovach has been inhaling. Cleveland wins the division and KC gets the WC and Cleveland wins it all? I’d love to see it, but I just can’t.
You’d be wondering that even more if you were on a list serve with him…
The consensus school of thought among the peanut gallery is that it’s because the hospital stole the second “t” from him name when he was born.
Wow, really, the Royals over the Indians? Come on people, the Royals have absolutely no major league talent in their lineup outside of Butler.
Again, I don’t speak for everyone, but I see the Indians as very slightly better than the Royals to open the season. Once reinforcements arrive in KC, I expect them to quickly close the gap and pass CLE. I know Cleveland has reinforcements of their own, but they don’t offer nearly the same value over replacement.
My “thinking’’ was this:
Twins, Tigers, and White Sox all have some issues.
The AL Central is is a division where if you can be average, you can stay close. I see the Twins having starting pitching and injury issues. White Sox start off slow, Kenny and Ozzie fight, Ozzie ends up fired. Tigers have no luck this year. Indians are simply average, but things heat up when the Royals bring in Ozzie!
Since I have the Yankees and Red Sox having some major pitching issues this year, Indians and Royals into playoffs.
But mainly, I ran a simple simulation about 1,000,000 .. this was the one I enjoyed .. since I’m from Cleveland. So, I developed my prediction based on scenario that should up about %1 of the time.
And here I thought Pedro Martinez coming into replace an injured Joe Blanton AND winning the NL Cy Young would be the big controversy.
I think Mr Kovach may have submitted his AL Central ballot backwards or upside down. Or inside out.
“Consensus.”
You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
Would you prefer “bastardized consensus.” Those are our consensus decisions less the cost of time required to actually get 20ish people to agree on however many categories there were.
If the Royals and Indians have a great year, Mr Kovach can say “I told you so”
How many people had Giants-Rangers last year?
Or the Rays in 2008?
I had the Rangers last year and the Rays in ‘08 (on a WC though…). Did not have the Giants…
I think someone punched in Mat Kovach’s answers backwards in the AL Central.
Cleveland and KC at 1-2? That’s gotta be a mistake.
I think I like this Paul Francis Sullivan guy. Haren and the Angels in the World Series with a Cy Young award? Even a WS loss would be okay by me.
Regardless of what the pundits say, I really do think that people look at the Angels and predict their season based on the wisdom of their payroll, not the actual talent, especially considering that their lineup holes are on a relatively short leash.
Also, Mark Simon over at ESPN also picked the Cubbies, so Brad Johnson isn’t the only one.
I’m surprised that no one thinks Jered Weaver can win the Cy Young this year. I don’t think he’s the favorite, but a pitcher who has become a strikeout/fly ball guy with that defensive outfield is going to do very well if he can stay healthy (which has yet to be a concern for him).
Everyone who picked STL over CHC is silly!
That whole NL Central (excluding HOU and PIT) could be up for grabs. With Cueto and Bailey banged up, pitching could be suddenly short in Cincy; Mil has defensive issues and Stl and Chc have their own headaches.
That is looking almost like a crapshoot.
Here I am, a lifelong die hard Red Sox fan and I am NOT picking the Red Sox when the consensus AL and World Series pick are my boys.
I just think Haren for a whole season and a good defense and a better offense that people will think will be better than Oakland and Texas.
And Haren/Weaver/Santana in a short series will be damn good.
I don’t get why the Angels aren’t getting any love and trust me, despite living in Southern California I am no Angels fan. But I am picking them over my Red Sox. Go figure
Guy who picked Toronto for last is a goof. No joke.
Is Max Marchi on crack? He picks Washington to finish ahead of Philadelphia in the NL East, and Boston for 4th in the AL East?
If Max turns out to be right, then Nostrodamus has nothing on him!
Honestly if there weren’t two mandatory West coast divisions every pick would be an East coast team… Paul Sullivan has the right of it and to ignore the A’s and Angel’s rotations is suicide in my opinion. The Giants rotation didn’t change did it?
This East coast bias bleeds in everywhere doesn’t it? Not just on ESPN?
There’s no East Coast Bias when it comes to baseball awards…
Allow me to link myself
http://sullybaseball.blogspot.com/2010/09/is-there-east-coast-bias-in-awards.html
Some of us believe in regression. In other words, yes, the Giants rotation changed.
I have a one word question in response to the Angels rotation. Depth? And their lineup. Old and/or gimpy and/or slappy. It’s not a bad team, but I’m not impressed either.
I like the A’s, they’re a good team. I just happen to think the Rangers will outlast them in the regular season.
Reasonable enough?
Paul,
I really was referring to who makes the WS not the picks and should have clarified that a little better (my Giants rotation comment was based on their WS win).
I would agree that awards do seem to get spread around in a fairly even manner (although many would argue about Jeter’s GG for instance) to the players who rightly deserve them.
Hi Brad,
Everyone of course has a right to an opinion and I think we are just going to disagree on this point.
In response to the Angel’s rotation you have 4 solid starters in Weaver, Haren, Santana, and Pineiro. The big question mark (and I will say very big) is Kazmir and he can be replaced (Davis, Slowey, etc…). The first four are good pitchers Brad. Is there a lack of depth in case one goes down? Yes you are correct and it will fall to someone like Matt Palmer or Trevor Bell (not great choices).
As far as the lineup is concerned I think you haven’t seen the maturity and development of some of the younger players (Bourjos and Trumbo in particular) and the re-dedication of players like Izturis, Aybar, Abreu, etc… It’s easy to label them old and slappy without seeing the quality of at-bat’s they have been achieving in ST.
The season starts in two days and I think Brad you are going to be surprised at how agile and aggressive the Angels will turn out to be.
I agree that the A’s and Texas will be contenders and either one could potentially win it. However I don’t think the A’s have enough offensive punch and the Angels rotation is on the same level as theirs. Texas has great offensive firepower but their pitching is very suspect which leads me to believe they will be a 2nd or 3rd place finisher.
Thanks for the response and I will gladly eat crow on this one if I am wrong Brad.
Looking at it, only nine teams ain’t picked by any of us to go the postseason: Baltimore, Seattle, Cards, Pirates, Astros, Padres, D-backs, Mets, and Nationals.
Of the remaining 21, six ain’t picked by anyone to go to the World Series: White Sox, Royals, Jays, Rangers, Cubs, and Marlins. Rangers & Sox are consensus division picks, too.
Of the remaining 15, five aren’t picked by anyone to win the Series: Twins, Rockies, Reds, A’s, and Angels.
Of the remaining ten, six are picked by only one person to win it all: Yankees, Brewers, Tigers, Giants, Dodgers, and Indians. Yup: as many picked the Indians as the Yanks.
The remaining four teams: 2 pick the Phillies, three the Rays, four the Braves, and 7 the Red Sox.
I’m shocked no ones shocked I have the blue jays ahead of the yankees
I’m far away, geographically and otherwise, but how does Gonzalez rate all these MVP predictions? I see a good player unlikely to have more than a very good season, and with a fair chance at injury time eating the value of that up.
What articles have I missed hinting otherwise?
I can tell you my thought process. The injury thing is definitely a concern but I opted to ignore the worry. With that worry left behind, the main factors I looked at were the potential to compile the raw counting stats, batting average, and power that MVP voters typically swoon for. Hitting in the middle of an extremely potent lineup at a friendly home park, the potential for gaudy numbers really stands out. Keep in mind, this is a media bonanza right now and crowning the new Red Sock would probably be a more interesting choice to most writers than some of the other options.
Were it not for Miguel Cabrera’s off field shenanigans, I would have chosen him. I don’t think Evan Longoria has any growth potential which leaves him on the periphery of MVP discussions. I don’t think Hamilton has a repeat in him (I actually like Nelson Cruz as the best player on that team). Kevin Youkilis is probably my #2 vote and I was briefly tempted to throw a Ben Zobrist vote up there.
I also want to address my pick of the Cubs since I was the only guy to pick them. I suppose technically I should not have chosen them since I see their playoff odds as under 25%. However, I fully expect that division to be extremely bad this year.
The Cardinals rotation is going to be an atrocity and they don’t have the pen depth to counteract that.
The Reds made the post season by getting a number of pitchers to play way above their heads (yet they should be the favorites by likelihood to make the postseason). If Votto holds steady, Bruce finally has that break out, and Stubbs marginally improves, the offense should hold steady. They have an awesome bullpen on paper, but the rotation only compares favorably to bad teams.
The Brewers are the high variance player in the division. I could honestly see them winning anywhere between 72 and 90 games because they have so many boom, bust, or injury type players on the roster and absolutely zero depth.
Which leaves the Cubs. I don’t like the Cubs, I think they have a pretty mediocre roster. I feel comfortable projecting them to win 82-85 games. I also feel comfortable saying that has a real shot to win the division.
I think the rest of my choices are fairly straight forward. In retrospect, I’d probably agree with the D-Backs finishing last in the division. The Padres have a couple players I like as break out candidates which will decide that.
it’s one thing to make a bold prediction- carlos santana for MVP
it’s another to make a ludicrous one- pedro martinez for cy young? kansas city for al central? really?
i might find myself apologizing in october, but it looks like you’re an idiot!
it’s one thing to make an unorthodox prediction here and there that you feel strong about, but it seems like you’re just f**king around with a lot of your predictions and maybe trying to create some buzz around your name.
You guys are reading way too much into Mat’s predictions. His gut tells him that Pedro Martinez is a Cy Young pitcher. It’s his prediction.
Hey, I’m sorry I started all this hating on Mat Kovach. While I think his picks are beyond crazy, I respect his right to make them any way he wants. Won’t do much for his credibility, but on the other hand, if CLE or KC somehow far exceed expectations, he looks like a genius. As for Pedro winning the Cy Young, well…
Phillies sign Pedro to be their closer. Braves still beat out the Phillies, but not because of Pedro (I say the offense fails them). If Pedro comes back, closes for the Phillies and gets 35+ saves and a sub 2.00 ERA, you *know* he’ll be the Cy Young winner. The voters couldn’t help themselves BUT vote for them.
