Let’s get through the easy ones, so we can focus on what we really care about.
The West will come down to the Rockies and the Giants. I’m going to pick the Rockies because I don’t think the Giants have enough offense to stay in the race over the entire season. The Rockies offense is solid and their pitching should be good enough to win the division.
Everyone loves the Brewers in the Central. Everyone loves the Brewers every year. Everyone always thinks this is the year the Brewers are going to get it done, and every year the Brewers disappoint. Zach Grenke is already hurt, and their first baseman looks like he just finished off all the Oreos in the world. Give me the Reds, who won the division last year, and bring everyone back. The Cardinals are out without Wainwright, and the Cubs… well maybe next year.
Ok, for the East.
The Mets will be out of the picture before July.
The Nationals will be out of the picture by this afternoon.
The Marlins are good enough to hang around for a while, but if Josh Johnson isn’t healthy, they will be out of the picture by August. If he is healthy, they can hang until September and maybe scare someone for the wild card.
I’m pretty confident that both the Braves and the Phillies are going to make the playoffs. In my view, they are the two best teams in the National League. I don’t think there is another division in baseball that could be turned quicker due to injuries. If everyone was at full strength, I’d pick the Phillies to win the division and the Braves the wild card. However, Chase Utley is a huge question mark, Dominick Brown is injured, and Brad Lidge is out 3-6 weeks.
I’m not convinced that the Phillies are going to be healthy all year. Assuming that the Phillies get right before the playoffs, I’ll take the Braves for the division and the Phillies for the wild card. If Utley doesn’t come back before June, the Phillies could dig themselves a hole they can’t get out of.
For all of their pitching, you do have to score runs to win, and it is very difficult for even the best pitchers to go out there every five days knowing they can’t give up 2 runs or they might lose. No Jayson Werth and no Chase Utley means no playoffs for the Phillies. If the Phillies don’t win the wild card, I’ll take the Giants.
Playoffs:
Braves over Reds
Phillies over Rockies
NLCS:
If the Phillies have all of their pitchers and bats, the Braves can’t beat them in a 7 game series when you would have to face Halladay and Lee 4 times. I’ll take the Phillies to win the NLCS.
World Series:
Red Sox over Phillies
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
AL Predictions
American League Predictions:
West:
The defending American League Champion Texas Rangers will be the favorite of many to win the division for a second straight season; however, I’m not really on Texas’ bandwagon. Josh Hamilton had a great season last year, but I think he will have a hard time staying on the field in 2011. It seems like he misses a lot of games every other year. The Mariners aren’t going to be very good at all. The A’s and the Angels should do a better job of staying the division race in 2011. My pick is the Angels barely over the Rangers with the A’s within 5 games of the division championship.
Central:
The Central will be a three team race. The defending champion Twins should be even better in 2011 with the return of Justin Morneau and closer Joe Nathan. Jim Thome will be chasing 600 homeruns at the beginning of the season, and the Twins will be chasing back to back playoff appearances. The White Sox and the Tigers will be looking to catch the Twins. Personally I think this is the best division in American League. I like the Twins to win the division with the second place team winning the Wild Card. For the Wild Card I’ll take the White Sox because they will have the money to make a move in July to put them over the top.
East:
Traditionally considered the best division in baseball, the American League East will take a back seat in 2011. The Rays lost more talent than most teams have on their entire roster, and the Blue Jays and Orioles will finish 4th and 5th. The biggest difference in this division in 2011 will be the Yankees. It is amazing that a team that has a payroll over $200 million would have holes, but the Yankees do. The Yankees will be depending heavily young, unproven arms in their starting rotation. Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez aren’t getting any younger. Also, the Yankees are due for some injury issues in 2011. I think the Yankees will miss out on the playoffs and Joe Girardi will need to start getting his resume together. With the Yankees falling off, the division will be dominated and ultimately won by the Red Sox. The Sox got the two best position players available in the off season, Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez. Combine that with a solid pitching staff and a reliable bullpen and the Red Sox are poised to have a great season. Boston will have home-field advantage throughout the American League playoffs.
Playoffs:
Wild Card Round:
Red Sox over White Sox Twins over Angels
ALCS: Red Sox over Twins
Monday, March 28, 2011
The Biggest Question Facing the 2011 Braves
Is Fredi Gonzalez the guy who got canned by the Marlins or the next Bobby Cox? There is no doubt that with all the questions surrounding the Braves this season, the biggest question is at the top. Bobby Cox was the consistent voice of the Braves for the past twenty years. Bobby Cox lead the Braves to the playoffs in 15 of those seasons. Bobby Cox is going into the MLB Hall of Fame as a manager, so to expect Fredi Gonzalez to repeat what Cox has done in Atlanta would be asking too much. However, Gonzalez is a good manager. Last season, Gonzalez stood up the most talented player on his team, Hanley Ramirez. Ramirez wasn't giving the effort that Gonzalez felt like he should give, so he benched him until his attitude improved. Does this situation sound familiar? Early in Andruw Jones' career, Bobby Cox removed him from a game because of the lazy way he fielded a fly ball that he ended up dropping. The difference in the two situations is that the Marlins ownership didn't stand behind their manager, and they fired Gonzalez in the middle of the season. The Marlins will regret that decision, and the Braves benefited from it. Gonzalez has a team that will be good enough to win the division, his job will be to make the necessary tweeks that have to be made throughout the long baseball season. He has already chosen his center fielder in Nate McLouth. He has already chosen his fifth starter in Brandon Beachy. Chipper Jones has made Gonzalez's job much easier by looking amazing in the spring, leaving no doubt who will play third and bat third for Atlanta on Thursday. Perhaps the biggest test for Gonzalez will be managing the ups and downs of the season as well as Bobby did. Gonzalez also went public with the Hanley Ramirez incident, which Bobby rarely did. Gonzalez will have to be his own man, but in the world of sports, its all about winning, and I believe that the 2011 Braves are built to win. Not making a long-term prediction for Fredi Gonzalez's career with the Braves, but I think he will have this team exactly where Bobby Cox left them in 2010: The playoffs. Tuesday: American League Predictions Wednesday: NL West and NL Central Predictions Thursday Morning: NL East and Playoff Predictions For a sports fan, its the most wonderful time of the year!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Braves Question #2
2011 MLB Season Preview
Biggest questions for the Braves:
2. Is Freddie Freeman ready to be the everyday first baseman?
Yep.
At every level of his minor league career, Freeman has been effective. There is no reason to think that trend will stop. It is hard to know what is more exciting about Freeman: his offense or his defense.
Defensively, Freeman will be one of the best first baseman in the National League. Offensively, Freeman might be exactly what this team needs. His power is good, but he has hit over .300 consistently in the minors. Getting on base will be critical, especially since Freeman may have to hit as high as 6th in this Braves order.
There will be struggles for Freeman during his rookie season, but I believe Freeman will win Rookie of the Year in the National League. An honor that neither Chipper, McCann, or Heyward was able to achieve.
Braves’ fans got a taste of the future in 2010 with the addition of Jason Heyward. While Freeman doesn’t have the extraordinary talent that Heyward has, he is a prodigy in and of himself.
There was a great article in Sports Illustrated about Freeman and Heyward. For Braves’ fans, the best part of these two guys is the way they carry themselves off the field. Freeman is ready to step up in 2011, but with these two men as the cornerstones, Atlanta is ready to build another championship team.
Spring Training Update:
The two positional questions that were facing the Braves were answered today. Mike Minor and Jordan Schafer were optioned to Triple A Gwinnett. That means that Brandon Beachy will be the Braves’ 5th starter to begin the season. Also, as was obvious, Nate McLouth will be the center fielder. The AJC says that Minor still may join the Braves before opening day depending on the injury to Jair Jurrjens.
One short week until Opening Day! Predictions on all the divisions as well as post season awards coming next week!
Biggest questions for the Braves:
2. Is Freddie Freeman ready to be the everyday first baseman?
Yep.
At every level of his minor league career, Freeman has been effective. There is no reason to think that trend will stop. It is hard to know what is more exciting about Freeman: his offense or his defense.
Defensively, Freeman will be one of the best first baseman in the National League. Offensively, Freeman might be exactly what this team needs. His power is good, but he has hit over .300 consistently in the minors. Getting on base will be critical, especially since Freeman may have to hit as high as 6th in this Braves order.
There will be struggles for Freeman during his rookie season, but I believe Freeman will win Rookie of the Year in the National League. An honor that neither Chipper, McCann, or Heyward was able to achieve.
Braves’ fans got a taste of the future in 2010 with the addition of Jason Heyward. While Freeman doesn’t have the extraordinary talent that Heyward has, he is a prodigy in and of himself.
There was a great article in Sports Illustrated about Freeman and Heyward. For Braves’ fans, the best part of these two guys is the way they carry themselves off the field. Freeman is ready to step up in 2011, but with these two men as the cornerstones, Atlanta is ready to build another championship team.
Spring Training Update:
The two positional questions that were facing the Braves were answered today. Mike Minor and Jordan Schafer were optioned to Triple A Gwinnett. That means that Brandon Beachy will be the Braves’ 5th starter to begin the season. Also, as was obvious, Nate McLouth will be the center fielder. The AJC says that Minor still may join the Braves before opening day depending on the injury to Jair Jurrjens.
One short week until Opening Day! Predictions on all the divisions as well as post season awards coming next week!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Braves Question #3
2011 MLB Season Preview
Biggest questions for the Braves:
3. When will Chipper be back and will he be effective?
The Chipper Jones question is one that will be talked about all Spring, but Chipper is still saying he will be ready for opening day. The day to day recovery will be the key to Chipper’s status for the regular season. At 39, can Chipper really be counted on to play in even 140 games in 2011?
My belief is that Chipper is determined to play this season, and he will be in the lineup on opening day. Fredi Gonzalez doesn’t have the credibility to bench him if he says he is ready to go. Gonzalez would be better off letting Chipper stink for a few weeks and then make a move, rather than benching him from the start and letting his tenure as Braves manager start with controversy.
Jones wasn’t great last season, and only started hitting his stride just before the injury in Houston. The problem is that if he plays, Jones will be plugged into his traditional 3rd spot in the lineup. The Braves need real production out of the 3 spot, and can’t afford to have Jones there in an emeritus position. If Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman get off to good starts and Chipper struggles, there is going to be an uproar for change.
As important as how Jones plays when he plays, is who plays when he doesn’t play. Atlanta fans shudder at the thought of Brooks Conrad filling in at third, so are you going to move Prado back and forth from the outfield whenever Chipper needs an off day? Joe Mather was brought in to give some back up in the outfield, but the bigger effect would be on Prado who is trying to play outfield for the first time. Would his transition be made more difficult by moving around? Diory Hernandez hasn’t shown himself to be a major league player in my book, and therefore not a real option as someone who might start 30 games.
Even when Chipper starts, you can bet that Gonzalez will remove him from games late and maybe early in the case of a blow out in an attempt to save him for the stretch run.
