Posted on 07/16/2008 10:35:12 AM PDT by rexgrossmansonlyfan
Okay as we just had the All Star Game (what a thrilling game) what does everyone think as we head into the 2nd half?
Which is your favorite team and players?
They just made a major trade and are getting one of their best players back in about a week.
This is the best Cubs team I've ever seen slightly ahead of the 1984 team.
And a truly great story is developing the comeback of Kerry Wood who was a day from calling it quits a year ago and is now dominating as a closer.
And keep an eye on Geovany Soto the probably ROY.
I predict
NL Cubs, Dbacks and Phillies. Brewers as wild card.
Cubs over Dbacks Phillies over Brewers Cubs over Phillies
AL White Sox, Angels and Boston. Tampa as Wild card.
White Sox over Tampa. Angels over Red Sox
White Sox over Angels
All Chicago world series Cubs win in 5 on a homerun in the 15th by Kerry Wood.
And this is not a pipe dream. Cubs are loaded for bear and Jim Hendry is not done yet. Probably another big trade and one or two medium ones before July is out.
And to any As fans. You guys are going to get the best of this trade long term. Sean Gallagher is going to be an outstanding pitcher and Eric Patterson is a diamond in the rough.
Also on Jim Hendry. It could be interesting. Ownership is in flux and his contract is up. Wouldn’t be surprised if Steinbrenner pays him a call.
Oh, boy. You took the wind out of my sail. Cubs all the way and a cross-town World Series. Hey! Hey! Hey! It could get no better than this.
Cubbies and Red Sox at this point. The Cubs last won a WS a hundred years ago.
Boston fans are the city of champions, the way New York was in the late sixties. (Mets, Jets, Knicks) Cub fans have the Bartman debacle to get over. They are like Red Sox fans with their patience.
SNIFF, SNIFF...
I would be a bit surprised if the White Sox hung made it to the series. The winner of that division will be the weakest team in the AL. Detroit is probably the best of that bunch, but played horribly the first two months. I think they end up taking the division, but the Angels go to the WS against the Cubbies. The Cubbie fans are very loyal and would go absolutely nuts if they won.
The Yanks will sign Barry Bonds and make a run to secure the Wild Card. They’ll also get a pitcher or two before the deadline.
Cubs vs. Yanks in the World Series. The team that hasn’t won in exactly a century vs. the team that has won over 1/4 of all WS titles in that same time frame. ...in two of the most storied ballparks of all time.
A ratings bonanza for MLB like never before.
It would be an interesting matchup. Kind of similar to when the Bulls won their 1st NBA title going against the Lakers.
I still think the Yankees next GM is currently working at Clark and Addison.
That would be, but I don't think the Bombers will sign that a$$hat from SanFran...I HOPE they don't...
When have the Angels bested the Sox in the playoffs? Sox own those Disney chumps. I’d say the Twins or even the Tigers might make a play for the Wild Card if Tampa flames out.
Come on!...You know the Cubs will find a way to choke at some point.
One thing is certain: the Yanks' bats have been pathetic. ...especially with runners in scoring position (they rank 12th in the AL on that score). They need a modern day "straw that stirs the drink."
The sports media will have no problem finding stories, that's for sure.
They should do it anyway - Bonds can help them. A lot.
Yep. Last year Bonds led MLG in on-base % (.565) and hit 28 HRs in only 340 ABs. The SOB can still mash with the best of ‘em. Yeah, it’d be a circus, but what else is new in NY? Might even take some pressure off (sensitive) A-Rod.
MLB, that is.
During a non-game day, a earthquake hits near downtown Seattle, a large sinkhole appears, and Safeco Field disappears in a merciful biblical type way.
Nah, I think he'd be more of a distraction than anything...besides, the offensive juggernaut usually doesn't really turn on the heat until the latter half of the season. Unfortunately, they have less than half of the season to go at this point (67 games, I believe) and it'll be a challenge, that's for sure. Losing Wang really hurt this team, as did the underwhelming performance of the rookie pitchers (Hughes and Kennedy). I am cautiously optimistic, however, that they'll turn it around and they'll be in good shape for the post season (if they can get going offensively before then) once Wang comes back.
On a team with A-Rod?!?!
Absolutely...granted, A-Rod's no saint but I think that adding Bonds into that mix would be like adding fuel to an already burning fire. Look at the hell that Giambi and the Yankees caught after his admission to using steroids. You think the Yanks would catch any less hell if they signed Bonds? Besides, they already tried the whole 'hire-a-near-retired-guy-midway-through-the-season' thing and remember how that worked out? Less than lackluster, that's for sure...
