strange couple of weeks

by billywan on Aug 19, 2005 11:45 PM CDT

things are getting interesting. the white sox, red sox and cardinals are all stumbling a bit, and seem to be in some trouble. they all appear to have peaked a bit too early.

the red sox bullpen ranks dead last in the AL in ERA.

the white sox have lost 6 straight, and are looking mighty beatable.

scott rolen looks like he may be done for the year, and the cardinals are definitely beatable. the a's and astros have come back to earth, and are going to have to be firing on all cylinders to win their respective wild cards.

even the angels are just playing well, not great.

at the moment, the indians and marlins are the hot teams. the funny thing about the wild card, is that the team that wins the wild card is generally the hottest team at the end of the year. they play their best ball at the most important time, and are usually the most dangerous team come playoff time.

could either the cardinals or the white sox be reeled in? and will a sub .500 team win the NL west? could be a great finish to this year...

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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The Cards don't look too bad...

they're just coming down to earth and the effects of their injuries are beginning to show. Marquis seems to be going through some wierd bermuda triangle too... Rolen and Walker's bat seem to be sorely missed. Their starting pitching will keep them in it, and they've gotten some surprising help from their young guys.

The Marlins are probably the most underperforming team in baseball. Their stats are good/great, but their record doesn't show it. They have the talent to make a end of season surge... I feel like I'm re-living history.

I will have to admit that I hardly watch or track any AL teams... unless we're in trade talks with one.

Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona. Not all holes, or games, are created equal. - George Will

by stelmodad on Aug 20, 2005 8:55 AM CDT reply actions

the cards

still look pretty good. and they're still the team to beat, i think. but losing rolen and not being sure about walker and sanders can't be good heading into the playoffs.

by billywan on Aug 20, 2005 9:55 AM CDT up reply actions

Regardless...

of what the Cubs results are, I'm looking forward to the playoffs. Last year, I played that bracket game with my dad and I guessed all the outcomes correctly, and I felt very happy and I think we're doing it again this year because it was fun.

This year, I don't think they are the team to beat in the playoffs. I did think at a time that they were, but not anymore. Now, I think it's Boston, but I'm still not that sure. I actually think that if the Cubs made the playoffs this year, they would have a shot because I think that out of all the teams that are going to the postseason, there is not one that stands out.

Cubbie blue always sPaRkLeS in my eyes.

by sparkles721 on Aug 20, 2005 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions

The toughest team in the playoffs...

... might be the A's.

They've got a rapidly maturing rotation, a terrific bullpen, and most importantly, a coaching staff and manager that has a plan and knows what it's doing.

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2005 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions

team to beat

i don't think the cardinals are the most talented team. i just think they've got enough veterans, and they make so few mistakes, that they're the ones to worry about. they're pitching is a bit better than last year, their bullpen is solid, their defense is stellar. and tony larussa rarely makes the wrong decision.
granted, they could collapse like last year, but their pitching should be able to at least keep them in low scoring games.

i think the angels are a bit of a sleeper. good starting pitching, great bullpen, plus vlad.

the red sox are in serious trouble. they rely too much on that offense. their bullpen sucks, and their starters are questionable. capable of either lights out pitching, or giving up 13.

and if the yankees sneak in, you never know...

by billywan on Aug 20, 2005 12:52 PM CDT reply actions

See...

this is wear I tend to disagree. I don't feel the Cardinal pitching is better than last year. The only reason why I can see people say that is because of Carpenter, and he definitely makes them better. But if they had had the Carpenter of this year in the playoffs, they probably would have lost the game by a run, or they would have won.

I thought the Red Sox were dumb for not resigning Pedro and bringing David Wells. Wells is not even close to being Pedro, and you are right they better hope that their offense isn't slumping during the playoffs, because otherwise they are in big trouble.

Cubbie blue always sPaRkLeS in my eyes.

by sparkles721 on Aug 20, 2005 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions

However...

... come playoff time, Schilling will either be recovered enough to start, or will have solidified himself as a closer.

He's got the WS experience. That may be enough for the Red Sox in a tight series.

And nearly that entire team has the experience, unique to baseball, of coming back from a 3-0 deficit in a postseason series, and winning it in likely the most hostile environment imaginable.

Those sorts of intangibles are worth quite a bit.

by Al Yellon on Aug 20, 2005 5:59 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree

if they return, they will have confidence that no one else will have. Regarding their bullpen issues, they will fix them. Which means they will get help and I think that would bring Craig Hansen into the picture. Another rookie pitcher was called up from AA for the Braves, and he is from this year's draft. Unfortunately for him, he gave up a grand slam.

Cubbie blue always sPaRkLeS in my eyes.

by sparkles721 on Aug 20, 2005 6:05 PM CDT up reply actions