If Jones can’t play, then the obvious move would be to put Prado at third, but the Braves don’t have an everyday option in left field in that case. Fan favorite Matt Diaz is a Washington National, and Fredi Gonzalez would rather quit now than be forced to play both Schafer and McLouth.
I think Jones has one more season in him, and he will play well in 2011. I also believe that win or lose, 2011 will be Chipper’s last season.
Jones has looked nothing short of spectacular so far during the spring. If he can give the Braves 120-130 games this season, I think Atlanta will be a lock for the post-season. If he can’t, the Braves will need to make a move at the trading deadline to play deep into October.
Biggest questions for the Braves:
3. When will Chipper be back and will he be effective?
The Chipper Jones question is one that will be talked about all Spring, but Chipper is still saying he will be ready for opening day. The day to day recovery will be the key to Chipper’s status for the regular season. At 39, can Chipper really be counted on to play in even 140 games in 2011?
My belief is that Chipper is determined to play this season, and he will be in the lineup on opening day. Fredi Gonzalez doesn’t have the credibility to bench him if he says he is ready to go. Gonzalez would be better off letting Chipper stink for a few weeks and then make a move, rather than benching him from the start and letting his tenure as Braves manager start with controversy.
Jones wasn’t great last season, and only started hitting his stride just before the injury in Houston. The problem is that if he plays, Jones will be plugged into his traditional 3rd spot in the lineup. The Braves need real production out of the 3 spot, and can’t afford to have Jones there in an emeritus position. If Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman get off to good starts and Chipper struggles, there is going to be an uproar for change.
As important as how Jones plays when he plays, is who plays when he doesn’t play. Atlanta fans shudder at the thought of Brooks Conrad filling in at third, so are you going to move Prado back and forth from the outfield whenever Chipper needs an off day? Joe Mather was brought in to give some back up in the outfield, but the bigger effect would be on Prado who is trying to play outfield for the first time. Would his transition be made more difficult by moving around? Diory Hernandez hasn’t shown himself to be a major league player in my book, and therefore not a real option as someone who might start 30 games.
Even when Chipper starts, you can bet that Gonzalez will remove him from games late and maybe early in the case of a blow out in an attempt to save him for the stretch run.
If Jones can’t play, then the obvious move would be to put Prado at third, but the Braves don’t have an everyday option in left field in that case. Fan favorite Matt Diaz is a Washington National, and Fredi Gonzalez would rather quit now than be forced to play both Schafer and McLouth.
I think Jones has one more season in him, and he will play well in 2011. I also believe that win or lose, 2011 will be Chipper’s last season.
Jones has looked nothing short of spectacular so far during the spring. If he can give the Braves 120-130 games this season, I think Atlanta will be a lock for the post-season. If he can’t, the Braves will need to make a move at the trading deadline to play deep into October.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Braves Question #4
2011 MLB Season Preview
Biggest questions for the Braves:
4. Can the Braves defense be better than it is on paper, and if not, can the Braves make the playoffs?
It only took about 10 seconds for the questions to come after Atlanta traded for Dan Uggla. Is
Uggla’s bat good enough to offset his glove? The 2011 Braves are cursed by the end of the season struggles of the 2010 Braves.
From September 20 through the end of the Giants series, the Braves played 16 games. In those 16 games, they committed 20 errors. They committed errors in only 11 of the 16 games down the stretch. They lost 8 of the 11 games in which they committed errors. Their record when they didn’t commit errors, 4-1.
Let’s take a look at just the series with the Giants. The Braves committed 2 errors in game one and lost. The Braves were error free in game two and won. Of course the Braves lost both game three and game four in Atlanta, and in those two games, they committed 5 errors. I don’t think it is too much to say that the defense, and the defense alone, was the reason the Braves did not advance in October.
Looking ahead to 2011, the defense is again a huge problem. Alex Gonzalez was mediocre at best defensively after being traded to the Braves. Dan Uggla is not strong defensively, he committed 18 errors last season with Florida. Martin Prado will be playing left-field for the first time, it is hard to believe that he will be strong defensively. However, he has received rave reviews so far during spring training for his work in the outfield. Chipper is coming off knee surgery, and had lost a step at third even before the surgery. McCann isn’t a great defensive catcher, but Fredi Gonzalez says he believes that McCann can be a great defensive catcher if he works on his release. McLouth looks like he has won the centerfield job, but last season he lost a step on defense. He has looked better this spring, but if his offense slips again, it will be interesting to see if his defense slips as well. So that leaves only the two young guns to count on defensively. With a combined age of 41, they are just two years older than Chipper. Let’s hope for the Braves’ sake that Heyward can play the entire outfield, and Freeman can catch everything that Gonzalez throws in his general direction.
Even with the questions surrounding the defense, I believe the Braves improved enough on offense to still make the playoffs. However, once they get to the playoffs, the defense could cost them again.
At the end of 2011, we may well look back and say that not addressing the defensive deficiencies of this team was Frank Wren’s biggest mistake.
Biggest questions for the Braves:
4. Can the Braves defense be better than it is on paper, and if not, can the Braves make the playoffs?
It only took about 10 seconds for the questions to come after Atlanta traded for Dan Uggla. Is
Uggla’s bat good enough to offset his glove? The 2011 Braves are cursed by the end of the season struggles of the 2010 Braves.
From September 20 through the end of the Giants series, the Braves played 16 games. In those 16 games, they committed 20 errors. They committed errors in only 11 of the 16 games down the stretch. They lost 8 of the 11 games in which they committed errors. Their record when they didn’t commit errors, 4-1.
Let’s take a look at just the series with the Giants. The Braves committed 2 errors in game one and lost. The Braves were error free in game two and won. Of course the Braves lost both game three and game four in Atlanta, and in those two games, they committed 5 errors. I don’t think it is too much to say that the defense, and the defense alone, was the reason the Braves did not advance in October.
Looking ahead to 2011, the defense is again a huge problem. Alex Gonzalez was mediocre at best defensively after being traded to the Braves. Dan Uggla is not strong defensively, he committed 18 errors last season with Florida. Martin Prado will be playing left-field for the first time, it is hard to believe that he will be strong defensively. However, he has received rave reviews so far during spring training for his work in the outfield. Chipper is coming off knee surgery, and had lost a step at third even before the surgery. McCann isn’t a great defensive catcher, but Fredi Gonzalez says he believes that McCann can be a great defensive catcher if he works on his release. McLouth looks like he has won the centerfield job, but last season he lost a step on defense. He has looked better this spring, but if his offense slips again, it will be interesting to see if his defense slips as well. So that leaves only the two young guns to count on defensively. With a combined age of 41, they are just two years older than Chipper. Let’s hope for the Braves’ sake that Heyward can play the entire outfield, and Freeman can catch everything that Gonzalez throws in his general direction.
Even with the questions surrounding the defense, I believe the Braves improved enough on offense to still make the playoffs. However, once they get to the playoffs, the defense could cost them again.
At the end of 2011, we may well look back and say that not addressing the defensive deficiencies of this team was Frank Wren’s biggest mistake.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Braves Question #5
After a weekend of computer problems, back to the countdown.
2011 MLB Season Preview
Biggest questions for the Braves:
5. Who is going to be the 5th starter?
This will be the most talked about decision for the Braves spring training. Even though the centerfield decision between Schafer and McLouth will be more important as far as the season goes, we saw enough of the candidates for the 5th starter job last season to make sure that everyone has an opinion.
This wouldn’t even be a question if it weren’t for the injury to last year’s 5th starter Kris Medlen. Medlen started 14 games and went 6-2 with a 3.68 ERA before having season-ending Tommy John surgery. The procedure will all but assure that Medlen will miss the entire season.
Following the injury, the Braves are left with a few good choices.
The first man to get a chance to replace Medlen in 2010 is the man I believe will most likely be the 5th starter, Mike Minor. While Minor’s numbers didn’t jump out at you last year, his poise and determination, (as well as talent), seem almost too much to keep him off the field. Giving the
Braves a left-handed arm in the rotation isn’t a bad thing either. The job will be Minor’s to lose, but if he does, the Braves have some capable back-up plans.
Brandon Beachy will also get a look in the spring. He pitched well for the Braves last September, but is still learning how to pitch at the major league level. Beachy could be a valuable piece of the Braves bullpen if option number 3 on our list gets the sayonara from the front office.
Kenshin Kawakami has been one of Frank Wren’s only misses after becoming the General Manager of the Braves. Kawakami has been on the trading block, but no one wants him. Because he is still around, and owed so much money, the Braves may give him a look just to see if he could finally reach the potential they thought he had when they signed him after the 2009 season. If he makes the team, but not the rotation, look for Kawakami to come in for mop up duty when the Braves are being blown out early in games.
Randall Delgado and Arodys Vizcaino are two young pitching prospects that are probably still a year away from contributing to the major league club, but in a pinch, we might see one or both of these guys fill in a spot start if there is an injury.
The most intriguing possibility is Julio Teheran. Some scouts have compared Teheran to a young Pedro Martinez, and if the 5th starter spot is still in limbo come the summer (June), Teheran might just be called up to see what he can do on the major league level. Waiting to start the “how long until we have to pay him what he is worth” clock is exactly what the Braves did with Tommy Hanson in 2009, and it might have cost them a chance at the playoffs. Let’s hope that the Braves bring Teheran up sooner rather than later if Minor and Beachy struggle.
2011 MLB Season Preview
Biggest questions for the Braves:
5. Who is going to be the 5th starter?
This will be the most talked about decision for the Braves spring training. Even though the centerfield decision between Schafer and McLouth will be more important as far as the season goes, we saw enough of the candidates for the 5th starter job last season to make sure that everyone has an opinion.
This wouldn’t even be a question if it weren’t for the injury to last year’s 5th starter Kris Medlen. Medlen started 14 games and went 6-2 with a 3.68 ERA before having season-ending Tommy John surgery. The procedure will all but assure that Medlen will miss the entire season.
Following the injury, the Braves are left with a few good choices.
The first man to get a chance to replace Medlen in 2010 is the man I believe will most likely be the 5th starter, Mike Minor. While Minor’s numbers didn’t jump out at you last year, his poise and determination, (as well as talent), seem almost too much to keep him off the field. Giving the
Braves a left-handed arm in the rotation isn’t a bad thing either. The job will be Minor’s to lose, but if he does, the Braves have some capable back-up plans.
Brandon Beachy will also get a look in the spring. He pitched well for the Braves last September, but is still learning how to pitch at the major league level. Beachy could be a valuable piece of the Braves bullpen if option number 3 on our list gets the sayonara from the front office.
Kenshin Kawakami has been one of Frank Wren’s only misses after becoming the General Manager of the Braves. Kawakami has been on the trading block, but no one wants him. Because he is still around, and owed so much money, the Braves may give him a look just to see if he could finally reach the potential they thought he had when they signed him after the 2009 season. If he makes the team, but not the rotation, look for Kawakami to come in for mop up duty when the Braves are being blown out early in games.
