Finally………It seems like it’s been an eternity since we’ve heard the crack of the bat, smelt the aroma of a ball park frank, and felt the crunching of peanuts shells on the bottoms of our sneakers while scooting past someone to get to our seats without spilling our frosty beverage.
Baseball is back! Sunday night baseball kicked things off last night with the 2008 World Series Champion Phillies falling to the young but talented Braves 4-1. The Braves got to Phillies starter Brett Meyers early netting 2 in the first and 2 in the second thanks to 3 home runs in the span of 5 batters. After Chipper Jones singled with 2 outs in the first, Brian McCann stepped up to the plate and hit a majestic shot into the second deck in right field. Leading off the 2nd Jeff Francoeur with his new and improved approach at the plate hit a laser beam over the leftfield wall on the first pitch he saw from Brett Meyers. 2 batters later the Braves rookie center fielder Jordan Schafer crushed one to deep center hitting a homerun in his first Major League at bat. He’s the 99th player in major league history to hit a homerun in his first major league at bat. The Braves newly acquired starter Derek Lowe was brilliant going 8 scoreless innings giving up only 2 hits.
Today will be opening day for almost everyone else. Though the White Sox and Royals tilt has been postponed due to high winds and snow in the forecast in the Windy City. Since baseball is back in full swing, let’s take a look at each division over the course of the week and try to predict how things will shake out.
American League East:
After missing the playoffs for the first time since 1993 the New York Yankees have re-tooled, or should we say started the Steinbrenner printing press and landed some key free agents. The new Yankee’s roster includes top pitching free agents CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett as well as slugging first baseman Mark Teixeira. Things may get a bit dicey in the bullpen, but stopper Mariano Rivera looks to add another hall of fame season to his list of accomplishments.
The Red Sox will be looking to regain the top spot in the East this year. Their lineup will be nearly the same as late last season after the trade of Manny to the Dodgers. Jon Lester will be looking to have a CY Young contending season on the mound with top starters Josh Beckett and Daisuke Matsuzaka helping lead the charge for the Red Sox pitching staff. With the bats the Red Sox look ever so dangerous with reigning MVP Dustin Pedroia looking to continue his red hot hitting. He will have a host of other sluggers in the lineup as well, including David Ortiz, Jason Bay, and Kevin Youkilis. In the late innings closer Jonathon Papelbon looks to keep the door shut all season.
Tampa Bay the reining AL East champs look to defend their title this year, with one of the younger line ups in Major League baseball. Top prospect David Price was sent down to triple-A after a lack luster spring, but the Rays are still strong on the hill especially with Kazmir, Shields, and Garza at the top of the rotation. At the dish BJ Upton, Carl Crawford, and Evan Longoria look confident to put up big numbers. Adding Pat “the bat” Burrell will also help give them some depth in the outfield. Closer Troy Percival and lefty specialist Brian Shouse look to win some games out of the bullpen for the Rays. We’ll see if they can reverse the curse of the World Series runner up failing to make the playoffs the past few years.
It’s been a long time since there has been this kind of buzz in Baltimore over baseball. The Orioles have done a good job in the off season to try and shore up their roster. You won’t see any spectacular names on the scorecard, but with Brian Roberts leading the charge, the Orioles line up looks to put up more runs in 2009 after only 782 in 2008. On the rubber is where the Orioles would like to see a vast improvement. Last year the Orioles had the 2nd worst ERA in all of baseball at 5.13. Closer George Sherrill should keep things shored up in the late innings as long as the offense can keep them in games.
Last be certainly not least are the Toronto Blue Jays. Our north of the border club looks to be a strong contender on paper, but will need to see some improvement in the lineup as well as the starting rotation this season. Top RBI man Alex Rios and top HR man Vernon Wells will have to have big seasons if the Blue Jays want to compete in this division. A healthy Scott Rolen will help give them some pop out of the hot corner as well. On the mound Ace Roy Holliday will need another CY Young type season as the rest of the rotation looks weak. The Blue Jays coaching staff is still wondering where BJ Ryan’s velocity is after dropping anywhere from 3-5 mph on his fastball in the spring. Look for someone else to step up if BJ Ryan can’t get the job done in the 9th.
