Sports Illustrated predictions

[Arlo]

As always, Sports Illustrated's predictions for the upcoming season may or may not be the most accurate, but they're certainly the most talked about.

Aside from dooming Jason Giambi with the dreaded cover curse, SI predicts that the Yankees will beat the Cardinals in the World Series, the Diamondbacks, Braves, White Sox and Mariners will win the other divisions, and the A's and Astros will sneak in as wild cards.

What do you think? What are your bold predictions for this year?

Somehow, I can't see the Astros beating out the Mets or Giants for the wild card, and I think SI has sold Boston short as well. And are the Rockies really the worst team in the NL West? Somehow, I don't think so.

[petben]

I think there is an outside chance that the Angels can make some noise and sneak past the A's. The A's are going to miss Giambi terribly, and Art Howe will undeservedly lose his job as the season draws to a close.

I think somehow the Astros are going to pay for bedding down w/Enron. I know it's not their fault, but I just have a feeling.


And yes, CO is the worst of the West.

[cwebb]

Did I mention that the White Sox are gonna rule?

Some guys say you can't root for two teams but I'm a chicago man!

[Dan]

Well, I put in a breezer in here, predicting the Yanks wont make the postseason... I know, I know, everyones gonna laugh now, but I wjust dont like is their aging pitching staff, and maybe somehow, they will gonna falter this season...the Jays will get their shot in the division and will play the RedSox for the postseason...

The White Sox, M's and A's sound good, but in the NL I see the D'Backs going back to postseason...the Braves once again will loos in the playoffs, and I like the Astros, too. But I dont like the Cardinals here...I think the Mets will squeeze into the playoffs, but wont get far...

So we may have a D#Backs - Mariners Series, and the Desert team will make it back to back!

[Arlo]

Wow - a bold prediction by Dan the Man! Bet you a quarter the D-Backs don't make it two in a row...

[cwebb]

I'll bet you a Schilling they have a very good chance!

[Arlo]

All right - I'll bet you a Penny.

[Tim]

about the a's missing giambi, with giambi they scored 5.5 runs a game, more then what their picthing needed to win games, with pena, a younger, cheaper solution to giambi, you will get a 290 hitter who can bash in 30 homers, of corse he wont put up giambi numbers, but he will still have an excellent rookie year...chavez is progressing more every year, justice is a veteren leader with power, i dont think the a's will score anyless then the 5.5 runs they got with giambi. and even if their runs average moves down to 5.0 which it definatley wont get lower then that, thats still more then enough to win games with their pitching.

[Arlo]

Good point about Justice, especially the part about him being a leader. I agree that Pena will put up decent numbers (although I do expect some slumps along the way), but one of the main dangers in losing Giambi seems to be the effect his departure might have in the clubhouse. Before the season, word was that the team was looking for Chavez to take on a leadership role, but Justice might be better able to fill that gap. If this happens, I agree that talk of the A's demise is premature indeed. Excellent observation - this will be an interesting situation to follow.