I will go first... I should clarify, this is for real life not in TCBL. The Chicago Cubs (get your laughs in now...I am about to blow your mind) PITCHING Rotation is going to be deep as hell. If Garza, Samardzija and Edwin Jackson all stay healthy and play up to their talent this rotation can be very deep. Throw in Scott Baker after he recovers from his Tommy John Surgery (who was phenomenal in Minnesota), Scott Feldman has a nice transition from the American League to the National League and has a nice year and Travis Wood fills in for Baker until he is back then transitions to the bullpen as a nice lefty handed arm...this rotation can be very good. Bullpen will be improved. Marmol may not be the closer, as the Cubs signed Japanese All-Star Kyuiji Fujikawa who was untouchable in the last world baseball classic and sported a 1.77 ERA in his 12 seasons playing in Japan. Sprinkle in a little James Russel, Shaun Camp and Michael Bowden and this bullpen might end up being a strong point if Marmol gets back on track. Also don't sleep on the signing of Carlos Villanueva, the guy is one of the most underrated bullpen guys in the league and can also jump in as a spot starter whenever needed. HITTING Offensively, this team may struggle. HOWEVER, if Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo continue to progress and have big years this team won't have too much trouble scoring runs. Add in another solid 30+ hr 90+ rbi year from Soriano and solid output from David DeJesus and the platoon of Scott Hairston/Nate Schierholtz as well as a nice year from 1st year fulltime starter Wellington Castillo and this is not a 60 win Cub team this year. Realistic prediction: 81 win season for the Cubs..... BUT THEY COULD WIN THE WORLD SERIES. Your turn.
I'd bet my life savings the Cubs don't make the playoffs, let alone win it all. But I guess you made as much of a case as you could. I like your 81 win prediction.
Probable lineup1. Michael Bourn, CF 2. Jason Kipnis, 2B 3. Asdrubal Cabrera, SS 4. Nick Swisher, 1B 5. Carlos Santana, C 6. Mark Reynolds, DH 7. Michael Brantley, LF 8. Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B 9. Drew Stubbs, RF Honestly, I really like this lineup. You have speed and versatility with Bourn, Kipnis and Cabrera at the top of the lineup; a little power with Swish, Santana and Reynolds in the middle; and a solid prospect in Chisenhall near the bottom. The only clear negative is that this team will strikeout A LOT! On defense, you have one of the best fielding outfields in the majors with Bourn, Stubbs and Brantley. That type of speed will definitely help the pitching staff. (3 centerfielders) Probable rotation1. Justin Masterson 2. Ubaldo Jimenez 3. Brett Myers 4. Zack McAllister 5. Daisuke Matsuzaka ALT: Trevor Bauer, Carlos Carrasco Ok...we are a little weak after Ubaldo. However, if Bauer can get his head on straight and Carrasco can pitch close to his potential, this rotation could surprise. However, the thought of reliever Brett Myers and Daisuke starting 40+ games is kind of a scary thought. Bullpen Closer: Chris Perez Setup: Vinnie Pestano, Joe Smith, Matt Capps Bench players C Lou Marson, DH Jason Giambi, IF Mike Aviles, IF/OF Ryan Raburn Realistic expectation - 84-78 DEFINITELY A BETTER CHANCE THAN THE CUBS!
Just wait until next year! But in all seriousness, I like the Tribe's team this year too. Better beat those White Sox.
I could do a nice write up about the Minnesota Twins winning it all but... we ain't winnin' shit this year. AND...
As a Yankees fan, the Nick Swisher deal still doesn't sit well with me. I saw him as a lifetime Yankee, just seemed perfect for playing in the big city, unlike A-Rod !
I was surprised. The Dolans aren't known for spending money so it was a big deal for this team. Bourn was the icing on the cake. Of course, with all of this excitement for the start of Indians spring training, that almost assures a 100 loss season. It is just the way things work in Cleveland!
