2005 Pick: NL Central

ctorg · 03-24-2005, 09:14 AM

Here's the 2005 version of the baseball polls. Pick the team you think will win the division. Like in real baseball, each of the division winners and a wild card will go to the playoffs and the Talk Sports forum will determine our pick for World Series champs in 2005.

Luis_Rivera · 03-24-2005, 10:11 AM

With Prior and Wood not looking any healthier this year, Cardinals by default.

rdklein · 03-24-2005, 11:05 AM

I agree... the cards will win the central by 8-10 games.

eriqjaffe · 03-24-2005, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luis_Rivera

With Prior and Wood not looking any healthier this year, Cardinals by default.

You forgot to mention "and with the return of closer LaTroy Hawkins." And "the loss of 2/3 of their outfield, offset only by the signing of Jeromy Burnitz".

Luis_Rivera · 03-24-2005, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eriqjaffe

You forgot to mention "and with the return of closer LaTroy Hawkins." And "the loss of 2/3 of their outfield, offset only by the signing of Jeromy Burnitz".

Good point... thanks for picking up the slack.

Operation Shutdown · 03-24-2005, 11:41 AM

I went against the trends and picked the Brewers.

CommishJoe · 03-24-2005, 12:36 PM

Cards. They should be ticked off after their performance in the World Series last year. Plus, adding Mulder should help.

rudel.dietrich · 03-24-2005, 12:49 PM

Cards

Another year of frustrating failure for Cubs fans

bulldog55 · 03-24-2005, 12:57 PM

So we have 7 Cubs fans, 2 Astros fans and a Pirates, Brewers and Reds fan in this poll so far. Interesting.

lungs · 03-24-2005, 01:17 PM

ya know, i gotta go with da brewers. all da bratwurst and beers and ben sheets. go brewers!

TheRockCT · 03-24-2005, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lungs

ya know, i gotta go with da brewers. all da bratwurst and beers and ben sheets. go brewers!

Yeah!

Cardinals probably by 10-15 games.

Gastric ReFlux · 03-24-2005, 01:50 PM

I'd prefer the Cubs, but it'll be the Cardinals.

Prior81 · 03-24-2005, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CommishJoe

Cards. They should be ticked off after their performance in the World Series last year. Plus, adding Mulder should help.

I'm picking the Cardinals as well, but what about losing Williams, Renteria, Womack, Calero, and whoever else in the pen?

Green & Gold Heart · 03-24-2005, 02:33 PM

I hope David Eckstein hits over .300 in the leadoff spot after the Angels released him and signed the super overrated Orlando Cabrera.

andymac · 03-24-2005, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prior81

I'm picking the Cardinals as well, but what about losing Williams, Renteria, Womack, Calero, and whoever else in the pen?

Williams got replaced by Mulder, which is an upgrade. Grudzelanek & Womack can pretty much be called a wash. Eckstein is a downgrade from Renteria, however, I believe his personality could give this team some much needed peppiness. As much as I like the team's workman like approach, I think it wore them down last season. It didn't seem like they were having any fun at the end.

As far as the bullpen goes. Al Reyes showed last year he can be a fine replacement for Calero, so the biggest question is the 2nd lefty in the bullpen. There are about 5 guys competing for that spot right now, all it takes is for one of them to pan out.

Luis_Rivera · 03-24-2005, 02:58 PM

I picked the Cards but I'll be shocked if Mulder pitches effectively past 150 innings.

eswan9 · 03-24-2005, 03:05 PM

I also pick the Cards, but don't think it will be a runaway. maybe by 3-5 games. Hopefully we can sneak in as the WC

andymac · 03-24-2005, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luis_Rivera

I picked the Cards but I'll be shocked if Mulder pitches effectively past 150 innings.

Why do you say this? If he is in form, he throws some of the most efficient games this side of Greg Maddux.

kingcharlesxii · 03-24-2005, 03:23 PM

Cards. Easy pick. Chicago and Houston are too depleted to win it.

The big surprise will be the Brewers finishing above .500 this year.

Luis_Rivera · 03-24-2005, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andymac

Why do you say this? If he is in form, he throws some of the most efficient games this side of Greg Maddux.

Given the combination of the hip injury that he had at the end of 2003, and the fact that his command disintegrated some time around July last year, it's a pretty decent assumption... especially if they're related.

