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kentkel

kentkel

Well-Known Member
Apr 12, 2006
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This division is shaping up to possibly be one of the toughest in baseball (I know it is quite early in the season). As I look at the teams, St Louis, if they can get their offense in gear and shore up some spotty field play, they could likely take the division. The Reds, 7-3 in the last 10 games, have two pitchers (Cueto and Simon) that have under a 1.50 ERA, and have looked better as of late. I also think the Pirates have the ability to pull it together - they lost a tough one last night (tough to not get at least a game-tying run with multiple runners in scoring position). I'm still unsure about the Cubs - three of their starting 5 pitchers have really good ERAs, but not a lot of run support - can their offense come to life?
So far, the biggest surprise has been my Brewers. It is a long season, but the initial results are promising. My biggest concern is that they lost 2 home series to Atlanta and St Louis. If you want to win the division it is vital to beat the "big boys" especially on your home turf. With the Crew's pitching so far, I am excited for the season. Now, hopefully I can say the same thing come September.
 
kentkel said:
This division is shaping up to possibly be one of the toughest in baseball (I know it is quite early in the season). As I look at the teams, St Louis, if they can get their offense in gear and shore up some spotty field play, they could likely take the division. The Reds, 7-3 in the last 10 games, have two pitchers (Cueto and Simon) that have under a 1.50 ERA, and have looked better as of late. I also think the Pirates have the ability to pull it together - they lost a tough one last night (tough to not get at least a game-tying run with multiple runners in scoring position). I'm still unsure about the Cubs - three of their starting 5 pitchers have really good ERAs, but not a lot of run support - can their offense come to life?
So far, the biggest surprise has been my Brewers. It is a long season, but the initial results are promising. My biggest concern is that they lost 2 home series to Atlanta and St Louis. If you want to win the division it is vital to beat the "big boys" especially on your home turf. With the Crew's pitching so far, I am excited for the season. Now, hopefully I can say the same thing come September.
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Dont be. They suck and that should not be a surprise. The top of the Cubs rotation is pretty solid, but the Cubs still struggle to score runs (esp with RISP), and their bullpen is god aweful once again (2 for 6 in save opportunities). The Cubs suck, and it sucks even more that they play in the best division in baseball.
 
Rabbuk said:
Cubs 8.5 back in april. Oh lawdy.
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To be fair, they are in the division with the team with the best record in baseball. In some of the other divisions, that deficit would be far less. It is still early in the season, and wouldn't count anyone out of it. Perhaps, that is because I am a Brewers fan and am always cautiously optimistic if the Brewers start well. This dates me, but when the Crew were members of the AL East, they started 13-0, but ended up 3rd in the division (91-71) &, obviously, missed the playoffs. The teams in the NL Central, I believe, are extremely tough & a third place finish could very well be the fate of my team. I hope not - I think there is potential on the Brewers to be a playoff team & even win at least one post-season series.
 
If the Redbirds can start hitting consistently and end the mind numbing errors they should win the division, but it won't be easy.
 
CyCrazy said:
If the Redbirds can start hitting consistently and end the mind numbing errors they should win the division, but it won't be easy.
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When I first heard of Waino's injury, I thought that could be a big blow to the Cardinals. However, the injury (hyperex knee) doesn't seem (to Cardinal staff) to be a serious injury. That said, I have been really impressed with the rest of the Redbird's pitching - that Lyons looks to be a good, young arm. Because, I am a Brewers fan, I'd be just fine with the Cardinals continuing their offensive & fielding woes. :smile: (Unfortunately, I don't think that will happen).
 
Considering my Reds started the season with 8 of their 25 man roster on the DL, including their number 1 pitcher, both 8th inning setup men, and their closer, I will be happy with a .500 record in April. Once everyone is back, I fully expect a 90 win season at least, or it will be a disappointment.
 
The Cubs make it difficult to be a Cubs fan.

Due to the TV contracts and team debt load they won't really be players in the free agent market until 2019 or so. So it's just time to hope the kids down on the farm will develop and give us a competitive product at Wrigley

In the mean time they try to kick my favorite beer out of Wrigley, built a horrible spring training home, and rolled out a terrible mascot.
 
KnappShack said:
The Cubs make it difficult to be a Cubs fan.

Due to the TV contracts and team debt load they won't really be players in the free agent market until 2019 or so. So it's just time to hope the kids down on the farm will develop and give us a competitive product at Wrigley

In the mean time they try to kick my favorite beer out of Wrigley, built a horrible spring training home, and rolled out a terrible mascot.
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Also, they're difficult to catch on TV if you don't have Comcast, so it's tougher to stay connected by watching the games.
 
CycloneErik said:
Also, they're difficult to catch on TV if you don't have Comcast, so it's tougher to stay connected by watching the games.
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This is true. Pulling games from WGN might make them more money now, but that's how they built the national brand. I watch the games on MLB.TV but I have to shell out some decent dough to get that package. I wouldn't pay that if I didn't get hooked during the WGN days.

Also pulling the single A team out of Peoria just invites that area to become Cardinals fans. My hometown used to be about 50-50 Cubs/Cards. But now the Cardinals games are on the local cable and not the Cubs. It's almost hard to find a Cubs fan in town now
 
SerenityNow said:
Considering my Reds started the season with 8 of their 25 man roster on the DL, including their number 1 pitcher, both 8th inning setup men, and their closer, I will be happy with a .500 record in April. Once everyone is back, I fully expect a 90 win season at least, or it will be a disappointment.
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Agreed. Although I still think Cueto is our #1. But yea, it's pretty much 1a & 1b between him and Latos.
 
CycloneErik said:
The last couple of years, no doubt.
When things turn around, it would be nice to see.

Now fire away.
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Oh I agree, when Central Iowa switched from FS North to FS Midwest out of STL I was pumped. Get to see every STL game. I can't get myself to kick the Cubs when they are down anymore. I hate the Reds and especially Brandon Phillips much more than the Cubs.
 
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