Predictions are never an exact science. And with over 3,000 things posted on this site since we launched in October 2006, we were bound to screw some up. Take this year’s “Team a Day” baseball previews, for example. There were some horrid predictions. Mariners winning 90? Colby Rasmus making a huge impact in St. Louis? The Detroit Tigers being the best lineup in baseball?
Below is every National League preview revisited.
Arizona Diamondbacks (Kevin)
Got em: “The D-Backs added Dan Haren this off season and gave the D-Backs a one two punch that can go toe to toe with any other in baseball.”
Whiff: “While this may be one of the best divisions in baseball it is clear that this team is head and shoulders above the rest of the competition.”
Atlanta Braves (Ryan)
Got em: “[Chipper] Jones is getting up there in age and his body is usually prone for a trip to the disabled list every year. But if he can limit it to one trip rather than the two or three like in ‘05 and ‘06, the Braves will be much better off.”
Whiff: “[Rafael] Soriano’s stuff is electric and he appears ready to make the transformation from set-up man to closer. That should add up to 30-40 saves for the Braves.”
Chicago Cubs (Ryan)
Got em: “Catcher Geovany Soto hit .389 with Chicago in very limited action last year. He has all the makings of being one of baseball’s elite backstops.”
Whiff: “The young lefty, Rich Hill, was dynamite in his first full season in the bigs. He went 11-8 with an ERA under 4, numbers that I see improving in ‘08.”
Cincinnati Reds (Rich)
Got em: “Adam Dunn is a man-child. While it’s admittedly futile for me to try and hide my affection for the corn fed who plays no defense and has minimal speed, I will boast about his power. Dunn is as reliable for 40 home runs a season as babies are to crap in diapers.”
Whiff: “Lost among the big, shiny, attention grabbing lineups of divisional rivals such as the Cubs and Brewers is a Reds lineup that is, in my opinion, the best in the division.”
Colorado Rockies (Rich)
Got em: “They’ll remain competitive in the National League West on the backs of Tulowitzki and Holliday alone and it should be interesting to see if they can rekindle the Rocky Mountain magic of last year.”
Whiff: ”The Rockies think they might have found something in young canuck Jeff Francis. Francis, a product of the Rockies system, is a 12 year old look-alike with a 95 mph fastball and a crazy arm angle. Francis’ side delivery compounded with the fact that he’s a lefty instantly make him a tough guy to hit on any given night
Florida Marlins (Rich)
Got em: “Boys and girls, if there’s one thing you take away from this lesson, remember the name Hanley Ramirez. If you already knew, then you better tell somebody.”
Whiff: ”In a word, bleak. Outside of Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla, it’s tough to get excited about this team this season. Manager Fredi Gonzalez is going to have a dogfight on his hands for last place in the division.”
Houston Astros (Rich)
Got em: “Compile the convenience of left field being a stone’s throw from home plate at Minute Maid and Carlos Lee is destined to put up fantastic numbers again this season.”
Whiff: “The NL Central is competitive because there are six teams in it, not because any of them do anything particularly well.”
Los Angeles Dodgers (Ryan)
Got em: “Young Chad Billingsley looked nasty in 2007 and should only get better. Despite some spotty control at times, he still went 12-5 with a 3.31 ERA.”
Whiff: “Andruw Jones will bring plenty of power to the lineup, not to mention his Gold Glove.”
Milwaukee Brewers (Sonny)
Got em: “The Brewers have all the pieces in place to finally make the playoffs.”
Whiff: “J.J. Hardy had a fluke year.”
New York Mets (Rich)
Got em: “Expect nothing less than a Cy Young caliber season from Johan while he celebrates his move to Queens with the finest cervezas the Venezuelan district of New York has to offer.”
Whiff: “Pedro will be counted on to solidify the role of the second starter behind Santana, creating one of the meanest Latin 1-2 pitching combinations in baseball. Throw in the magic that John Maine brings to the yard, and the Mets have one of the strongest three man pitching combinations in the National League.”
Philadelphia Phillies (Ryan)
Got em: “Howard represents the “old school” slugger, a guy who won’t win a batting crown like an Albert Pujols or David Ortiz. But when you homer once every nine or ten at-bats, fans tend to overlook that sort of stuff.”
Whiff: “Lidge showed signs of coming out of his Albert Pujols induced funk last year, but pitching in Philadelphia is completely different than pitching in front of the folks down in Texas. If Lidge fails (which he will), they’ll ride Lidge harder than JD Drew, Pat Burrell, Eric Lindros and Donovan McNabb put together.”
Pittsburgh Pirates (Ryan)
Got em: “The Pirates committed a horrible gaffe when they acquired aging pitcher Matt Morris. There was zero reason to make this move, considering Morris hasn’t been a halfway decent pitcher since first arriving in the Bay Area a few years back. Morris is a shadow of his former self and would be lucky to crack many big league rotations at this point in his career.”
Whiff: “In the outfield, the Pirates could have a decision to make at center field. Nate McLouth stole 22 bases for the Bucs in ‘06, but his .258 average and .351 OBP aren’t quite worthy of a leadoff role. If McLouth doesn’t pull his head out of his ass and raise that average, I would love to see the Pirates give more at-bats to young Nyjer Captain Morgan, who impressed during his September call-up last year.”
LOL: “Matt Morris will win 12 games.” Rich in the NL Central podcast
San Diego Padres (Ryan)
Got em: “Despite blowing two saves in the season’s final weekend, there’s few closers that are more reliable than Trevor Hoffman.”
Whiff: “At shortstop, Khalil Greene has emerged as one of baseball’s best shortstops. Despite a lousy batting average (.254) and horrid on base percentage (.291), Spicoli’s Greene’s 27 homers and 97 RBIs put him in the upper echelon of NL shortstops.”
San Francisco Giants (Rich)
Got em: “Lincecum has one of the most electric arms in the game and, all things considered, his season last year showed great promise for the future.”
Whiff: “Don’t expect much from the Giants other than a run to the cellar.”
St. Louis Cardinals (Ryan)
Got em: “Fortunately for the Cardinals, they have the benefit of one of the game’s best hitters and managers. When you have Albert Pujols and Tony La Russa, a turnaround is never too far away”
Whiff: “The Cardinals fully expect stud prospect Colby Rasmus to contribute this year. If you’re in a keeper league, you should probably just pick him up now. It’s only a matter of time before he’s called up to the big club.”
Washington Nationals (Ryan)
Got em: “Fatass Nick Johnson.”
Whiff: “Look for Zimmerman’s offensive production to climb this year outside of the pitcher’s paradise of RFK.”
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I could have told you Andruw Jones sucked copious amounts of cock Ryan, you stupid faggot.
I’m doing the Dodgers’ shit next year for you homos.
Also, the Padres suck more cock than Prince Fielder loves champagne bukakke.