They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. So what’s with those nutty cats over at Indiana?
I may not be the only one on the Interwebs taking crazy pills, but at least I can see a whole mess of issues coming down the pike. So when IU hired Kelvin Samson as their head coach, more than a few eyebrows were raised – my unkempt forehead warmers included. But that wasn’t the looney part.
MLB PICKS 2008 AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
MANAGER: MIKE SCIOSCIA
2007 RECORD: 94-68
KEY ADDITIONS:
TORI HUNTER OF
JON GARLAND RHP
KEY LOSSES:
ORLANDO CABRERA
HELP IS ON THE WAY:
NICK ADENHART RHP
OUTLOOK:
The Angels should again have the best pitching in the West. Garland is a nice No. 3 starter and he should fit in nicely. Hunter gives them another big bat which is what they needed most and his defense is a plus. Their Bullpen is solid and this team should again put up over 90 wins.
MLB PICKS 2008 AMERICAN LEAGUE PREVIEWS
AL EAST
BALTIMORE ORIOELS
MANAGER: DAVE TREMBLEY
2007 RECORD: 69-93
KEY ADDITIONS:
TROY PATTON LHP
LUKE SCOTT OF
MATT ALBERS RHP
DENNIS SARFATE RHP
ADAM JONES
GEORGE SHERILL LHP
KEY LOSSES:
ERIC BEDARD LHP
MIGUEL TEJADA SS
COMING SOON:
MATT WIETERS C
OUTLOOK:
The Orioles did nothing to help themselves this season by trading Bedard and Tejada, but at least restocked a depleted minor-league system that could help in the future. The starting pitching looks very poor and they will need a huge year from Cabrera to stay out of the AL East basement. The lineup is average at best, especially when you consider the cleanup hitter is now projected to be Aubrey Huff. The Orioles have been bad the past several years, but this edition, in the tough as it is AL East, may be the worst of all.
MLB PICKS 2008 NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL PREVIEW
CHICAGO CUBS
MANAGER: LOU PINELLA
2007 RECORD: 85-77
KEY ADDITIONS:
KOSUKE FUKUDOME OF
JOSE ASCANIO RHP
ANGEL GUZMAN RHP
KEY LOSSES:
MARK PRIOR RHP
WILL OHMAN LHP
OMAR INFANTE UTL
CRAIG MONROE OF
JACQUE JONES OF
JASON KENDALL C
HELP IS ON THE WAY:
COLIN BALESTAR RHP
OUTLOOK:
The Cubs have an ace in Zambrano, a solid No. 2 in Lilly and above average starting pitching overall, which in a weak division puts them right there. If Kerry Wood works out as a closer they will be tougher if not, they will have problems closing out games. The middle of the line-up is very good with Soriano, Lee and Ramirez, but not much to speak of after that.
MLB PICKS 2008 NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST PREVIEW
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
MANAGER: BOB MELVIN
2007 RECORD: 90-72
KEY ADDITIONS:
BILLY BUCKNER RHP
DAN HAREN RHP
CHAD QUALLS RHP
JUAN GUTIERREZ RHP
CHRIS BURKE OF
KEY LOSSES:
ALBERTO CASTILLO UTL
CARLOS GONZALEZ OF
JOSE VALVERDE RHP
CARLOS QUENTIN OF
HELP IS ON THE WAY:
JUAN GUTIERREZ RHP
OUTLOOK:
The Diamondbacks look ready to improve upon a 90-win season from last year. The addition of Haren along with whatever Randy Johnson can give them, add to the pitching depth. They have a lot of young players that have vast potential and if one or two rise into stardom, the World Series is not out of the question.
NATIONAL LEAGUE PREVIEWS
MLB PICKS 2008 NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST
ATLANTA BRAVES:
MANAGER: BOBBY COX
2007 RECORD: 84-78
KEY ADDITIONS:
TOM GLAVINE LHP
WILL OHMAN LHP
JOSH ANDERSON OF
OMAR INFANTE UTL
KEY LOSSES:
LANCE CORMIER LHP
JOSE ASCANIO RHP
WILLIE HARRIS OF
HELP IS ON THE WAY:
JORDAN SCHAFER OF
OUTLOOK:
Hudson, Smoltz and Glavine could eat up 600+ innings. However, the key may be Mike Hampton returning from injury. If he steps up, so will the Braves. The Braves have a long lineup and it is balanced with veterans, and young, rising players. Will be in the hunt.