My prediction for this division is as follows:
1. Boston Red Sox 96-66 (Division Winner)
2. New York Yankees 92-70 (Wild Card Winner)
3. Tampa Bay Rays 89-73
4. Baltimore Orioles 81-81
5. Toronto Blue Jays 77-85
American League Central
We’ll start with the 2008 AL Central Champs the Chicago White Sox. With the bats, Carlos Quentin and Jermaine Dye look to continue to put up big numbers while catcher AJ Pierzynski tries to turn things around. Thome will also factor in with his ever dangerous presence in the DH spot. The White Sox had 3 players (Quentin, Dye, and Thome) w/ over 30 jacks last year. We’ll see if they can repeat that feat. On the other side of the coin, the addition of veteran Bartolo Colon looks to help what could be a strong season for the White Sox starting pitching. Bobby Jenks and Octavio Dotel will be tough to manufacture runs against if the White Sox keep the lead in the latter innings.
The always competitive Minnesota Twins came up a game short last season and look to reclaim their top spot in the division. With slugging catcher Joe Mauer starting the season on the DL Justin Morneau may have to put this offense on his back and carry the load for a couple weeks or so. The addition of a healthy Joe Crede will also help tremendously at the dish. On the mound Francisco Liriano and Kevin Slowey will have to put up lots of W’s as the back of end of the rotation has some questions. In the bullpen the Twins look strong with Joe Nathan slotted to slam the door in tight games.
The Cleveland Indians look to build on a .500 season and may be the class of this division in 2009. A healthy Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez will help the offense in ’09. Cliff Lee the reigning AL CY Young winner will make an up 1/2 of a good one two punch with Fausto Carmona. In the bullpen the Indians hope that adding Kerry Wood will mesh good with Rafael Betancourt and make the 8th and 9th innings short for Cleveland.
In Kansas City fans hope the Royals will climb even farther out of the basement and compete for an AL Central crown. Key additions include Mike Jacobs and a much needed leadoff hitter in Coco Crisp. Jacobs’s looks to aid Jose Guillen in the power department as the Royals had the lowest amount of homeruns in baseball in 2008. Gil Meche and Zack Greinke will be a nice 2 headed monster at the top of the rotation and the addition of Kyle Farnsworth gives the Royals some reinforcement to the bridge between the starters and their stop sign at closer better known as Joakim Soria.
Since being World Series runner up in 2006, Jim Leyland and the Detroit Tigers haven’t been in playoff contention the past couple of seasons. Fans in the motor city hope Miguel Cabrera and Magglio Ordonez can carry the load offensively as the starting rotation may get a bit dicey if Justin Verlander and Edwin Jackson struggle early. Fernando Rodney and Brandon Lyon make up the closer by committee and Leyland is hopeful that Rodney can be lights out in the 9th to leave Lyon securely in the set up role.
My predictions for this division are as follows:
1. Cleveland Indians – 85 – 77 (Division Winner)
2. Chicago White Sox – 81 – 81
3. Minnesota Twins – 80 – 82*
4. Kansas City Royals – 79 – 83
5. Detroit Tigers - 79 - 83
*Editor's Note: TWINS WILL WIN THE DIVISION!
American League West:
The LA Angels have dominated this division the past couple of seasons, including 2008 when they won the division by a staggering 21 games. The Angels do have some injury problems starting the season with starters John Lackey and Ervin Santana on the shelf. They will need strong contributions from Jared Weaver and Joe Saunders while their top 2 re-coop. At the dish veterans Vlad Guerrero and Torii Hunter will lead a powerful outfield, while Howie Kendrick and Chone Figgins look to do damage from infield positions. Brian Fuentes got his first choice in the Angels out of free agency, but will have large shoes to fill with the departure of Francisco Rodriguez.
