Major League Baseball: 2009 Thread
- Thread starter JohnBM01
- 625 comments
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- 3,542
- Marin County, C
Am I the only one that thinks Jim Duquette is a complete idiot? Seriously?
1. D-Backs
2. Dodgers
3. Rockies
4. Padres
5. Giants
That was his prediction... I don't see how the **** the Giants are going to place last. I'm not saying they are going to win it, but our offense is so much better then last year that were looking at 40+ more homerunes, 150+ more runs and much better pitching. And even our bullpen is crazy better (Medders, Howry, Affeldt...) What is he smoking? Then again, he also thinks the Phillys are going to win... Which I don't see possible. They only got to the playoffs because of the Mets fall, same thing with the Dodgers win because of the D-Backs falls.
I don't see how the Giants will fail... I'm just not seeing it.
1. D-Backs
2. Dodgers
3. Rockies
4. Padres
5. Giants
That was his prediction... I don't see how the **** the Giants are going to place last. I'm not saying they are going to win it, but our offense is so much better then last year that were looking at 40+ more homerunes, 150+ more runs and much better pitching. And even our bullpen is crazy better (Medders, Howry, Affeldt...) What is he smoking? Then again, he also thinks the Phillys are going to win... Which I don't see possible. They only got to the playoffs because of the Mets fall, same thing with the Dodgers win because of the D-Backs falls.
I don't see how the Giants will fail... I'm just not seeing it.
- 26,911
- Houston, Texas, USA
- JMarine25
Well, seeing the Diamondbacks on top makes TS happy. And fear not, Prosthetic... everybody (generalization) hates Houston, and not necessarily my Astros. How do you think I feel if no one gives any of my hometown teams any chance? I know very little about the Rockies, but I would have them at the bottom with San Diego. I think the Giants will be vastly improved. If they don't win the NL West, I see them put up quite a fight for the NL Wild Card. And if they do this, it will be on great pitching as well as a potent bunch of guys that'll bang the ball into McCovey Cove and around that giant baseball mitt.
Out of 160 or so games, how many games do you think the Giants will win? And can this team possibly go for a World Series this season?
Out of 160 or so games, how many games do you think the Giants will win? And can this team possibly go for a World Series this season?
- 3,542
- Marin County, C
I see them winning about 85... I see the D-Backs winning about 90 and I see the Dodgers winning 80. I don't think a WS or even close to the wild card... Next year and 5 years after that we will have at least 3 runs to the playoffs. Unless somehow, all of these prospects we have been working on for the last 5 years all the sudden suck and/or disappear. Don't think that's going to happen.
As for the Astros, I see them battling for wildcard this year with the Phillies, Cards, Brewers. It won't come out of the west I don't think.
If the Giants were going to make the playoffs, Sandoval will NEEDS to hit cleanup where he is projected to hit .315 with 20ish home runs. Lewis needs to hit 3rd and he has set him self a goal of hitting 20 HR's and 20 triples. If he is healthy the whole season (he has a bunion which effected his speed/power last year) then he could. It also depends on which Zito we get. Last year (Amazingly) he was able to get double digit wins and 180+ innings pitched. Which a lot of pitchers (specially #5 ones where he is now at) have trouble doing.
As for Cain, if he can repeat what he did last year (200+ innings, 180k's) then that will be dandy. Lincecum will have similar succes, same with Sanchez. On top of all that all we expect Johnson to do is get his 5 wins (which is more then the crap pitchers we called starters did last year) he needs to stay healthy to.
Our bullpen problems have been (Mostly) fixed up with our new acquisitions. Rowand needs to step up and Rent needs to go back to his 07' form.
As for the Dodgers, they lost a lot of pitching. Not only that they lost Jeff Kent (they did get Hudson) but Kent was one of the all time greatest hitting 2nd basemens (also a pretty good fielder.) And to put how good he was in the last couple years against the Giants, he threatened me more then ManRam. Manny can only hit (His fielding and base running is atrocious.) So he really can't carry a team when he can only do one thing, which he isn't even the best in the league at. I don't really feel like breaking down the rest of the Dodgers lineup, but there whole pitching staff has more question marks then the SAT's.
As for the Astros, I see them battling for wildcard this year with the Phillies, Cards, Brewers. It won't come out of the west I don't think.