I am predicting that the Indians win the AL Central, Royals win the WC. Obviously, with that happening, somebody from one of those teams would have to be the MVP. I think Carlos Santana would have the better numbers. I also thought Choo here, but if the Indians win Santana has to be BETTER than Choo. So picking Santana as the MVP is consistent with my AL Central prediction.
Also note, I have C.J. Wilson as the AL Cy Young, since the A’s/Rangers battle it out for the AL West title.
I completely defend my predictions.
I am predicting a series of plausible events that lead to a great baseball stories (Royals/Indians in the playoffs. Indians/Reds World Series. All happening during a possible NFL lockout).
If that makes me an idiot, send me to the village that is missing me! Just make sure MLB.tv is available!
I for one appreciate the more interesting predictions. I view these predictions as a fun exercise, and every year *something* totally unexpected happens. Cliff Lee going from the minors to Ace? Jamie Moyer pitching into his late-40’s? Chase Utley’s career in jeopardy? All are more unexpected than Max’s AL East predictions, which I can definitely imagine if the yanks age poorly and beckett/lackey/dice-k continue to decline.
Mr. Mat Kovach…
I’d think your mates are trying to run a serious website here. one can’t even begin to question your “predictions”…
Not a single one of us picked St. Louis to make the playoffs? Sure, losing Wainwright hurts, but I’m surprised they didn’t even get a single WC selection.
Of course, I say this as a Cardinals fan who didn’t pick them myself…
Hey bk… knock off the troll stuff. There are lots of comment boards where people can come on, act like a 9 year old and leave.
This place is a place for actual baseball discussion. Yeah there can be disagreement and even some sarcasm. But I would hate to see this place devolve where trolls like bk make it just a place for childish insults.
Guess what? The Tigers are vulnerable and I think are overrated. The White Sox are a veteran team that can break down. And the Twins have injury issues and could have a let down.
If those three teams have disappointing seasons, then who does that leave?
Ah… the Indians and the Royals.
Then again, I am sure YOU picked Cliff Lee to win the 2008 Cy Young. No doubt YOU picked Zack Grienke to win it in 2009.
I know YOU picked Jose Bautista to win the home run title last year.
I am sure YOU had the San Diego Padres winning 90 games last year and contending to the last day.
No doubt you picked the Rays to win the 2008 Pennant… or the Rockies to win the 2007 Pennant… or the Tigers to win the 2006 Pennant… or the Marlins to win the 2003 World Series… or the Angels to win the 2002 World Series.
If anyone had listed those predictions, no doubt you’d call THEM an idiot as well.
So bk, do me a favor: If you disagree, then disagree. If you strongly disagree, then show your work. If you have a joke to say, make it funny.
But if you want to turn this into a place where you just act like a 3rd grader, there are many other sites to do that.
Dear. Mr. Kovach,
I would like to commend you on sticking to your gut even though it isn’t always the easy thing to do.
God bless you and your ridiculous AL Central prediction. You, sir, are why humanity still has a chance in 2011 and beyond.
Signed,
Dayton Moore
I was surprised to see my Jake McGee for AL ROY share more votes than Francisco Liriano for AL Cy Young. Interesting.
If you disagree, then disagree. If you strongly disagree, then show your work. If you have a joke to say, make it funny.
/starts clapping slowly
//stands up, continues clapping
///clapping intensifies
Interesting that our “consensus” was Philly to win the division, but then ATL to represent the NL in the WS?
Is this a function of those who picked the Braves to win the division feeling more strongly about the Braves than those who picked the Phillies, or are there folks who specifically picked the Phillies to win the division, but the Braves to emerge from the NL?
If so, I’d be interested in hearing what the reasoning for that is. It seems counterintuitive, given the Phills’ rotation.
Speaking for myself, I’m doubtful about the Phillies’ ability to reach the postseason at this point, but once they do, that probably means they have all 4 of their SP, a semi-healthy Utley with a full supporting cast, and another hitter brought in at the trade deadline. In the game of playoff crapshoots, that looks like the most loaded die to me.
Who the #### is Matt Kovach? What a joker.
Ettinone,
Thank you for making sure I knew your comment was addressed to me.
I’m well aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the Angels roster though I’m sure you’ve seen more Angels baseball if you’re a fan (it sounds like you are). It is my personal opinion based on the information I have gathered that the team’s weaknesses make them appear more like a .500 ballclub than a playoff contender. Perhaps they’ll revert to playing above their heads again in ‘11. Or perhaps you have gathered different information that is more accurate than mine.
You never know what’s going to happen in baseball, there’s no sense quibbling over it. Like I said in my brief comment above, I think the Angels are a good team but not a contender. That’s my thought on the matter. If you have new information to introduce then you may be able to change my thoughts (I was recently talked in to thinking the Padres are better than my original projection).