Joel Anthony

The Dodgers seemingly were the best team early, and for a while it looked like they would go in to cruise control but they fell back hard. Barely have the best record now. I usually wait until the All Star break to really evaluate teams and get a better feeling then for who's real and who's not.

By the way, when's the last time anyone was able to say "Hey, that Orioles and Pirates series should be pretty good"?

__________________

Snoth

Pirates offense is historically bad. They have just managed to win an obscene amount of close games. They, like the Dodgers, will come crashing down to earth very soon. Orioles have already started to come back to earth, tho they are better than the Pirates.

__________________


ChampviaDQ

Joel Anthony

If there's one good thing about the Pirates offense, it's Andrew McCutchen. Neil Walker is a good youngster too. Having an amazing start to the month, probably going to get hot now that the pressure of batting cleanup is behind him. 2nd spot should be good for him. Jones and Alavarez provide a little power. Unfortunately, they are all young players and it's tough to be consistent hitting when you're depending on an offense stacked with younger talent. Which explains why as team they are so horribly ranked.

Joel Hanrahan has become one of baseball's best closers. Unlike last year, he's blown a couple already, but he's without a doubt a reason why they've won some of those close ones. Burnett/McDonald have given them solid outings.

Pirates are a fun young team to watch. I would like to see them make some noise and surprise the league but realistically, they will probably fall off by the All Star break.

__________________

Snoth

I agree with everything you said. Pirates definitely have above average starting pitching and a bullpen but with the offense, they will fall by the All Star break. I am also a Jose Tabatha fan, don't know what is wrong with him tho

__________________


ChampviaDQ

Joel Anthony

Oh yeah, Tabata too. That team is just ripe with 20 somethings. He is horrible against lefties at the plate. Very good fielder though. I think he'll come around sooner or later with the bat. Definitely one of the young up and comers in the league.

__________________

Ring General Daniels

Going to Dodgers/Angels tonight and tommorow! a little nervous to be the enemy, but it should be fun none the less.

__________________

Haystacks Calhoun

To put the Ethier deal in perspective, Adam Jones got the same amount last month for one more year. I think I'd take Jones, with out the deals factoring in.

__________________

Now this is the law of the jungle, as old and as true as the sky,
And the wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the wolf that shall break it must die.

As the creeper that girdles the tree trunk, the law runneth forward and back;
For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack.

Awoooooooooooooooooo...

Snoth

It is slightly different as Jones contract buys out his last year of arbitration. 3rd year arb players normally get 80% of what they would get on the open market.

And Jones is way better than Ethier.

__________________


ChampviaDQ

DubC

That's awesome man, have a great time. Im thinking about going tomorrow, but to many cholos.

__________________

Snoth

Well I guess Trout aka Jesus Reborn can't do it every time.

__________________


ChampviaDQ