Which NL preview prediction(so far) will be most wildly inaccurate? (* indicates division title also predicted) ...
| ATL, 93-69* |  67 (33.50%) |
| CHC, 89-73* | 52 (26.00%) |
| CIN, 81-81 | 13 (6.50%) |
| HOU, 84-78 | 4 (2.00%) |
| LAD, 82-86 wins | 9 (4.50%) |
| MIL, 85-77 | 2 (1.00%) |
| NYM, 92-70* | 4 (2.00%) |
| PHI, 94-68* | 32 (16.00%) |
| SFG, 80ish wins | 6 (3.00%) |
| STL, 86-90 wins* | 11 (5.50%) |
I voted for The Braves. This is a team that went 79-83 without, IMO, improving themselves. They got much better than expected production out of McCann and Laroche and Chipper's best season in years . Smoltz is 40 this year and I don't think Hudson will ever be the pitcher he was with Oakland. They just have so many question marks. Their starting pitching is OK. Their offense is OK but I think it will be worse than last year. Their bullpen is a lot better though. I just don't see this team winning 14 more games. These teams are slated for 865-870 wins on here. Last year they combined for 811. In general, the predictions are optimistic. Except for LA.
Hippy, based on my track record, your shorts are probably safe. (On the other hand, if Myers and Hamels make The Leap, they might win 104.)
What else.. I have the Braves in the 88 win range. I think their offense is a whole lot better than OK (best in the NL, them and the Mets), but the rotation worries me. They were worth 85 wins last year, and I think they're a little bit better this team.
But the Mets rotation worries me even more. They were worth about 90 wins last year, and they've slipped.
Cincinnati...hmm. Close to .500 but not quite.
The Astros are mine, and I'm saying they'll finish second behind Milwaukee. Which means I'm fine with Milwaukee winning at least 85. And it also means that I think the Cards and Cubs will both win less than 83. I don't think the Cubs are a .500 team, so that's my pick as the Most Over-Optimistic Projection of them all.
So far, mind you. So far.
In a couple of weeks I'll unleash my Devil Rays preview. I foresee them making a little history this year, doing something they've never done before...
In a couple of weeks I'll unleash my Devil Rays preview. I foresee them making a little history this year, doing something they've never done before...
Not lose 90 games? (Their franchise "low" is 91 ...)
They haven't done that before, either.
In relation with this thread, I went with the Phillies and Cubs. I see the Cubs as maybe hitting 85 wins. But we'll see. If Wood turns into a dominating closer that would help them get closer to 89 methinks.