Have you seen his monthly splits from last year?? They get UGLY starting in July.

Also, his K/9 have dropped 1.5 in the last 2 seasons... which is fairly significant when you started at 6.5.

View Poll Results: Pick the winner
Chicago Cubs	12	14.29%
Cincinnati Reds	3	3.57%
Houston Astros	5	5.95%
Milwaukee Brewers	4	4.76%
Pittsburgh Pirates	4	4.76%
St. Louis Cardinals	56	66.67%
Voters: 84. You may not vote on this poll

03-24-2005, 09:14 AM	#1
ctorg Global Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 9,848	2005 Pick: NL Central Here's the 2005 version of the baseball polls. Pick the team you think will win the division. Like in real baseball, each of the division winners and a wild card will go to the playoffs and the Talk Sports forum will determine our pick for World Series champs in 2005. __________________ My music "When the trees blow back and forth, that's what makes the wind." - Steven Wright Fjord emena pancreas thorax fornicate marmalade morpheme proteolysis smaxa cabana offal srue vitriol grope hallelujah lentils

03-24-2005, 11:41 AM	#6
Operation Shutdown All Star Reserve Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 912	I went against the trends and picked the Brewers. __________________ "And Shepherds we shall be, For thee, my Lord, for thee. Power hath descended forth from Thy hand, Our feet may swiftly carry out Thy commands. So we shall flow a river forth to Thee, And teeming with souls shall it ever be. In Nomeni Patri Et Fili Spiritus Sancti."

03-24-2005, 12:36 PM	#7
CommishJoe Global Moderator Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 5,238	Cards. They should be ticked off after their performance in the World Series last year. Plus, adding Mulder should help. __________________ Joe Success isn’t owned. It’s leased. And rent is due every day.

03-24-2005, 12:57 PM	#9
bulldog55 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: California's Canada Warnings: 17 Posts: 2,481	So we have 7 Cubs fans, 2 Astros fans and a Pirates, Brewers and Reds fan in this poll so far. Interesting. __________________ Commissioner, Trans-Continental Base Ball Association Owner/GM, Los Angeles Electrics (TCBA), Beaverton Rangers (OTBL), Portland Mavericks (Union League), and Los Angeles Superbas (Century League) Being smart, don't always make you popular.

03-24-2005, 10:11 AM	#2
Luis_Rivera Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 4,177	With Prior and Wood not looking any healthier this year, Cardinals by default.

03-24-2005, 11:05 AM	#3
rdklein All Star Reserve Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: The other side. Posts: 773	I agree... the cards will win the central by 8-10 games.

03-24-2005, 12:49 PM	#8
rudel.dietrich Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Zürich, Switzerland Posts: 8,608	Cards Another year of frustrating failure for Cubs fans

03-24-2005, 01:17 PM	#10
lungs Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 48	Brewers ya know, i gotta go with da brewers. all da bratwurst and beers and ben sheets. go brewers!

03-24-2005, 01:50 PM	#12
Gastric ReFlux Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Member #3409 Posts: 8,350	I'd prefer the Cubs, but it'll be the Cardinals.

03-24-2005, 02:33 PM	#14
Green & Gold Heart Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 5,242	I hope David Eckstein hits over .300 in the leadoff spot after the Angels released him and signed the super overrated Orlando Cabrera.

03-24-2005, 02:58 PM	#16
Luis_Rivera Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 4,177	I picked the Cards but I'll be shocked if Mulder pitches effectively past 150 innings.

03-24-2005, 03:05 PM	#17
eswan9 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 195	I also pick the Cards, but don't think it will be a runaway. maybe by 3-5 games. Hopefully we can sneak in as the WC __________________ The Cubs Curse lives!! Long Live the Curse "Chicago baseball fans, who are composites of scar tissue and mortifying memories..." - George F. Will Last World Series Championship: White Sox - 2005 Cubs - 1908 ... And then there was one EVERLASTING curse...

03-24-2005, 03:23 PM	#19
kingcharlesxii Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 2,731	Cards. Easy pick. Chicago and Houston are too depleted to win it. The big surprise will be the Brewers finishing above .500 this year. __________________ Formerly in the OTBA - Stockholm Royal Squirrels of Sweden OOTP Grand League Champion 2015