Randall Delgado and Arodys Vizcaino are two young pitching prospects that are probably still a year away from contributing to the major league club, but in a pinch, we might see one or both of these guys fill in a spot start if there is an injury.
The most intriguing possibility is Julio Teheran. Some scouts have compared Teheran to a young Pedro Martinez, and if the 5th starter spot is still in limbo come the summer (June), Teheran might just be called up to see what he can do on the major league level. Waiting to start the “how long until we have to pay him what he is worth” clock is exactly what the Braves did with Tommy Hanson in 2009, and it might have cost them a chance at the playoffs. Let’s hope that the Braves bring Teheran up sooner rather than later if Minor and Beachy struggle.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Braves Question #6
2011 MLB Season Preview
Biggest questions for the Braves:
6. Can Jason Heyward avoid a sophomore slump?
For Jason Heyward, 2010 couldn’t have really gone much better. Sure the second half of the season was hampered by the thumb injury (which Heyward now says is just fine), but how much could you really expect from a 20 year old rookie.
Heyward’s energy seemed to push the Braves for most of the first half of the season, and as he enters into his second year in the Braves’ outfield, Heyward has to confront high expectations. Last season was about the talent and the upside, this season will be all about results.
Can Heyward avoid a sophomore slump? My answer is yes, and my reasoning is because some of the best players in baseball just got better during their second full season in the majors.
First, let’s look at the man who has been the cornerstone of the Braves for the past 15 seasons. Chipper Jones was a rookie in 1995 and hit .265 with 23 HR, 86 RBI, and 99 strikeouts. He followed that up with a 1996 season where he hit .309 with 30 HR, 110 RBI, and only 88 strikeouts.
Other players like Albert Puljos, Alex Rodriguez, and Ryan Howard all improved in their second seasons.
Now let’s take a look at the last Braves right fielder to carry the hopes of an entire franchise. Jeff Francoeur was the last homegrown talent that was supposed to be a cornerstone of the next dynasty in Atlanta. He made national news when he burst onto the scene in 2005. He only played in 70 games that season, but if you project his numbers in ’05 across an entire 162 game season, and compare them to his 2006 numbers, they are almost identical. Only his average of .260 in 2006 was a significant drop-off from the previous season.
Yes, pitchers will make adjustments in 2011, but after a full season under his belt, pitchers have already made adjustments. The key for Heyward in 2011 will be to continue doing the little things right as he did in 2010. Another key will be where he hits in the order. If he can bat in the middle of the order rather than at the top of the order, he will have more opportunities to be aggressive and drive in runs.
16 Days until Opening Day! Taking a break from baseball to talk college basketball tomorrow. Braves Question #5 coming on Thursday!
Biggest questions for the Braves:
6. Can Jason Heyward avoid a sophomore slump?
For Jason Heyward, 2010 couldn’t have really gone much better. Sure the second half of the season was hampered by the thumb injury (which Heyward now says is just fine), but how much could you really expect from a 20 year old rookie.
Heyward’s energy seemed to push the Braves for most of the first half of the season, and as he enters into his second year in the Braves’ outfield, Heyward has to confront high expectations. Last season was about the talent and the upside, this season will be all about results.
Can Heyward avoid a sophomore slump? My answer is yes, and my reasoning is because some of the best players in baseball just got better during their second full season in the majors.
First, let’s look at the man who has been the cornerstone of the Braves for the past 15 seasons. Chipper Jones was a rookie in 1995 and hit .265 with 23 HR, 86 RBI, and 99 strikeouts. He followed that up with a 1996 season where he hit .309 with 30 HR, 110 RBI, and only 88 strikeouts.
Other players like Albert Puljos, Alex Rodriguez, and Ryan Howard all improved in their second seasons.
Now let’s take a look at the last Braves right fielder to carry the hopes of an entire franchise. Jeff Francoeur was the last homegrown talent that was supposed to be a cornerstone of the next dynasty in Atlanta. He made national news when he burst onto the scene in 2005. He only played in 70 games that season, but if you project his numbers in ’05 across an entire 162 game season, and compare them to his 2006 numbers, they are almost identical. Only his average of .260 in 2006 was a significant drop-off from the previous season.
Yes, pitchers will make adjustments in 2011, but after a full season under his belt, pitchers have already made adjustments. The key for Heyward in 2011 will be to continue doing the little things right as he did in 2010. Another key will be where he hits in the order. If he can bat in the middle of the order rather than at the top of the order, he will have more opportunities to be aggressive and drive in runs.
16 Days until Opening Day! Taking a break from baseball to talk college basketball tomorrow. Braves Question #5 coming on Thursday!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Braves Question #7
2011 MLB Season Preview
Biggest questions for the Braves:
7. Can Jair Jurrjens stay healthy?
Jair Jurrjens got a late start to his 2010 campaign and an early finish as well. In between the young right handed pitcher only threw 116 innings after pitching 215 in 2009. When he did pitch, Jair wasn’t the same pitcher that he has been since being traded to the Braves for Edgar Renteria in early 2008. Jurrjens posted his highest ERA since becoming a Brave (4.64) and gave up 13 homeruns after only giving up 15 in all of 2009.
There were questions at the end of last season about Jurrjens toughness when trying to return to the Braves in September to help the team make the playoffs. Bobby Cox was very frustrated with Jurrjens at the end of the season. Fredi Gonzalez won’t have to deal with any baggage left over from last year, but he will have a huge hole in his starting rotation if Jurrjens can’t return to his 2009 form.
2010 was the first time Jurrjens missed considerable time with an injury so there is no reason to think that he can’t be healthy in 2011. My bigger concern is whether he can be the number 2 or number 3 starter for this team. Jurrjens seems to understand pitching very well for a young guy, but there are times when he seems to lose his mental focus, and that is when he makes big mistakes.
The homerun killed Jurrjens in 2010, and they will kill him again if he doesn’t do a better job of getting ahead of hitters early in the count. Much like Braves’ legends Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, Jurrjens tries to paint the corners of the plate and mix up his pitches to keep hitters off balance. However, those corners aren’t what they used to be (mainly thanks to QuestTech, the ball and strike computer developed by MLB because of pitchers like Maddux and Glavine), and when Jurrjens gets behind in the count, he gets burned. Jurrjens did a great job of pitching to contact in 2009, and letting hitters get themselves out. In 2010, it was like he was trying to strike every batter out.
So far during the spring, Jurrjens hasn’t been great. Jurrjens has given up 6 earned runs in only 9 innings pitched.
Physically Jurrjens should be able to bounce back in 2011, but the mental aspect of the game may be more important for him.
Only 17 Days Until Opening Day!
Biggest questions for the Braves:
7. Can Jair Jurrjens stay healthy?
Jair Jurrjens got a late start to his 2010 campaign and an early finish as well. In between the young right handed pitcher only threw 116 innings after pitching 215 in 2009. When he did pitch, Jair wasn’t the same pitcher that he has been since being traded to the Braves for Edgar Renteria in early 2008. Jurrjens posted his highest ERA since becoming a Brave (4.64) and gave up 13 homeruns after only giving up 15 in all of 2009.
There were questions at the end of last season about Jurrjens toughness when trying to return to the Braves in September to help the team make the playoffs. Bobby Cox was very frustrated with Jurrjens at the end of the season. Fredi Gonzalez won’t have to deal with any baggage left over from last year, but he will have a huge hole in his starting rotation if Jurrjens can’t return to his 2009 form.
2010 was the first time Jurrjens missed considerable time with an injury so there is no reason to think that he can’t be healthy in 2011. My bigger concern is whether he can be the number 2 or number 3 starter for this team. Jurrjens seems to understand pitching very well for a young guy, but there are times when he seems to lose his mental focus, and that is when he makes big mistakes.
The homerun killed Jurrjens in 2010, and they will kill him again if he doesn’t do a better job of getting ahead of hitters early in the count. Much like Braves’ legends Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, Jurrjens tries to paint the corners of the plate and mix up his pitches to keep hitters off balance. However, those corners aren’t what they used to be (mainly thanks to QuestTech, the ball and strike computer developed by MLB because of pitchers like Maddux and Glavine), and when Jurrjens gets behind in the count, he gets burned. Jurrjens did a great job of pitching to contact in 2009, and letting hitters get themselves out. In 2010, it was like he was trying to strike every batter out.
So far during the spring, Jurrjens hasn’t been great. Jurrjens has given up 6 earned runs in only 9 innings pitched.
Physically Jurrjens should be able to bounce back in 2011, but the mental aspect of the game may be more important for him.
Only 17 Days Until Opening Day!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Braves Question #8
2011 MLB Season Preview
Biggest questions for the Braves:
8. Can Jordan Schafer live up to the hype, or can Nate McLouth find his game?
For so long the Braves never had to worry about who would be patrolling center field at Turner Field. Andruw Jones was one of the best center fielders to ever play the game, and since he left the Braves in 2007, the Braves have struggled to find his replacement.
The trade for Nate McLouth in 2009 was supposed to be the answer to the center field question for the Braves. The McLouth trade was necessary only because Jordan Schafer was unable to fill that void at the beginning of the season. Schafer played in 50 games, hit .204, and struck out 63 times. McLouth never lived up to his early season numbers in 2009 when he was with Pittsburg, but no one could have expected what happened to him in 2010.
McLouth batted just .190 in 85 games for the Braves in 2010, and his average actually came up after being recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett in September.
As 2011 rolls around, the center field position is one of the very few position battles for this Braves team. I don’t have a favorite in this fight, but I just hope that one of these guys steps up and wins the spot rather than Fredi Gonzalez having to pick the lesser of two evils.
If either one of these guys could get going and bat leadoff, it would make the Braves lineup a lot better. Here is an example of the Braves lineup with the center fielder at leadoff and then an alternative lineup:
1.Schafer/McLouth 1. Prado
2.Prado 2. Heyward
3.Jones 3. Jones
4.McCann 4. McCann
5.Uggla 5. Uggla
6.Heyward 6. Gonzalez
7.Gonzalez 7. Freeman
8.Freeman 8. Schafer/McLouth
9.Pitcher 9. Pitcher
The two big advantages to having the center fielder at the top of the order revolve around the two youngest everyday players for the Braves. Allowing Heyward to hit 6th instead of 2nd will give him more RBI opportunities, and not require him to try to just get on base. Obviously there should be some days when Chipper Jones doesn’t play that Heyward can bat third for the same reason.
Secondly, being able to start Freeman in the 8th spot would allow him to grow into the majors and really take the pressure off him early in the season. Not to mention that you could be looking at a number 8 hitter that could bat near .300.
However, you have to get production out of the leadoff spot. You can’t just stick one of these guys in there and hope you can make up for the lack of production at the bottom of the order. There are good teams that don’t get much out of their number 8 hitter, but there are no good teams that don’t get production out of the leadoff spot.
