07 April 2010

The Year of the Phanatic

Going against no conventional wisdom (but a handful of history), here around the Balk Four headquarters, it has been declared the Year of the Phanatic.

What is the Year of the Phanatic, exactly? It's the year the Phillies sweep the three major awards (World Champs, MVP and Cy Young). That's right, the Phightin' Phanatic, Chase Utley and Roy Halladay will be the toast of the town (and all of baseball) come October.

Now, let's Tarantino this, and find out how we get here:

AL East:

1. New York Yankees
2. Tampa Bay Rays
3. Boston Red Sox
4. Baltimore Orioles
5. Toronto Blue Jays

No surprise here (unless you call the Rays ahead of the Sox a surprise, but really, they are more of a toss up than anything), as I followed the lemmings and chose the Cashman's....er....Yankees as the NL East champs. I was tempted to place the Orioles over the Red Sox, but I just don't believe their young pitching is ready....this season.

AL Central:

1. MinnesotaTwins
2. Chicago White Sox
3. Cleveland Indians
4. Detroit Tigers
5. Kansas city Royals

I'm overly tempted to crown the White Sox the division champs, I just think the Twins pitching is better, even without Joe Nathan anchoring down the bullpen. Without popularity, I have chosen the Tiggers to place 4th, mainly because Scott Sizemore and Austin Jackson just won't replace the offense that left with Curtis Granderson and Placido Polanco. And, in other news, the Royals finish in last place.

AL West:

1. Texas Rangers
2. California Angels
3. Seattle Mariners
4. Oakland Athletics

I think the Texas offense is good enough to overcome some spotty pitching. With a (partially) healthy Rich Harden and some fireballing young arms, I believe they will jump over the regressing Angels this season. The Athletics will once again fall into the cellar...but in 2011, watch out. As for the Mariners, well, with very little offensive firepower, it's going to be tough winning three out of every five games.

NL East:

1. Philadelphia Phillies
2. Atlanta Braves
3. Florida Marlins
4. New York Mets
5. Washington Nationals

Philadelphia, NL East, NL Pennant and MLB Champs. Followed by the Atlanta Heywards and their solid, young pitching staff. And yes, I see the Mets just edging out the Nationals for 4th in the East (great offense, but terrible pitching aside from Johan).

NL Central:

1. STL Cardinals
2.
3.
4. Milwaukee Brewers
5. Chicago Cubs
6. Cincy Reds
7. Houston Astros
8. Pittsburgh Pirates

The rest of the NL Central is just so bad, that the Cardinals may well lay claim to 1st through 3rd and let the other 5 teams settle in after that. With the reigning MVP, the 2nd and 3rd place Cy Young ballotees and stellar defense, no one in the Central will knock them off the top. The only thing keeping the Houston Astros out of the cellar is, well, my own homerish bias.

NL West:

1. Colorado Rockies
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
3. Arizona Diamondbacks
4. San Diego Padres

The popular "sleeper" pick, the Rockies are my NL West champs. LA's lack of pitching depth will hold them back from taking the division. Arizona's and San Diego's general lack of talent (aside from Mark Reynolds, Justin Upton and Dan Haren for the former and Adrian Gonzalez, Kyle Blanks and Everth Cabrera for the latter) keep them from even hanging in with the two big boys.

AL East: Yankees
AL Central: Twins
AL West: Rangers
AL Wild Card: Rays
Yanks over Rangers, Twins over Rays
Yanks over Twins

NL East: Phillies
NL Central: Cardinals
NL West: Rockies
NL Wild Card: Braves
Phillies over Rockies, Braves over Cardinals
Phillies over Braves

World Series: Phillies over Yankees in 6

AL MVP: Alex Rodriguez
AL Cy Young: Felix Hernandez
AL RoY: Michael Brantley

NL MVP: Chase Utley
NL Cy Young: Roy Halladay
NL RoY: Jason Heyward

Who you got?

5 comments:

  1. Love it! I'm a diehard Phillies fan, so I sure hope this all comes true. Thanks for the props to the Phanatic - the best mascot in all of sports. Just thinking about him makes me smile, he's the best!

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  2. Well, I really believe they are THE best team in the league.

    Easily the best all around offense (best power/speed in the league with Jimmy, Chase, Shane and Jayson) and arguably the 2nd most dangerous hitter in Howard.

    Not to mention, that new pitcher of theirs. You know, what's his name, Roy something or other? That Canadian guy ;)

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  3. Forgot the Giants. If, and its a big IF, they make it to the playoffs I'm not sure anyone wants to go against The Freak, Cain, or even Zito if he's back.

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  4. Uh, yeah, seems I did forget the San Fransisco Last Two NL Cy Youngs.

    Whoops.

    I blame on the ass whoopin' they have given the Astros the first three games of the season.

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  5. Anthony,
    Just wanted to see if you ever got my package from our trade? Thanks
    -Chris
    oncardautos.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete