Explain this to me...

[Gom]

How are the Sox that much better in everyone's national predictions?

 

The Sox finished two games ahead of the Yankees last year. Both teams were down to the Guardians 3-1 in the playoffs. The Red Sox had the advantage of a four game set, and went on to win the W.S., while the Yankees had no guarantee of not losing 4-1 if the series had been seven games.

 

This year, it is very doubtful that the Yankees will have 39 games started by minor leaguers [not counting the games started by Hughes/Kennedy] like they did last year. The Yankees, with a full season of Hughes/Kennedy/Chamberlain, have better pitching. The Yankees are much healthier going into the season than they were last year. Don't forget, Pavano was our opening day starter last year.

 

Conversely, the Red Sox are without Schilling for at least half the season, with Lester starting the season rather than coming back from cancer and missing most of the season last year. Your heralded rookies, Buchholz [minors] and Ellsbury [bench] are not, at this time, serious contributors.

 

The national media is a joke.

 

I think the Yankees win the division, but it comes down to what Schilling said. Between the Yankees and Red Sox, the team that has more games started by it's original starting five wins the division.

[jacksonianmarch]

under the radar is way more fun Gom.

 

And I think one should augment Schilling's statement to the team that has the most starts from their top 6 (for the sox add Schilling and for the Yanks add Joba) will win the division.

[Gom]

Joba will not start. Period. It's not the top 6. It's the top 5. Period. End of story. He will not go into the rotation unless the Yankees are out of the race. Let's say the Yankees are in first place or a game out in July. You are willing to lose Joba for three weeks [let's say he is having a good year in the pen], with no guarantee he will be effective, possibly costing you the playoffs? Get real.

 

Under the radar? In New York?

 

It's not that, it's just what makes sense. This stuff doesn't.

[ORS]

Did you believe them every year when they said the Yankees were that much better than the Sox, yet there were some interesting pennant races? I agree their opinion is pretty worthless. We've been saying this for quite some time. Welcome to the club.

[Cocos Disciples]

What ORS said. The media is a f***ing joke.

[BSN07]

The media for the most part are worthless with predictions. Look at all the idiots who thought that NY would bull doze evryone in the PO in 06. Then after the Yanks pulled the one and done, they all jumped on Detroit and said they would steam roll threw the rest of the PO. They also said St. Louis had not shot to overcome Detroit.....

 

Thats just one Post season. For the most part, go to the media for trade and FA stuff. Never listen to them on where they think a team will finish or who is better then who. The season is 162 games long, theres no way to for see everything.

 

We all have fun with our predictions, but we take it with a grain of salt. Most likely the Sox and Yanks will be seperated by 3 games give or take a game. Both have injury issues, age issues(both ends of the spectrum). Don't get too worked up Gom, you might give yourself an ulser. There still the whole season left:thumbsup:

[Gom]

Most likely the Sox and Yanks will be seperated by 3 games give or take a game. Both have injury issues' date=' age issues(both ends of the spectrum). [/quote']I agree.

[MANNYHOF24]

Sox by 15 games, bitches.

[Jayhawk Bill]

I agree.

 

I disagree.

 

As a Red Sox fan, I'm looking for another AL East victory and a great postseason.

 

As an analyst, given Boston's current issues, I'm looking at the Yankees taking the AL East by five or six games, with Boston in a tight race for the Wild Card with either Detroit or Cleveland, whichever is second in the AL Central.

[BoSox21]

I just dont like the rotation that much without Schilling so id probably pick the Yankees too

[Gom]

There are a lot of question marks for both team. I look forward to a great and fun season between the both of us.

[26 to 6]

Yea, who can say one way or the other which team will take the division this year. It's awesome that there is going to be what looks to be a great race the whole way.

[das11209]

I am not concerned with out pitching even though Lester and Dice-K continued their control-issues from last year. My big issue with this team is offense. I think last year we lucked out with lack of offense as the Yanks had horrible April - I dont think it will be same this year. Lowell has got to take a back-step - the question is can Drew pick-up? It will also be hard for D-Ped and Jacoby to continue their performance from last season. Unfortunately V-TeK has also continued his slide. I think Sox have more question marks - just because their is no question mark on the offensive side of the Yankees.

 

I will pick the Yankees win the division by 2 games - but all that can change with a single incident like a Joba injury.

[BoSox21]

I think Sox have more question marks - just because their is no question mark on the offensive side of the Yankees.

 

I'd say there are question marks on the Yankees side for offense. Jeter, Damon, Giambi, Abreu and Matsui are all another year older and A-Rod and Posada aren't in contract years anymore

[Gom]

True, but Cano and Melky are bound to improve. Jeter hasn't shown any signs of slowing down, and neither has Abreu, but if you're going on the wrong side of 30, that means Manny, Ortiz, Drew, and Lowell will start their slide.

 

From an offense standpoint, the Yankees have the best offense in baseball, even the Tigers, mainly due to the fact the Yankees walk more and see more pitches. Offensively, I take the Yankees at 3B, 2B, SS, and LF. Give the Tigers DH, 1B, RF, and CF. Catcher is basically a wash. The Yankees have a crapload more depth than the Tigers offensively. Either way, I admit, it's close. Miggy isn't going to have the weak NL pitching to feast on. I don't think anyone in the world expects Mags to put up the same numbers. Anyways, should be fun.

[jacksonianmarch]

When it all comes down to it, we are relying on hot shot kids to pitch well. It can go either way.

[BSN07]

True, but Cano and Melky are bound to improve. Jeter hasn't shown any signs of slowing down, and neither has Abreu, but if you're going on the wrong side of 30, that means Manny, Ortiz, Drew, and Lowell will start their slide.

 

From an offense standpoint, the Yankees have the best offense in baseball, even the Tigers, mainly due to the fact the Yankees walk more and see more pitches. Offensively, I take the Yankees at 3B, 2B, SS, and LF. Give the Tigers DH, 1B, RF, and CF. Catcher is basically a wash. The Yankees have a crapload more depth than the Tigers offensively. Either way, I admit, it's close. Miggy isn't going to have the weak NL pitching to feast on. I don't think anyone in the world expects Mags to put up the same numbers. Anyways, should be fun.

 

Melky IMO might develop a little more power, but I think what we have seen from him is going to be the norm.

 

Cano on the other hand could break out to be a superstar. I hate that he is on the Yanks, but he is a stud at 2B. He def has a chance to improve over last seasons numbers.

 

 

Also like Jacko said, the Yanks are counting on alot of kids in the pitching department, so like he said it could go either way, should be interesting.

[das11209]

I'd say there are question marks on the Yankees side for offense. Jeter' date=' Damon, Giambi, Abreu and Matsui are all another year older and A-Rod and Posada aren't in contract years anymore[/quote']

 

I think Tigers and Yankees are the best 2 line-ups in the league - I don't think the Sox are even close. They need another power bat in the line-up - hopefully Drew can re-discover his power.

[26 to 6]

Honestly, there should be no questions about the Yankee lineup. I don't mean to come off as arrogant or snotty or like a homer, but when it comes down to it this juggernaut of a lineup is gonna do some f***ing damage this year. The biggest question in my eyes is Damon. If he can get on at the top of the order things will go fantastic. Everyone can get on base, move guys over, hit for power, and I think that the combination of what we have in our lineup will turn out to be something special. When Robby Cano, who bats 3,4,or 5 in almost any other lineup is batting 7th for the Yankees it's saying something. Jeter will be Jeter, Abreu can work walks as well as anyone and should be expected to have a HIGH obp. A-Rod cant be expected to do what he did last year, but who knows how well he'll produce. Right on down the line things look good. I think Giambi will have a nice year. He's looked good all spring, getting around on balls easier, going the other way. Matsui worries me somewhat, but he's modestly tucked into that lineup where he can go unnoticed and drive in 100 runs. So basically,despite individual question marks surrounding certain players, collectively this lineup is going to do an extraordinary amount of damage. Only question is if it will be enough to pull us to the postseason if the pitching doesntpan out.

[RobZombie]

The Red Sox were one of the biggest improvers in 07 I think that only the Guardians were better. Logic tells us that therefor they are likely to fall off a little this year.

 

Two years ago everything went wrong and they won 86. Last year nearly everything went right and they won 96. Lets split the difference and say they win 93 this year which would likely give them the wild-card.

 

I say Cleveland is odd team out.

[Cocos Disciples]

Honestly' date=' there should be no questions about the Yankee lineup. I don't mean to come off as arrogant or snotty or like a homer, but when it comes down to it this juggernaut of a lineup is gonna do some f***ing damage this year. The biggest question in my eyes is Damon. If he can get on at the top of the order things will go fantastic. Everyone can get on base, move guys over, hit for power, and I think that the combination of what we have in our lineup will turn out to be something special. When Robby Cano, who bats 3,4,or 5 in almost any other lineup is batting 7th for the Yankees it's saying something. Jeter will be Jeter, Abreu can work walks as well as anyone and should be expected to have a HIGH obp. A-Rod cant be expected to do what he did last year, but who knows how well he'll produce. Right on down the line things look good. I think Giambi will have a nice year. He's looked good all spring, getting around on balls easier, going the other way. Matsui worries me somewhat, but he's modestly tucked into that lineup where he can go unnoticed and drive in 100 runs. So basically,despite individual question marks surrounding certain players, collectively this lineup is going to do an extraordinary amount of damage. Only question is if it will be enough to pull us to the postseason if the pitching doesntpan out.[/quote']

 

You're right. It's the same lineup as last year, it'll do about the same damage. It'll be reliable. Thats not the question mark.

[jacksonianmarch]

Melky IMO might develop a little more power, but I think what we have seen from him is going to be the norm.

 

Cano on the other hand could break out to be a superstar. I hate that he is on the Yanks, but he is a stud at 2B. He def has a chance to improve over last seasons numbers.

 

 

Also like Jacko said, the Yanks are counting on alot of kids in the pitching department, so like he said it could go either way, should be interesting.

 

both teams are relying on kids.