Before spring training, I would have put my money on talent (Schafer) winning this job rather than experience (McLouth) , but it seems that Nate McLouth has decided that he wants to resurrect his career in 2011. So far this spring, McLouth is hitting .474 and has yet to strike out, which was a big part of his problem last year. McLouth’s problems started during spring training last year, when he batted only .118.
With about two weeks before the Braves head north for the regular season opener, it seems that Nate McLouth will win the starting job in center field, and if he continues to hit, perhaps even the leadoff spot in the batting order.
*************************************************************************************
Spring Training News:
Chipper Jones had a huge day against the Mets yesterday. He was on base four times with two doubles and two RBI. Jones is now hitting .323 for the spring. Great news for Braves’ fans.
News out of Mets camp, Johan Santana’s recovery from shoulder surgery is not going well. Santana may not make it back for the 2011 season. If that is the case, the Mets iffy starting pitching just got a whole lot worse.
The Braves will have four games on TV next week: Wednesday at 1 pm against the Red Sox on ESPN, and Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday on CSS!
Braves Question #9
2011 MLB Season Preview
Biggest Questions for the 2011 Braves:
9. Can the Braves win easy?
In 2010, nothing seemed to come easy for the Braves. Discounting the myriad of injuries suffered for the Braves last season, the simple act of winning games was never easy for this team. 55 games were decided by one run in 2010. The difference in 2011 is that Billy Wagner won’t be there to save the game for the Braves.
Wagner was great for the Braves in 2010. He saved 37 games while only blowing 7 saves. He struck out over 100 batters in just under 70 innings pitched, and walked only 22 batters all season. This year, the Braves will turn over the closing duties to the young Craig Kimbrel. Kimbrel pitched well last season, but it is a safe bet that he won’t be the rock that Wagner was. If Kimbrel struggles, Jonny Venters will be another option for Fredi Gonzalez in the closer’s role. In either situation, one of these guys is going to be a closer for the first time, and while they are talented, the mental part of closing usually takes some experience to master.
The Braves made things harder on themselves many times in 2010 than they really have to be. Everyone remembers the dramatic walk off wins, but it will be very important for the 2011 Braves to require less drama to pick up victories.
Winning easier would also help the Braves on the road where they struggled mightily in 2010. When you play close games on the road, and the other team gets the last at bat, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. Playing close games took its toll on the Braves in 2010.
On July 21 the Braves held a 7 game lead over Philadelphia. The Braves lost the division by 6 games. All of those close games took their toll on this team. The 162 game baseball season is the longest grind in sports, but playing close games on a nightly basis will make the season seem even longer.
With the starting pitching the Braves have, as well as the offense that should be better than last year, the Braves should be able to win some easy games in 2011, and make the summer a lot more enjoyable for Braves’ fans.
Coming later today, question #8 for the Braves!
Biggest Questions for the 2011 Braves:
9. Can the Braves win easy?
In 2010, nothing seemed to come easy for the Braves. Discounting the myriad of injuries suffered for the Braves last season, the simple act of winning games was never easy for this team. 55 games were decided by one run in 2010. The difference in 2011 is that Billy Wagner won’t be there to save the game for the Braves.
Wagner was great for the Braves in 2010. He saved 37 games while only blowing 7 saves. He struck out over 100 batters in just under 70 innings pitched, and walked only 22 batters all season. This year, the Braves will turn over the closing duties to the young Craig Kimbrel. Kimbrel pitched well last season, but it is a safe bet that he won’t be the rock that Wagner was. If Kimbrel struggles, Jonny Venters will be another option for Fredi Gonzalez in the closer’s role. In either situation, one of these guys is going to be a closer for the first time, and while they are talented, the mental part of closing usually takes some experience to master.
The Braves made things harder on themselves many times in 2010 than they really have to be. Everyone remembers the dramatic walk off wins, but it will be very important for the 2011 Braves to require less drama to pick up victories.
Winning easier would also help the Braves on the road where they struggled mightily in 2010. When you play close games on the road, and the other team gets the last at bat, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. Playing close games took its toll on the Braves in 2010.
On July 21 the Braves held a 7 game lead over Philadelphia. The Braves lost the division by 6 games. All of those close games took their toll on this team. The 162 game baseball season is the longest grind in sports, but playing close games on a nightly basis will make the season seem even longer.
With the starting pitching the Braves have, as well as the offense that should be better than last year, the Braves should be able to win some easy games in 2011, and make the summer a lot more enjoyable for Braves’ fans.
Coming later today, question #8 for the Braves!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
NL East Question #1
2011 MLB Season Preview
Biggest questions in the NL East:
1. Do the Phillies have the best starting rotation in MLB history?
I’m not a baseball historian, but I can tell you that the answer to this question is absolutely not! You don’t have to go far back into the past to find a better pitching staff, and it was right here in Atlanta. Let’s pick the 1998 Braves as one of a few examples of a better pitching staff.
Pitcher: W/L ERA Complete Games
Maddux 18/9 2.22 9
Glavine 20/6 2.47 4
Neagle 16/11 3.55 5
Millwood 17/8 4.08 3
Smoltz 17/3 2.90 2
Totals: 88/37 3.04 23
The first stat that should jump out to you is 88 wins from a starting pitching staff. There were 19 major league teams that didn’t have 88 total wins in 2010, let alone from their starters. The dominance at the top of the rotation is only magnified when you think that John Smoltz was on pace to win the CY Young when he was hurt in the 1998 season. Glavine won the Cy Young in the NL in 1998.
Secondly, you should look at the number of complete games this team was able to put together. I understand that baseball is a different game now, but there is no way that the Phillies rotation will have even half this many complete games. Halladay is the only pitcher left in the majors who consistently goes 9 innings, and doesn’t that make you wonder, just a little bit, if he will start wearing down in the next couple of seasons?
The Phillies pitching staff is being hyped because of the signing of Cliff Lee, and what that could mean for the Phillies when they get to October. In a 5 game series you would have to beat either Lee or Halladay once, and in a 7 game series you could have to face them up to 4 times total. But in the regular season, they can only pitch 2 in 5 days. The rest of this rotation is good but not great. Hammels has never lived up to the hype he created in 2007 and 2008. Oswalt has been rotting in Houston for the last 4 years not playing for anything. Can he really just turn it on for an entire season and play at the top of his game? Blanton is the most comical of the bunch. Blanton is 72-60 in his career with an ERA of 4.30. Also factor in that his starts may be sporadic being the 5th starter, and I think you might be looking at a losing record for Blanton in 2011. Trying to pass this guy off as a front line starting pitcher is ridiculous. Blanton is at best a #3 starter in a bad rotation.
The Phillies have what it takes to make it back to the post-season. If they do, they have two horses that can take them all the way to the title, but let’s not get carried away with the accolades about the best starting rotation in baseball history. They do not even have the best starting rotation in the Wild Card Era.
Biggest questions in the NL East:
1. Do the Phillies have the best starting rotation in MLB history?
I’m not a baseball historian, but I can tell you that the answer to this question is absolutely not! You don’t have to go far back into the past to find a better pitching staff, and it was right here in Atlanta. Let’s pick the 1998 Braves as one of a few examples of a better pitching staff.
Pitcher: W/L ERA Complete Games
Maddux 18/9 2.22 9
Glavine 20/6 2.47 4
Neagle 16/11 3.55 5
Millwood 17/8 4.08 3
Smoltz 17/3 2.90 2
Totals: 88/37 3.04 23
The first stat that should jump out to you is 88 wins from a starting pitching staff. There were 19 major league teams that didn’t have 88 total wins in 2010, let alone from their starters. The dominance at the top of the rotation is only magnified when you think that John Smoltz was on pace to win the CY Young when he was hurt in the 1998 season. Glavine won the Cy Young in the NL in 1998.
Secondly, you should look at the number of complete games this team was able to put together. I understand that baseball is a different game now, but there is no way that the Phillies rotation will have even half this many complete games. Halladay is the only pitcher left in the majors who consistently goes 9 innings, and doesn’t that make you wonder, just a little bit, if he will start wearing down in the next couple of seasons?
The Phillies pitching staff is being hyped because of the signing of Cliff Lee, and what that could mean for the Phillies when they get to October. In a 5 game series you would have to beat either Lee or Halladay once, and in a 7 game series you could have to face them up to 4 times total. But in the regular season, they can only pitch 2 in 5 days. The rest of this rotation is good but not great. Hammels has never lived up to the hype he created in 2007 and 2008. Oswalt has been rotting in Houston for the last 4 years not playing for anything. Can he really just turn it on for an entire season and play at the top of his game? Blanton is the most comical of the bunch. Blanton is 72-60 in his career with an ERA of 4.30. Also factor in that his starts may be sporadic being the 5th starter, and I think you might be looking at a losing record for Blanton in 2011. Trying to pass this guy off as a front line starting pitcher is ridiculous. Blanton is at best a #3 starter in a bad rotation.
The Phillies have what it takes to make it back to the post-season. If they do, they have two horses that can take them all the way to the title, but let’s not get carried away with the accolades about the best starting rotation in baseball history. They do not even have the best starting rotation in the Wild Card Era.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
NL East Question #2
2011 MLB Season Preview
Biggest questions in the NL East:
2. Can the Mets stay healthy in 2011 and contend?
The health question is one that the Mets have been struggling with for the past two seasons.
Injuries to Beltran, Reyes, and then first baseman Carlos Delgado ended the 2009 season. In 2010, the Mets probably thought it couldn’t get any worse, but Beltran struggled with injuries again, and in August, Johan Santana had to have season ending surgery.
Santana won’t be back until at least June. So the injury question has already been answered to some extent. Beltran is a huge question mark because even when he comes back, can he stay on the field.
With our without those two stars, I don’t think the Mets can contend because they just aren’t good enough. Their pitching staff is probably 4th best in the division and would be last if Strasberg were going to be in Washington’s lineup. They caught lightning in a bottle last year with R.A. Dickey and his knuckleball, but I think reality will set in for Dickey in 2011. The pitching staff will benefit from CitiField; however, it won’t be enough to help in the long run.
The Mets also have a number of questions in their bullpen. The biggest of those questions is the return of K Rod after a tumultuous 2010.
Offensively the Mets were simply offensive in 2010. They ranked in the bottom 10 in MLB in most of the major offensive categories. Even if Beltran is healthy, there is no reason to expect him to be the Beltran of 2007. David Wright, Jason Bay, and sophomore Ike Davis will have to be the run producers in this lineup, and I’m just not convinced they can do it in that ball park.
In a division with two of the best starting pitching rotations in baseball, the Mets 3, 4, and 5 starters just don’t stack up, and that is with Johan Santana. The offense will be better, but the pitching will see to yet another quite October in Queens.
Coming tomorrow, the biggest quesiton in the NL East, and it has to do with the Phillies starting pitching. Get ready for some historical perspective!
Only 21 Days until Opening Day!
Biggest questions in the NL East:
2. Can the Mets stay healthy in 2011 and contend?
The health question is one that the Mets have been struggling with for the past two seasons.
