Winners Vs. Losers.

[Brannu]

So, now that we are past the trade deadline, with some teams doing some things to make their playoff run better and others fizzling without making any real significant moves, I am left to wonder how many teams have a REAL chance at getting to the post-season and ultimately, to The World Series.

First of all, let me say that Cincy fans have to proud of their GM and his will to try and bring some winning back to that franchise. However, do they have a REAL chance at being competitive? This is what I am asking myself with a lot of teams that are dealing at the trade deadline.

There are two solid months left ... 60 or so games. It is true that a team can get really hot during these final two months and carry themselves into the postseason, but, I honestly don't believe that there are THAT many really good teams out there. Of the teams that are in the race, these are the teams that I particular don't think really have a chance at all. This, from my perspective is based on not only getting to the post-season, but also being competitive when they get there.

The Brewers
The Reds
The Giants
The Dodgers
The Rockies
The Diamondbacks
The Braves
The Padres
The Mariners
The Rangers
The Blue Jays

Now, I would throw The Cardinals in this bunch, because - as a fan - I really don't think they have what it takes to win it this year, yet, with some degree of magic (or the fact that the NL Central is really not that good), they have been able to stay at the top of their division. If they are lucky enough to get a team from The West in the LDS, I still believe they aren't good enough to beat The Mets, who I now believe is the best team in The NL. Yet and still, I don't think The Mets are good enough to beat The Tigers, The Yankees or The Red Sox.

I am left to believe that there are really not that many REALLY good teams out there, leaving The NL to look very dismal in comparison to The AL. The one thing that every team needs, which was the primary need for most teams - pitching - is and has always been the determining factor. So far the best and most consistent team is The Tigers, yet, I am unsure if this young team will have what it takes in OCTOBER to win it all. In my mind The WS comes down to: The Tigers, The Yankees, The Angels and The Mets.

What do you think? Who doesn't have a chance in your mind and what teams do you think have the biggest chance of success?

[cbenson5]

As a Braves fan, I hate to admit it but I think we're about done. Maybe if it rains alot and John Smoltz can pitch about every other game then we might have a chance. But even then a .500 record won't do it. We got a couple of good relievers, but our starting rotation is just terrible. Hopefully Chipper will remain healthy once he gets back because watching him is the main reason not to lose interest in the season.

I'm picking the Mets and Cardinals in the NLCS and Tigers/Yankees in the ALCS. Tiger over Mets in the World Series.

[holyroman]

you failed to even mention the Astros who are 5 games back in the wild card race and do have good pitching!! Not that I am overly optimistic about their offense but they do have Ensberg back now. I'd definately give them a shot at the wildcard and then you never know what could happen in the playoffs when you throw Oswalt, Rocket, & Pettite out there

[Evangelion]

you failed to even mention the Astros who are 5 games back in the wild card race and do have good pitching!! Not that I am overly optimistic about their offense but they do have Ensberg back now. I'd definately give them a shot at the wildcard and then you never know what could happen in the playoffs when you throw Oswalt, Rocket, & Pettite out there
Yes, the Astros do have Ensberg back with his .239 average. Let's not forget that his HR came in a bunch similar to Kevin Mench's HR streak earlier this season.

Outside Berkman, the Astros have no offense to speak of at the moment. With Lidge being exposed this season. Also with Pettitte not being that great this season. The Astros might still have good pitching, but it's not as great as season while their offense is just as bad as last season.

Still, in the playoff, they got a legit shot with that rotation. But, that offense is about as bad as the A's offense.

[Brannu]

Yes, the Astros do have Ensberg back with his .239 average. Let's not forget that his HR came in a bunch similar to Kevin Mench's HR streak earlier this season.

Outside Berkman, the Astros have no offense to speak of at the moment. With Lidge being exposed this season. Also with Pettitte not being that great this season. The Astros might still have good pitching, but it's not as great as season while their offense is just as bad as last season.

Still, in the playoff, they got a legit shot with that rotation. But, that offense is about as bad as the A's offense.

This is very true. I imagine that they are the best wild-card contender, and I really didn't think about them at all, maybe because I really don't like them. :) Odd, seeing as how much I do like Clemens, Pettite and Oswalt. Yes, and those three will be good down the stretch, as they showed last night ... but, even last night, they scored 1 run. Unless that offense gets really hot, consistently, I really don't like their chances, even if they get to the post-season.

It gives me a really defeated feeling as a Cardinal and NL fan as I really don't think that anyone from The NL stands a chance. I don't expect Glavine to be good in the post-season, Pedro either ... and they will be relying on those two guys heavily. I don't know, call me a disgruntled NL fan ... but, no one looks strong enough at this point.

[Astro]

I do not think the Yankees have a chance....

Every year they trade for hitting, and they do not win the World Series.... when they get a GM that has a clue of what he is doing, and they trade for STARTING PITCHING then they might have a chance to make win the World Series, but unless Abreu is going to be a starting pitcher, that trade was pointless once Sheffield and Matsui return

[SamtheBravesFan]

As a Braves fan, I hate to admit it but I think we're about done. Maybe if it rains alot and John Smoltz can pitch about every other game then we might have a chance. But even then a .500 record won't do it. We got a couple of good relievers, but our starting rotation is just terrible. Hopefully Chipper will remain healthy once he gets back because watching him is the main reason not to lose interest in the season.


Well, I bet you'll change your mind if the Good Horacio reports to work a lot more in the last two months. Sure, Hudson looks like crap, we all know it, but good Lord, his talent isn't all gone. We'll get rid of him later to some team who still thinks he has something. But still, I don't even know how the hell he got such a great winning percentage in Oakland.

I know that I left out the horrendous Jason Shiell and whoever the hell else starts. But come on. There's 60 games left, the wild card is still in reach! The Braves get to face the cream of the crap in the NL! I don't believe they're part of that yet, outside the pitching.

[Mariano_Rivera]

AL Competitors (In no particular order)
__________________________________

1) Yankees

2) Tigers

3) Twins

4) Red Sox

5) White Sox

6) A's

7) Angels

NL Competitors
_______________

1) Mets

2) Cardinals (generously)

3) Reds

AL Illusion Competitors
_____________________
1) Blue Jays

2) Seattle

3) Texas

NL Illusion Competitors
_____________________
1) Everybody

[Brannu]

There are only five teams in The NL that are over .500. That's just bad, bad, bad, baseball. Two in the west, two in the central, one in the east.

Astro - I always think that The Yankees have a chance. Experience. But, as you pointed out, they haven't won in a while and have placed their focus in the wrong areas. Yet and still, as they are getting stronger, playing better baseball as we are all seeing now ... I think they become the team to beat.

[Sweet Lou]

Well, I'm noticing that you included the entire NL West, so I guess they are even worse than last year, eh? :D :D :gt :eek:
Just kidding, I know you are also talking about being competitive in the post season, and I agree, baseball is looking very grim in the NL.

[holyroman]

[QUOTE=Brannu]There are only five teams in The NL that are over .500. That's just bad, bad, bad, baseball. Two in the west, two in the central, one in the east.
QUOTE]

maybe it's just real competitive baseball. maybe there are just less pushovers than there are in the American league. More parity if you will..

Just because there are no dominant teams doesn't neccessarilly mean that they are all bad to me.

Or maybe they all just suck.

In the NL, I see Atlanta and Houston contending for the wildcard. That is if St. Louis can hold on. just kidding