The Oakland Athletics look to give the Angels a tough road to winning this division with their off season moves acquiring Matt Holliday, Jason Giambi, and Orlando Cabrera. Giambi makes it back to the west coast after 8 seasons with the Yankees. He hopes to rekindle the relationship with the fans and his bat, as Giambi had 3 consecutive seasons hitting over .300 and slamming over 30 homeruns before departing for New York in 2002. Holliday is sure to give him some protection in the middle of the lineup, or will Giambi be doing the protecting of Holliday. With Justin Duchscherer on the DL starters Dallas Braden and Dana Eveland will have to pitch well for the Athletics to have success early in the season. The A’s are another AL west team to lose their closer (Huston Street) from 2008, but Brad Ziegler looks to fill that void.
Up in Seattle the Mariners look to rebound from a putrid season in 2008. Hopefully the return of former Seattle hero Ken Griffey Jr. will wake up the bats in Seattle. Third baseman Adrian Beltre and first baseman Russell Branyan look to help out Griffey in the HR and RBI department. Though perennial batting champ contender Ichiro Susuki will begin the season on the shelf with a bleeding ulcer. From the hill the Mariners look strong on paper, and ace Felix Hernandez looks to compete for a CY Young. In the pen closer Brandon Morrow will replace JJ Putz, and that will be a key to the success or demise of the Mariners.
Heading south to Texas, the Rangers will try to slug their way to the playoffs with Josh Hamilton, Michael Young, and Ian Kinsler leading the charge. We’ll see if Hamilton can put up big numbers again after his renaissance from a year ago. I don’t know if the Rangers have the horses on the mound, but Kevin Millwood and Vicente Padilla will do their best to limit opposing hitters while their sluggers put on a show. In the bullpen Frank Francisco will try to shorten games while last year’s closer CJ Wilson will try and hold it till Friancisco climbs the hill.
My predictions for this division are as follows:
1. Oakland Athletics – 86 – 76 (Division winner)
2. Los Angeles Angels – 85 – 77
3. Seattle Mariners – 75 – 87
4. Texas Rangers – 69 - 93
National League East:
Switching gears to the senior circuit let’s see how the National League East will pan out.
The Atlanta Braves farm system has been rated near the top for as long as I can remember. They’ll need some of those youngsters to step up to the big leagues this year and play well to be competitive in this division. Rookie centerfielder Jordan Schafer hit a homerun in his first major league at bat, but Bobby Cox explains that he’s not a homerun hitter and hopes Jordan will not put too much pressure on himself. Chipper Jones, the reigning batting champ in the NL looks to show the youngster how it’s done. On the mound the Braves take a big hit with Tim Hudson on the DL, but Derek Lowe looks to anchor this team in the starting rotation and if the opening game was any indication, I would say Lowe is going to be sharp all summer. At closer the Braves feature lefty Mike Gonzalez.
In Miami, the Florida Marlins should have a solid line up with the likes of Dan Uggla and Hanley Ramirez. Cody Ross and Emilio Bonifacio look to add some pop as well. The young pitching staff has lots of questions. Ricky Nolasco, Josh Johnson and Chris Volstad will have to eat up a lot of innings for this starting rotation to be successful. Leo Nunez and Matt Lindstrom will try to hold down the fort in the late innings.
Ahh the New York Mets. Maybe opening a new ball park this year will help them deter another monumental collapse in September as was the case in 2007 and 2008. The Mets didn’t just pick up 1 top notch closer, but actually nabbed 2 out of free agency. Closers JJ Putz and Francisco Rodriguez will surely help with the late inning heartburn of Mets fans. From the starts the Mets will be looking for another strong season out of ace Johan Santana. At the plate the Mets will be strong again with David Wright and Carlos Delgado packing a lot of pop at the corner infield positions.
I believe that starting pitching can be a concern for the defending World Champs, as other than Cole Hamels, the Philadelphia Phillies look think thin in the rotation. Doesn’t look like they will have any problems in the pen as closer Brad Lidge doesn’t look like he is going to blow a save the rest of this millennium. This team will definitely put up some runs with Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and the addition of Raul Ibanez.
The lowly Washington Nationals will hope not to be dusting the cellar all season, and the addition of slugger Adam Dunn could help. With Ryan Zimmerman being healthy as well, things will start to turn around in Washington. On the hill John Lannan and Scott Olson should be a good one two punch, but the bullpen may be a bit suspect. The Nationals will make a push to turn the corner this year, but I think contention for this team is still a couple of years out.
