Who Is Your Surprise Team?

**Illusion** · 03-07-06, 04:08 AM

I still think Milwaukee is gonna surprise alot of people this year.

**imgv94** · 03-07-06, 04:08 AM

Padres

**rm18** · 03-07-06, 04:16 AM

I thought Milwaukee was going to be projected to win like 90 games, but they are not so I wil agree and say the Brewers

**newb411breaker19** · 03-07-06, 08:55 AM

blue jays

**Dead Money** · 03-07-06, 10:07 AM

Marlins.....if they win 50 games I'll be surprised.

**presley177** · 03-07-06, 01:16 PM

Seattle Mariners

**Willie Bee** · 03-07-06, 01:20 PM

Rangers. I'm scooting my fat ass out on a limb and predicting the AL West for them this time

No fooling.

**presley177** · 03-07-06, 01:24 PM

Originally posted by Willie Bee

Rangers. I'm scooting my fat ass out on a limb and predicting the AL West for them this time

No fooling.

They were going to be my pick...but I have a hard time believing pitchers can stay consistent post all-star break pitching in the hot Texas temps.

**Willie Bee** · 03-07-06, 01:28 PM

The pitching is crucial, no doubt. The real key for me is keeping the middle- and setup-relievers strong all season. And like I said, it's a stretch with the Angels and A's. But I sort of think it will be like the AL West, a 3-team race with mid-80s in the win column possibly good enough.

The Mariners probably scare me more than any of the six teams I'm picking for last in their divisions this year.

**presley177** · 03-07-06, 01:50 PM

Originally posted by Willie Bee

The pitching is crucial, no doubt. The real key for me is keeping the middle- and setup-relievers strong all season. And like I said, it's a stretch with the Angels and A's. But I sort of think it will be like the AL West, a 3-team race with mid-80s in the win column possibly good enough.

The Mariners probably scare me more than any of the six teams I'm picking for last in their divisions this year.

the AL will certainly be interesting. The Mariners will be tough with Washburn, Moyer, Felix Hernandez at the top of the rotaion and a pretty good bullpen with Soriano, Putz, Mateo and Guardado. The biggest question mark for the M's i think will be their japanese import catcher. how well will he be able to work with the veteren pitchers? how well will he hit?

**H Gruber** · 03-07-06, 02:52 PM

I mentioned before somewhere that the Brew Crew will contend for the wild card until September. There over/under of 81 is a gift. Catch it now though, it's moving up.

The Dodgers are most improved having added Nomar, Rafael Furcal, Bill Mueller, in the off-season. JD Drew will be healthy (could happen) and Gagne should be on track. They picked up Danys Baez as a setup man/back up as well. Bullpen and rotation is DEEP. 86 is the O/U, which I like as well cause the NL West BLOWS!

Look for the Pirates to be competitive this year. Jason Bay is the real deal, as is Zach Duke. I like the additions of Sean Casey and Joe Randa as well.

**Willie Bee** · 03-07-06, 06:18 PM

Originally posted by presley177

The biggest question mark for the M's i think will be their japanese import catcher.

I've been wondering the same, Presley. Don't really know much about the guy. But I finally got around to reading a recent piece on him at ESPN. No doubt some journalistic fluff in there, but there were some good bits and it sounds like he will be pretty good defensively/calling pitches. Plus playing in Seattle that already has been through the integration of Japanese players should help him.

Jerry Crasnick / ESPN.com

Johjima's attentiveness to detail has helped him blend easily into Seattle's clubhouse dynamic. He contacted two former Mariners, Dan Wilson and Shigetoshi Hasegawa, for pointers on the Seattle staff, and gleaned additional insight from teammate Ichiro Suzuki. He has studied tape of Seattle's pitchers in action, and routinely logs his observations in a little black book.

In his first conversation with pitcher Jarrod Washburn, Johjima asked, "Is it fair to assume that you throw 80 percent fastballs?"

Washburn, suitably impressed, informed him that was correct. Then Johjima followed up by asking Washburn which sign he prefers to use for his cut fastball.
---
Johjima is too focused on the present to worry about the future. Amid all of the talk of a language barrier, he's found a way to get his point across.

"We all know what to say at the mound," he says. "We don't talk about government or anything like that."

**imgv94** · 03-07-06, 06:47 PM

I would just like to say I am impressed with the baseball knowledge in this
thread. You guys will be making some major $ dough this baseball season.

