A lot of people seem down on the Cardinals but reports have been good this spring on middle infield and pitching as Cards have held best record for most of spring. With Astros struggling to find outfielders, Cubs with top two pitchers arms hurting (both have hurt off and on last year), and no significant improvements from others in division, could Cards win by 20 games in the NL Central and challenge NL and ML wins total this season?
That's just plain crazy talk. They didn't even win last year by 20 when the planets were aligned and pointing toward the arches. I'd give you 10-1 they won't win the division by 20 or more games. In fact, not surprisingly, I don't thin they'll win the division at all. St. Louis has some serious injury issues itself. I'll be surprised if any of Pujols, Rolen, Edmonds or Walker start for the whole season.
D2,
I knew I would be hearing from you. Still drinking that Cub koolaid? Right now imo the biggest challenge to the Cards is Pittsburgh if their pitching comes along. Cubs have lost too much offense as they would have to have 3 guys have career years and it simply won't happen. Now Prior and Wood hurting though its early is not a good sign. They have not solved bullpen issues. I predict Cubs don't even finish 3rd this year. Astros still have good starting pitching and top closer but top hitter right now for a few months is Bagwell who has proven to be on the downside due to age and injuries. Their outfield defense is in disseray and unless Houston can hold it together until Berkman gets healthy and swing a trade for an outfielder, this team may be out of it early. Reds I though may be surprise team but scouts have been ripping their pitching even after getting Ortiz and Milton. Brewers are too young and have way too many holes to be taken seriously. Cubs only break is that most games with Cards are in August and September. They had to get off to a good start to beat us this year as we have tough early season schedule but it is looking bleak to that happening. Cards will be up minimum of 10 games at the all star break and it won't matter if Pujols rests the foot or Walker goes on DL. Gall has improved enough to make the team and his hitting is unquestioned. Cubs and Astros only hope imo of staying in division and having a chance to win it was for both teams big 3 to get 35+ starts. It is not going to happen so barring some unexpected trades or big injuries, this is going to be a runaway again. Sorry!
I knew I would be hearing from you. Still drinking that Cub koolaid? Right now imo the biggest challenge to the Cards is Pittsburgh if their pitching comes along. Cubs have lost too much offense as they would have to have 3 guys have career years and it simply won't happen. Now Prior and Wood hurting though its early is not a good sign. They have not solved bullpen issues. I predict Cubs don't even finish 3rd this year. Astros still have good starting pitching and top closer but top hitter right now for a few months is Bagwell who has proven to be on the downside due to age and injuries. Their outfield defense is in disseray and unless Houston can hold it together until Berkman gets healthy and swing a trade for an outfielder, this team may be out of it early. Reds I though may be surprise team but scouts have been ripping their pitching even after getting Ortiz and Milton. Brewers are too young and have way too many holes to be taken seriously. Cubs only break is that most games with Cards are in August and September. They had to get off to a good start to beat us this year as we have tough early season schedule but it is looking bleak to that happening. Cards will be up minimum of 10 games at the all star break and it won't matter if Pujols rests the foot or Walker goes on DL. Gall has improved enough to make the team and his hitting is unquestioned. Cubs and Astros only hope imo of staying in division and having a chance to win it was for both teams big 3 to get 35+ starts. It is not going to happen so barring some unexpected trades or big injuries, this is going to be a runaway again. Sorry!
The whole National league sucks...its not quite as bad as the NFC but its getting close...NL West is wide open, the Central has one team thats good, and the East teams most have improved but nothing spectacular.
The Padres could win the National league among 7-8 other teams....I suppose that's not all bad .
The Padres could win the National league among 7-8 other teams....I suppose that's not all bad .
journeyman,
I agree that NL is weaker league. Only 8 teams imo can win NL this year and each have big ifs. I would rank them in this order.
1. Cardinals- Middle infield defense and middle relief are the holes on paper
2. Marlins- Health of starting pitchers and closer
3. Braves- No offense and team defense
4. Giants- Age of starting 9, back end of rotation
5. Mets- Team Defense, Closer (My Sleeper)
6. Phillies-Starting pitching, Team Chemistry (Another Sleeper)
7. Padres- Offensive Power, Defense
8. Cubs- Health Issues, Closer, Offense, Defense
I agree that NL is weaker league. Only 8 teams imo can win NL this year and each have big ifs. I would rank them in this order.
