Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Preview Wrap

This season actually looks to be more exciting than last year. So here are the 12 preseson picks for the playoffs.

AL

1. Colorado Springs Sky Sox
2. Tampa Bay Rays
3. Boston Red Sox
4. Detroit Tigers
5. Texas Rangers
6. Kansas City Royals 

Other candidates include: Dover Dung Beetles and Oakland A's

NL

1.  Florida Marlins
2.  Salem Super Sequoias
3.  Chicago Cubs
4.  New York Mets
5.  Pittsburgh Pirates
6.  Mexico City Diablos Rojos

Other Candidates include:  Cincinnati Red,  San Francisco Giants and Houston Astros.

 

NL West

NL West

The Salem Super Sequoias will be the team to beat again and should easily wrap up another playoff spot early. Chances are it will be the number 2 seed again however. Never fear, their cupboard is getting bare.


Target: 110-52


The San Francisco Giants have taken great pride in rebuilding. They are getting much better.


Target: 83-79


The Arizona Diamondbacks are a good team but just doesn't get the job done.


Target: 80-82


The San Diego Padres are learning quickly what it takes to win. Unfortunately they don't have enough of the pieces yet. 


Target: 68- 94



AL West

AL West

The Colorado Springs Sky Sox should easily handle their opponents. Another number 1 seed to go with it looks to be in store.


Target: 105-57


The Oakland A's have a nice offense and the pitching isn't bad.


Target: 88-74


The Anaheim Angels don't look as good as they did last year. 


Target: 80-82


The Helena Hot Pockets might be retooling. 


Target: 70-92

AL South

AL South

The Tampa Bay Rays look to have another championship season. I even think a World Series berth is possible this season. But it is gonna be tough.


Target: 99-63


The Texas Rangers actually had the best under-performing team I have ever seen last year. Don't expect it to happen this year, though I am not sure the starting pitching is actually up to the task.


Target: 90-72


The Kansas City Royals just might be the dark horse of the AL this year. 


Target: 88-74


The Little Rock Heads made a flurry of this off season but I am not sure it was helpful. I am not sold at all on the pitching staff.


Target: 81-81



NL South

The Florida Marlins are still the team to beat in the NL South. For that matter hard not to say they will win over 100 games and be the number 1 seed again.

Target: 110-52


The Mexico City Diablos Rojos has improved each year and should have a winning season to go along with it. Will a playoff berth also be there is another story.

Target: 87-75


The Houston Astros has declared that it is time to rebuild once again. They are still a presence to be reckoned with. They are still very formidable.

Target: 85-77


The St. Louis Cardinals are getting better but still have a little ways to go.


Target: 65-97

NL East

NL East

The New York Mets look to improve on last years record even and make it two straight.


Target: 96-66


The Atlanta Braves are hiding in the woodwork. This is the team the Mets fear the most but from the looks of things, really young.

Target: 81-81


The Louisville Colonels are sending out for a lot of hot wings for the "General". They will surprise a lot of teams but the pitching depth just isn't there.

Target: 75-87


The Philadelphia Phillies are still in the rebuild phase.

Target: 68-94

AL East

AL East

The Boston Red Sox look to make another run to the post season. It will be rougher than last season and that one wasn't easy.


Target: 88-74


The Dover Dung Beetles could actually replace the Sox for the top spot. They have improved but is it enough.

Target: 88-74


The Baltimore Orioles have improved also but pitching is going to be a big question mark.


Target: 75-87


The Washington D.C. Senators has been a team that looks good on paper but just never gel for some reason. 


Target: 70-92

AL North

AL North

The Detroit Tigers showed a lot last year. Spending a lot to fix problem areas showed resolve. I must think they have a very good chance.

Target:90-72

The Minnesota Twins have been in the thick of things the last 3 years. The Twins stayed with their pat hand in the off season. Was it a mistake?

Target: 89-73

The Toronto Blue Jays missed out on some of the finer points in the off season and it may have cost them. 

Target: 75-87


The Montreal Expos missed the playoffs for the first time in six years. Being on top for a long time takes its toll after a while.


Target: 65-97



NL North

I have to choose the Chicago Cubs to repeat in the NL North. Pat Suzuki is the main reason why.

Target: 98-64


The Pittsburgh Pirates will contend but walk a very thin line. Expect a mid-season trade at the latest for a pitcher or two if they are legitimate.

Target: 88-74

The Cincinnati Reds are not out of the picture by any means. A relatively young team and with two rookie starting pitchers and a third with only one season under his belt makes me hesitate.

Target: 83-79

The Milwaukee Brewers said they were going back to the drawing board after last seasons shortcomings. They may be retooling but don't think for an instant they are going to roll over and play dead.

Target: 75-87

Monday, July 2, 2012

First IFA of Season 24

Jolbert Rosado has the distinction of being the first IFA signed this season.  The Colorado Springs Sky Sox offered the young prospective lefty pitcher a $2.4M signing bonus and promptly sent him to Low A ball. Scouting reports indicate that he is quite wild with his delivery and will probably never find his way to the majors. Has the qualities to be a great career minor league player however.