If I was interested in betting season totals I would definitely bet that over. Cubs had 89 wins last year and I'm trying to figure out why the Cubs are supposed to do worse than an already miserable injury-filled year. It's not Sosa was of any help last year. And it's not like the Cubs had an effective closer last year. And you just have to figure you're going to get more out of Wood and Prior.
They got rid of all the crap in the clubhouse, should help the Cubs out quite a bit. Had a terrible time with injuries last season. And now they actually have some lefties mixed in, unlike last years prodomenently right handed lineups. Cubs pitching staff still amongst the best in baseball.
D2bets said:Blue, you're going to turn into a Cubs fan this year...I can feel it. Don't fight it. You know you want to go Blue, Blue. And you don't have to put up with Corky now. Suuuure, there's still Dusty, but dude, ya know, dude, he's cool.
No way. I enjoy Blue's crack backs on the Cubs all year. he knows they suck.
even though that total looks off to me, i can't bet the over. i know they would tear it up thru the all star break then go in the tank just to screw me. dusty baker will cost them 6 or 7 wins...unless he swallows his tooth pick.
however, i will not be pounding the under the way i did last year. the cubs season in 2004 made me a lot of cash...i should probably just be happy with that.
i think they have a great shot at the post season. it'll just be tough for the cub fans because they will find a way to lose...hopefully again to the marlins.
however, i will not be pounding the under the way i did last year. the cubs season in 2004 made me a lot of cash...i should probably just be happy with that.
i think they have a great shot at the post season. it'll just be tough for the cub fans because they will find a way to lose...hopefully again to the marlins.
The Astros have alot of problems, the biggest may be the health of Berkman. They have also lost Jeff Kent and Carlos Beltran and I dont think they have replaced either of them with a legit player. Can Clemens repeat?? Will Pettitte regain his old form?? Who will replace Wade Miller?? Have they improved their awful bullpen? So many questions!!
Under 85 has value.
Under 85 has value.
Astros WAY under 85. How are the Astros 85 and the Mets 83??? I can't grasp that.
- Berkman's questionable health
- Bagwell is aging by the hour
- Biggio isn't getting any younger
- What other offense do they have? Morgan Ensberg? Jason Lane? Adam Everett? Mike Lamb? Jose Vizcaino? Orlando Palmeirio? Brad Ausmus?
...where' the beef? You gotta hit for some pop in that stadium if you wanna win. If Pettite isn't his 100% best and Clemens doesn't repeat, I don't think it's out of the question for Houston to finish dead last in that division.
I will look to fade Houston early and often.
- Berkman's questionable health
- Bagwell is aging by the hour
- Biggio isn't getting any younger
- What other offense do they have? Morgan Ensberg? Jason Lane? Adam Everett? Mike Lamb? Jose Vizcaino? Orlando Palmeirio? Brad Ausmus?
...where' the beef? You gotta hit for some pop in that stadium if you wanna win. If Pettite isn't his 100% best and Clemens doesn't repeat, I don't think it's out of the question for Houston to finish dead last in that division.
I will look to fade Houston early and often.
MadCapper said:
Maybe it's because the Mets sign so much big name talent every year then implode. Pinnacle along with bettors probably feel their team will finally click in which case they have a great shot at winning the division. Or they will implode again and be well under 500. With not much of a chance for something in between.
Where with the Marlins they figure they will be consistantly good with little chance of being great or horrible.
MadCapper said:
Maybe it is because they are from New York and draw a lot of future money year in and year out regardless of their actual chance, so the books are taking advantage.
Kind of like how even when the Cubs sucked, the number on them was never quite as nice as it should be, as vegas saw so much tourist Cub money blindly bet on a dream each year.
You guys are overrating the Cubs IMO. Sure they should get more outta Prior and Wood but where are the 80 homers they have to replace by losing Sosa and Alou? Todd Hollandsworth and Jeremy Burnitz? I think not. Plus they will be eaten alive by left handed pitching as they also lost Grudzielanek and Todd Walker can't hit lefties. Add to this the loss of solid starter Matt Clement and they are in trouble. Rusch had a great year as a spoy starter last year but look for him to revert to his awful form this year. Under 99 wins playing in the tough Central division looks like easy money to me!!!
wanderer said:
first of all, the total is 88.5...not 99. second, sosa stinks and alou is 68 years old. yes, you lose some pop with sosa and alou but, you also lose about 300 strikeouts. the cubs success depends on the pitching. they should win a bunch on 3-2 games. you don't need a ton of homers...you need guys who can hit behind the runners, sac bunt, beat out singles or not get doubled up on grounders.
they key in my mind is the bullpen and the starters health. screw the homerun.
wanderer said:
Sosa hit like .185 w/runners in scoring position and Alou got thrown out on the bases like 15 times....seriously. I don't think we'll miss Sammy's 450 feet homers when we're up or down 8 runs. Burnitz will probably provide 30-40 HR's. As for LF, there are many options -- Hollandsworth, Jerry Hairston and Jason Dubois, who is a very promising rookie with power. But I think it's going to be Hairston a lot. As for Walker, they can easily plug the righty Hairston at 2nd base (his natural position) against lefties. Cubs have a lot of left-right flexibility now. I suspect Burnitz will sit against lefties with Hairston, Dubois or even Macias getting PT. Rusch was more than a spot starter late in the year, he was more reliable than Clement. As a 5th starter, I have no problem with Rusch, or it could end up being Dempster.
D2bets said:
Time to get real here. Jerry Hairston will replace Alou? Give me a break!
You can hate Alou but the guy hit 39 homers last year and had a slugging percentage of 557. Hairston? If he's not injured which he usually is the guy couldn't beat out Bip Roberts to start and has a .371 slugging career average and an anemic .261 BA. Forget his pathetic .334 OBA. Sosa? In an admittedly BAD year he still hit 35 homers in 478 at bats and had a 517 slugging percentage. Burnitz? Great year in Coloiorado but without help in the lineup he might revert back to his Mets years and I predict somewhere in the .250 BA with 25 homers range. And you think the no power hitting Hairston or Macias will make the difference versus lefties? I think not. And if Barrett gets hurt the pathetic Henry Blanco is the backup.The bullpen? Doesn't look too strong to me. Dempster is the possible closer right now. Enough said.
I think you aren't being objective here. Cubs will need MONSTER years from Prior and Wood to win 89 games IMO and I don't see it.