1. Cardinals- Middle infield defense and middle relief are the holes on paper
2. Marlins- Health of starting pitchers and closer
3. Braves- No offense and team defense
4. Giants- Age of starting 9, back end of rotation
5. Mets- Team Defense, Closer (My Sleeper)
6. Phillies-Starting pitching, Team Chemistry (Another Sleeper)
7. Padres- Offensive Power, Defense
8. Cubs- Health Issues, Closer, Offense, Defense
They then caught fire and ran away with the division. The Chicago Cubs have issues. Shoulder & elbow ailments to their big guns in spring training is a bad sign. Sosa and Alou are no longer on the team, but hey they picked up Burnitz! Bullpen was a disaster last year. So what did the Cubs do about it? Nothing.
What makes the Cards season last year so impressive was that they are under .500 after 31 games. Look for them to repeat as NL Central champs.
What makes the Cards season last year so impressive was that they are under .500 after 31 games. Look for them to repeat as NL Central champs.
The Cardinals are the greatest franchise in sports history. In fact, they shouldn't even be required to play the postseason games. They should really be awarded the trophy right now. It's also an insult that they have to show up for the rest of the regular season. They should autmotically get the MVP, Cy Young, Manager of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Comback Player of the year each season and then let them to decide which player to hand it to. The league should subsidize them because they grace them with their presence. They should aso be granted double home games next season because they deserve it.
D2bets,
I know why you are so bitter being a Cubs fan but why all the illwill. If I was in the same boat you are I would simply congratulate you and move on. For some reason everything you have to make so controversial. In fact, if the shoe was on the same foot you would be doing the same thing. The way you think is exactly why the Cubs are the Cubs as living in Chicago has shown me. No class fans who instead of concentrating inward on their own teams problems like to go out and pick arguments that are ignorant. Cards are not the best franchise but I will say they have class and give competition their due. Best of luck next year and I hope you take this to heart. I think Cubs will make the proper changes or at least attempt to for 06 and will be back in the thick of things. LOL
I know why you are so bitter being a Cubs fan but why all the illwill. If I was in the same boat you are I would simply congratulate you and move on. For some reason everything you have to make so controversial. In fact, if the shoe was on the same foot you would be doing the same thing. The way you think is exactly why the Cubs are the Cubs as living in Chicago has shown me. No class fans who instead of concentrating inward on their own teams problems like to go out and pick arguments that are ignorant. Cards are not the best franchise but I will say they have class and give competition their due. Best of luck next year and I hope you take this to heart. I think Cubs will make the proper changes or at least attempt to for 06 and will be back in the thick of things. LOL
:sad3:
Cubs need to clean house starting with Andy MacPhail (McFail?). Problem is they had 81 sellouts and 2 Jimmy Buffett shows so there is record profits in the Tribune coffers. Congrats Cards fans.
Since the '85 Bears are marketing a logo for the 20th anniversary of their Super Bowl win, wonder if the Cubs are doing the same for the 100th anniversary of their last WS win in 2008?
Cubs need to clean house starting with Andy MacPhail (McFail?). Problem is they had 81 sellouts and 2 Jimmy Buffett shows so there is record profits in the Tribune coffers. Congrats Cards fans.
Since the '85 Bears are marketing a logo for the 20th anniversary of their Super Bowl win, wonder if the Cubs are doing the same for the 100th anniversary of their last WS win in 2008?
Kojak - You'll have to ask Mighty Moe if I'm class since we are on the opposite sides of the MSU-ND tilt tomorrow.
Favorite stat of the Andy McPhail Era - Cubs are about 175 games out of 1st place under his leadership.
Kojak - we need to get some of the Chicago-area posters together sometime. Maybe around the playoffs. I'm about 75 minutes from downtown.
Favorite stat of the Andy McPhail Era - Cubs are about 175 games out of 1st place under his leadership.
Kojak - we need to get some of the Chicago-area posters together sometime. Maybe around the playoffs. I'm about 75 minutes from downtown.
