2016 MLB Thread

 

And that homer Papi hit when Tori went head over heels and the Boston rent-a-cop cheered wildly was the straw that broke the Tigers back.....it was their best opportunity to win a series with this incarnation of the team (why even pitch to Papi?  That must gnaw at Tigers fans to this day).  Maybe it was their best shot for the next couple of years as well.....they're a built-to-win-now sort of team. 

Any further Jose Fernandez development (he's still only 23) and the Marlins are going to have a Cy Young candidate with them for a few years, and Edwin Jackson always seems to contradict my feelings that he sucks, but the rest of the Marlins pitchers aren't very flattering.  Stanton gets hurt and this offense looks to have very little behind.  I was a little surprised the Phillies didn't have more success last year (mostly via offense) but basement-chasing this season looks quite likely.  Braves are clearly rebuilding but outside of pulling an Astros-from-2015 type surprise I can't see much success from their SP's (they do have a fantastic system, however, so who knows about some of the youngsters).  Braves likely repeat their historical BP success but their offense looks average at best.  Mets could get outstanding starting pitching if their available pieces perform to their ability but this club seems to totally like the management, karma and mojo needed to compete over a full season.  Hard to have much faith in the Mets offense and even their few solid bats are kind of exiting their prime years.  Nats had to be the faves for the division coming in (same the past couple years now) and they certainly retain 3 of the best SP's in baseball, with Gio Gonzalez, Scherzer and Strasburg.  Their offense could be quite good, too, but their pen has historically been a question mark and I have no idea if they've cleansed some of the internal issues that they've had that seem to be preventing them from really reaching their potential;  either way, this division is theirs for the taking barring some major surprises.

 

NL Central:

Reds' SP's look barely average for '16, barring some youngster surprises.  Offense could keep sliding, too, and they can't hit on the road to save their lives the past few seasons.  Brewers constantly let their key pieces disappear to other teams and outside of Garza, Peralto and Capuano (all potentially very good but likely nowhere near enough) wins should be scarce;  bullpen remains a weakness.  Brewers, as well, totally struggle on the road and outside of Ryan Braun their offense is not at all intimidating.  Cards have great management and their pitching--starting and bullpen--give them a decent chance to make noise in this division;  Michael Wacha still has the chance to become one of the game's most dominant arms if he keeps progressing.  Cards offense doesn't look like a strength for '16.  Pirates look like they're developing along the same lines as the Royals and they should march out solid starting pitching constantly, with Garrit Cole and F-Rod appearing to be most dominant of a solid lot.  The offense may be no more than average but that might be enough for them to take this division;  anything better than average from them and they should take it easily.  Pitt's BP was very good last year but that hasn't often been true for them in recent years.

 

NL West:

This division always surprises me and while the Dodgers should be a factor with their $tar-$tudded payroll, we'll have to wait and see if the management changes will get them over the hump.  Opposite end of the spectrum seems the Giants, who don't do it like the Dodgers with the best that money can buy but more with the best attitude, strategy, mojo, management, what-have-you (which is exactly what LAD has been missing).  Having a perpetually stellar bullpen doesn't hurt the G-Men, either.  Outside of Goldschmidt, D'Backs offense blows but if the pitching can do something this season (doesn't hurt adding Greinke and Shelby Miller to some very good youngsters) then maybe they can stick around or even pilfer the division;  their BP historically sucks but early season I'd sure be tempted to play them as underdogs or be looking at some low-scoring games.  I'd be pretty shocked if either the Rockies or Padres make any noise in this division.

 

Well, that was enjoyable if nothing else.

I still love baseball and I think I had a totally different mindset then I would have had doing this the gambling forum that I joined back in 2001.  Totally different experience, as mentioned.  Not sure if it allowed me to be more 'objective' or not.  Always some surprises every season and the only sure bet I can suggest is that some part(s) of my assessment will be totally off the mark well before the season is finished.

 

Play Ball!

 

 

I would like to see the Pirates do something better than that frustrating 1 game playoff that have lost a few years in a row.  Tough last year for them to be in the same division with the Cards and the Cubs (hate the Cards).

Coin flip predictions:

AL E-Boston

AL C-Detroit

AL W-Houston

WC-KC and Tor

NL E-Mets

NL C-Cubs

NL W-Dodgers

WC-Pirates (again) and Giants

Series - Going for the curse buster, Cubs over Detroit

Alfred E. - that's the ONLY way to watch MLB.....sound off, prog on!  Most MLB announcers - make it sports announcers in general - leave me wondering how they landed their jobs.  Very few broadcasters call a game that I want to hear.....and most of them have passed or are making their last stand.  Hang on to Vin Scully while we can - when he leaves, there goes the golden age of sports broadcasting.   

 

AL E-Toronto

AL C-K.C

AL W-Houston

WC-Det and Balt

NL E- Nationals

NL C-Pirates

NL W-Giants

WC- Mets and Dodgers


AL - Toronto
NL - Nationals

WC - the Nationals win it this year..