From the cheap seats
After a week’s sebatical, I’m back.
As a man of my word, I am keeping my promise of delivering my National League predictions for Major League Baseball.
National League East
Winner: Atlanta Braves
Why: I know I’m going to take some, criticism for this choice, being a Braves fan and the ostentatious start for this season. But, the Braves are like the New York Yankees, the past success is hard to bet against. The pitching staff needs to gel and Chipper Jones has to return to full form. Last year, he was far from his MVP year of 1999, but he still managed to bat over .300 and drive in over 100 RBIs. Jones in a slump is a good year for most hitters.
Runner-up: The Montreal Expos have good team chemistry and the pitching staff is getting a reputation as having a veteran feel. The Philadelphia Phillies have a very strong offense, but their rotation is headed up by Kevin Millwood. Millwood is an excellent pitcher, but he is unproven as a leader of a pitching staff. The New York Mets always seem to gain the most in the off-season, from Roberto Alomar, to Mo Vaughn, to Tom Glavine but what makes this year different from previous years…nothing. The Mets will be contenders, but will take too long to work as a team. If the Florida Marlins would have kept a few players from the last three years then they would be major contenders.
National League Central
Winner: Houston Astros
Why: The Astros look to be a strong force in the central, literally. The balls are leaving the yard at Minute Maid field at a record pace. Craig Biggio’s move to centerfield won’t effect his play. This isn’t the first time he moved. He started in the Astros organization as a catcher and then moved to second base where he became an All-Star. Plus, anytime you add Jeff Kent to the roster, it’s not going to hurt.
Runners-up: There are going to be a lot of homeruns hit in the Cincinnati Red’s new Great American Ballpark. Although they’re to a slow start and another disappointing injury to Ken Griffey Jr., look for the Reds to duke it out with the Astros and St. Louis Cardinals for first place. The Pittsburgh Pirates will have a surge about mid-season, but will fizzle during the long, late summer months. The Milawaukee Brewers are off to a slow start and they’ll finish show. Their starting rotation differs from month to month. The Chicago Cubs have a young staff and a very good coach, but it just won’t be enough. National League West
Winner: San Francisco Giants
Why: The Giants have had a very good team, but bad chemistry over
the last couple of years. The chemistry will be better this year and Bonds looks to make a run at the record books and further cement himself as one of the all-time greats.
Runner-up: The Giants will face stiff competition all year long from the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers. The Colorado Rockies have become the breeding ground for new talent that is swept away in mid-season, due to a pitching staff that has the Rockies out of playoff contention by the All-Star break. The San Diego Padres are getting a new stadium soon. The new stadium will be an immediate fan draw and the fans will encourage their down-and-out Padres. But, unfortunately, the biggest fan draw in San Diego this year will be when Barry Bonds comes to play the Padres.
National League Wild Card
Winner: Cincinnati Reds
Why: Three words: the long ball. The Reds have a very powerful line-up from their second spot hitter to their sixth or seventh hitter, they have guys who can hit the ball a mile. The pitching will come around and be a big reason as to why a late-season surge will propel them into the playoffs.
Post Season
N.L. Divisional
Braves beat Astros
Giants beat Reds
A.L. Divisional
Yankees beat Angels
Athletics beat Twins
N.L. Champion
San Francisco Giants
A.L. Champion
Oakland Athletics
World Champions: Oakland Athletics.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Apr 18 2003. Filed under Opinion.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.
You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
