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Rob Neyer picks the A's to win...

The AL West:

From: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4047201&name=Neyer_Rob

NL West
1. Dodgers
2. Diamondbacks (WC)
3. Rockies
4. Giants
5. Padres

I had the Diamondbacks in first place until Manny re-upped with the Dodgers, but it's still going to be close and I like Arizona for the wild card. The Padres won't be as bad as everybody thinks, and could almost as easily finish third as fifth.

NL Central
1. Cubs
2. Cardinals
3. Brewers
4. Reds
5. Astros
6. Pirates

I've got the Brewers and Cardinals both winning 83 games, but I'll give the Cardinals the edge because Chris Carpenter and Jason Motte might be twin sensations (though probably not). The Pirates probably are the one team in the majors most likely to lose 100 games.

NL East
1. Mets
2. Braves
3. Phillies
4. Nationals
5. Marlins

The Marlins are drawing some positive reviews because of their unproven-but-obviously-talented starting pitchers, and I have to admit they could surprise me. But the numbers I've seen argue that the Marlins are the worst team in the division, a few games behind the Nationals. As for the Phillies, they'll be pretty good but I believe the gimpiness of Cole Hamels and the oldness of Jamie Moyer will drop the champs to third place (also, Brad Lidge won't be perfect again this year).

AL East
1. Yankees
2. Red Sox (WC)
3. Rays
4. Blue Jays
5. Orioles

It has quickly become a meme: The three best teams in the majors all are in the American League East. This happens to be true. Doesn't mean they'll finish with the three best records, or that they'll be the three best teams three months from now. But at this moment on paper, they're the best. What's more, they're close enough that the order could easily be reversed. But I think the Rays' best won't come until 2010 and '11, and that this year they'll miss the playoffs by a couple of games.

AL Central
1. Indians
2. Tigers
3. Twins
4. Royals
5. White Sox

There won't be any terrible teams in this division -- in fact, I can't find any terrible teams in the American League -- but I'll be shocked if anyone here wins 90 games. The Indians are seriously deficient after their top two starters, and that's without even considering the possibility that Cliff Lee was a fluke last season and Fausto Carmona was a fluke the season before that. I just think the Indians' deficiencies are less damaging than those of the other contenders.

AL West
1. Athletics
2. Angels
3. Mariners
4. Rangers

I know, I know … It's probably a little bit crazy to pick the A's, considering that their current pitching rotation includes five pitchers who have combined for the grandly splendiferous total of 18 major league wins. Actually, that might make me certifiable. But if two or three of them pitch well and Justin Duchscherer comes back strong and the Angels continue to miss three of their starters … Hey, it could happen!

I do agree with his picks for the most part, I think the Rangers will finish 3rd, the M's are still a mess, and the Rangers will probably win a lot of 9-8 games. I also think the Giants could really surprise if they could get any offense going.

0 recs  |  Comment 22 comments

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Keith Law picked the A's too.

as they are both occasional AN lurkers, I send them both thanks.

Now hopefully Steve Phillips won’t go and jinx it by picking the A’s too.

Save Rajai Davis

by oakinboston on Apr 6, 2009 4:15 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I picked them too

that all but guarantees it, we when the West!

Join PETPT....People for the Ethical Treatment of Paul Thomas

by OptimistPrime on Apr 6, 2009 4:28 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

unless of course Braden gives up 12 runs, in which case...

WE ARE ALL GOING TO DIE!!!!!

Join PETPT....People for the Ethical Treatment of Paul Thomas

by OptimistPrime on Apr 6, 2009 4:28 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

what if we score 13 runs?

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Apr 6, 2009 4:43 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'll predict who's winning the AL West

after the leadoff hitter bats in the top of the first inning tonight.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Apr 6, 2009 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I already made my prediction in the game thread.

6-3 A’s.

Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox

by mrod on Apr 6, 2009 5:26 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

you did get the Angels score right

Bad spellers of the world untie.

by A'sfaninNC on Apr 7, 2009 5:30 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

You have to admit it would be a surprise

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Apr 7, 2009 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

True

But I admit that it will be tough enough to gain the Giants territorial rights to San Jose let alone asking SF to switch from their precious NL Worst Division spot for our’s so they could win the AL West.

If Ziegler blows a save... I'll flag his next post.

by gdub171 on Apr 8, 2009 11:17 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

There's definitely some infringement issues here.

At the very least you could include a link and distinguish Neyer’s words from yours.

by Rocktopus on Apr 6, 2009 4:46 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Good point - a link should be there and Neyer's words edited out

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Apr 6, 2009 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Link added

Goliath, dissatisfied with his size advantage, decided to buy David's sling, which took steroids. Add on me on Twitter: ScottASpecht

by TexasAsfan on Apr 6, 2009 6:04 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Gracias!

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Apr 6, 2009 9:00 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah

You posted waaaaay too much of the story. Snippets, please, snippets.

by Tyler Bleszinski on Apr 6, 2009 9:24 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Opening night lineup for the soon to be, hopefully, AL West Champs...

per Slusser:

The Opening Night lineup: Ryan Sweeney CF, Orlando Cabrera SS, Jason Giambi DH, Matt Holliday LF, Nomar Garciaparra 1B, Eric Chavez 3B, Kurt Suzuki C, Jack Cust RF, Mark Ellis 2B.

"just a beating heart ... plasma that we'll put into our uniform." - Billy Beane

by athleticsBB4life on Apr 6, 2009 4:55 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Generally, I'd rather see Buck in the field.

But I can understand Geren wanting to get another right-handed bat (Nomar) in the field against a lefty.

by Rocktopus on Apr 6, 2009 5:23 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

that is a badass lineup.

Well besides the Orlando Cabrera part.

However, I love the inclusion of Nomar versus a Lefty, imagine:

Sweeney
Cust
Garciaparra
Holliday
Giambi
Cabrera
Chavez
Suzuki
Ellis

I miss Chad God

by ChadGod on Apr 6, 2009 5:23 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

geren probably wanted to break-up the lefties

"just a beating heart ... plasma that we'll put into our uniform." - Billy Beane

by athleticsBB4life on Apr 6, 2009 5:22 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Way to jink us Neyer

Who else would pick the DRays to miss the playoffs?

If Ziegler blows a save... I'll flag his next post.

by gdub171 on Apr 8, 2009 11:13 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

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