John Quirk
I have seen enough and it is time to make some bold, hard hitting playoff predictions for the final 50 games in MLB. The beauty of living in America is that we simultaneously get to set up the upcoming NFL season, the new draft class, and their glaring absences from training camps nationwide, absences that are motivated by trying to lock down more millions in a time of near economic crisis… what a country!
The American League is pretty clear cut as far as I’m concerned, and my previous predictions all still ring true. I still like the Rangers, although it is maybe a little more realistic to call them the wild card at this point than to think that they will upend the Angels out west. I picked the Angels on June first and no obtrusive reasons to back off that prediction. Ervin Santana has been lights out and I think Mike Socia is one of the best managers in the league. He keeps them competitive year in and year out, and they will be a tough out for anyone in the playoffs, especially the yanks…
I realize that my prediction of Texas as the wild card ousts the Red Sox from the playoff picture and I’m cool with that. In fact I think the Rays are a better odds on bet to make it that the sawx at this point. After the sweep in the Bronx last weekend exposed Smoltz for what he was and sent him off to assignment land, the land for those designated as being done, I think it’s clear Boston will not have enough arms to help them play catch up, even when the bats finally do wake up. I’m still on the Tigers in the central (almost as much because of the White Sox and Twins as the Tigers ineptness) but I am stickin’ with them none the less.
Now on to the NL where the truly great races will take place this season. The west was over long before I even declared it so on June 1. The rest of the divisions are more wide open than Randy Moss against the Lions.
In the east I think the Phillies will hold on, but the race will prove to be close right to the bitter end. The Braves have been a tough out all season and have a better team, especially with the addition of Nate McClouth, than they have in since the late 90’s they just haven’t necessarily played like it all year. Derek Lowe has pretty much encapsulated the on again, off again nature of this team. 22 games against the Mets, Reds, Padres, Nationals, as well as 7 more with the team in front of them the Phillies, sets the Braves up for a potentially big stretch run. Their whole rotation has faltered at times throughout the season, however I think that with their better than average lineup, and great bullpen anchored by one of my favorite relievers in the league, Rafael Soriano, the Braves will be a force for the rest of the year. Don’t be shocked when they sneak in and take the wild card.
That leaves just one team from the central and it is the team currently atop the division. Best coach, best line up, solid rotation, solid bullpen, recipe for success for the red birds. Chris Carpenter has bounced back to near ’05 form when he won 21 games. He currently boasts a whip under 1, which validates his impressive 11-3 record. He along with Wainwright are a more than formidable 1-2 punch, something which makes the Cardinals a dangerous team come playoff time.
A perfect segway to playoff predictions…
If only I wasn’t starving and committed to making French toast for me and my roommates… Playoff picks and NFL preview coming soon… stay tuned…
The American League is pretty clear cut as far as I’m concerned, and my previous predictions all still ring true. I still like the Rangers, although it is maybe a little more realistic to call them the wild card at this point than to think that they will upend the Angels out west. I picked the Angels on June first and no obtrusive reasons to back off that prediction. Ervin Santana has been lights out and I think Mike Socia is one of the best managers in the league. He keeps them competitive year in and year out, and they will be a tough out for anyone in the playoffs, especially the yanks…
I realize that my prediction of Texas as the wild card ousts the Red Sox from the playoff picture and I’m cool with that. In fact I think the Rays are a better odds on bet to make it that the sawx at this point. After the sweep in the Bronx last weekend exposed Smoltz for what he was and sent him off to assignment land, the land for those designated as being done, I think it’s clear Boston will not have enough arms to help them play catch up, even when the bats finally do wake up. I’m still on the Tigers in the central (almost as much because of the White Sox and Twins as the Tigers ineptness) but I am stickin’ with them none the less.
Now on to the NL where the truly great races will take place this season. The west was over long before I even declared it so on June 1. The rest of the divisions are more wide open than Randy Moss against the Lions.
In the east I think the Phillies will hold on, but the race will prove to be close right to the bitter end. The Braves have been a tough out all season and have a better team, especially with the addition of Nate McClouth, than they have in since the late 90’s they just haven’t necessarily played like it all year. Derek Lowe has pretty much encapsulated the on again, off again nature of this team. 22 games against the Mets, Reds, Padres, Nationals, as well as 7 more with the team in front of them the Phillies, sets the Braves up for a potentially big stretch run. Their whole rotation has faltered at times throughout the season, however I think that with their better than average lineup, and great bullpen anchored by one of my favorite relievers in the league, Rafael Soriano, the Braves will be a force for the rest of the year. Don’t be shocked when they sneak in and take the wild card.
That leaves just one team from the central and it is the team currently atop the division. Best coach, best line up, solid rotation, solid bullpen, recipe for success for the red birds. Chris Carpenter has bounced back to near ’05 form when he won 21 games. He currently boasts a whip under 1, which validates his impressive 11-3 record. He along with Wainwright are a more than formidable 1-2 punch, something which makes the Cardinals a dangerous team come playoff time.
A perfect segway to playoff predictions…
If only I wasn’t starving and committed to making French toast for me and my roommates… Playoff picks and NFL preview coming soon… stay tuned…
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