That’s right, I’ve been predicting the outcome of Major League Baseball seasons since I was 6 years old and twice in those 44 years I’ve picked the winner of the World Series correctly, the Mets in 1969 and 1986. That’s because I pick the Mets every year to win the World Series even in the mid and late 70’s when the franchise was in the toilet I still picked them to win it all so take these not just a grain a salt but with a whole damn silo full of it. So without any further adieu here are the Eddie Kranepool Society 2008 Baseball Prognostications.
National League East
I’m of the mind set that the Mets lost the NL East last year not the Phillies won it. Let’s face it if the Mets just played one game under .500 in the last 17 games last year the Quakers would have had gone 16-1 just to tie. Think about that and tell me you didn’t‘ just puke in your mouth. But as Elliot Spitzer says let old whores die, it’s time to move on. Admit it Mets fans we have the best four man rotation in baseball. The bullpen looks quite fortified as well even with Dirty Duaner staying in summer school to regain strength to pitch on back to back days. Billy Wags looks nasty and that’s not just because of his chin stubble but he looks to have realized that his gas ain’t what it used to be but if you reach back now and then and add a good off speed pitch you can be very effective. The defense is very underrated as the addition of Brian Schneider is an upgrade over Girls Gone Wild collaborator Paul LoDuca. But of course our boys in Blue and
The Braves also have health and age issues in the starting rotation. If the Smoltz-Glavine-Hudson-Hampton stay healthy the Braves will be right on the Mets tail. The Phillies are short on arms especially in the bullpen but the Rollins-Utley-Howard trio of hitters is fucking scary. The Phillies will be in the hunt as well as this race goes three deep but the Mets just have more pitching than either team so it’s Mets for me.
National League Central
I wanted sooooooooo badly to pick the Red Legs to win this division. I like their starting pitching very much especially with the two young guys Johnny Cueto and Endison Volguez making the rotation plus closer Francisco Cordero was a top flight addtion this winter but the one thing stopping me is the manager, old Dust-A-Roo Baker will find a way to fuck this up. So that brings me to the Cubbies and Louie Pinnella he won’t fuck things up and he has an ace in Carlos Zambrano and good cast of starters with Ted Lilly and Rich Hill but it’s the bullpen that will shine Bobby Howry, Carlos Marmol, Scott Eyre and if healthy Kerry Wood is more than enough to lead the Cubs to the division flag.
National League West
The best division in the NL. Any of the top four teams could win this division. The Dodgers have a strong rotation and a deep and effective bullpen in fact they have depth all over that’s what will seperate them from the pack. Again this is a division that will separated by a game or two and be very tight down the stretch that’s why I pick the D’Backs to win the Wild Card as a consolation prize.
American League East
Last year if you remember and it’s okay if you don’t I picked the Blue Jays to win the World Series. Injuries were the Northern Birds down fall so I’m betting that it can’t happen to them two years in a row so back to the
American League Central
Love those Tigers. Excellent pitching. Solid lineup. Great manager all the ingredients of a winner. All the Dontrelle Willis nay-sayers will be eating their words when the D-Train shows his “soul” and becomes the Comeback Player of the Year. Arguably to me the Motown Cats are the best team in baseball. The Indians lose out to the Tigers by 10 games in the division and are nosed out by the Old Town Team for the Wild Card but still the Tribe is very good. The Royals will be pests as they have an underrated starting staff. Thank you Bill Smith for your gift of Johan Santana.
American League West
Love the tandem of King Felix and Erik Bedard as having both pitchers will prevent long losing streaks. Richie Sexson can’t bat .205 again can he? JJ is no putz but a solid closer. Rangers could surprises but of course it all rides on pitching. The Angles could be the best or the worst of this division and will be fun to watch. Billy Beane is thinking about Freemont.
So what does the post season look like in my Cristal Balls:
NLDS
Mets over D’Backs
Dodgers over Cubs
NLCS
Mets over Dodgers
ALDS
Tigers over Red Sox
Blue Jays over Mariners
ALCS
Tigers over Blue Jays
2008 World Series
Mets over Tigers
The NL better win the All Star Game this year because this World Series is going seven games.
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This post was written by kranepool on March 27, 2008
I like your choice of Toronto. One of the most under-understood aspects of the Jays (& Expos) is the value of the greenback. Now, with the gains in the value of the Loon (CAN$) the Jays have a much bigger income, but their outgoings (players’ salaries) are lower. They have resources that were lacking during the late 90s and early 00s. If Montreal had held on, that franchise would be sitting pretty now.
I hope you’re right about the Mets this year. So much rides on Pedro. If he falls short the Mets are in serious trouble.
I like your picks, but I must defend the honor
of my fellow Quakers - hey at least we finished above .500 in the Ivies this year
despite having no team to speak of.
Calling the Blunts, Quakers, no no. You owe
all the U of Pennsylvania grads and students
an appy-polly-lodgy. Well except the Wharton
‘geniuses’ and their ‘creativity’.
I have high hopes for the Mets this year. I think it being the last year at Shea might give them some extra motivation. It just FEELS like they have all the pieces in place to put up a monster year, especially with the upgraded pitching staff.