ShawnHartXXX
The Phenom
The ACE is back in town, baby! NL pennant here we come.
All Hail Mark Prior!
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CuseTroy
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Not with that bullpen.
JLevinson
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Heh
I'm no Cubs fan, but it's good to see Prior back. The real question is whether or not Dusty Baker learns his lesson and takes care of his pitchers instead of leaving them in until their arms fall off.
The Cubbies are gonna have to beat the 'Stros, and the Astros have ALMOST as good a rotation as the Cubs (especially if Oswalt steps it up). The triple threat of Bagwell/Kent/Berkman cannot be matched by the Cubs, but I think it's going to come down to the last 5 or 10 games with the Cubs winning out in the end (you just can't top that rotation).
Ultimately, though, who cares... ?
GO RED SOX!!!!!!
I'm no Cubs fan, but it's good to see Prior back. The real question is whether or not Dusty Baker learns his lesson and takes care of his pitchers instead of leaving them in until their arms fall off.
The Cubbies are gonna have to beat the 'Stros, and the Astros have ALMOST as good a rotation as the Cubs (especially if Oswalt steps it up). The triple threat of Bagwell/Kent/Berkman cannot be matched by the Cubs, but I think it's going to come down to the last 5 or 10 games with the Cubs winning out in the end (you just can't top that rotation).
Ultimately, though, who cares... ?
GO RED SOX!!!!!!
SteveA
League Member
Hello?
Uh.... guys? Who's in first place in the division?? Yeah, that's right, GO REDS!!!!
Uh.... guys? Who's in first place in the division?? Yeah, that's right, GO REDS!!!!
PaulNJ21
I shunned a voodoo witch, decapitated a black cat
Mark Prior makes children cry. GO CUBS! ;->
Paul
Paul
SteveA
League Member
Yes, he especially made many of them cry when he couldn't get out of the inning in game 6 last year. Screw Bartman, GET SOMEBODY OUT!
Starbreaker
Member
Joe Borowski went on the DL today, so the Cubbies are gonna have a bit of a hole to fill, there. It's gonna weaken their bullpen for however long he's out.
On the other hand, with a Big 3 of Prior/Wood/Zambrano? Bullpen isn't as much of a factor. But they're still going to need someone there to fill the 8th and 9th innings, most of the time, and possibly also the 7th. Will LaTroy Hawkins be able to close out games? We'll see.
I'm more of a Kerry Wood fan, myself, but I can't deny that Mark Prior is better, when he's healthy. It's close, though. Zambrano is a gem, too, but a notch below.
As long as General Dusty doesn't blow out anyone's arm, I'd say the Cubs take the NL Central. I don't see Cinci continuing their run. St. Louis seems to falter late in the season, and Houston is, in my opinion, a bit below Chicago. In the end, it'll come down to which of the four kills each other to more success.
Note: I don't think of them as a true threat (yet), but watch out for Bernie Brewer and his team. He's making some prime brew for the guys in Milwaukee to drink these days. Ben Sheets is even healthy and pitching well at the same time!
On the other hand, with a Big 3 of Prior/Wood/Zambrano? Bullpen isn't as much of a factor. But they're still going to need someone there to fill the 8th and 9th innings, most of the time, and possibly also the 7th. Will LaTroy Hawkins be able to close out games? We'll see.
I'm more of a Kerry Wood fan, myself, but I can't deny that Mark Prior is better, when he's healthy. It's close, though. Zambrano is a gem, too, but a notch below.
As long as General Dusty doesn't blow out anyone's arm, I'd say the Cubs take the NL Central. I don't see Cinci continuing their run. St. Louis seems to falter late in the season, and Houston is, in my opinion, a bit below Chicago. In the end, it'll come down to which of the four kills each other to more success.
Note: I don't think of them as a true threat (yet), but watch out for Bernie Brewer and his team. He's making some prime brew for the guys in Milwaukee to drink these days. Ben Sheets is even healthy and pitching well at the same time!