Injuries to Beltran, Reyes, and then first baseman Carlos Delgado ended the 2009 season. In 2010, the Mets probably thought it couldn’t get any worse, but Beltran struggled with injuries again, and in August, Johan Santana had to have season ending surgery.
Santana won’t be back until at least June. So the injury question has already been answered to some extent. Beltran is a huge question mark because even when he comes back, can he stay on the field.
With our without those two stars, I don’t think the Mets can contend because they just aren’t good enough. Their pitching staff is probably 4th best in the division and would be last if Strasberg were going to be in Washington’s lineup. They caught lightning in a bottle last year with R.A. Dickey and his knuckleball, but I think reality will set in for Dickey in 2011. The pitching staff will benefit from CitiField; however, it won’t be enough to help in the long run.
The Mets also have a number of questions in their bullpen. The biggest of those questions is the return of K Rod after a tumultuous 2010.
Offensively the Mets were simply offensive in 2010. They ranked in the bottom 10 in MLB in most of the major offensive categories. Even if Beltran is healthy, there is no reason to expect him to be the Beltran of 2007. David Wright, Jason Bay, and sophomore Ike Davis will have to be the run producers in this lineup, and I’m just not convinced they can do it in that ball park.
In a division with two of the best starting pitching rotations in baseball, the Mets 3, 4, and 5 starters just don’t stack up, and that is with Johan Santana. The offense will be better, but the pitching will see to yet another quite October in Queens.
Coming tomorrow, the biggest quesiton in the NL East, and it has to do with the Phillies starting pitching. Get ready for some historical perspective!
Only 21 Days until Opening Day!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
NL East Question #3
2011 MLB Season Preview
Biggest questions in the NL East:
3. Can Mike Stanton develop into a great player to go along with Hanley Ramirez?
The Marlins gave you their answer to this question in the offseason when they traded Dan Uggla to division rival Atlanta for a utility player in Omar Infante. The Marlins must believe that Stanton is the real deal and will continue to develop in his second year in the majors.
At just 20 years old last season, Stanton hit 22 homeruns and drove in 59 RBI on a team that struggled offensively. However, there were some concerns for Stanton. He hit only .218 against left-handers. Stanton’s strikeout to walk ratio was 4/1, with his season total of 123 strikeouts in only 359 at bats (almost 35%). Additionally, Stanton only had 5 stolen bases for a player that was supposed to be a threat on the base paths.
The Marlins are going to have a hard time contending in the East, but any chance they have will be centered around Ramirez and Stanton. Without Uggla, Stanton will have pressure on him this season that he didn’t have last season. Stanton will be batting in the middle of the order, and will have to drive in runs from the start of the season. That is asking a lot for a 21 year old.
The amazing rookie class of 2010, which included the likes of Jason Heyward, Mike Stanton, and Buster Posey will prove themselves on the major league level by making adjustments in 2011 and continuing to improve. However, I believe that Stanton’s will be the most difficult sophomore season because he doesn’t have as much help in the lineup as these other sophomores. Stanton will strikeout more than 100 times again in 2011, and his average will stay somewhere in the .260 to .270 range until he learns to be more patient at the plate. I’m not sure why, but Stanton reminds me a lot of Jeff Francoeur. Let’s hope, for his sake, that he can do a better job adjusting to major league pitching.
22 short days until the Braves and Nationals get the 2011 season started!
Biggest questions in the NL East:
3. Can Mike Stanton develop into a great player to go along with Hanley Ramirez?
The Marlins gave you their answer to this question in the offseason when they traded Dan Uggla to division rival Atlanta for a utility player in Omar Infante. The Marlins must believe that Stanton is the real deal and will continue to develop in his second year in the majors.
At just 20 years old last season, Stanton hit 22 homeruns and drove in 59 RBI on a team that struggled offensively. However, there were some concerns for Stanton. He hit only .218 against left-handers. Stanton’s strikeout to walk ratio was 4/1, with his season total of 123 strikeouts in only 359 at bats (almost 35%). Additionally, Stanton only had 5 stolen bases for a player that was supposed to be a threat on the base paths.
The Marlins are going to have a hard time contending in the East, but any chance they have will be centered around Ramirez and Stanton. Without Uggla, Stanton will have pressure on him this season that he didn’t have last season. Stanton will be batting in the middle of the order, and will have to drive in runs from the start of the season. That is asking a lot for a 21 year old.
The amazing rookie class of 2010, which included the likes of Jason Heyward, Mike Stanton, and Buster Posey will prove themselves on the major league level by making adjustments in 2011 and continuing to improve. However, I believe that Stanton’s will be the most difficult sophomore season because he doesn’t have as much help in the lineup as these other sophomores. Stanton will strikeout more than 100 times again in 2011, and his average will stay somewhere in the .260 to .270 range until he learns to be more patient at the plate. I’m not sure why, but Stanton reminds me a lot of Jeff Francoeur. Let’s hope, for his sake, that he can do a better job adjusting to major league pitching.
22 short days until the Braves and Nationals get the 2011 season started!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
NL East Question #4
2011 MLB Season Preview
Biggest questions in the NL East:
4. Will K-Rod be the Mets closer at the end of 2011?
Francisco Rodriguez had one of the most bizarre endings to a major league season ever in 2010. K-Rod was suspended at the end of the season by the Mets following a locker-room altercation with the father of his girlfriend. Jerry Springer would be so proud.
The Mets have a lot of questions surrounding them in 2011, but the biggest one in my mind is whether or not K-Rod can bounce back and be one of the best closers in baseball again. After Rodriguez set a major league record by recording 62 saves in 2008 for the Angels, the Mets signed the closer to a huge contract. However, in two seasons with the Mets, Rodriguez hasn’t been able to duplicate those numbers. In fact, K Rod has only 60 saves in his two seasons with the Mets. At only 29 years old, it’s hard to believe that people think his better days might be behind him, but that is what people are saying.
Rodriguez has never been the toughest mental player on the field. While with the Angels, he actually misplayed a ball being thrown back to him from the catcher following a pitch, which allowed the game winning run to score in the bottom of the 9th. While playing with the Mets, Rodriguez fell apart completely in the 9th after the would-be last out of the game was turned into an error by his second basemen. The embarrassment of last year added to a drop off in his play, will make the Mets consider parting ways with Rodriguez following this season.
The Mets have offense questions after Carlos Beltran has missed significant time over the past two seasons. David Wright’s power numbers aren’t developing in Citi Field. And Johan Santana is going to be out until at least June. If the Mets can get Rodriguez the lead at the end of games he will do a good job for him in 2011, however, I don’t think the team as a whole will perform up to the standard set by the Braves and the Phillies.
My guess, at this point, is that nothing will go right for the Mets in 2011, so I’m going to bet on another soap opera with K-Rod in 2011, after which the Mets will say “see you later” to their troubled closer.
24 Days until Opening Day!
Check back for question #3 tomorrow!
Biggest questions in the NL East:
4. Will K-Rod be the Mets closer at the end of 2011?
Francisco Rodriguez had one of the most bizarre endings to a major league season ever in 2010. K-Rod was suspended at the end of the season by the Mets following a locker-room altercation with the father of his girlfriend. Jerry Springer would be so proud.
The Mets have a lot of questions surrounding them in 2011, but the biggest one in my mind is whether or not K-Rod can bounce back and be one of the best closers in baseball again. After Rodriguez set a major league record by recording 62 saves in 2008 for the Angels, the Mets signed the closer to a huge contract. However, in two seasons with the Mets, Rodriguez hasn’t been able to duplicate those numbers. In fact, K Rod has only 60 saves in his two seasons with the Mets. At only 29 years old, it’s hard to believe that people think his better days might be behind him, but that is what people are saying.
Rodriguez has never been the toughest mental player on the field. While with the Angels, he actually misplayed a ball being thrown back to him from the catcher following a pitch, which allowed the game winning run to score in the bottom of the 9th. While playing with the Mets, Rodriguez fell apart completely in the 9th after the would-be last out of the game was turned into an error by his second basemen. The embarrassment of last year added to a drop off in his play, will make the Mets consider parting ways with Rodriguez following this season.
The Mets have offense questions after Carlos Beltran has missed significant time over the past two seasons. David Wright’s power numbers aren’t developing in Citi Field. And Johan Santana is going to be out until at least June. If the Mets can get Rodriguez the lead at the end of games he will do a good job for him in 2011, however, I don’t think the team as a whole will perform up to the standard set by the Braves and the Phillies.
My guess, at this point, is that nothing will go right for the Mets in 2011, so I’m going to bet on another soap opera with K-Rod in 2011, after which the Mets will say “see you later” to their troubled closer.
24 Days until Opening Day!
Check back for question #3 tomorrow!
Monday, March 7, 2011
NL East Question 5
2011 MLB Season Preview
Biggest questions in the NL East:
5. Can the Nationals be a factor in the division without Steven Strasberg?
No.
Maybe next year, but probably not then either.
Have a good rest of the day.
Sometimes you don't have to do research. 24 Days until first pitch between the Braves and the Nats. The answer to a real quesiton coming tomorrow: Can Fransisco Rodriguez return and be the closer for the Mets in 2011.
Biggest questions in the NL East:
5. Can the Nationals be a factor in the division without Steven Strasberg?
No.
Maybe next year, but probably not then either.
Have a good rest of the day.
Sometimes you don't have to do research. 24 Days until first pitch between the Braves and the Nats. The answer to a real quesiton coming tomorrow: Can Fransisco Rodriguez return and be the closer for the Mets in 2011.
NL East Question 6
2011 MLB Season Preview
Biggest Questions in the NL East:
6. Is it NL East title or bust in 2011?
In 2010 both the division winner Phillies and the wild card winning Braves made the post season. This question centers around whether or not the 2011 NL Wild Card will come from the NL East. 2011 was the first time since 2003 that the NL East had won the Wild Card.
To answer this question we must look around the National League. Starting in the Western Division with the defending World Series Champion San Francisco Giants. The Giants would be a huge disappointment if they didn’t repeat as division champions in 2011. The Padres had an amazing season in 2010, but faltered late at an almost historic rate. The Dodgers are still in a state of flux while the owner goes through a nasty divorce. The Rockies were disappointing in 2010, but should be in contention in 2011.
In the NL Central, the defending champion Reds are being looked over by most. The Cardinals were not able to hang in the race down the stretch last season, and have the contract dispute with Albert Pulos to deal with all season. Factor in the loss of Adam Wainwright and it is hard to see how the Cardinals can contend without making a deal for a front-line starter. The Brewers made a big move in the offseason getting Zach Grenke from the Royals, but will that be enough to put them in contention? I guess it is worth considering that this could be the Cubs year as well… but probably not.
At the end of the day, I believe that two of the best three teams reside in the NL East. Both the Phillies and the Braves should make the playoffs for a second consecutive year, but both Colorado and Cincinnati will be in the hunt come September.
Question #5 coming this afternoon!