That All Star game was too long. Was a good game, but by the time they gave the MVP award, it was 2 a.m. and hardly any fans were still in the stadium. Over half had left before the game was over. They should start the game earlier in the evening. I’m sure glad it didn’t end in a tie. I bet they will add more pitches to the All Star teams next year so they have more available just in case of extra innings again.
Where you been pal? Disney hasn’t owned the Angels since they won the World Series.
I can see that happening. Far lower pressure environment in TB as well.
Red Sox in 5 games (yah,they’re slipping) over the....Cubs? (no).....Cardinals? (no).....Mets.Yup that’s it! Red Sox in 5 over them amazin’ Mets.
the mets have won 9 in a row and are still going. we’ll just see if those damn phillies can keep pace.
I know they don’t own them anymore, but they still have a rather gayed out Disney persona. I guess that’s just part of West Coast baseball.
If only the Rangers could get one decent pitcher, with their offense, they could still make a run at the Wild Card.
(BTW, I was a Rex Grossman fan, when he was at Florida)
This Yankee fan is real excited about the Knicks. They have a new President, a new coach, and the next Dirk Nowitzki (I can dream can’t I, he has never even played a regular season game). My ONLY hope is the Yankees play bad enough or well enough or whatever takes for the blabbering brothers Steinbrenner to get rid Cashman. If Isiah and Cashman could be gone in the same year, oh what a breath of fresh air!
I would LOVE to see a CHW vs. LAA playoff. That would rock since both teams are so well matched. CHW has a tougher division to deal with though so they are going to have to play tough, since the Angels will walk into the playoffs in their division.
The key stat to look at is what teams have a winning road record. Very rarely does a team win all their home games throughout the playoffs like the Minnesota Twins did in ‘87 and ‘91. And a look at the standings show the the Angels have one of if not the best record on the road so I might reluctantly pick them.
I worry about the Cubs road record. They are 6 under 500 on the road. But the recent spat of trouble was without Zambrano or Soriano. And Reed Johnson who while nothing to write home about has played well.
Some weird things are happening which point to this being the Cubs year. Besides the 100 year thing.
It’s time the breaks went the Cubs way.
Finally for the first time they are making runs without hitting the long ball. They are taking walks. They play their butts off.
This is also a team where the saying sometimes the whole is greater than the sum of its parts holds true.
The Cubs are so full of stories beyond the 100 year thing.
You have the heart and soul of the Cubs franchise since 1998 who one year ago was thisclose to retiring being talked into giving it one more try and now he’s dominating as a closer in Kerry Wood, who is the absolutely nicest most down to earth person you could ever meet (and extremely conservative).
And besides Kerry and his wife and kids just moved in across the street from my Mom.
The Rangers have a solid base they need some pitching help.
Interesting to see if they make a run to sign Kerry as a free agent in the offseason. (I expect the Cubs to tie him up this week though).
There were rumors the Mets were sniffing around interviewing Bob Brenly Cubs broadcaster when they fired Randolph. Where else could you get a manager who’s won a world series mid season?
But reports here have Bob not wanting to take over a team mid season.
Count me as a Cubs and Bears fan who is really excited about the Blackhawks and depressed about the Bulls.
You know what’s amazing is the Cubs and Dodgers have an almost exactly even 500 record against each other in something like 2000 games.
My Dad used to tell me when I was little he’d buy me a pony when the Cubs won the series. Well, when this happens IM DEMANDING MY PONY!
Knowing my Dad he’ll go out and get me a stuffed animal pony or something like that.
Good to know Wood is a conservative. After the Yanks I’m pulling for the Cubs. ...especially if they meet the Red Sox in the WS.
My only concern is their record away from Wrigley. ...a weak 20 - 26. Great teams win on the road, and the Cubs haven’t been able to do so. (The AL champ will have home field advantage in the WS yet again).
Top 3 road records in MLB:
Angels: 31 - 18
Cardinals: 27 - 22
Phillies: 25 - 21
NL, Cubs, Phillies and Dodgers, Brewers as the wild card.
Brewers & Cubs in the NLCS. Edge to the Cubs.
AL
Boston, Minnesota, Angels White Sox as the wild card.
Boston and the Angels in the ALCS
Angels and Cubs WS
Angels Champions
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