Are the San Francisco Giants NL favorites?

[D2bets]

Bullpens are a funny thing. A lot of times they aren't as good as people think and many other times they are better than people think. The Cubs have a lot of arms to choose from, they'll figure something out and if it becomes clear a move needs to be made Hendry will get what he needs. I don't like to base preseason predictions a lot of bullpens which are hard to figure much of the time.

This is a very good lineup top to bottom.

Regardless, it's the Cubs starting pitching that will decide the fate one way or another IMO.

 

[Journeyman]

That lineup just doesn't look all that great now...alot of ifs, Nomar and Burnitz better have very good years!

You figure Dusty will cost them 5 games, D2, I'm not gonna go as far as saying the "H"omer word but ummm,lol....How bout a Cubs win total projection from you sir?

 

[D2bets]

There are a lot of IF's but my big IF is the health of Wood and Prior. Let me put this way....IF Wood and Prior combine to START at least 55 games -- very reasonable number if they basically stay healthy -- then I say they win 95-100 games. If however Wood and Prior are in and out like last year and miss significant time then the Cubs might be more like an 80-85 win team. That's how important those guys are. Gimme no action if Prior and Wood don't start 55+ and I'll bet Cubs O95 wins now even odds.

 

[blueedwards]

There are a lot of IF's but my big IF is the health of Wood and Prior. Let me put this way....IF Wood and Prior combine to START at least 55 games -- very reasonable number if they basically stay healthy -- then I say they win 95-100 games. If however Wood and Prior are in and out like last year and miss significant time then the Cubs might be more like an 80-85 win team. That's how important those guys are. Gimme no action if Prior and Wood don't start 55+ and I'll bet Cubs O95 wins now even odds.

atta boy!

 

[Journeyman]

Blue remember last year I offered you under 93 wins?

What do you think the Cubs over/under should be set at ?

 

[Noreaga+]

journeyman dont you dare call someone a homer !

I already have a side bet with a poster here on what date you start talking about baltimore in the WS

 

[Journeyman]

I would never ever predict Baltimore in a World Series..I don't even consider the O's my team anymore....its just not the same....the only team I consider still my home team is the Md basketball team...and you don't see me touting them this yr, they flat out suck...They beat Duke then lose to Clemson and new ACC memeber Miami,lol...


Back to the topic....noreaga who do you like in the NL?

 

[D2bets]

I'm also pretty sure the bullpen is not set yet. I think the Cubs will either get Dotel, Urbina, Julio or Baez. Most likely Dotel from the A's. Some of the prospects from Detroit might have just been hand-picked to go to Oakland for Dotel. I'd be happy with getting Dotel.

 

[blueedwards]

Blue remember last year I offered you under 93 wins?

What do you think the Cubs over/under should be set at ?

i actually agree with d2 a little. i think if they get a closer and if prior and wood have a good spring (show no signs of injury), they can win the central. 95 wins is not out of the question. i would never bet the over but, i could see it happen.

i think hairston is a bigger key than most people think. the reason the cubs didn't get it done last year, along with the obvious reasons of prior's health and the crappy bullpen, was the fact that they had no leadoff man. patterson strikes out too much. the whole team did.

now, sosa and alou are gone. a lot of run production...yes but also a lot of strikeouts. the cubs need guys to get on base. then once guys are on, they need to put the ball in play and/or get timely hits. guys who never walk and strikeout a ton do not help the club.

the question is, will burnitz be a sosa jr.?

 

[D2bets]

Burnitz is a Sosa Jr. who might run and field a little bit better though. Cubs do need timely hits and I think with a full season of healthy Nomar that will help a lot. Nomar and Ramirez back-to-back should provide some on base and timely hitting. I got the lineup as Hairston, Walker, Nomar, ARam, Burnitz, Lee, Patterson, Barrett. No one's gonna hit 50 but there's pleenty of pop. Ram, Burnitz, Lee can all hit 30+ and Walker, Nomar, CPat hit 20+. And with Patterson and Hairston having good speed and even Burnitz, Nomar and Lee having decent speed they should run the bases better....oh and no more Wavin' Wendell too! I think the speed, defense and timely hitting have been upgraded some. Hopefully provide more consistent, if not explosive, run scoring. With the pitchers the Cubs have they shouldn't need to score 8 or 9 runs to win that often. If they can just put 4 or 5 runs up more consistently they will win a ton of ballgames. Cubs should also have a pretty versatile team with a solid bench.

