Results tagged ‘ White Sox ’
Opening Day! Final predictions
After Derek Lowe dominated (and man, he dominated) the World Series champs on Sunday night, it’s time for Opening Day, weather permitting.
So, as CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira get their first regular-season action as members of the New York Yankees, let’s do a quick preview of the MLB.
AL East:
1. Yankees: Yes, I am biased. However, with this rotation, Rivera still being Rivera, and the big bats of Tex and, eventually, A-Rod in the middle of the lineup, the Yanks will return to the top of the division and return to the playoffs.
2. Red Sox: A pretty loaded rotation, when and if Smoltz can return. Jon Lester is the scariest pitcher on this team (for this Yankees fan at least), Dice-K’s the most frusturating (but successful). Lineup built around Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis, two great players, but it will be interesting to see how this offense performs in its first full season post-Manny. Great bullpen with the addition of Takashi Saito.
3. Rays: Youth is king, but I think they might take a step back. Then again, this division will likely go down to the wire, so, while these three will almost definitely be the top three in the division, it wouldn’t surprise (but, oh yes, it would disappoint) me to see this order flipped either
4. O’s: I like Baltimore, but they’re a few years away from fighting for the top three spots.
5. Jays: They finished strong last year, but now it’s just Doc.
AL Central:
1. Royals: My sleeper! Although I keep hearing other people pick them as a sleeper, so I don’t feel so special anymore. There’s also a strong possibility they finish in last.
2. Twins: As long as Mauer’s healthy.
3. Indians: You do realize Carl Pavano could start one of the first three regular-season games at the new Yankee Stadium. I’m sure he’ll get a warm reception.
4. Tigers: Once again, great hitting, zero pitching.
5. White Sox: This looks like a rebuilding year in Chicago.
AL West:
1. Texas Rangers: My backup sleeper.
2. Angels: If their pitching can get healthy they’ll be in OK shape, but this offense is getting OLD (I realize the irony of saying this as a Yankees fan)
3. A’s: Too many young pitchers, and another old offense.
4. Mariners: Happy to see Griffey return, and they’ll be better than last year, but I think it’s another season in the basement.
NL East:
1. Phillies: I don’t really like their starting pitching at all outside of Cole Hamels (If he’s healthy), but they have Jimmy Rollins/Chase Utley/Ryan Howard and a solid bullpen.
2. Mets: Outside of the amazing Johan Santana, I don’t like this rotation at all either. I mean, Big Pelf as the No. 2 starter? He was much improved last season, but I think the Mets are asking too much of him, then you have Oliver Perez (inconsistent), John Maine (returning from injury) and Livan Hernandez (eater of innings). Yes, the bullpen is much improved, but I just don’t like their starters (Outside of Johan) at all. And, right now, I take the Philly trio over Jose Reyes/David Wright/Carlos Beltran, because they got it done last year.
3. Braves: I honestly considered sticking the Braves at No. 1. Good rotation, Chipper (if he can stay on the field) and Brian McCann are powerhouses on offense. This division should be interesting.
4. Marlins: Good, but young, rotation. Hanley Ramirez. I could see them in the mix for this division, but I’m sticking them here.
5. Nationals: I think they’ll be improved, especially (of course) on offense with the addition of Adam Dunn, but no pitching at all.
NL Central:
1. Cubs: This is the only division I feel confident in picking the winner. Which means it will likely be wrong. But they have too much offense and starting pitching not to win this division.
2. Cardinals: Because they have Albert Pujols and somehow are always in it.
3. Astros: Again, you can never count out Houston either. Good offense, but not much pitching after Roy Oswalt.
4. Reds: They’re a sexy pick with their young stars, but I think they’re at least a year away.
5. Pirates: Because they’re the Pirates.
NL West:
1. Giants: I know people think the Dodgers are a lock, but they have a weak, super weak, rotation. The Giants have little by way of offense, but I like their starting pitching the best in the division.
2. D-backs: They’re like the Giants and Dodgers combined. Better offense than the Giants, but slightly worse pitching. Better pitching than the Dodgers, but weaker offense. I think that’s enough for No. 2.
3. Dodgers: Great offense, and they have Manny, but the ace of this staff is Chad Billinglsey. No thanks.
4. Rockies: I like Chris Ianetta.
5. Padres: Poor Jake Peavy and Adrian Gonzalez.
So:
AL: Yanks, Royals, Rangers; Wild Card: Red Sox
NL: Phillies, Cubs, Giants; Wild Card: Mets
World Series: Yankees vs. Cubs (Yanks win, of course)
How wrong will these predictions be? Oh Lord, I can already hear the baseball gods laughing.
Enjoy Opening Day!
Yanks/White Sox April 22, 2008
Nice win for the Yankees in the opener against the White Sox in Chicago. One thing that impressed me was that Chien-Ming Wang, coming off a rough start against Boston his last time out, once again didn’t have his best stuff, but battled to get his fourth win of the season. I thought this was a big win for Wang. There have been many times over the past two seasons — two seasons where he’s compiled the most wins in the Majors — when he’s either been completely dominant and got the win, or struggled and took the loss. It’s easy for Wang to win when his sinker is on and the opposing offenses can’t get anything out of the infield. But when he doesn’t have his sinker, like the end of last season and, especially, in his two awful starts against the Indians in the ALDS, he ended up getting rocked. Today he battled, gave up a few hard hit balls, but managed to keep the Yankees in the game and ended up with the win after Bobby Abreu’s grand slam put the Yankees ahead.
On the offensive side, it was good to see Abreu continue his strong start at the plate, and, even better, it was good to see a productive day at the plate from both Damon and Giambi. Damon had himself a three-hit day, with his second homer in as many games, and Giambi’s solo shot to left-center was a good sign that he’s finding his power stroke. Giambi, even when he’s struggled in the past, has always been able to pull the inside fastball over the right-field fence. A shot to left-center was a good sign for a guy who’s mostly a dead pull hitter.
Joba Chamberlain — after yesterday’s controversy — came up huge out of the bullpen, even with the bases loaded walk. As David Cone pointed out while doing commentary on YES, with a three-run lead against Joe Crede — who already has two grand slams this season — it was good to see Joba not give in and just throw a fastball down the middle of the plate in the full count situation. A pitch down the middle, you might strike Crede out, but you also might give up a grand slam or a three-run double. A walk, you give up one run, then attack the free swinging Juan Uribe and get out of the inning. Overall, a solid win for the Yanks and hopefully Mike Mussina can bounce back after two rough starts against the Red Sox. The White Sox have been impressive early, and have some pop in their line up with Nick Swisher, Crede, Jermaine Dye, Paul Konerko, and others (actually, that’s a pretty solid offense top to bottom) but hopefully Moose can get the job done.
briancougar
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