ShawnHartXXX
The Phenom
I'd like to echo Jeff's comments, and add that Matt Clement is havign a breakout year of his own. 1-5, best rotation in baseball. As far as the Brewers go, they'e going to surprise alot of people. Sheets could be an all-star this year, and Podsednik should be one in the years to come.
The Brewers?
THE BREWERS?
Yes, Ben Sheets may be an all-star. But only because they have to choose at least one from each team and he's BY FAR their best player.
Cincinnati is red hot right now just like the Cardinals. Cincinnati is riding the hot bats of Griffey and Casey. Griffey should go down to injury at some point this year. If he doesn't, they could be the big surprise team, not Milwaukee. The Brewers will hover around .500 at best and they'll have to keep up their current pace just to do that.
I don't know about the Cards, except that they've played the Astros very well thus far this year and I'd say that's the main reason their record is where it's at. Good head to head records. The Astros still maintain the best record against other NL Central teams however.
I also believe that it will eventually come down to the Astros and the Cubs. What I believe will be the keys to who eventually pulls it out are:
Cubs:
- Prior staying healthy
- Sosa coming back
- finding someone who can close games (Borowski wasn't exactly lighting it up even when healthy)
- bullpen in general
- consistent hitting from someone other than Moises Alou
Astros:
- Andy Pettite returning to health
- develop some better middle relief from somewhere either by trade or through promotion
- Oswalt getting some run support
I don't think the Cubs can beat the Astros head to head (note: Astros lead season series 4-1 so far), but it will be how well they do against the other teams in the division that decides which gets the chance to show off those starting pitching staffs in the playoffs.
- Dave
THE BREWERS?
Yes, Ben Sheets may be an all-star. But only because they have to choose at least one from each team and he's BY FAR their best player.
Cincinnati is red hot right now just like the Cardinals. Cincinnati is riding the hot bats of Griffey and Casey. Griffey should go down to injury at some point this year. If he doesn't, they could be the big surprise team, not Milwaukee. The Brewers will hover around .500 at best and they'll have to keep up their current pace just to do that.
I don't know about the Cards, except that they've played the Astros very well thus far this year and I'd say that's the main reason their record is where it's at. Good head to head records. The Astros still maintain the best record against other NL Central teams however.
I also believe that it will eventually come down to the Astros and the Cubs. What I believe will be the keys to who eventually pulls it out are:
Cubs:
- Prior staying healthy
- Sosa coming back
- finding someone who can close games (Borowski wasn't exactly lighting it up even when healthy)
- bullpen in general
- consistent hitting from someone other than Moises Alou
Astros:
- Andy Pettite returning to health
- develop some better middle relief from somewhere either by trade or through promotion
- Oswalt getting some run support
I don't think the Cubs can beat the Astros head to head (note: Astros lead season series 4-1 so far), but it will be how well they do against the other teams in the division that decides which gets the chance to show off those starting pitching staffs in the playoffs.
- Dave
JLevinson
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Ben Sheets is an All-Star only because there has to be one from each time? Wake up and smell the coffee, Brunk. 
Sheets changed his arm slot this year and added another 2-4 MPH on his fastball, clocking in anywhere from 96-98 MPH. He set a new career high for himself with 10 K's in two separate games before going out and striking out 18 in Atlanta, which is the most strikeouts in a game since Big Unit had 20 a few years ago.
The Brew Crew may not be contenders, but if Ben Sheets had a Yankees cap on right now, the question wouldn't be whether or not he's an All-Star, but whether or not he's the Cy Young candidate. He's second in strikeouts in the entire major leagues behind Randy Johnson.
Scouts have been saying for a long time now that Sheets is the "Next Big Thing" and have been waiting for him to breakout.
And y'know what? I'd take him ahead of Clemens or Pettitte or anyone else on the Astros staff except MAYBE Oswalt, and even then, I might, 'cause Oswalt's had groin injuries in the past.
