Clean Slate

Okay, I've vented. The season begins tomorrow, (well, technically, today, as the Yanks and the Bosox are going at it on ESPN as I type) So,now that I've blown off all that steam, how do I REALLY think the Dodgers will do this year? ...

I still think they'll finish 4th in the West. Sorry. You just can't win without pitching. As Bill Shaikin writes in today's Times, the Angels have 5 number 2 starters. That should get them the AL West. The Dodgers, on the other hand, have only one number 2 starter, a couple of number 3's and a couple of number 5's. (That's right. With Kuroda's injury history I consider him no better than a five right now) Now, in spite of their potentially stellar outfield, how the hell are they supposed to win with starting pitching THAT thin? Like I said, Kershaw and Billingsley are going to need to be the second coming of Koufax and Drydsdale and Loney and Blake are going to need to hit for more power. (Unless Martin can do it, which I doubt.) I'm probably the only one in the land who feels the Dodgers will simply NOT generate enough offense. Why? No Juan Pierre. No table setting prowess and a huge loss of speed. Loney, Martin and Blake - it's reallly on them this year to produce mad numbers. Don't see it happening.

The Rockies are gonna be tough, man. If Jeff Francis can pitch anything like he used to was and Aaron Cook and Jorge De La Rosa can pitch well again and IF Ubaldo Jimenez becomes the fireballing NL ace he's supposed to become, it'll be a runaway. The D Backs fortunes hinge on Brandon Webb's availability and effectiveness and the Giants should be very tough to beat with a seasoned Pablo Sandoval girded by Aubrey Huff and Mark DeRosa. But enough about the West and the Blue. They open tomorrow at Pittsburgh at 10:30 AM, PDT and any game against the Bucs is a game that can be won. Let's see how Padilla fares after an awful spring and let's have a look at that offense against Pirates pitching. Here's hoping Blake De WItt is it. I do like that dude.

My Predictions for 2010:

NL WEST

Rockies - If their offense stays healthy, Tulo could be MVP candidate and Brad Hawpe could become, well, Brad Hawpe. Very underrated player.

Giants - Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain helm an a very solid staff. Improved offense.

D Backs - Offense is tough. If Chris Young finally arrives, look out. Brandon Webb is going to need to join Haren, Jackson and company to challenge for first.

Dodgers - Starting pitching just way too thin. Worried about infield production.

Dads - Not as bad as peops think. Pitching staff, even without Peavy, could be tougher. No offense fans, but no offense.

NL CENTRAL

Cards - Carpenter, Wainwright, Pujols, Holliday, Ludwick, La Russa. Enough said.

Brewers - Possible Wild Card contender. Can't poo poo the Firm of Fielder and Braun. McGeehee's bat should be tough and Randy Wolf, as much as I think he's a weak number 2 or a strong 3, should round out the staff along with Gallardo.

Reds - Could this be the year the Big Red Machine becomes big and red again? Doubt it, but they could be tougher than people think and may even contend. Look for Bronson Arroyo to have a good year and a full year of Joey Votto. Reds and Cubs interchangeable in 2010.

Cubs - With Lee, Ramirez and Zambrano go the Cubbies. I think, beyond Zambrano, their starting pitching is a little thin and I'm not sure how much Marlon Byrd is going to be the answer for that lineup. Like the Dodgers, the Cubbies did little in the offseason to improve.

Astros - This team could be a surprise if Berkman returns to form and stays healthy. I like Hunter Pence and Carlos Lee is always great. But just how good is Wandy Rodriguiez and how will Oswalt do after a poor 2009?

Pirates - They could only get better and with McCutheon, Jones and Doumit, their offense definitely will. Pitching?

NL EAST

Phillies - Barring injuries or guys having bad years, going back to the World Series, especially if Cole Hamels returns to form. Halladay, Happ, Blanton. May receive a scare from Florida and/or Atlanta.

Braves - Could be a tough pitching staff. A lot depends on the highly regarded rookie outfielder, Heyward. However, unless Yuniel Escobar really blossoms and McCann really cann, they may not have the offense to compete with Philly.

Marlins - If Josh Johnson and Ricky Nolasco become aces, look out for this team. They can hit, they have the potential MVP in Hanley and last years Rookie of the Year in Coghlin. Lots of pop for very little cash.

