Cardinals are looking even more unbeatable in NL Central as not only Wood but now Prior has a bad wing. With Astros and Reds both looking bad according to scouts, this division could be more of a runaway then it was last year. Reports are Cards pitching and middle infield defense have been very good as Birds have had best record for most of spring. I know it doesn't mean anything in st but I think this team is already more focused than ever, and I look for the Cards to not only repeat as NL Champions but finish it in the World Series. Any thoughts?
My Astros are f**ked. That's my thoughts. Our outfield should be Lane, Biggio, and Berkman when he gets back. That very well could be the worst defensive outfield in the majors. Offensively you have to figure Biggio and Bagwell will decline from last year. Then you have to count on Burke and Lane to produce in their first full seasons. Everett and Ensberg are below average offensive options. Brad Ausmus is the worst everyday player offensively in the game today. Clemens will be good but not as good as last year after signing the biggest contract ever. Oswalt will be very good. Pettite will have his 4 ERA. Backe has the makeup to be good and pitched well in the postseason but he did sport a WHIP of like 1.57 during the regular season last year. The 5th spot is a joke, Redding, Duckworth, Munro or up and comer Astacio is the only one with potential. Then with Lidge we have perhaps the best closer in the game surrounded by perhaps the worst middle relief in the game. Somehow I don't see adding John Franco, Turk Wendell, and Dave Burba improving that. Overall, I think the Astros would need to trade for a centerfielder and have very productive years from rookie players to be withing shouting distance of the Redbirds.
all these teams have the hitting to win it.it will come down to who gets the most out of there pitching staffs.boston,yanks,cards all had mediocre staffs at best.i think at this point right now the edge would have to go to the cards as i think boston and yanks pitching will suffer injuries once again this year.who knows if houston breaks down again by break they might be willing to dump clemens onto one of these teams.
The Yanks probably have the best rotation in baseball, especially with the possible CHC problems. The Yanks and Sox have better 1-6 lineups than STL, but that's largely because Eckstein and Grudz shouldn't be hitting in the front of the lineup. The Cards 3-5 spots are obviously top shelf.
Only 1 of these guys will be leading off probably Eckstein to start. Cards lineup will look like this :
Eckstein
Walker
Pujols
Rolen
Edmonds
Sanders
Grudz
Molina
Pitcher
Larussa also has been talking about batting the pitcher 8th again this year due to the outstanding hitters we have on the staff: Marquis,Carp,Suppan,etc.
Eckstein
Walker
Pujols
Rolen
Edmonds
Sanders
Grudz
Molina
Pitcher
Larussa also has been talking about batting the pitcher 8th again this year due to the outstanding hitters we have on the staff: Marquis,Carp,Suppan,etc.