 

[viking611]

Burnitz averages a strikeout every 4 ABs! I don't call that much of an improvement. His numbers away from Coors last year 78 games, .244 avg, 13 Hr, 42 RBIs.
I don't understand how Cubs fans think that losing Alou and Sosa help them. Even though Sosa's production was down, they are losing 75 HRs and over 180 RBIs between just those two. You mean to tell me that Hairston and Burnitz are going to come even close to matching that. They won't even get half that production! The bullpen is a mess. That is what wins ballgames. As good as their starters are, they can't throw 9 every time out.

 

[Mr.Green]

My question is....

How do the Astros replace Kent, Beltran and the injured Berkman? How can this team compete? Clemens, Oswalt, Pettitte?? Lidge will be fine...but a terrible bullpen and the losses of Kent and Beltran and the loss of Berkman for a while will kill this team.

 

[viking611]

Houston had their shot and couldn't overcome the mighty birds on the bat!

 

[D2bets]

Houston might be VERY BAD. They were crazy to give Clemens so much money for a team that won't compete.

 

[Journeyman]

Tha Astros are in for an awful offseason... WTF , having Clemens hold them hostage and then paying him, they should have just started over, this is going to be a lousy year in Houston, Bagwell and Biggio a year older, lose Beltran and Kent , Clemens will more than likely not be able to muster up another season like he just had...

Houston's window closed when Scott Rolen ripped that Clemens pitch down into the leftfield corner with two outs, followed up by Albert Pujols...they won't be back.

 

[Noreaga+]

was just teasing you J-Man

I have no idea who I like in the NL.. I follow the AL much much more closely. I like the twinkies this year. sick of boston and ny.

 

[viking611]

Houston will get some good young talent when they trade Clemens after all star break.

 

[blueedwards]

Burnitz is a Sosa Jr. who might run and field a little bit better though. Cubs do need timely hits and I think with a full season of healthy Nomar that will help a lot. Nomar and Ramirez back-to-back should provide some on base and timely hitting. I got the lineup as Hairston, Walker, Nomar, ARam, Burnitz, Lee, Patterson, Barrett. No one's gonna hit 50 but there's pleenty of pop. Ram, Burnitz, Lee can all hit 30+ and Walker, Nomar, CPat hit 20+. And with Patterson and Hairston having good speed and even Burnitz, Nomar and Lee having decent speed they should run the bases better....oh and no more Wavin' Wendell too! I think the speed, defense and timely hitting have been upgraded some. Hopefully provide more consistent, if not explosive, run scoring. With the pitchers the Cubs have they shouldn't need to score 8 or 9 runs to win that often. If they can just put 4 or 5 runs up more consistently they will win a ton of ballgames. Cubs should also have a pretty versatile team with a solid bench.

d, i have to comment on two things:

1) assuming a healthy nomar is like assuming that we are done with winter in chicago...its very wishful thinking.

2) if hear one more person blame the frickin' third base coach for anything, i am gonna go postal. i'm serious...i will go buy a gun and shoot people as they enter the bleachers in april.

 

[oldmanTED]

Jman:

Whether or not the Giants are the favorite is debatable. That being said however, in the offseason General Manager Brian Sabean did an excellent job at getting quality players at each of the Giants weaknesses, namely Moises Alou in right plus most likely batting behind Bonds in the lineup. Omar Vizquel at shortstop is a big step up at a key position. Mike Matheny who is another improvement, particularly in handling the pitchers over a disappointing performance by Pierzinski who was trouble in the clubhouse early last year and hit into more inning ending double plays then you could count and finally a closer in Armando Benitez. Let's not forget that three years ago this team was 5 outs away from winning the World Series and two years ago won over 100 games going wire to wire in Felipe Alou's first season as manager. Last year, without a closer they blew over 20 saves and still nearly won their division with a strong finish as their young pitching staff of Brett Tomko and Noah Lowry performed extremely well down the stretch to compliment Jason Schmidt who tired after his injury and Kirk Reuter. With the management style of Felipe Alou to treat every game as if it is the seventh game of the World Series, fully expect the Giants to win over 100 games once again and draw clear in the National League West Division. Once in the playoffs, this team can do damage as the team that eliminated them two years ago when they made so many uncharacteristics errors like dropping fly balls, the Florida Marlins, went on to beat the Cubs and the Yankees for the Championship. With experienced players at every position and a pitching staff with young live arms, an all important closer, and a proven winning manager, an excellent trainer in Stan Conte, believe this team has every chance to get back to the World Series provided they remain healthy as is the case for any team.

 

[D2bets]

Blue, wasn't directly blaming Kim for anything, just noting that he was a losuy 3rd base coach, which he was. I'm sure you'd agree with that. Only Dusty would think that a midget would make a good 3rd base coach. I got no problem with midgets, but they're just not cut out for 3rd base coach. Any replacement is an upgrade. It's better than blaming Bartman though, at least Bartman was never on the Cubs payroll.