Angels and Red Sox don't have the pitching? Both teams' starting pitching >> Chicago Cubs rotation. Their pitchers have no postseason experience... I would take Beckett (a World Series MVP and lights out in the playoffs) and Dice K AND Lackey and Saunders over fucking Zambrano and Dempster any day, all day.
I'm not saying they will for sure win the World Series because anything can happen. Just look at last year. The Rockies made it to the World Series and they really weren't a good team. I just think the Cubs are by far the best team in the NL, but that has just as much to do with how weak the NL is. The D-Backs are terrible, so don't even try to mention them. They can't hit at all and have two good pitchers. The Dodgers are a better team than the D-Backs.
I don't agree that the Phillies can compete with the Cubs. The Phillies have one good starter and a very good lineup. The Cubs probably have an even better lineup and three good starters. Zambrano, Dempster and Lilly are all good. Gallahger (sp) is also a pretty good pitcher and could really be a number 3 pitcher on the Phillies staff. Myers can be good, but isn't consistent at all, and the only other pitcher I see with potential is Kendrick. Moyer is just plain too old and Eaton is brutal. Their hitting could win them the East, but I can't see them in the Series.
A pitching staff that includes Zambrano, Lilly, Dempster, Gallagher, Marquis, Marmol (a top 5 RP) and Wood is a good staff. Dempster has always had the potential so it's not like he's an unknown coming out of nowhere that will eventually come down to earth like Cliff Lee. The Cubs also have a couple of very good pitchers in the minors that could come up this year.
The AL is much tougher, I agree. I actually have a future on the Angels to win the World Series. I think the Angels, Red Sox, Rays and Jays (best pitching staff in baseball can win playoff games if they get that far) could all potentially win the World Series. You said they have a very little chance of making it, which would be against the NL only. I just don't see very many good teams in the NL.
I don't agree that the Phillies can compete with the Cubs. The Phillies have one good starter and a very good lineup. The Cubs probably have an even better lineup and three good starters. Zambrano, Dempster and Lilly are all good. Gallahger (sp) is also a pretty good pitcher and could really be a number 3 pitcher on the Phillies staff. Myers can be good, but isn't consistent at all, and the only other pitcher I see with potential is Kendrick. Moyer is just plain too old and Eaton is brutal. Their hitting could win them the East, but I can't see them in the Series.
A pitching staff that includes Zambrano, Lilly, Dempster, Gallagher, Marquis, Marmol (a top 5 RP) and Wood is a good staff. Dempster has always had the potential so it's not like he's an unknown coming out of nowhere that will eventually come down to earth like Cliff Lee. The Cubs also have a couple of very good pitchers in the minors that could come up this year.
The AL is much tougher, I agree. I actually have a future on the Angels to win the World Series. I think the Angels, Red Sox, Rays and Jays (best pitching staff in baseball can win playoff games if they get that far) could all potentially win the World Series. You said they have a very little chance of making it, which would be against the NL only. I just don't see very many good teams in the NL.
Sorry, I meant the NL* East teams don't have the pitching. Although I would take Zambrano over anybody in the AL outside of Halladay. Dice-K has good stuff, but he will be a liability if he doesn't get his control issues fixed. The Red Sox are probably the best team in the leauge, I just don't see them repeating.
There's the Red Sox, Angels and Cubs and then there's everybody else in my opinion.
Cubs actually have one of the better road records in the league, so I'm not sure how you can say they suck on the road. 2 games below .500 on the road is good, especially if you dominate at home like them.
If the Phillies do add someone like Sabathia or Sheets yes they will be one of the favorites to win the World Series as well, but I am just going off of what the teams are right now, and right now I don't think they have the pitching.
Yes the D-Backs will only get better, but that is in future seasons. They are not good enough to contend this year IMO. The Cubs are better than the D-Backs at pretty much every single position this year.
And even though rotations only go 3 deep in the playoffs it still helps to have good starters outside of those three as they will be coming in for relief. If you wanted other good RP's there is Eyre and Wuertz who are both good pitchers coming out of the pen. Just wait till Rich Hill gets back too because that kid can be a dominant pitcher when he's on his game.
The Cubs aren't my team, I'm a Jays fan, so this isn't being a homer. I just think they are probably the best team in the league alongside the Angels and Red Sox. The only other team I see as a contender at this moment in the NL is the Dodgers and that is because they could have a dominant pitching staff if it comes together right with Penney, Kuroda, Kershaw and Billingsley.
And even though rotations only go 3 deep in the playoffs it still helps to have good starters outside of those three as they will be coming in for relief. If you wanted other good RP's there is Eyre and Wuertz who are both good pitchers coming out of the pen. Just wait till Rich Hill gets back too because that kid can be a dominant pitcher when he's on his game.
The Cubs aren't my team, I'm a Jays fan, so this isn't being a homer. I just think they are probably the best team in the league alongside the Angels and Red Sox. The only other team I see as a contender at this moment in the NL is the Dodgers and that is because they could have a dominant pitching staff if it comes together right with Penney, Kuroda, Kershaw and Billingsley.
They will most likely have home field in the playoffs, so as long as they win at home they will go to the World Series (this is assuming they hold onto the top record, but there is still 3+ months left).
By on top of his game I don't mean him throwing an absolute perfect game, I just mean the best he can consistently throw. Lilly has consistently thrown well in the past before, Eaton has not. Eaton shouldn't even be in the majors and probably won't be by the time the playoffs start. I'm sure the Phillies have some kid in the minors that is better than him.
I like Kendrick, but I really think Moyer will only get worse and worse the season progresses, and the same goes for Eaton. If they do get a top pitcher like you say though they could easily become the top team with a 1-2-3 of Hamels-Sheets-Kendrick/Myers to go alongside a good bullepn.
It's still very early in the season though. Right now this is all opinions and speculation.
Depends who's pitching gets hot late in the year. I'm sure you looked at the Rockies pitching and thought they had no shot, but they all pitched well at the right time. He will see what happens, but I don't expect Dempster to pitch this well all year and eventually Myers to figure things out or the Phillies to get another starting pitcher. Phillies don't need great pitching with their offense and bullpen they just need a quality start to have a chance to win.
ya wtf weak division theres 4 teams at .500 or better and the reds are only 30-34 and pirates have a winning record against the rest of the league besides the cubs.
Im not sold on dempster but hes been very good at home. Cubs home in the playoffs have a good shot
Phillies have a better lineup in the middle obviously but bench and bottom arnt really close. Phils have no staff myers is so inconsistent and i wouldnt be too scared of eaton,moyer,or kendrick
If Zona hits again id put them infront they have 2 aces and i think all AZ fans can remember what that does for u
Mets are dodgers are blah
AL isnt too tough angels are good Red sox are good but again Dice K has to be good beckett cant pitch every game(atleast i dont think he can yet)
Im not sold on dempster but hes been very good at home. Cubs home in the playoffs have a good shot
Phillies have a better lineup in the middle obviously but bench and bottom arnt really close. Phils have no staff myers is so inconsistent and i wouldnt be too scared of eaton,moyer,or kendrick
If Zona hits again id put them infront they have 2 aces and i think all AZ fans can remember what that does for u
Mets are dodgers are blah
AL isnt too tough angels are good Red sox are good but again Dice K has to be good beckett cant pitch every game(atleast i dont think he can yet)