Obviously, Brunk, you haven't seen the man pitch.
Sheets changed his arm slot this year and added another 2-4 MPH on his fastball, clocking in anywhere from 96-98 MPH. He set a new career high for himself with 10 K's in two separate games before going out and striking out 18 in Atlanta, which is the most strikeouts in a game since Big Unit had 20 a few years ago.
The Brew Crew may not be contenders, but if Ben Sheets had a Yankees cap on right now, the question wouldn't be whether or not he's an All-Star, but whether or not he's the Cy Young candidate. He's second in strikeouts in the entire major leagues behind Randy Johnson.
Scouts have been saying for a long time now that Sheets is the "Next Big Thing" and have been waiting for him to breakout.
And y'know what? I'd take him ahead of Clemens or Pettitte or anyone else on the Astros staff except MAYBE Oswalt, and even then, I might, 'cause Oswalt's had groin injuries in the past.
Obviously, Brunk, you haven't seen the man pitch.
Well, I don't watch him as much as people who have him on their fantasy teams. ;-)
You bring a new dimension to the term "homer".
"Fantasy Baseball Homer".
But yes, I agree. I phrased what I meant in the wrong way. Ben Sheets is deserving of being an All-Star. It's the rest of the team that bites, which is why the Brewers won't be surprising anyone this year.
Happy? ;-)
- Dave
You bring a new dimension to the term "homer".
"Fantasy Baseball Homer".
But yes, I agree. I phrased what I meant in the wrong way. Ben Sheets is deserving of being an All-Star. It's the rest of the team that bites, which is why the Brewers won't be surprising anyone this year.
Happy? ;-)
- Dave
TheOriginalSE
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I'm not enthralled by Zambrano at all.
And I hate Clemens, even though I like the Astros.
But I don't want either team to win.
Cubs suck, Astros suck because of Clemens and Pettite... and well.....
GO RED SOX!!!!
And I hate Clemens, even though I like the Astros.
But I don't want either team to win.
Cubs suck, Astros suck because of Clemens and Pettite... and well.....
GO RED SOX!!!!
Steve
the EX-QUEEN of FW~!
Bullpens always matter
I musta missed the memo that said Dusty Baker destroys arms.
Prior's problem is his achilles, right?
And Wood.......he went down in year 2. That kinda set the tone for potential reinjury. And personally, if I have a couple 6'4, 240 lb Texans..I wanna'em throwing 120 pitches per start.
Now, if Dusty lets his guys throw 130+ every start...that's another story. Admittedly, I don't follow the Cubs as much.
Zambrano's been awesome.
On paper Woods, Prior, Zambrano, Clement, and Maddux looked historic.
But...Kerry's hurt. And Greg's slowing.
Come playoff time you have to like the chances of the staff being 100%. But they need a closer.
The key is.......making the playoffs.
The divison and wildcard races are going to be sick this year. How sick? My poor Braves will be in contention.
The offense was a question mark coming in, and while injuries have taken their toll...you still have to wonder.
Who's the leadofff guy?
Would Corey step up?
Could Sosa put the team on his shoulders?
With that starting staff healthy over the course of 162, the Cubbies would've had to try very hard not to make the playoffs. But how many saves have they blown?
They're trying.
They're not a lock to make it in. Especially when Cincy's become the "it's one hell of a ride" team for 2004.
But Dusty finds a way.
Get in the playoffs healthy...that staff is gonna be a nightmare for someone.
I musta missed the memo that said Dusty Baker destroys arms.
Prior's problem is his achilles, right?
And Wood.......he went down in year 2. That kinda set the tone for potential reinjury. And personally, if I have a couple 6'4, 240 lb Texans..I wanna'em throwing 120 pitches per start.
Now, if Dusty lets his guys throw 130+ every start...that's another story. Admittedly, I don't follow the Cubs as much.