If the Giants were going to make the playoffs, Sandoval will NEEDS to hit cleanup where he is projected to hit .315 with 20ish home runs. Lewis needs to hit 3rd and he has set him self a goal of hitting 20 HR's and 20 triples. If he is healthy the whole season (he has a bunion which effected his speed/power last year) then he could. It also depends on which Zito we get. Last year (Amazingly) he was able to get double digit wins and 180+ innings pitched. Which a lot of pitchers (specially #5 ones where he is now at) have trouble doing.
As for Cain, if he can repeat what he did last year (200+ innings, 180k's) then that will be dandy. Lincecum will have similar succes, same with Sanchez. On top of all that all we expect Johnson to do is get his 5 wins (which is more then the crap pitchers we called starters did last year) he needs to stay healthy to.
Our bullpen problems have been (Mostly) fixed up with our new acquisitions. Rowand needs to step up and Rent needs to go back to his 07' form.
As for the Dodgers, they lost a lot of pitching. Not only that they lost Jeff Kent (they did get Hudson) but Kent was one of the all time greatest hitting 2nd basemens (also a pretty good fielder.) And to put how good he was in the last couple years against the Giants, he threatened me more then ManRam. Manny can only hit (His fielding and base running is atrocious.) So he really can't carry a team when he can only do one thing, which he isn't even the best in the league at. I don't really feel like breaking down the rest of the Dodgers lineup, but there whole pitching staff has more question marks then the SAT's.
- 5,230
- Buckeye Nation
WOW.
Anybody got room for Gary Sheffield or does anybody want a 40 year old slugger ?
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090331&content_id=4093976&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
Anybody got room for Gary Sheffield or does anybody want a 40 year old slugger ?
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090331&content_id=4093976&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
- 3,542
- Marin County, C
- 3,542
- Marin County, C
Ok, so Bochy has pretty much listed the Giants 25 man roster.
Starting pitchers (5): Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Randy Johnson, Barry Zito, Jonathan Sanchez
Relievers (7): Brian Wilson, Jeremy Affeldt, Bob Howry, Alex Hinshaw, Merkin Valdez, Luis Perdomo (Ortiz and Yabu are options.. but why over Miller and Medders? WTF!!!)
Catchers (1): Bengie Molina. (WTF! No back up? They are going to over play Sandoval being the only back up catcher)
Infielders (6): 1B Travis Ishikawa, 2B Emmanuel Burriss, SS Edgar Renteria, 3B/C Pablo Sandoval, INF Rich Aurilia, INF Juan Uribe. (I hate the fact he put both Uribe and Aurilia, why not just Richie and drop crap Uribe, and bring up Frandsen... Bochy is nuts)
Outfielders (6): CF Aaron Rowand, RF Randy Winn, LF Fred Lewis, Nate Schierholtz, Andres Torres, Eugenio Velez. (6 OF's and 0 back catchers? Wow... Glad to see speedy Torres and Velez playing though)
I really hope that both Bochy and Sabean leave after this year when their contract is up. They suck big time.
Oh, and here is our annoying lineup.
RF Winn
SS Renteria
LF Lewis
C Molina
3B Sandoval
CF Rowand
1B Ishikawa
2B Burriss
Pitcher....
I would make it this...
RF Winn
2B Burriss
LF Lewis
3B Sandoval
1B Ishikawa
C Molina
SS Renteria
CF Rowand
Pitcher
That way when Molina gets on base, we won't get ****ed over by his slow running like we were last year. Sandoval is much faster (still not fast) but he still is.
Personally, Rowand should just be kicked off the team. Same with Uribe. I'm going to give Renty a chance, but if he doesn't shape up in the first half, I'm going to be pissed on his $18 million ass.
I think later on in the week, I'm going to look at every team and grade every teams off season and how they set themself in the future. I think this could get a little interesting.
Starting pitchers (5): Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Randy Johnson, Barry Zito, Jonathan Sanchez
Relievers (7): Brian Wilson, Jeremy Affeldt, Bob Howry, Alex Hinshaw, Merkin Valdez, Luis Perdomo (Ortiz and Yabu are options.. but why over Miller and Medders? WTF!!!)