the cardinals going win for three reasons wainwright , freese , matheny thats all i say 90-95 win range is acceptable
Probable Lineup 1. Austin Jackson, CF 2. Torri Hunter, RF 3. Miguel Cabrera, 3B 4. Prince Fielder, 1B 5. Victor Martinez, DH 6. Alex Avila, C 7. Jhonny Peralta, SS 8. Andy Dirks, LF 9. Omar Infante, 2B Bench Brayan Pena (C), Ramon Santiago (2B/SS), Quintin Berry (OF), Avisail Garcia (OF) Starting Rotation 1. Justin Verlander 2. Max Scherzer 3. Doug Fister 4. Anibal Sanchez 5. Rick Porcello Bullpen Drew Smyly Brayan Villarreal Al Albuquerque Phil Coke Octavio Dotel Joaquin Benoit Bruce Rondon Realistic Prediction 90-100 wins, AL Central Champion, AL Champion, World Series Champion Why? Bring everyone back and add two more quality bats to an already pretty good offense. A whole season of Sanchez will improve the starting rotation. Got rid of the closer who had an ERA near 4 and who blew or lost 10 games by himself.
Lol so ur big hitting, playoff disappearing regular season chump ass team is gonna do what? Lol... Cocky ass Ace Verlander watches three Pablo bombs again???...#overrated....#
It feels good to be back in the mix of baseball relativity, its been awhile since our back to back World Series Titles. The biggest reason i think the Jays will win it all this year is........ Truthfully its more about the man on the right in these photos, AA brought a lot of talent to Toronto in one off season, even tho the players are going to have to win it. Alex some how got into Miami before the big guns, Yankees and Boston and so-on, and fleeced the Marlins who just wanted to dump salary. Then he signs Cabrera which at worst only costs him some money and then makes the deal for Dickey, BOOM! Instant contender. With Bautista back and hopefully healthy and Encarnation hoping to build on a break out year our offense should be potent. With our opening day starter last year now our #5 starter our rotation is probable top 10 in the league now. Rotation 1. R.A. Dickey (20-6, 2.73 ERA, 1.053 WHIP)2. Brandon Morrow (10-7, 2.96, 1.115)3. Mark Buehrle (13-13, 3.74, 1.171)4. Josh Johnson (8-14, 3.81, 1.280)5. Ricky Romero (9-14, 5.77, 1.674) Projected Starters C: J.P. Arencibia 1B: Edwin Encarnacion 2B: Maicer Izturis/ Emilio Bonifacio 3B: Brett Lawrie SS: Jose Reyes LF: Melky CabreraCF: Colby Rasmus/ Emilio Bonifacio RF: Jose Bautista DH: Adam Lind
That rotation is nasty. Ricky Romero will rebound IMO he has talent...gross.
Is this a real life prediction cause we all know you and video games don't equal wins. That might have been a little harsh, you will win the central
I mean just look at that above, isn't it stacked? Probable Lineups: Desmond Zimmerman Werth Harper LaRoche Ramos Espinosa Span Pitcher or Span Zimmerman Werth Harper LaRoche Ramos Desmond Espinosa Pitcher Bench: Steve Lombardozzi, Kurt Suzuki, Tyler Moore, Roger Bernadina, Chad Tracey, and Corey Brown Rotation: Stephen Strasburg Gio Gonzales Jordan Zimmermann Dan Haren Ross Detwiler Bullpen: Tyler Clippard, Drew Storen, Henry Rodriguez, Ryan Matteus, Craig Stamen and Rafael Soriano The lineup should be just nasty, Harper will hit either 3rd or 4th and challenge to lead the league in HRs and doubles while Zimmerman and Werth will be great guys to get on base ahead of him. Not sure if Span or Desmond will lead off, Span will probably provide great high contact and bring great speed to the base paths while Desmond can bring contact and power to the plate along with the speed. Ramos coming back from ACL repair will be a question mark but having Kurt waiting in the wings isn't exactly a drop off. LaRoche had a career year IRL and personally have always found his stroke in the Show a sweet swing. The rotation is just straight filth, from Strasburg's cheese fastball and slurve to Gio's lefty power and finesse. Only adding Zimmermann and then Dan Haren's split finger in the offseason will make this club better. I hate losing Edwin Jackson, maybe _MG_ and I can strike a deal to bring him back to the Capitol and then you have lefy Ross Detwiler bringing up the #5 slot. The bullpen is pretty loaded with Clippard, Storen and Rodriguez. Then the Nationals make a deal to bring in Soriano who took over Mariano Rivera spot when he went down to injury for the Yankees where he was an excellent SU man and had 42 saves, 3 off his career year. In closing, the NL East will be one of the most difficult divisions in TCBL this year. The roster is setup for the division and winning the pennant and only time will tell if it will be done.
