TDA Bullpen - Our Writers' Blog

Monday, March 29, 2004

To welcome everyone back to the 2004 TDA Bullpen, I'd like to boldly predict this coming season which promises to be a great one. Here's a breakdown for each division:

The NL East will be a fight between the World Champion Florida Marlins and the Philadelphia Phillies, as the Phils finally come together as a team and win their first division title in quite some time. While the Marlins have the young pitching and strong bats, Philly has Jim Thome and one of the best closers in the game in Billy Wagner.

The NL Central will be a back and forth dogfight with the Chicago Cubs emerging victorious over the Houston Astros. Though Mark Prior is fighting through multiple injuries, he'll still come back to win 20 games. Those very same Astros will win the Wild Card berth and head to the playoffs with a very dangerous 1-2-3 pitching combo of Pettitte, Clemens and Oswalt.

The NL West has seen some changes in the offseason, but it's the San Diego Padres who have looked the strongest out of spring training. They can pound the ball and have a new stadium to play in. Look for them to win a close battle between them and Barry Bonds' Giants.

Everyone will be following the AL East this summer and while I'll be stating the obvious, it's anyone's division if there's a significant injury somewhere. The Yanks win the division with the BoSox trailing to win another Wild Card. A-Rod will dominate in that jaw-dropping lineup card, while Boston's pitching keeps them nipping at New York's heels.

I think the AL Central is the most interesting division in baseball right now with all of the youth and excitment surrounding each team. I'm giving it to the Kansas City Royals, who will battle the Minnesota Twins for a title. Juan Gonzalez won't stay healthy, but it won't matter as Carlos Beltran continues to ama

Finally, the AL West crown will go to the new and improved Anaheim Angels. Vlad, Bartolo and Escobar will shine while Billy Beane's Oakland A's will come up just short. Yes, they have the best young three pitchers in the majors, but their bullpen and starting lineup are truly facing adversity this year.

I'm not going to predict the playoffs this year. Here's why: the teams who I believe will be in the World Series don't need any more jinxing. Oops, just gave it away.

And now for a few random predictions: the afformentioned Beltran will win the AL batting crown, while Albert Pujols continues his dominance, winning the NL's race. In a surprising win, another Carlos hits the most dingers in the AL. This time it's the Toronto Blue Jays' Delgado. I'm giving the NL home run title to Richie Sexson. Pujols will compete for the Triple Crown and fall short. Pat Burrell will make a comeback this season and still strike out over 120 times. Esteban Loaiza was a fluke last season but he'll still win 15 games. Eric Gagne will continue his dominance; John Smoltz will not. And finally, Bonds will come ever so close to George Herman but come up just short with 52 home runs this season.

Let's hear the predictions from the rest of the staff.

posted by Charles Curtis 11:44 AM