Biggest Questions in the NL East:
6. Is it NL East title or bust in 2011?
In 2010 both the division winner Phillies and the wild card winning Braves made the post season. This question centers around whether or not the 2011 NL Wild Card will come from the NL East. 2011 was the first time since 2003 that the NL East had won the Wild Card.
To answer this question we must look around the National League. Starting in the Western Division with the defending World Series Champion San Francisco Giants. The Giants would be a huge disappointment if they didn’t repeat as division champions in 2011. The Padres had an amazing season in 2010, but faltered late at an almost historic rate. The Dodgers are still in a state of flux while the owner goes through a nasty divorce. The Rockies were disappointing in 2010, but should be in contention in 2011.
In the NL Central, the defending champion Reds are being looked over by most. The Cardinals were not able to hang in the race down the stretch last season, and have the contract dispute with Albert Pulos to deal with all season. Factor in the loss of Adam Wainwright and it is hard to see how the Cardinals can contend without making a deal for a front-line starter. The Brewers made a big move in the offseason getting Zach Grenke from the Royals, but will that be enough to put them in contention? I guess it is worth considering that this could be the Cubs year as well… but probably not.
At the end of the day, I believe that two of the best three teams reside in the NL East. Both the Phillies and the Braves should make the playoffs for a second consecutive year, but both Colorado and Cincinnati will be in the hunt come September.
Question #5 coming this afternoon!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
NL East 7 Question 7
2011 MLB Season Preview
Biggest Questions in the NL East
7. What does the loss of Jason Werth mean to the Phillies offense?
For the past few years, the Phillies offense has been the best in the National League. However, there are big questions surrounding the Phillies offense in 2011. While you still have speed at the top of the order with Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino, and you still have power with Utley, Howard, and Ibanez, the Phillies will be missing one key component: a right-handed bat.
After division rival Washington signed Jason Werth in the offseason, there isn’t a right handed bat in the middle of the Phillies order. This could really hurt the Phillies when it comes to late game situations. From the 3 spot in the order until the 7 spot in the order, you have nothing but left handed hitters (Utley, Howard, Ibanez, and Brown).
I understand that those left-handed hitters are all excellent, and I know that each of those guys
will produce over the course of the season, but the Braves have gone out of their way to make sure they are ready for that part of the Phillies order late in games. The Braves have Eric O’Flaherty, George Sherrill, and Jonny Venters who are all left-handed and who will be expected to come in a shut down the middle of the Phillies order. Usually, with a right-handed bat positioned between left-handed hitters, you might have to remove your left-handed pitcher from the game. This won’t be a problem in 2011, because your left-handed specialist can come in and pitch an entire inning. Also consider that there are three guys who could pitch for the Braves in that situation, and you have worry about the Phillies ability to score runs late in games.
Domonic Brown had only one hit in 13 at bats last season versus left-handers. Only Chase Utley hit better against lefties than righties in 2010.
With all of the focus on the Phillies pitching, their offense could be their weakness.
26 Days Until Opening Day!
Question 6 tomorrow!
Biggest Questions in the NL East
7. What does the loss of Jason Werth mean to the Phillies offense?
For the past few years, the Phillies offense has been the best in the National League. However, there are big questions surrounding the Phillies offense in 2011. While you still have speed at the top of the order with Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino, and you still have power with Utley, Howard, and Ibanez, the Phillies will be missing one key component: a right-handed bat.
After division rival Washington signed Jason Werth in the offseason, there isn’t a right handed bat in the middle of the Phillies order. This could really hurt the Phillies when it comes to late game situations. From the 3 spot in the order until the 7 spot in the order, you have nothing but left handed hitters (Utley, Howard, Ibanez, and Brown).
I understand that those left-handed hitters are all excellent, and I know that each of those guys
will produce over the course of the season, but the Braves have gone out of their way to make sure they are ready for that part of the Phillies order late in games. The Braves have Eric O’Flaherty, George Sherrill, and Jonny Venters who are all left-handed and who will be expected to come in a shut down the middle of the Phillies order. Usually, with a right-handed bat positioned between left-handed hitters, you might have to remove your left-handed pitcher from the game. This won’t be a problem in 2011, because your left-handed specialist can come in and pitch an entire inning. Also consider that there are three guys who could pitch for the Braves in that situation, and you have worry about the Phillies ability to score runs late in games.
Domonic Brown had only one hit in 13 at bats last season versus left-handers. Only Chase Utley hit better against lefties than righties in 2010.
With all of the focus on the Phillies pitching, their offense could be their weakness.
26 Days Until Opening Day!
Question 6 tomorrow!
Friday, March 4, 2011
NL East Question #8
2011 MLB Season Preview
Biggest Questions in the NL East
8. What impact will Dan Uggla have on the Braves?
If the Phillies wouldn’t have won the Cliff Lee sweepstakes, then the Braves acquisition of All-Star 2B Dan Uggla would have been the division’s biggest off-season move. Uggla is 30 and in the prime of his career and hitting in the best line up of his career. Frank Wren made sure that the Uggla trade would not go down the same way the Mark Teixeira trade did, by signing Uggla to a five year deal in mid-November.
Make no mistake, the Uggla trade was about one thing and one thing only for the Braves: power.
There has been a severe power outage in Atlanta over the past few seasons. The Braves haven’t had a 30+ homerun season since 2006 when Andruw Jones hit 41. They haven’t had a 100+ RBI man since 2007 when Jeff Francoeur had 105. For the past two seasons, Brian McCann has led the team with 21 HR. Uggla has more than 30 HR in the past four seasons, and had 105 RBI last year with the Marlins. His bat in the middle of the Braves order will give Atlanta the pop they have been looking for. Whether Uggla hits 4th in front of Brian McCann or 5th behind him, there is no doubt that it will make opposing pitchers flinch. Despite the order, opposing pitchers will have to run the gauntlet of Prado, Jones, McCann, Uggla, and Heyward. (Man the Braves need a leadoff hitter!). If Uggla can repeat his power numbers of the past four years the Braves lineup will be the deepest it has been since 2005.
As soon as the trade was made, the first question people wondered was whether the defense of Dan Uggla would be a problem. Obviously, Uggla defense isn’t his strength, but he should benefit from the good defense that is expected from Freddie Freeman at first base. Errors can hurt, but Uggla’s bat is well worth the risk of his glove. Not to mention, it couldn’t be any worse than Brooks Conrad was at the end of last season.
With a pitching rotation that should be one of the best in baseball, the Braves offense has to improve over the 2009/2010 output. The Braves have wasted the good pitching they have had the past two seasons, hopefully Uggla’s bat can provide the pop that the Braves have been looking for.
At the end of the day, the Uggla signing is nothing but good for the Braves.
27 Days until first pitch between the Braves and Nats!
Coming tomorrow: What Impact will the loss of Jason Werth have on the Phillies lineup?
Biggest Questions in the NL East
8. What impact will Dan Uggla have on the Braves?
If the Phillies wouldn’t have won the Cliff Lee sweepstakes, then the Braves acquisition of All-Star 2B Dan Uggla would have been the division’s biggest off-season move. Uggla is 30 and in the prime of his career and hitting in the best line up of his career. Frank Wren made sure that the Uggla trade would not go down the same way the Mark Teixeira trade did, by signing Uggla to a five year deal in mid-November.
Make no mistake, the Uggla trade was about one thing and one thing only for the Braves: power.
There has been a severe power outage in Atlanta over the past few seasons. The Braves haven’t had a 30+ homerun season since 2006 when Andruw Jones hit 41. They haven’t had a 100+ RBI man since 2007 when Jeff Francoeur had 105. For the past two seasons, Brian McCann has led the team with 21 HR. Uggla has more than 30 HR in the past four seasons, and had 105 RBI last year with the Marlins. His bat in the middle of the Braves order will give Atlanta the pop they have been looking for. Whether Uggla hits 4th in front of Brian McCann or 5th behind him, there is no doubt that it will make opposing pitchers flinch. Despite the order, opposing pitchers will have to run the gauntlet of Prado, Jones, McCann, Uggla, and Heyward. (Man the Braves need a leadoff hitter!). If Uggla can repeat his power numbers of the past four years the Braves lineup will be the deepest it has been since 2005.
As soon as the trade was made, the first question people wondered was whether the defense of Dan Uggla would be a problem. Obviously, Uggla defense isn’t his strength, but he should benefit from the good defense that is expected from Freddie Freeman at first base. Errors can hurt, but Uggla’s bat is well worth the risk of his glove. Not to mention, it couldn’t be any worse than Brooks Conrad was at the end of last season.
With a pitching rotation that should be one of the best in baseball, the Braves offense has to improve over the 2009/2010 output. The Braves have wasted the good pitching they have had the past two seasons, hopefully Uggla’s bat can provide the pop that the Braves have been looking for.
At the end of the day, the Uggla signing is nothing but good for the Braves.
27 Days until first pitch between the Braves and Nats!
Coming tomorrow: What Impact will the loss of Jason Werth have on the Phillies lineup?
Thursday, March 3, 2011
NL East Question #9
2011 MLB Season Preview:
Biggest Questions in the NL East
9. Who is the most important player in the NL East in 2011?
Obviously, there are some important criteria to examine before we give the answer. In order to be the most important player in the division you have to be on a team that will contend for the division title. Therefore, that strikes everyone from the Mets off the list of candidates. You also have to play, so that would knock Steven Strausberg off of the list. Now let us look at the question.
The Nationals aren’t going to contend for the title, so you can knock them out of the running.
That leaves us the Braves, Phillies, and Marlins. In my opinion, Hanley Ramirez would be the most important player for the Marlins. Ramirez is coming off of his worst offensive season of his career. He hit 21 homeruns, the lowest since his rookie season and his slugging percentage and on base percentage were the lowest of his career. He played in the fewest games of his career because of injuries. There is no way the Marlins can keep pace with the Braves and Phillies if Ramirez does not return to his top form in 2011.
For the Braves, Chipper Jones is the key. Jones is coming off knee surgery that ended his 2010 season. At 38, it is hard to believe that he would be the key for the Braves, however, Jones is just a couple of years removed from a batting title, and his experience is invaluable to the Braves, as is his bat. Without Jones in the lineup, Martin Prado would have to play 3B, leaving Jordan Schaffer to play LF. The Braves are hoping that either Schaffer or CF Nate McLouth can bounce back after tough seasons, but expecting both to be everyday players in 2011 is just too much. With Jones in the lineup, new Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez will have much more flexibility. That is right Braves fans, 2011 depends on a 38-year-old knee that has been through two major surgeries.
The Phillies are the favorite to win the division and maybe not surprisingly, they have the man that I believe will be the most important player in the division in 2011, Cole Hamels. Hamels was at one time the ace of the Phillies staff, but now he is a #3 starter who hasn’t won more than 15 games in his career. Obviously, Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee are the best 1-2 pitching punch in the major leagues, but I believe that top to bottom, the Braves can pitch with the Phillies during the regular season. (The playoffs are a different story when you only need 2 great pitchers to win the World Series). There is a lot of hype around the Phillies pitching staff, but I’m not 100% convinced that it is as good as people think. Roy Oswalt is 34 years old and is considering retiring after the season. Joe Blanton seems to have gotten a lot better now that he is associated with the rest of the Phillies staff, but Blanton has only had double-digit wins in one of the last 3 seasons. Hamels is the key to the Phillies having a better staff than the Braves, and I believe he is the key for the Phillies to win the division. If Hamels can be more like the guy who went 15-5 in 2007 and less like the guy who has gone 22-22 in the last two seasons combined, then the Phillies might just have their 4th straight division title.
