The Energon Pub

With Opening day less than a week away, I figured it was time to start the MLB thread for the year up again. I know my team isn't going to win (the Cubs) so what does everyone else think? Have the Yankees bought another title? Can the Phillies improve on last year? Is Tampa the real deal? And what about the Mariners...all that money they spent, will it pay off?

So far, the Yankees lost its first game against the Red Sox. As for the Phillies, Roy proved himself by limiting the Nationals to just a single run.

That's all I can remember at the moment.

B4ULoveShine wrote:That's all I can remember at the moment.

Big night huh? LOL

After some consideration and research I have come up with my predictions for the 2010 season.

AL East
1. Boston
2. Tampa
3. New York
4. Baltimore
5. Toronto
Tampa has, top to bottom, one of the best teams in the majors. They have a chance to stun everyone and beat out the monster payrolls in Boston and New York.

AL Central
1. Minnesota
2. Chicago
3. Detroit
4. Kansas City
5. Cleveland
Cleveland is back to where they were in the 80's. Minnesota would simply reload as they always do, though the White Sox pitching staff is extremely deep; there are too many "if's" for that team however and Ozzie Guillen will eventually become too much of a distraction for the team.

AL West
1. Angels
2. Oakland
3. Texas
4. Seattle
The Mariners' off-season acquisitions (including the nutcase Bradley they got from the Cubs) will prove that they still suck. The Angels (I still refuse to call them Los Angeles Angels) are reloaded and ready to win, but you can never count out a Billy Beane team.

NL East
1. Philadelphia
2. Atlanta
3. New York
4. Florida
5. Washington
The Nats have a real chance this year to break the all time single season loss record. Atlanta has suddenly reloaded their pitching staff and has a very deep lineup. The Mets will live to suck another day.

NL Central
1. St. Louis
2. Cincinnati
3. Milwaukee
4. Pittsburgh
5. Chicago
6. Houston
The Astros have divested themselves of any talent their team may have had and will rival the Nationals for total suckage this year. The Cubs, unable to make any moves in the offseason due to the ownership flux, will be forced to make wholesale changes in the front office after a 90 loss season. Albert Pujols will once again, single-handedly lift St. Louis to a first round playoff elimination. The win totals for the entire division will be inflated due to playing so many games against the Astros.

NL West
1. Colorado
2. San Francisco
3. Los Angeles
4. Arizona
5. San Diego
San Diego has no hope. They, like Houston, have gotten rid of any talent they had to build for the future. Colorado will start mediocre and then come on in the last two months. Los Angeles will finally see Manny Ramirez revert to his age and come down, leaving a hole in their lineup and a distraction in their clubhouse. Arizona has a chance to surprise with young pitching, but will likely finish with 90 losses.

Yankees are @ 2nd Place, as of this post, while 1st Place Blue Jays will take on the Angels.

Jays are playing very well, much to my surprise. But I seem to remember them always starting fairly well, then they fade down the road.

While I was on the treadmill at the gym I was watching the Astros Cubs game.. Man Houston is struggling.. They went through 4 pitchers in 2 innings..

Yeah...Houston has nobody left with any talent. Lance Berkman is on the DL and he's the only person with any familiarity on that team. They are going to run with Washington for worst record in the majors this year.

Yankees and Rays are tied for 1st place in the AL East, as of this post. Also, Boston is in 4th Place.

Also, the Giants stomped on the Dodgers, 9-0.

My main concern is that the Cubs have a better record than the White Sux. I have to admit though, my favorite AL team is Tampa now. They're kind like the little engine that could...they built their team the right way and what's amazing is that their farm system is chock full of prospects that may be better than the players they have now. Starting to remind me of the Oakland A's in the 90's and early this decade...

Speaking of the Northside Cubs, Ted Lilly (World Series 2000) is back, while Carlos Zambrano...

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/wrap.j ... b_milmlb_1

B4ULoveShine wrote:Speaking of the Northside Cubs, Ted Lilly (World Series 2000) is back, while Carlos Zambrano...

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/wrap.j ... b_milmlb_1

I saw that and he so deserved it. Z has been a head case for years, now he's paying for it. If he doesn't get his act together soon, the Cubs may void his contract before the REALLy big cash sets in and just let him go or trade him to the Yankees or Red Sox who can afford to waste money on him.