My predications for this division are as follows:
1. New York Mets – 92 – 70 (Division winner)
2. Philadelphia Phillies – 88 – 74 (Wild Card winner)
3. Atlanta Braves – 82 – 80
4. Florida Marlins – 75 – 87
5. Washington Nationals – 71 – 91
National League Central:
Let’s start with the division winner the past couple of seasons, the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs will be strong again in 2009, but will look to make it past the first round of the playoffs, after being swept by Man Ram and the LA Dodgers a season ago. The Chicago roster will look very similar to the 2008 season. Additions include Milton Bradley, Aaron Heilman and Aaron Miles. The only key departures from a year ago are Mark Derosa and Kerry Wood. The Cubs swung the bat very well in 2009 and the addition of Bradley should give them even more pop. On the mound Carlos Zambrano and Ryan Demster look to shut down opposing offenses as they did a year ago. In the pen Carlos Marmol is just nasty, with Kevin Gregg keeping the seat warm in the closers role.
In Cincinnati, the Reds hope to turn in a good season, with a group of talented youngsters. Second baseman Brandon Phillips coupled with outfielder Jay Bruce will give this team some good at bats while Joey Votto will try to replace the bat of slugging outfielder Adam Dunn, who left town during free agency. Aaron Harang will try and turn things around this season and fellow starter Edinson Volquez hopes to continue his success on the mound. Francisco Cordero will try and keep teams at bay in the late innings if the Reds can put some runs on the board. Look for the Reds to push for the division lead early in 2009.
The Houston Astros usually struggle early and make a late surge for the playoffs. This year things could go either way. Houston has a lot of fire power at the plate with the likes of veterans Lance Berkman, Miguel Tejada, and Carlos Lee. The addition of Ivan Rodriguez could make the middle of the Astros lineup even more dangerous. On the hill Roy Oswalt will anchor the starting rotation as usual, but Houston will also be looking for strong seasons out of Wandy Rodriguez and free agent acquisition Mike Hampton. The 8th and 9th will be controlled by LaTroy Hawkins and Jose Valverde. Closing games might be a weakness for the Astros.
The Milwaukee Brewers are hunting for another playoff berth in 2009 and they definitely have the horses at the plate. Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun, and Mike Cameron will provide tons of power in the middle of the lineup. The Brewers major questions will be on the rubber. The loss of CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets will hurt the starting rotation. In the bullpen Carlos Villanueva will have to close games till ailing free agent acquisition Trevor Hoffman returns from the DL. Look for the Brewers to put up a lot of runs, but to give up a lot of runs as well.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have not been to the playoffs since 1992. General manager Neal Huntington and manager John Russell hope that 2009 is when the Pirates begin to turn the page. The loss of Jason Bay last season will hurt in the homerun department, but All-Star Nate McLouth looks to charge this Pirate offense. Youngster Nyjer Morgan’s speed will also help put some pressure on opponent’s defenses and will take away some extra base hits in the field. Pitching wise Pittsburgh hopes 2009 is the year their pitching prospects live up to their potential. Paul Maholm, Ian Snell, and Zach Duke have lots of potential, but Pittsburgh needs results. The bullpen looks solid with John Grabow and Matt Capps being the door closers.
Growing up in St. Louis being a Cardinals fan makes it hard to write an un-biased review of the team, but I’ll do my best to keep my fandom out of it. The major question revolving around the Cardinals is the health of their starting rotation. If Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright stay healthy the Redbirds will have a shot at this division. If not, look for the Cardinals to struggle. The bullpen could be another weak spot, as un proven rookie closer Jason Motte has already had a mental collapse in game 1 of the season, blowing a 4-2 lead in the top of the 9th against the Pirates. The addition of Dennys Reyes and return of Josh Kinney may have to help the youngster at the end of games. From the dish 2008 National League MVP is fresh off surgery to transpose a nerve near his elbow and is looking to have an enormous season. 2008 All-star Ryan Ludwick, a healthy Rick Ankiel, and touted rookie Colby Rasmus look to provide power and protection from the outfield positions. In the field Skip Schumaker moves from the outfield to second base, an experiment that will see its ups and downs, but will keep his bat in the lineup.