Zambrano's been awesome.
On paper Woods, Prior, Zambrano, Clement, and Maddux looked historic.
But...Kerry's hurt. And Greg's slowing.
Come playoff time you have to like the chances of the staff being 100%. But they need a closer.
The key is.......making the playoffs.
The divison and wildcard races are going to be sick this year. How sick? My poor Braves will be in contention.
The offense was a question mark coming in, and while injuries have taken their toll...you still have to wonder.
Who's the leadofff guy?
Would Corey step up?
Could Sosa put the team on his shoulders?
With that starting staff healthy over the course of 162, the Cubbies would've had to try very hard not to make the playoffs. But how many saves have they blown?
They're trying.
They're not a lock to make it in. Especially when Cincy's become the "it's one hell of a ride" team for 2004.
But Dusty finds a way.
Get in the playoffs healthy...that staff is gonna be a nightmare for someone.
ShawnHartXXX
The Phenom
I like Grudz or Walker as the lead-off man, assuming one of them is healthy and performing (As opposed to Grudz being hurt and Walker slumping a bit.)
I thought this year was going to be the break-out season Patterson would have had last year if he hadn't been injured, but he needs to step it up.
I thought this year was going to be the break-out season Patterson would have had last year if he hadn't been injured, but he needs to step it up.
The Reds have reinforced in their series with the A's why they won't stick around.
40 runs given up in three games?? OUCH.
That pitching ain't gonna cut it over the long haul.
Good series between the Cards and Cubbies, and it was nice to see the Astros get the pitching back into a groove with back to back shutouts (Clemens 9-0!).
- Dave
40 runs given up in three games?? OUCH.
That pitching ain't gonna cut it over the long haul.
Good series between the Cards and Cubbies, and it was nice to see the Astros get the pitching back into a groove with back to back shutouts (Clemens 9-0!).
- Dave
Starbreaker
Member
Dusty has a history of letting his pitchers air out their arms. During his time with the Giants, and with the Cubs, he's got them throwing 100+ easily, and in the 120-130 range if they get that far. And while Wood and Prior aren't having arm-related injuries presently, young arms throwing that many pitches on a consistent basis is a recipe for disaster.
The Brewers have "potentials"....guys who could be stars in the future, but right now have only begun to make their cases. There are a few, but I don't remember their first names, so I'll post names later. I know Lyle Overbay is one, Podsednik and Sheets of course, and one other SP named Davis. I think it's Danny Davis but I could be wrong. They most likely will drop out sooner than later, but they have a future, which is a lot more than Milwaukee has been accustomed to with regards to their baseball team for the past....oh, decade. At least.
The Cardinals pitching has been better than projected, which is why they're doing better than expected. I think everyone expected Pujols and Rolen to be the superstars they are, and for run production to come.
Borowski can still pick up his game when he comes back. If not he or Hawkins, though, I don't know what the Cubs will do. They don't have a K-Rod.
Cincinnati's pitching is, to me, as unstable as they come. Paul Wilson and Acevedo are not who I'd want to be relying on.
The Brewers have "potentials"....guys who could be stars in the future, but right now have only begun to make their cases. There are a few, but I don't remember their first names, so I'll post names later. I know Lyle Overbay is one, Podsednik and Sheets of course, and one other SP named Davis. I think it's Danny Davis but I could be wrong. They most likely will drop out sooner than later, but they have a future, which is a lot more than Milwaukee has been accustomed to with regards to their baseball team for the past....oh, decade. At least.
The Cardinals pitching has been better than projected, which is why they're doing better than expected. I think everyone expected Pujols and Rolen to be the superstars they are, and for run production to come.
Borowski can still pick up his game when he comes back. If not he or Hawkins, though, I don't know what the Cubs will do. They don't have a K-Rod.
Cincinnati's pitching is, to me, as unstable as they come. Paul Wilson and Acevedo are not who I'd want to be relying on.