Catchers (1): Bengie Molina. (WTF! No back up? They are going to over play Sandoval being the only back up catcher)
Infielders (6): 1B Travis Ishikawa, 2B Emmanuel Burriss, SS Edgar Renteria, 3B/C Pablo Sandoval, INF Rich Aurilia, INF Juan Uribe. (I hate the fact he put both Uribe and Aurilia, why not just Richie and drop crap Uribe, and bring up Frandsen... Bochy is nuts)
Outfielders (6): CF Aaron Rowand, RF Randy Winn, LF Fred Lewis, Nate Schierholtz, Andres Torres, Eugenio Velez. (6 OF's and 0 back catchers? Wow... Glad to see speedy Torres and Velez playing though)
I really hope that both Bochy and Sabean leave after this year when their contract is up. They suck big time.
Oh, and here is our annoying lineup.
RF Winn
SS Renteria
LF Lewis
C Molina
3B Sandoval
CF Rowand
1B Ishikawa
2B Burriss
Pitcher....
I would make it this...
RF Winn
2B Burriss
LF Lewis
3B Sandoval
1B Ishikawa
C Molina
SS Renteria
CF Rowand
Pitcher
That way when Molina gets on base, we won't get ****ed over by his slow running like we were last year. Sandoval is much faster (still not fast) but he still is.
Personally, Rowand should just be kicked off the team. Same with Uribe. I'm going to give Renty a chance, but if he doesn't shape up in the first half, I'm going to be pissed on his $18 million ass.
I think later on in the week, I'm going to look at every team and grade every teams off season and how they set themself in the future. I think this could get a little interesting.
- 2,886
lol, the Padres and Rockies will
As much as I love the D-Backs, I'm not quite convinced that the young offense can be consistent enough in order to win the west and the bullpen hasn't sold me that they can keep it together late in the games.
The starting pitching, however is still outstanding with Webb & Haren being the co-aces, the strength continues along with Davis, Scherzer & Yusmeiro Petit.
- 3,542
- Marin County, C
I'm going to have a hard time sleeping to night.. ugh. Again the Giants FO ****s up. The released Frandsen this morning without ever giving him a real chance. Hmmm.. this rings a bell... Oh yeah! Joe Nathan!! Seriously... And not only that, they also released Medders... Ok, so he gives up 2 runs over 10 innings in spring training, only to get the cut. Yet the guys that gave up 15 runs in 10 innings get the thumbs. My got is our management ****ing retarded. Sorry for the cussing, but I'm pissed.
- 5,230
- Buckeye Nation
Keep an eye open in the A.L. West - Oakland A's.This teams starting lineup may have some question marks on it,but if you dig into what the've got down in AA Midland and AAA Sacramento,it could get interesting ( at least in the A.L. West ).
- 3,542
- Marin County, C
- 26,911
- Houston, Texas, USA
- JMarine25
They were the best team last season... until they were an epic fail in the postseason. And we have that team this Monday as the 2009 season kicks off for my Astros. I'm (of course) talking about the Chicago Cubs. It's too early to write off any teams right now since it will just be the first month of MLB competition.
If anything, is there anything that worries you about your favorite team(s)? Do you think they will make the postseason?
If anything, is there anything that worries you about your favorite team(s)? Do you think they will make the postseason?
- 3,542
- Marin County, C
I was thinking they would compete... The the Whitesocks have some question marks, and the Twins are having some health problems.
My biggest concern for the Giants is our defense. Which is by far a weakest point. If we get the Zito that played 2nd half of last year, a healthy Johnson, a better hitting Rowand, Renteria doesn't suck it up. And Sandoval/Ishikawa do their thing...
Interesting note, last springtraining the Giants hit a total of 9 homeruns. Ishikawa has hit 7 himself.
Oh yeah, when the Giants beat the Dodgers the other day, Bumgarner had a 3min first inning striking out Pierre, and ManRam. He got Manram on 3 pitches swinging, and after the game Manny talked to a newspaper and said that hes got a nasty curve/changeup/fastball combination. Can't wait till out starting 5 looks like this. Lincecum/Bumgarner/Cain/Alderson/Sanchez
Suwweet.
.Tonight the Atlanta Braves take on the Philadelphia Phillies.Who will get MLB's first win of the 2009 season ? 💡
- 3,542
- Marin County, C
I want the Braves to win to prove that the Phillies WS win last year is nothing more then a fluke and getting hot at the end of the season.
Giants opening day isn't till Tuesday, and I'm going to opening night on Wednesday against the Brewers. It will be Randy Johnson's first game as a Giant and they are hosting an award ceremony for Lincecum's CY Young award.
Also on spring break (In 2 weeks), my dad an I will be driving down to Fresno and watch the Giants AAA team play some ball. A night game and then a day game. I can't wait for some real baseball.