My predictions for this division are as follows:
1. Chicago Cubs – 95 – 67 (Division Winner)
2. St. Louis Cardinals – 88 - 74
3. Milwaukee Brewers – 82 - 80
4. Cincinnati Reds – 80 - 82
5. Houston Astros – 75 - 87
6. Pittsburgh Pirates – 70 - 92
National League West:
The Arizona Diamondbacks will be fighting to take the division back from the LA Dodgers. Arizona has a young lineup, but they have the potential to put up a lot of runs. Their speed on the base paths will give opponents fits. Mark Reynolds and Conor Jackson will provide the power. On the mound the Diamondbacks are stacked with perennial CY Young contender Brandon Webb and Dan Haren. In the pen there are some questions about closer Chad Qualls and set up man Tony Pena.
In Colorado the Rockies will be hurt at the plate by the loss of Matt Holiday to the A’s, but a healthy Todd Helton mixed with Garret Atkins and Tory Tulowitzki will surely make the ball travel a long way in the thin air at Coors Field. The bullpen is another place the Rockies took a hit with the departure of Brian Fuentes. The addition of Huston Street combined with Manny Coropas will be valuable if the Rockies can take a lead into the 8th and 9th because they’ll surely come out with a victory.
Can Manny Ramirez take the Dodgers back to the Promised Land. After the trade from Boston Manny just put up some ridiculous numbers helping catapult the Dodgers into the playoffs. The addition of Orlando Hudson will help fill the hole left by Jeff Kent. Other sluggers include center fielder Matt Kemp, first baseman James Loney, and catcher Russell Martin. On the hill starters Hiroki Kuroda and Chad Billingsley will anchor the front end of the rotation, while 2nd year man Clayton Kershaw looks to build on his rookie campaign with a strong season. At the back end of the pen, Hong-Chih Kuo and Jonathon Broxton will be called upon in tight games.
San Diego fans hope that the weather isn’t the best part of their summer this year. Jake Peavy and Chris Young will provide a great beginning of the rotation while Cla Meredith and Heath Bell hope to get the starters some W’s by closing games late. Adrian Gonzalez hopes to have another career year while leading his offense. Kevin Kouzmanoff and Brian Giles will help him produce some much needed offense for the Padres.
Now on to the San Francisco Giants. Pitching wise this team looks good. Tim Lincecom is a force to be reckoned with on the hill, while 2nd in the rotation Matt Cain is no slouch. Adding Randy Johnson with fellow veteran Barry Zito, the young starters should get some good leadership. In the pen Bob Howry looks to hold it till the 9th when Brian Wilson will come in and put the clamps on opponents and close the door. From the dish, Aaron Rowand, Randy Winn, and Edgar Renteria will have the bulk of the pressure to put runs on the board.
My predictions for this division are as follows:
1. Los Angeles Dodgers – 92 – 70 (Division winner)
2. Arizona Diamondbacks – 85 - 77
3. San Francisco Giants – 76 - 86
4. San Diego Padres – 71 - 91
5. Colorado Rockies – 70 - 92
Our very own Peter Baird and his brigade of greasers, Los Punk Rods, will be hosting Greaserama No. 9 this weekend at the Boulevard Drive-In. It is a blast! Come with your ride or come as a spectator. 
The highest score possible with 3 darts is 180, commonly known as a "ton 80" (100 points is called a ton), obtained when all three darts land in the triple 20. In the televised game, the referee frequently announces a score of 180 in exuberant style.
This deck post was spotted on a recent trip to northern Wisconsin. All of the other decks had the same detached condition.
Samuel U. Rodgers Staff and Politicians.
Members of the project team.
Governor Jay Nixon.
Rafael Architect's Mark Bichel, Rohn Grotenhuis and Rafael Garcia.
Mayor Mark Funkhouser and Rafael Architect's Anna Smith.