Only 28 days until Opening Day!
Coming Tomorrow: NL East Question #8 What Impact will the addition of Dan Uggla have on the Braves?
Biggest Questions in the NL East
9. Who is the most important player in the NL East in 2011?
Obviously, there are some important criteria to examine before we give the answer. In order to be the most important player in the division you have to be on a team that will contend for the division title. Therefore, that strikes everyone from the Mets off the list of candidates. You also have to play, so that would knock Steven Strausberg off of the list. Now let us look at the question.
The Nationals aren’t going to contend for the title, so you can knock them out of the running.
That leaves us the Braves, Phillies, and Marlins. In my opinion, Hanley Ramirez would be the most important player for the Marlins. Ramirez is coming off of his worst offensive season of his career. He hit 21 homeruns, the lowest since his rookie season and his slugging percentage and on base percentage were the lowest of his career. He played in the fewest games of his career because of injuries. There is no way the Marlins can keep pace with the Braves and Phillies if Ramirez does not return to his top form in 2011.
For the Braves, Chipper Jones is the key. Jones is coming off knee surgery that ended his 2010 season. At 38, it is hard to believe that he would be the key for the Braves, however, Jones is just a couple of years removed from a batting title, and his experience is invaluable to the Braves, as is his bat. Without Jones in the lineup, Martin Prado would have to play 3B, leaving Jordan Schaffer to play LF. The Braves are hoping that either Schaffer or CF Nate McLouth can bounce back after tough seasons, but expecting both to be everyday players in 2011 is just too much. With Jones in the lineup, new Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez will have much more flexibility. That is right Braves fans, 2011 depends on a 38-year-old knee that has been through two major surgeries.
The Phillies are the favorite to win the division and maybe not surprisingly, they have the man that I believe will be the most important player in the division in 2011, Cole Hamels. Hamels was at one time the ace of the Phillies staff, but now he is a #3 starter who hasn’t won more than 15 games in his career. Obviously, Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee are the best 1-2 pitching punch in the major leagues, but I believe that top to bottom, the Braves can pitch with the Phillies during the regular season. (The playoffs are a different story when you only need 2 great pitchers to win the World Series). There is a lot of hype around the Phillies pitching staff, but I’m not 100% convinced that it is as good as people think. Roy Oswalt is 34 years old and is considering retiring after the season. Joe Blanton seems to have gotten a lot better now that he is associated with the rest of the Phillies staff, but Blanton has only had double-digit wins in one of the last 3 seasons. Hamels is the key to the Phillies having a better staff than the Braves, and I believe he is the key for the Phillies to win the division. If Hamels can be more like the guy who went 15-5 in 2007 and less like the guy who has gone 22-22 in the last two seasons combined, then the Phillies might just have their 4th straight division title.
Only 28 days until Opening Day!
Coming Tomorrow: NL East Question #8 What Impact will the addition of Dan Uggla have on the Braves?
Monday, February 14, 2011
The Dog Days of February
I'm not really sure of another time of the year when there is less going on in sports than there is right now. Football is over (perhaps for a while). The NBA is unwatchable until the playoffs which don't start until April. The NHL is just unwatchable, even though it is probably my favorite sport to watch live. College basketball is entertaining, but the lack of juniors and seniors have made it hard to really get in to college basketball. Don't you remember when Dickie V would talk about his Diaper Dandies? They're all Diaper Dandies now.
There are a couple of bright spots on the sports calendar.
The Braves' pitchers and catchers reported to spring training today, so there is one very bright light at the end of this tunnel.
The date to look forward to is March 17. That's the day March Madness begins and so does the best month of sports. The Madness concludes on April 4 with the National Championship Game, the same day as the baseball season begins for all 30 MLB teams. That week ends with what I believe is one of the greatest events on the sports calendar each year. On April 7 at 8:00 am in Augusta, Georiga "The King" Arnold Palmer and "The Golden Bear" Jack Nicklaus will begin the 2011 Masters Tournament.
So let not your heart be troubled. As the weather warms we move ever closer to the end of the Dog Days of February.
There are a couple of bright spots on the sports calendar.
The Braves' pitchers and catchers reported to spring training today, so there is one very bright light at the end of this tunnel.
The date to look forward to is March 17. That's the day March Madness begins and so does the best month of sports. The Madness concludes on April 4 with the National Championship Game, the same day as the baseball season begins for all 30 MLB teams. That week ends with what I believe is one of the greatest events on the sports calendar each year. On April 7 at 8:00 am in Augusta, Georiga "The King" Arnold Palmer and "The Golden Bear" Jack Nicklaus will begin the 2011 Masters Tournament.
So let not your heart be troubled. As the weather warms we move ever closer to the end of the Dog Days of February.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Super Bowl XLV
The biggest football game of the year is here, and the entire world wants to know who will win the Super Bowl. I could honestly care less who wins the game, I just hope we get another good game like we have the past few years. The INT returned for a touchdown last year clinching the game for the Saints, Big Ben to Santonio Holmes to beat Arizona two years ago, and three years ago you get that dramatic last drive for the Giants over the undefeated New England Patriots.
I'll take any of those games again.
I'm really sick of the championship belt thing from Aaron Rodgers. I'm not sure how you can call yourself the champion before you win the championship, but I guess if Obama can win the Nobel Peace Prize, then Rodgers can have a belt.
Call me old fashioned, but grown men shouldn't have hair like Polamalu and Matthews have. How tough can these guys be when they have to spend 20 minutes in the locker room after the game blow drying before they go out to the post game press conference?
If the Steelers win tonight, Charlie Batch, the back up quarterback for the Steelers, will have three Super Bowl rings. How do you think Dan Marino feels about that?
Mike Vick won the 2010 Comeback Player of the Year Award. Not really sure you can consider the lack of dogfighting a comeback. Maybe he should have been awarded the return to being a productive member of society award for players who finally live up to their God-given ability. Hard to put that one on a trophy though.
Congratulations to "Prime Time" Deion Sanders for his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Defensive tackle John Jenkins picked Georgia over Florida yesterday afternoon. Jenkins is 6-4 and 340 pounds. Other than Crowell, Jenkins will have the most impact for the Dawgs on the field in 2011. A true nose tackle will change the Georiga defense from day one.
You can watch ESPN if you want someone to break down the game for you, my prediction is simple: I hate Aaron Rodgers and the belt thing. Go Steelers!
I'll take any of those games again.
I'm really sick of the championship belt thing from Aaron Rodgers. I'm not sure how you can call yourself the champion before you win the championship, but I guess if Obama can win the Nobel Peace Prize, then Rodgers can have a belt.
Call me old fashioned, but grown men shouldn't have hair like Polamalu and Matthews have. How tough can these guys be when they have to spend 20 minutes in the locker room after the game blow drying before they go out to the post game press conference?
If the Steelers win tonight, Charlie Batch, the back up quarterback for the Steelers, will have three Super Bowl rings. How do you think Dan Marino feels about that?
Mike Vick won the 2010 Comeback Player of the Year Award. Not really sure you can consider the lack of dogfighting a comeback. Maybe he should have been awarded the return to being a productive member of society award for players who finally live up to their God-given ability. Hard to put that one on a trophy though.
Congratulations to "Prime Time" Deion Sanders for his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Defensive tackle John Jenkins picked Georgia over Florida yesterday afternoon. Jenkins is 6-4 and 340 pounds. Other than Crowell, Jenkins will have the most impact for the Dawgs on the field in 2011. A true nose tackle will change the Georiga defense from day one.
You can watch ESPN if you want someone to break down the game for you, my prediction is simple: I hate Aaron Rodgers and the belt thing. Go Steelers!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Title Games, and other things
Today is championship weekend in the NFL. Two teams will punch their tickets to the Super Bowl, while two others will join 28 other teams already looking towards next season.
I would be lying if I said I wasn't still a little disappointed that today's NFC title game isn't being played in the Georgia Dome. I will be watching as the Packers take on the Bears today. Not sure it will be much of a game though.
It's not just that the Packers looked so good last week against the Falcons, or that the Bears haven't really looked like a Super Bowl contender all year. The main reason I think the Packers will head to Dallas in two weeks is that the Packers are simply a better team on both sides of the ball. For the Bears to win today, I think Devin Hester would have to have a return for a touchdown, and the Bears would have to win the turnover battle by 3. The Packers are just that good, and right now, I think they are the favorites to win the Super Bowl.
In the nightcap, anything could happen. I wouldn't have ever picked the Jets last weekend against the Patriots. I can't see the Jets beating Pittsburg today, but then again, the Jets do things like no other team in the league. Win or lose, the Jets have over-achieved for a 2nd straight season. If I had to put money on it, I would take the Steelers, but not by much.
We are currently 10 days away from the biggest moment in the coaching career of Mark Richt. With the possible signing of Isaiah Crowell and Ray Drew in addition to the signings Georgia has already gotten for the class of 2011 will give Georgia a great deal of momentum and hope heading into their game with Boise State in the Georgia Dome.
I would be lying if I said I wasn't still a little disappointed that today's NFC title game isn't being played in the Georgia Dome. I will be watching as the Packers take on the Bears today. Not sure it will be much of a game though.
It's not just that the Packers looked so good last week against the Falcons, or that the Bears haven't really looked like a Super Bowl contender all year. The main reason I think the Packers will head to Dallas in two weeks is that the Packers are simply a better team on both sides of the ball. For the Bears to win today, I think Devin Hester would have to have a return for a touchdown, and the Bears would have to win the turnover battle by 3. The Packers are just that good, and right now, I think they are the favorites to win the Super Bowl.
In the nightcap, anything could happen. I wouldn't have ever picked the Jets last weekend against the Patriots. I can't see the Jets beating Pittsburg today, but then again, the Jets do things like no other team in the league. Win or lose, the Jets have over-achieved for a 2nd straight season. If I had to put money on it, I would take the Steelers, but not by much.
We are currently 10 days away from the biggest moment in the coaching career of Mark Richt. With the possible signing of Isaiah Crowell and Ray Drew in addition to the signings Georgia has already gotten for the class of 2011 will give Georgia a great deal of momentum and hope heading into their game with Boise State in the Georgia Dome.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
A Huge Step Back
Last night, for the first time in the past three seasons, the Falcons took a step back as a franchise. In front of a crazy crowd at the Georgia Dome, the Falcons crumbled under the pressure of the playoffs.
