Section
Pepperdine Links
Online Publications
With most of Major League Baseball kicking things off Sunday and Monday, it’s time to get all giddy at the notion of being in another season of thrilling baseball action. In fact, we’ve already seen some interesting baseball with the Yankees and Devil Rays splitting a two-game series in Tokyo.
Quite a few teams went through significant makeovers in the off-season, but most of those flew under the radar because of all the focus being on the Yankees’ and Red Sox’s spending sprees. Here’s a breakdown of each division and what teams should be the ones to watch in 2004. My picks for division winners are represented by the team logo. Play Ball!
AL West
Forget the Yanks and Sox, the Most Improved Team award goes to the Anaheim Angels by far. They picked up two live arms in Bartolo Colon and Kelvim Escobar, a live bat in Jose Guillen and a pummeling nuclear bat in Vladimir Guerrero. With the team nucleus still in tact from their 2002 World Series team and a bullpen that’s second to none, the Angels are the team to beat in the West.
Annual underdog Oakland will put up a strong fight simply because they have a few guys named Hudson, Mulder and Zito. But they have zero offense – an anti-Texas Rangers if you will. And speaking of them, they should be just as bad as last year, but not worse. Seattle is getting older and they didn’t make the additions that will challenge Anaheim.
AL Central
These teams should be thankful for an unbalanced schedule where they play most of their games against each other, because they’re going to be a punching bag for the teams outside their division. Kansas City will try to improve on its surprising campaign of 2003, while Minnesota will attempt to build on their superb spring season and overcome the losses they received in the off-season that seriously thinned their bullpen.
New manager Ozzie Guillen will have his hands full in Chicago with a team that under performed last year, lost players in the off-season and added nobody noteworthy. The addition of Pudge Rodriguez should make the Tigers less awful, and Cleveland appears to have returned to the team model that originally inspired “Major League.”
AL East
This is baseball’s best division by far, and not just because of the over-spending ridiculousness in Boston and the Bronx. All five teams improved dramatically in the off-season, and this should be one heck of a dog fight.
The Red Sox keep their stellar offense in tact, but now boast a starting rotation of Pedro Martinez, Curt Shilling and Derek Lowe, plus a needed closer in Keith Foulke. Meanwhile, the Yankees brought in Alex Rodriguez, Javier Vazquez, Gary Sheffield, Kenny Lofton and Kevin Brown. Quite a list, but don’t discount the idea of team chemistry, which is something Boston and Toronto have in abundance and New York doesn’t. Also, a few injuries (which is likely considering the team’s age) could trigger mass panic in the Bronx.
Boston is the team to beat, but New York is still just too scary. Baltimore made some great offensive pickups, but they’re another no-pitching Texas. The D-Rays improved, but their still going to take it on the chin. I’m biased, but look for Toronto to scare the Sox and Yanks. Their explosive offense is back, Cy Young winner Doc Halladay will only get better and their overhauled pitching should surprise quite a few people.
NL West
This is now a dud division. No team can be considered dominant, and the only reason I would consider the Giants a favorite is because of Barry Bonds. But look for Arizona to turn some heads with their rising “Babybacks” taking over and the additions of Robbie Alomar and Richie Sexson. Oh, and don’t forget the Big Unit. San Diego moves into a new ballpark, which is nice for them. The Dodgers were stuck in the mud this off-season waiting for a new owner and GM. But hey, they did pick up Jays utility outfielder Jayson Werth on Tuesday – how exciting. Colorado still wears copious amounts of purple, but unlike Arizona, their on-field play can’t make up for it.
NL Central
Whoa nelly, what a coup. The Astros got a two-for-one steal by taking away Andy Pettitte from the Yankees and getting Roger Clemens as well. Plus, they still have Roy Oswalt, Brandon Duckworth and Tim Redding, who were excellent last year. They also boast Jeff Kent, Jeff Bagwell and Lance Berkman.
But, don’t forget ‘dem Cubbies. They added Greg Maddox to their superb young rotation, featuring Kerry Wood and Mark Prior. Plus, with Steve Bartman banished to some atoll in the Pacific, Cubs fans can only hope that the curse has been banished as well. It should be one heck of a fight between the ‘Stros and the Cubbies with the Cardinals pecking at their heals. Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Milwaukee also play in the division.
NL East
Atlanta hasn’t taken a hit like this since General Sherman came through town. Their rotation is now unrecognizable and it seems only inevitable that John Smoltz will be added to the starting five. The loss of Sheffield and Javy Lopez put the kibash on their explosive offense. That leaves Philadelphia ready to capitalize and make up for their underachieving 2003. In addition to their new ballpark, the Phillies now boast two real closers in Tim Worrell and Billy Wagner and still have a solid line-up anchored by Jim Thome. They are the team to beat, but lest not forget the World Champion Marlins. They lost Pudge Rodriguez and Ugueth Urbina, but still have their young nucleus in tact.
The Mets improved offensively (as most overbudget teams do) but neglected their starting rotation. Art Howe is a good manager, so I’m going to reserve judgment on them. And finally, Les Expos de Montréal/Los Expos de Puerto Rico were beaten down yet again by losing Vlad Guerrero and Javier Vazquez and will continue their sad existence. They deserve better.
Wild Cards
So this is a bias pick, but I think the Jays are going to knock off the Yankees in the last series of the season to take the Wild Card. They have all the tools, lots of promise and lots of heart. Plus they’re my team.
Meanwhile, the Cubs willbuild on last season’s success, but will just fall short to Houston in the Central. The Cubs are too good not to make the playoffs.
World Series Prediction
The Anaheim Angels in six games over the Houston Astros.
Submitted April 1, 2004
MALIBU, CA