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/art ... p&c_id=nyy

Here are some tidbits, take thats, and shout outs from the #27 celebration:

President Obama wrote:"It's been nine years since your last title, which must have felt like an eternity for Yankees fans. I think other teams would be just fine with a spell like that -- the Cubs, for example.

LOL.

"That attitude, that success, has always made the Yankees easy to love -- and, let's face it, easy to hate as well. For a White Sox fan like me, it's painful to watch Mariano's cutter when it's against my team, or to see the Yankees wrap up the pennant while the Sox are struggling on the South Side.

"Although I do remember 2005, people, so don't get too comfortable."

Rays fan here. Gotta say I have just over the last few years gotten into baseball, being a big football fan before - and still am a football fan. This season has been fun so far and not just because of how the Rays are doing. I find myself watching a lot of MLB Network, more so the NFL at this point.

Even though the Rays had a little hiccup last night I look to them to bounce back tonight and put up some runs against KC.

Aerialbot Commander wrote:Rays fan here. Gotta say I have just over the last few years gotten into baseball, being a big football fan before - and still am a football fan. This season has been fun so far and not just because of how the Rays are doing. I find myself watching a lot of MLB Network, more so the NFL at this point.

Even though the Rays had a little hiccup last night I look to them to bounce back tonight and put up some runs against KC.

It is so cool to see what that organization has put together. THAT is how you build a baseball team. I'm pulling for them big time, second only to my Cubbies...who suck anyways...lol

Yankees @ Red Sox.

I'm picking the Yanks.

B4ULoveShine wrote:Yankees @ Red Sox.

I'm picking the Yanks.

Although I hate both of these teams, being a Rays fan, I have to say I am pulling for the Sox to take this series.

The Yanks and Red Sox are playing? Never noticed...or I wouldn't have if ESPN wasn't constantly pounding that fact into my face 24/7. Apparently it's the top story of the century.

Aerialbot Commander wrote:

B4ULoveShine wrote:Yankees @ Red Sox.

I'm picking the Yanks.

Although I hate both of these teams, being a Rays fan, I have to say I am pulling for the Sox to take this series.

That sounds more like, "I'll root for the Red Sox, so that we Rays would be on top of the AL East", correct?

First-Aid wrote:The Yanks and Red Sox are playing? Never noticed...or I wouldn't have if ESPN wasn't constantly pounding that fact into my face 24/7. Apparently it's the top story of the century.

They are one of the biggest rivalries in sports so they usually play it up when they play each other. But, yeah, I know what you mean.

B4ULoveShine wrote:

Aerialbot Commander wrote:

B4ULoveShine wrote:Yankees @ Red Sox.

I'm picking the Yanks.

Although I hate both of these teams, being a Rays fan, I have to say I am pulling for the Sox to take this series.

That sounds more like, "I'll root for the Red Sox, so that we Rays would be on top of the AL East", correct?

Well for one they are on top of the AL East. It's more of a cushion if the Sox win and gives the Rays some breathing room. It's funny that they can have the record they have and still only be 1 game up on second. At the very least the Yanks will keep the Rays on their toes that's for sure.

I read in Sports Illustrated that they picked the Rays to go to the World Series over the Yanks. So that will be interesting as the season progresses who can come out on top in the AL East. My Phils are kicking ass taking names as always. Sweeping the Cards at home, inching forward to the best team in the NL. Can't wait til Jimmy Rollins gets better so the Phils can really start putting in some work at the plate.

Watch out October the Phillies are coming!

Yankees won, with a stellar effort by Phil Hughes and the Yankees batting line up, 10-3!

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gi ... b_bosmlb_1

*Sigh* Yankees are 5 games behind Tampa Bay.

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/wra ... b_nyamlb_1

That Tampa team is just sooooo deep. It will be interesting to see who they are able to hang on to when salaries come up; granted the sketches of their new stadium are just awesome...I have to admit, I'm falling for the Rays...especially since my Cubs can't seem to make up their mind whether they re going to play good or play bad.

RIP, Jose Lima. Even though I've only known you in LA, you're always on our minds.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/s ... yerId=3053