IF Bedard stays healthy, they might be for real: Not much offense, but Ichiro is slumping badly (for his standards) and should get hot at some time, Auckley might give them an additional batter, who's hitting for AVG and their pitching and defense can keep them in almost any game thanks to 3 really strong starters (Felix, Pineda and Bedard), a solid #4 in Vargas and a decent front end of the bullpen with Pauley, Wright and League (and Laffey is doing his job as a lefty specialist pretty well, too).
But like I said, Bedard's health is critical and Pineda might become a problem, too, come September because his inning total will be creeping up and you don't want to overuse him...so not sure how SEA will handle that situation and the trade deadline...
Anyways, bought some SEA AL West +1800, it's not like any team in that division is going to run away with the division(, unless TEX gets completely healthy).
But like I said, Bedard's health is critical and Pineda might become a problem, too, come September because his inning total will be creeping up and you don't want to overuse him...so not sure how SEA will handle that situation and the trade deadline...
Anyways, bought some SEA AL West +1800, it's not like any team in that division is going to run away with the division(, unless TEX gets completely healthy).
I agree that a healthy Texas is the class of the division. As mentioned, Seattle has arguably the best starting rotation in the AL and the bullpen as been a nice surprise (especially Pauley). However, the offense simply isn't very good, LF is a black hole and Figgins has been beyond terrible. I don't think they can keep up the pace personally, Pineda is almost halfway to his career high in IP for a season (Jack Z hasn't stated a hard innings cap, just that the M's will use, "Common Sense") and Bedard's health is always a wild card *knocks on wood*. However, this season has been an unexpected delight so far, Smoak is turning into the player the M's hoped they got from the Cliff Lee deal, and Pineda has looked like Godzilla on the mound, coupling with KF to form a devestating 1-2. With the #2 pick in the draft in a couple days to boot, things are looking cautiously optimistic for the M's in the future.
Texas is still the class of the division. Getting Hamilton and Cruz back is the beginning of it.
They should see Tommy Hunter (13-4 in 2010) back soon and Scott Feldman (17 game winner in 2009) will likely make a move to the bullpen to help shore up their 7th and 8th inning issues.
They're also being very active in the trade markets looking for another bullpen arm as Rhodes and Oliver are essentially now LH specialists. The biggest names kicked around are Heath Bell and KRod but a lot of lesser known guys are also being considered. If/when stud prospect Tanner Scheppers gets out of extended spring, they'll hope to add his high 90's arm to the bullpen later in the summer.
So there's still a lot of question marks on the Rangers (esp in the bullpen) that need to be answered, but the important thing for them is that even though they've slumped through much of May, nobody has put them 5+ games back. All things considered, their road to the division crown still looks rather promising.
They should see Tommy Hunter (13-4 in 2010) back soon and Scott Feldman (17 game winner in 2009) will likely make a move to the bullpen to help shore up their 7th and 8th inning issues.
They're also being very active in the trade markets looking for another bullpen arm as Rhodes and Oliver are essentially now LH specialists. The biggest names kicked around are Heath Bell and KRod but a lot of lesser known guys are also being considered. If/when stud prospect Tanner Scheppers gets out of extended spring, they'll hope to add his high 90's arm to the bullpen later in the summer.
So there's still a lot of question marks on the Rangers (esp in the bullpen) that need to be answered, but the important thing for them is that even though they've slumped through much of May, nobody has put them 5+ games back. All things considered, their road to the division crown still looks rather promising.
this mariners team reminds me of the giants of last season. their team really has great pitching, especially the top 3 of their rotation. being in one of the hardest parks to hit doesn't hurt them either, pitching-wise at least. no one is giving them a chance, but i feel that they can be consistent this season and grind out enough wins to be in the race until the end. the emergence of michael pineda is off the charts. he's my pick for rookie of the year.
