2010 Media Predictions Day

[UMFan83]

Over the coming days, there are probably going to be a lot of websites, media outlets, and publications listing predictions for the Cubs and MLB as a whole. Rather than have 50 threads with titles like "OMG Karl Ravech has Cubs finishing 5th", I thought it'd be nice to have them all in one place like we have in the past.

 

So I'll start....

 

http://espn.go.com/mlb/preview10/team/_/name/chc

 

ESPN.com's "pundits" predict how the Cubs will finish in the NL Central. Only Bobby Valentine considers last year to be a bump in the road and has us reclaiming the NL Central crown. 3 others have us finishing 2nd, while 2 others (Ravech and Boone) have us presumably falling behind the Brewers, Reds and I guess either the Astros or Pirates and finishing 5th.

 

4th I can see but 5th? Of course I don't think anyone picked us to finish 6th in 2006, so whatever.

 

What else is out there?

[jersey cubs fan]

The only vegas win total I've seen says 83.5.

[Cubswin11]

The only vegas win total I've seen says 83.5.

Yeah I was out there last week all the major sports books had them and that, 5/1 for both NL Pennant and WS IIRC.

[C.C.]

Bobby V given us some loving.

[Andy]

SI has us 2nd and out of the playoffs.

[17 Seconds]

i'm interested in hearing ravech and boone explain why they think there are 4 teams in the nl central that are better on paper than the cubs

[TruffleShuffle]

i suppose the cubs could finish 5th if lots of things go wrong and the astros don't suck, but it's pretty unlikely the cubs are that far down in the division.

[Proven Veteran]

i'm interested in hearing ravech and boone explain why they think there are 4 teams in the nl central that are better on paper than the cubs

 

 

Games aren't played on paper, iirc. They are played on a computer, duh.

[gflore34]

Interesting they had Felipe Lopez as a possible bust for the Cards, I would have nominated Ryan Franklin. Closers with stuff as ordinary and hittable as Franklin don't sustain success, had a 2009 .269 BABIP and was definitely the beneficiary of some good luck. I'll take our bust candidate Marmol over sure thing Ryan Franklin any day of the week.

[rawaction]

The Astros are going to be starting Kaz Matsui, Geoff Blum, Pedro Feliz, and Tommy Manzella* in their IF on opening day. Matt Lindstrom is attempting to close games for them. And no rotation outside of Wandy and a now mediocre Roy Oswalt.

 

Manzella is a rookie with amazing minor league stats such as a career line of .268/.321/.374 with average speed, no power, and a K rate like Ryan Howard. He came up last in 2009 and went 1 for 5 with 4 Ks.

 

They could easily finish below the Pirates if Carlos Lee is hurt or regresses again like Berkman already has.

[Banedon]

Bobby V given us some loving.

 

Angling for Lou's job?

[Terp]

I don't see how Boone thinks the Reds are going to win the division.

[Sammy Sofa]

Bobby V given us some loving.

 

Angling for Lou's job?

 

That would be so awesome.

[C.C.]

Bobby V given us some loving.

 

Angling for Lou's job?

 

Don't tease.

[UMFan83]

The Astros are going to be starting Kaz Matsui, Geoff Blum, Pedro Feliz, and Tommy Manzella* in their IF on opening day. Matt Lindstrom is attempting to close games for them. And no rotation outside of Wandy and a now mediocre Roy Oswalt.

 

Manzella is a rookie with amazing minor league stats such as a career line of .268/.321/.374 with average speed, no power, and a K rate like Ryan Howard. He came up last in 2009 and went 1 for 5 with 4 Ks.

 

They could easily finish below the Pirates if Carlos Lee is hurt or regresses again like Berkman already has.

 

Yes they could but don't discount the fact that the Astros are never sellers, and if they are within 10 games of .500 they will probably make moves at the deadline to fight for 4th or 5th place. The Pirates on the other hand, will definitely sell if they are in that position, not caring if they finish last again as long as they stay on their rebuilding plan.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Do the Pirates have anybody left to sell?

[jersey cubs fan]

Do the Pirates have anybody left to sell?

 

There's always a fresh batch.

[Maclowery]

Ravech picked the Brewers to win the Central, and Aaron Boone picked the Reds. I also would enjoy their explanations. If the Cards falter this season with injuries, inconsistency, or McGwire Super-Soakering the crowd with gallons of HGH, fine. But Boone is going with that, and also throwing the Cubs down to 5th? Is it all a ploy so he can say "Well, I knew I was going for the dark horse but I super-duper like Jay Bruce!"

[C.C.]

A lot would have to go wrong in order for us to finish 5th. I just don't see it happening.

[jersey cubs fan]

A lot would have to go wrong in order for us to finish 5th. I just don't see it happening.

 

Other than the fact that this offseason reminded me of the 2004/2005 offseason, I would agree.

[Sammy Sofa]

I don't understand any picks that have the Brewers winning the division like they've somehow improved their team in any kind of meaningful way. Yes, the NL Central sucks, and just a key injury or regression/slump on any of the contending teams can sink them, but come on. The Brewers fell last year because their team simply wasn't very good outside of a very small group of players, and it's not like they really did anything to significantly change that.

[Exile on Waveland]

Fifth? That seems pretty silly.

[jersey cubs fan]

I don't understand any picks that have the Brewers winning the division like they've somehow improved their team in any kind of meaningful way. Yes, the NL Central sucks, and just a key injury or regression/slump on any of the contending teams can sink them, but come on. The Brewers fell last year because their team simply wasn't very good outside of a very small group of players, and it's not like they really did anything to significantly change that.

 

But aren't their best players still in the prime or just entering, justifying hope in improvement? It's a better situation than hoping Soriano and Fontenot bounce back (Soto being the difference of course). It seems like it wouldn't be a stretch to imagine them a few games better this year, and everybody else mediocre enough to finish behind them. It seems a few teams have a chance of winning it with 86 wins.

[C.C.]

A lot went wrong last year and we still ended up with 83 wins.

[jersey cubs fan]

A lot went wrong last year and we still ended up with 83 wins.

 

Quite a bit went very right as well.