The third year quarterback who has garnered comparisons to Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, threw the worst interception I have ever seen in a big game. The Hall of Fame tight end who was brought to Atlanta two years ago to win a Super Bowl, managed only one catch, and then missed the rest of the game with an injury. The coach who resurrected this franchise with his steady hand and professional approach was left to just watch helplessly as his team was dismantled for the world to see. Funny how we didn't see Arthur Blank on the sideline at the end of last night's game.
No last night's game was not apart of the master plan for the Falcons. When they lost on the road in the playoffs two years ago, the thought was that this team had no where to go but up, and that it was an amazing turnaround from the 2007 season. Some people might be inclined to think the same thing after last night, but those people aren't considering the modern NFL.
You don't get dynasties these days.
Wait! What about the Patriots?
The Patriots won three Super Bowls in four years, but when they won their first Super Bowl in 2001, they were huge underdogs to the Rams, and their leader was still a wide-eyed kid who had yet to really become the quarterback we have seen for the past few seasons. During their prime, yes the Patriots won back to back Super Bowls, but that only further proves my point.
When opportunity knocks in the NFL, you better answer fast. Injuries change NFL seasons more than any other sport. The Patriots can tell you about that when Tom Brady got hurt in 2008 after setting the world on fire in 2007, but losing to the Giants in the Super Bowl. Brady hurt, season over.
The Falcons stayed healthy for the most part this season. They earned the NFC's number one seed, a bye in the first round, and had their two biggest concerns (Saints and Eagles) lose last week. Sure the Packers are a good team, this is the playoffs! You don't get to play teams like Carolina in the playoffs.
This franchise has done amazing things in the past three seasons. Yes they have a lot of pieces in place to continue to be a force in the NFC. But you can't take anything for granted in the NFL, and when things fall your way, you had better capitalize and get the ring.
This afternoon, either the Bears or the Seahawks will advance to play the Packers in the NFC title game. And Falcon fans will sit back and wonder, what might have been?
What might have been is the thought that this town is used to wondering, but for the Falcons, let's just hope that they take this loss as a very painful lesson. Because there is no guarantee that this team will ever have a clearer path to the Super Bowl than the one they had this season.
The third year quarterback who has garnered comparisons to Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, threw the worst interception I have ever seen in a big game. The Hall of Fame tight end who was brought to Atlanta two years ago to win a Super Bowl, managed only one catch, and then missed the rest of the game with an injury. The coach who resurrected this franchise with his steady hand and professional approach was left to just watch helplessly as his team was dismantled for the world to see. Funny how we didn't see Arthur Blank on the sideline at the end of last night's game.
No last night's game was not apart of the master plan for the Falcons. When they lost on the road in the playoffs two years ago, the thought was that this team had no where to go but up, and that it was an amazing turnaround from the 2007 season. Some people might be inclined to think the same thing after last night, but those people aren't considering the modern NFL.
You don't get dynasties these days.
Wait! What about the Patriots?
The Patriots won three Super Bowls in four years, but when they won their first Super Bowl in 2001, they were huge underdogs to the Rams, and their leader was still a wide-eyed kid who had yet to really become the quarterback we have seen for the past few seasons. During their prime, yes the Patriots won back to back Super Bowls, but that only further proves my point.
When opportunity knocks in the NFL, you better answer fast. Injuries change NFL seasons more than any other sport. The Patriots can tell you about that when Tom Brady got hurt in 2008 after setting the world on fire in 2007, but losing to the Giants in the Super Bowl. Brady hurt, season over.
The Falcons stayed healthy for the most part this season. They earned the NFC's number one seed, a bye in the first round, and had their two biggest concerns (Saints and Eagles) lose last week. Sure the Packers are a good team, this is the playoffs! You don't get to play teams like Carolina in the playoffs.
This franchise has done amazing things in the past three seasons. Yes they have a lot of pieces in place to continue to be a force in the NFC. But you can't take anything for granted in the NFL, and when things fall your way, you had better capitalize and get the ring.
This afternoon, either the Bears or the Seahawks will advance to play the Packers in the NFC title game. And Falcon fans will sit back and wonder, what might have been?
What might have been is the thought that this town is used to wondering, but for the Falcons, let's just hope that they take this loss as a very painful lesson. Because there is no guarantee that this team will ever have a clearer path to the Super Bowl than the one they had this season.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
NFL Playoff Preview: Wild Card Weekend
The NFL playoffs get underway on Saturday afternoon with the defending Super Bowl Champion Saints visiting the champions (read survivors) of the NFC West, the Seattle Seahawks. On paper, this one shouldn’t really be close. The Saints went 11-5 this season and seem to be hitting their stride late in the season. Despite a Week 17 loss to the Bucs, the Saints have all of their weapons healthy and primed for another run to the Super Bowl.
The Seahawks on the other hand, were the last team to clinch a birth into the playoffs. They beat the St. Louis Rams on Sunday night to win the west, and the right to host a playoff game, despite their 7-9 record. That is right; they had a losing record on the season.
Drew Brees is one of the best quarterbacks in the league, and Sean Payton has the experience of leading the Saints to the promise land one year ago. The Seahawks don’t even know who their quarterback will be, and Seahawks coach Pete Carroll wouldn’t exactly be my first choice to lead anything.
Saints 30 Seahawks 13
Saturday Night features one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the NFL, and one of the biggest talkers in the history of the NFL. Peyton Manning leads his Colts into the playoffs for a record tying 9th consecutive year. Rex Ryan took the Jets to the AFC Championship Game last year, only to fall to these same Colts. Ryan said earlier in the week that it was “personal” for the Jets, and for Ryan, who has only managed to beat Peyton Manning once in the six times the two have faced each other.
Manning is without many of the weapons that he is accustomed to having come playoff time. However, Manning has confirmed his greatness by leading backups into the NFL’s second season. The Colts defense will have to contend with second year quarterback Mark Sanchez. In the playoffs, you look to the quarterback to lead you to victory. I think this will be a close game, and in a close game, give me the League’s Most Valuable Player rather than the League’s Most Inconsistent Star Who Isn’t Really a Star.
Jets 20 Colts 26
On Sunday, the Ravens visit the Chiefs in a game that I wouldn’t even watch if you paid me. I don’t think there is a more team as good and boring as the Ravens. Their only interesting player, Ray Lewis, is about 50 years old, and seems to have a lot more bark these days than bite. CBS really got the shaft having only this game to televise this weekend. I’ll make a pick, but I don’t care in the least.
Ravens 17 Chiefs 13 (The real losers are people who watch this game)
Wild Card weekend ends with what I believe will be the best game of the weekend. Mike Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles take on Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Although the Eagles will be playing at home, the cold won’t have any effect on the Packers, which will take away some of the home field advantage.
Everyone in the world knows about Mike Vick’s story. His comeback this season has been remarkable. However, Vick has never been to a Super Bowl, and has been injured on more than one occasion this season. Vick sat out last week’s game because of injury, and there has been no word about whether he will be 100% for the Packers game on Sunday.
Aaron Rodgers has to be the cockiest quarterback in the league, who has no reason to be cocky. Rodgers always seems to play with a chip on his shoulder, and argues with the officials about as well as he throws. He is a good quarterback, but it makes you wonder if he has the mental toughness to go on the road to win a playoff game.
The Packers have not had a running game all season, and I wouldn’t expect them to find one on Sunday. The Eagles have had big problems in their secondary, but without having to respect the running game of the Packers, they should be able to at least limit Rodgers ability to throw the ball. Vick is the difference in the game, because of his ability to improvise and stay out of the clutches of the Packer’s Clay Matthews.
Packers 26 Eagles 30
If the Wild Card games work out as I predict, the matchups for the Divisional Playoffs would be as follows:
AFC:
Ravens @ Patriots
Colts @ Steelers
NFC:
Saints @ Falcons
Eagles @ Bears
Who Dat guy who don’t want to play them Saints again? That would be me.
GO SEAHAWKS!
The Seahawks on the other hand, were the last team to clinch a birth into the playoffs. They beat the St. Louis Rams on Sunday night to win the west, and the right to host a playoff game, despite their 7-9 record. That is right; they had a losing record on the season.
Drew Brees is one of the best quarterbacks in the league, and Sean Payton has the experience of leading the Saints to the promise land one year ago. The Seahawks don’t even know who their quarterback will be, and Seahawks coach Pete Carroll wouldn’t exactly be my first choice to lead anything.
Saints 30 Seahawks 13
Saturday Night features one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the NFL, and one of the biggest talkers in the history of the NFL. Peyton Manning leads his Colts into the playoffs for a record tying 9th consecutive year. Rex Ryan took the Jets to the AFC Championship Game last year, only to fall to these same Colts. Ryan said earlier in the week that it was “personal” for the Jets, and for Ryan, who has only managed to beat Peyton Manning once in the six times the two have faced each other.
Manning is without many of the weapons that he is accustomed to having come playoff time. However, Manning has confirmed his greatness by leading backups into the NFL’s second season. The Colts defense will have to contend with second year quarterback Mark Sanchez. In the playoffs, you look to the quarterback to lead you to victory. I think this will be a close game, and in a close game, give me the League’s Most Valuable Player rather than the League’s Most Inconsistent Star Who Isn’t Really a Star.
Jets 20 Colts 26
On Sunday, the Ravens visit the Chiefs in a game that I wouldn’t even watch if you paid me. I don’t think there is a more team as good and boring as the Ravens. Their only interesting player, Ray Lewis, is about 50 years old, and seems to have a lot more bark these days than bite. CBS really got the shaft having only this game to televise this weekend. I’ll make a pick, but I don’t care in the least.
Ravens 17 Chiefs 13 (The real losers are people who watch this game)
Wild Card weekend ends with what I believe will be the best game of the weekend. Mike Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles take on Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Although the Eagles will be playing at home, the cold won’t have any effect on the Packers, which will take away some of the home field advantage.
Everyone in the world knows about Mike Vick’s story. His comeback this season has been remarkable. However, Vick has never been to a Super Bowl, and has been injured on more than one occasion this season. Vick sat out last week’s game because of injury, and there has been no word about whether he will be 100% for the Packers game on Sunday.
Aaron Rodgers has to be the cockiest quarterback in the league, who has no reason to be cocky. Rodgers always seems to play with a chip on his shoulder, and argues with the officials about as well as he throws. He is a good quarterback, but it makes you wonder if he has the mental toughness to go on the road to win a playoff game.
The Packers have not had a running game all season, and I wouldn’t expect them to find one on Sunday. The Eagles have had big problems in their secondary, but without having to respect the running game of the Packers, they should be able to at least limit Rodgers ability to throw the ball. Vick is the difference in the game, because of his ability to improvise and stay out of the clutches of the Packer’s Clay Matthews.
Packers 26 Eagles 30
If the Wild Card games work out as I predict, the matchups for the Divisional Playoffs would be as follows:
AFC:
Ravens @ Patriots
Colts @ Steelers
NFC:
Saints @ Falcons
Eagles @ Bears
Who Dat guy who don’t want to play them Saints again? That would be me.
GO SEAHAWKS!
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