In the past when I've done a team-by-team MLB preview, I've cited a "player to watch" for each team. Someone that could either be a breakout star, or an unexpected factor in the pennant race. This year, I did my preview by divisions, so I didn't have that feature but I want to point out a couple non-Phillies to keep an eye on this year. Jason Heyward, Braves A little redundant given the hype this kid is getting, but he's worthy of it. Heyward could very much be the left handed Albert … [Read more...]
ReclinerGM Pre-Season Power Poll
March 29, 2010 By 19 Comments
I did one of these in late January before Spring Training, and now after Spring Training, I have a little better idea of how I think things will turn out. Let's take a look: Contenders 1. Boston Red Sox - My pick to win it all due to their improved pitching and defense. 2. New York Yankees - Good chance at a repeat, but need a lot of things to go right again. 3. Philadelphia Phillies - On paper, better than each of the back-to-back NL Champion squads. 4. Tampa Bay Rays - Stuck in the … [Read more...]
ReclinerGM’s 2010 MLB Preview:
Phillies Outfield
March 23, 2010 By 18 Comments
Other ReclinerGM 2010 MLB previews The infield gets all the accolades, but it was the outfield that stepped up their game and exceeded expectations last year. Both Shane Victorino and Jayson Werth had career years that led to both being invited to the all-star game. Raul Ibanez was arguably the best hitter in baseball until he got hurt, but was never quite the same when he came back. This is an area where the Phillies have loads of prospects in the pipeline so it will be interesting to see … [Read more...]
2010 NL East Preview: Atlanta Braves
March 19, 2010 By 19 Comments
Click for ReclinerGM's MLB Preview home page After winning the division for 11 straight years, the Braves have now spent 4 straight years finishing no higher than 3rd. That figures to change this year, as they enter the year with a re-vamped line-up and a sense of purpose in Bobby Cox's last year as manager. Line-Up: A crutch for the Braves last year - this should be a greatly improved area with a (presumably) healthy Chipper Jones, a full year of Nate McClouth, the additions of … [Read more...]
2010 NL East Preview: Florida Marlins
March 17, 2010 By 6 Comments
Click for ReclinerGM's MLB Preview home page Every year I pick the Marlins to finish 4th or 5th in the division, and (almost) every year, they surprise and finish 2nd or 3rd. They are pesky, and really quite annoying, as a small market team that always seems to find a way to win despite unloading players year after year. This off-season however, they didn't unload that much. Despite rumors surrounding Dan Uggla, Jorge Cantu, Josh Johnson and even Hanley Ramirez, the Marlins only ended up … [Read more...]
2010 NL East Preview: New York Mets
March 12, 2010 By 11 Comments
Click for ReclinerGM's MLB Preview home page I would feel bad for Mets' fans if they weren't so insufferable. This team has had more bad injuries, late-season tanking, stupid front-office moves and general malaise than any "contending" team in the last 3 years. I guess that's karma getting back at them for coming down to our stadium every year for the sole purpose of starting fights, and running their mouths (yes, I'm aware I'm making an extremely broad generalization that doesn't apply to … [Read more...]
ReclinerGM’s 2010 MLB Preview:
Phillies Starting Rotation
March 10, 2010 By 10 Comments
Other ReclinerGM 2010 MLB previews Lost in all the Hello Lee, Hello Halladay, Goodbye Lee business is the fact that Brett Myers was our opening day starter last year. And the year before. Brett "career 4.40 ERA" Myers. And we went to the World Series both years. This year, for the first time since Curt Schilling left, we have an honest-t0-goodness proven ace for an entire season and on paper, the best rotation we've had in years. 1st Starter - Roy Halladay, RHP 2009 Recap: Arguably the best … [Read more...]
2010 NL East Preview: Washington Nationals
March 7, 2010 By 1 Comment
Click for ReclinerGM's MLB Preview home page Given that the Phillies will play 76 of their 162 games against the 4 teams in their division - we're going to give them some special attention. We will start with the Nationals, who have been the doormat of the division for the last couple years, but are finally moving in the right direction after canning their front office and winning the Stephen Strasburg sweepstakes. Line-Up: I was concerned about the Nats line-up causing some … [Read more...]
ReclinerGM’s 2010 MLB Preview: NL Central
March 3, 2010 By 6 Comments
Click for ReclinerGM's MLB Preview home page 1. St. Louis Cardinals (NL Ranks: 4th best Line-Up, 5th best rotation) Why I Have Them Here The best player in baseball (Pujols), 2 Cy Young candidates (Wainwright and Carpenter), a top-of-the-line manager and pitching coach and a relatively weak division. When the playoffs started last year, I thought they would represent the NL in the World Series, and all the key parts are still there. Biggest Concern: Chris Carpenter's Health I … [Read more...]
ReclinerGM’s 2010 MLB Preview: NL West
March 1, 2010 By 16 Comments
Click for ReclinerGM's MLB Preview home page Another very tough division to project, the NL West has 4 teams that could very easily win the division. While I don't put W/L records here, I don't think that there will be much difference between 1-4, and it could come down to a crazy race at the end. 1. Colorado Rockies (NL Ranks: 2nd best Line-Up, 8th best rotation) Why I Have Them Here If everything goes right, they could be the Phillies biggest obstacle to another pennant run. The … [Read more...]
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