Giants opening day isn't till Tuesday, and I'm going to opening night on Wednesday against the Brewers. It will be Randy Johnson's first game as a Giant and they are hosting an award ceremony for Lincecum's CY Young award.
Also on spring break (In 2 weeks), my dad an I will be driving down to Fresno and watch the Giants AAA team play some ball. A night game and then a day game. I can't wait for some real baseball.
- 26,911
- Houston, Texas, USA
- JMarine25
Are you people watching ESPN2 right now? It's about 8:30 EDT, and Atlanta's banged out THREE home runs to lead 4-0. The first homer was a 2-run blast in the Top of the 1st. The very first pitch of the Top of the 2nd saw Atlanta hit a solo jack to make it 3-0. Then a bit later in the Top-2nd, it was 4-0 as the Braves were basically taking Philly to school.
Talk about coming to play! My Astros will host the Chicago Cubs tomorrow evening. Hope my boys can play like they want it more than everybody else.
Talk about coming to play! My Astros will host the Chicago Cubs tomorrow evening. Hope my boys can play like they want it more than everybody else.
- 3,542
- Marin County, C
Philly's scored....
4 to 1 Braves lead.
GO BRAVES!
4 to 1 Braves lead.
GO BRAVES!
, A good old fashioned butt whipping in Texas to start off the new season. 
. Hey, we have 162 games left,it will be fine,
- 26,911
- Houston, Texas, USA
- JMarine25
The new season is here! I'll be looking out for my Astros tonight when we open up against the Cubs. The Cubbies may have brought their cold air here into Houston tonight (I'll take the cold! Anyone who's been to Houston in warmer weather knows how hot it can get here!). We just got to bring our bats to life and have some solid pitching.
Enjoy this week of baseball, people!
Enjoy this week of baseball, people!
- 26,911
- Houston, Texas, USA
- JMarine25
Second pitch hurled by Roy Oswalt... and Chicago [Cubs] hits a homer on us. Hope this doesn't fester into something worse throughout this season. Or maybe it's ESPN's airing of this game that could play a factor. Because we (almost any Houston team) can't win nationally-televised games.
Great to hear the voices of Bill Brown and Jim DeShaies(?) here for the Houston Astros. Wonder if Hall of Famer, Milo Hamilton (the voice of the Houston Astros) is calling down tonight's action...
Great to hear the voices of Bill Brown and Jim DeShaies(?) here for the Houston Astros. Wonder if Hall of Famer, Milo Hamilton (the voice of the Houston Astros) is calling down tonight's action...
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- 3,542
- Marin County, C
I have to wait till tomorrow for the Giants to take on the Brewers. I can't effing wait for Wednesday night. My dad and I are going to the game to see The Big Unit's first appearance in a real Giants game. I'm also happy that they said that Medders made the team!!! He pitched amazing this spring. I really hope Rowand and Renteria pick up the offense, if they can I think the Giants have a legit shot at the west title. I think all the teams in the west have a shot, except maybe the Padres as they are in the position the Giants were in last year.
But I think I'm going to watch the Dodgers/Padres game if its on TV.
But I think I'm going to watch the Dodgers/Padres game if its on TV.
- 3,542
- Marin County, C
- 26,911
- Houston, Texas, USA
- JMarine25
Astros never led the entire game. Never tied either. Ended up losing 4-2. Maybe my boys didn't come to play, or maybe it was the "always hate Houston" ESPN influence. But... we lost. It's just the first game. Plenty of time to catch back up to win either the NL Wild Card or even the NL Central Division.
- 3,542
- Marin County, C
You still have 161 games John...
- 26,911
- Houston, Texas, USA
- JMarine25
Sure. Most people will think this will just be another mediocre Astros' season. Remember one thing about me- I don't believe in expectations. It's all about "letting the game come to you." This said... cream the Cubs any way you can tomorrow, Astros!
I just realized that my Astros will play in the 2009 debut of MLB on FOX (this Saturday) when we go to St. Louis to take on our hated rivals, the Cardinals. Really, the NL Central should be pretty competitive. Only as long as we're better than the Pittsburgh Pirates, we'll be fine.
I just realized that my Astros will play in the 2009 debut of MLB on FOX (this Saturday) when we go to St. Louis to take on our hated rivals, the Cardinals. Really, the NL Central should be pretty competitive. Only as long as we're better than the Pittsburgh Pirates, we'll be fine.