P.S

Willie Bee

I am a fan of yours already. I will always want to
keep in contact with you.. Your a sharp with a capital S.

**Alamorich** · 03-07-06, 11:46 PM

Giants we off last year but if Bonds can play 100 games they should win the West. Giants always seem enough pitching to get by. Remember their division really sucks.

**Alamorich** · 03-07-06, 11:53 PM

Angels showed a couple years ago that playing a NL style game was the way to go...Whitsox followed that example last year. Anybody aware of an AL team adopting that same model for this year?

**onlooker** · 03-08-06, 12:00 AM

The Blue Jays.

They picked up some talent in the offseason, but with them being in the AL East. Its going to be tough for them to really make a run. We all have to think the division will be a battle between the Yanks and BoSox.

**imgv94** · 03-08-06, 12:02 AM

Originally posted by Alamorich

Giants we off last year but if Bonds can play 100 games they should win the West. Giants always seem enough pitching to get by. Remember their division really sucks.

Giants have the best pitcher in the NL in
Jason Schmidt. He will win the NL Cy Young
I think.

Blue Jays are going to be in 2nd place to the Yankees
I think.

**Illusion** · 03-08-06, 12:15 AM

Jason Schmidt doesn't hold a candle to Clemens or Peavy

**onlooker** · 03-08-06, 12:16 AM

Originally posted by imgv94

Giants have the best pitcher in the NL in
Jason Schmidt. He will win the NL Cy Young
I think.

Jason Schmidt still needs to prove to me that he can shake of that injury from a season or so ago. He didnt do to well last year come off that injury.

**imgv94** · 03-08-06, 12:17 AM

Peavy wins 22 this year...

**Illusion** · 03-08-06, 12:19 AM

His lines are always high, so I found myself betting against him alot. I think I broke even betting on him for the year.

**imgv94** · 03-08-06, 12:21 AM

Hey when Peavy Pitches whats his line usually?? -175?

**Illusion** · 03-08-06, 12:28 AM

-175 to -220ish. Just depends on who they are playing. It will be -125 when facing a really good team

**imgv94** · 03-08-06, 12:32 AM

I will bet him against my dodgers. Probably get -145 to -165 huh?

**Illusion** · 03-08-06, 12:37 AM

That sounds about right, but your comeback will be pretty nice, so you should take your Dodgers.

**imgv94** · 03-08-06, 12:41 AM

I have a feeling I am going to do pretty good on baseball. If anything I
have you helping me out. Hopefully looker and BBD will help out also.

I know everything about baseball except betting it. I follow baseball
closely.

**Illusion** · 03-08-06, 12:43 AM

I just subscribed to mlb.com coverage. It was only $80 to watch every game on your computer.

**onlooker** · 03-08-06, 12:45 AM

Originally posted by Illusion

I just subscribed to mlb.com coverage. It was only $80 to watch every game on your computer.

No need for that. I have the Extra Inning package on Dish.

But if you want to share your user Id and password so I can check out the MLB.com coverage, I would be glad to.

**imgv94** · 03-08-06, 12:46 AM

I should do that. I have a super fast connection.

**imgv94** · 03-08-06, 12:46 AM

Originally posted by onlòóker

But if you want to share your user Id and password so I can check out the MLB.com coverage, I would be glad to.

Crafty ass looker. Good Idea.

**Illusion** · 03-08-06, 12:59 AM

Originally posted by onlòóker

No need for that. I have the Extra Inning package on Dish.

But if you want to share your user Id and password so I can check out the MLB.com coverage, I would be glad to.

Will that work. If they don't check ip's I will share.

**imgv94** · 03-08-06, 01:15 AM

Originally posted by Illusion

Will that work. If they don't check ip's I will share.

You will hook me up also right bro?

**onlooker** · 03-08-06, 01:18 AM

Originally posted by Illusion

Will that work. If they don't check ip's I will share.

Well as long as two IPs arent trying to log in at once. I dont think it matters. Because you cant help it if you want to watch MLB from another computer away from home.

**imgv94** · 03-08-06, 01:26 AM

Originally posted by onlòóker

Well as long as two IPs arent trying to log in at once. I dont think it matters. Because you cant help it if you want to watch MLB from another computer away from home.

impressive looker. Very impressive. You are a crook.

And I love it.