Mets - What the hell happened to these guys? Beltran and Reyes suddenly seem old and injury prone and David Wright is coming off a bad season. Still not much of a catcher and outside of Santana, who's their pitching staff? John Maine?? Could always surprise, but doubt it. Johann to the Dodgers at the break? Wishful thinking.

Nationals - Some brighter spots, should improve on their record over the last two years.

AL WEST

Angels - Don't give up just yet. Mike Scioscia can outmanage the entire AL West blindfolded. Solid starting pitching, in spite of the loss of Lackey (they won't miss his ugly face and his showing up his own players on the field) a great offense - look for Kendry Morales to go off - and a lot of depth, this team should repeat. They'll hear some footsteps, however.

Rangers - The Rangers have a few good arms now to go along with the bats. I like Scott Feldman. Their offense can never be questioned. Elvis Andruss could be a factor in this, his second year. Could even contend for the Wild Card as well as for the division.

Mariners - Obviosuly greatly improved with the additions of Cliff Lee and Chone Figgins. Strong offense, but I don't like Milton Bradley - who does? He's like the Kim Jong Il of baseball - and not sure about Casey Kotchman. They have tons of speed with Ichiro and Figgins but they lack pop and a solid 3rd and 4th starter. Could still contend if all goes right.

A's - Lots of strong young pitching. Improved offense, could be a HUGE surprise, but it's a tougher division these days to do that. We'll see.

AL CENTRAL

Twins - Yes, I said "Twins" not Tigers. The Twins are playing in a new outdoor ballpark so their offense could be somewhat neutralized, but not enough to stop this team. Mauer and Morneau anchor a very tough offense. Denard Span could have a breakout year. Their starting pitching is solid but not great and they have no Joe Nathan. Still, I like this team.

Tigers - Could easily go their way. Strong offense, but no more Granderson. A lot depends on a Magglio rejuvenation to join Cabrerra and Damon. Verlander will have to repeat last year's performance and Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello will be forced to come of age. Could challenge all year and even win it.

Royals - Big surprise for the Midwest Blue to be predicted to finish above the cellar, but they may just have the pitching and the experience to do it. Zack Greinke was the AL Cy Young winner in '09. Gil Meche could be healther, but he should be there. I like their young offense led by Butler, Callaspo and De Jesus.

Indians - With no one to really replace Cliff Lee, will Westbrook and Carmona be able to fill the void? Potent offense. I love Sin Soo Choo and Grady Sizemore should finally become... something. But no more Victor Martinez. Could be a tough year for the Tribe.

AL EAST

Yanks - Wish I didn't have to make a prediction on this division. (Actually, I don't. No one's making me) But I actually think the Yanks, Rays and Bosox could be three of the 5 best teams in baseball. In fact, they are. They could finish the season within one game of each other or even tied. The only reason I take the Yanks is because they were there last year and, even though they lost Matsui, A Rod, Teixeira, Jeter, Posada, Cano and company are still a going concern and have been enhanced by Curtis Granderson. Their pitching could be their Achilles heel. Beyond CC, you could be wanting a bit with an aging Pettite and a sometimes shaky Burnett, but they'll be there,.

Rays - Tampa is tough, dude. This team has made some improvements. If Shields has a strong year and if Price and Niemann come of age, they could possibly take the division by storm. Their offense is pretty scary. Both Evan Longoria and Carl Crawford could be viable MVP candidates. I like this team.

Bosox - They could EASILY win the east. They have a formidable pitching staff with Lester, Beckett, Lackey & Dice K. Their offense is rough and tough. They have Papelbon. Three way tie for 1st in the east with each team winning 100 games? No. But they could all win well over 90.

Orioles - This team could be on the rise. Lots of young pitching and hitting with Markakis, Adam Jones and Luke Scott. Too bad Tejada is back, but they could contend this year ... for 4th in the east.

Blue Jays - With all that having been said, the Jays could be better than they were last year. If only they didn't have to play the Pins, Rays and Red Sox all those times. Ya gotta love Hill and Lind. Starting pitching and bullpen are at issue.

NL MVP - It'll probably be Pujols again, but for fun I'll say Hanley Ramirez
NL CY YOUNG - Halladay over Lincecum, Carpenter & Jiminez
NL ROOKIE - Heyward

AL MVP - Longoria (Mauer may not hit quite as well outdoors
AL CY YOUNG - King Felix
AL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR - I'll let my reader(s) fill that one in.

So, that's it. My predictions for 2010. Go Dodgers.