DBAHO Posted September 14, 2003 Share Posted September 14, 2003 I saw from Jayson Stark's Rumblings and Grumblings that in a poll of all General Managers at least 1 picked da White Sox to win da World Series. The other teams were the Braves, Giants, Yankees, Cubs, Red Sox, and Mariners. WHITE SOX: This is the hottest team going right now. Best record in baseball since the All-Star break (33-17). Averaging six runs a game and two homers a game since the break. Third in the league in starters' ERA (4.09), even though their fifth starters have exactly three wins in 24 starts. Third in the league in overall ERA. But five games under .500 against contenders outside their division. And the worst road record of any contender (11 games under .500 on the road, vs. 23 over at home). "Dangerous team," says one GM. "They've got three real good starters and a good back end of the bullpen, even though they have no true closer. And they've got a dangerous lineup. My concerns would be bullpen depth, major questions on defense, and a lack of true cohesiveness and makeup." Another GM seconds that sentiment, saying: "The only thing I don't like is, I just don't trust that cast of characters." Hmm would a lack of coheviseness and makeup be the mangers fault? Also no-one picked da Twins (too many holes), and Royals (shaky rotation and too many holes) Personally I think the Giants r da team to beat although they really should have won it last year. Also, the stat that scares me the most is that Chicago is 5 games under .500 against contenders outside their division. That can't be a good sign going into October. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted September 14, 2003 Share Posted September 14, 2003 I'd say, in the playoffs, the Cubs could be tough to beat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bmr31 Posted September 14, 2003 Share Posted September 14, 2003 I'd say, in the playoffs, the Cubs could be tough to beat. The cubs arent making it in, bro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperSteve Posted September 14, 2003 Share Posted September 14, 2003 The cubs arent making it in, bro. I don't think they will make it either. The only thing I would be worried about with the Cubs in the playoffs are Prior and Zambrano. They do not have an explosive offense, they have nothing better than average defense (some of their guys are awful at defense), and the bullpen isn't strong. I don't think they would win a series if they did get in. The Astros should make us not even worry about them in the playoffs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Critic Posted September 14, 2003 Share Posted September 14, 2003 who is going to challenge them?? If the Astros can take care of St. Louis, as they have so far, and take 2 of 3 from SF, they get in, IMO. The Cubs are squeaking past a HORRIBLE Cincinnati team right now, and their bullpen ( minus Borowski ) is as scary as ever. When they face teams with even MARGINAL major-league players ( and NOT the minor league Cincy lineup ) they can be in trouble. Look at how they played against Montreal and you see the potential demise. They have GREAT 1-3 starters ( well, maybe Wood isn't great, but he is very good ) and a decent 4 and 5 ( when the 5 is Cruz ), and a sporadic offense. They might get in, but they wouldn't scare any decent team with the off-and-on offense they have. SamME is a big-game and big-situation choker unless it's his 7th at-bat of the game, and the knuckles will get mighty white when the spotlight is bright for Ramirez, Simon, etc. Also, Lofton is crap in the postseason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted September 14, 2003 Share Posted September 14, 2003 Pitching wins championships. And with that big 3 in the Cubs rotation, I think most teams would be very leary of facing them in the post season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Molto Posted September 14, 2003 Share Posted September 14, 2003 don't say big three, say big two. Kerry Wood isn't even close to being thrown in with Prior and Zambrano. no matter how much hype he gets, Wood isn't that good and has a history of falling apart at times, leading a boatload of tantrums. In fact, I consider Wood to be their #4. the Cubs can definately make the playoffs, but outside of Prior and Zambrano, both of whom are young and may not be able to take the pressures of the playoffs, their team is nothing to be scared about. Their offense is average and their bullpen is decent. Either the Braves or Giants, I think, can knock them out in four, unless the offense hits like they are hitting now, then, they may be able to do something. Even if so, they aren't a scary team to face. With all that, I'd have to root for them to go to the WS if the Sox were to do the same. that would be amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted September 14, 2003 Share Posted September 14, 2003 who is going to challenge them?? My Astros will be playing post season Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CubKilla Posted September 14, 2003 Share Posted September 14, 2003 With all that, I'd have to root for them to go to the WS if the Sox were to do the same. that would be amazing. Never Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted September 14, 2003 Share Posted September 14, 2003 Well the reason I think Hendry is increidbly over-rated is he forgot all about the bullpen and how brutal it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted September 14, 2003 Share Posted September 14, 2003 My Astros will be playing post season God I hope you are right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NUKE_CLEVELAND Posted September 14, 2003 Share Posted September 14, 2003 Also, the stat that scares me the most is that Chicago is 5 games under .500 against contenders outside their division. That can't be a good sign going into October. We've been a lot better since the break regarding contenders. The recent series with the Yank-mees comes to mind there & if not for manuel's stupidity and lack of killer instinct then we would have swept them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted September 14, 2003 Share Posted September 14, 2003 The Cubs would get killed if they got to the postseason. I don't give a s*** about their starting rotation...they have 2 really good starters, and that's it, and, correct me if I'm wrong here, but hasn't only like 1 team won the whole thing pretty much riding on 2 starters(those two being RJ and Schilling), and even then they got good starts from Miguel Batista and Brian Anderson. I just don't see how the Cubs could do it. The Sox, on the other hand, I think have a good chance. They have a very good rotation, a very good, very explosive lineup, a much improved bullpen over the course of the season(adding Sullivan was huge IMO....Wunsch, Marte, Gordon, Sullivan, and to an extent, Wright and Schoenweis, as both could be good, but both could get their asses lit up), and good team defense. The only two things holding them back are JM and as one GM said, can they keep it together? I just am not sure if they could. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Critic Posted September 15, 2003 Share Posted September 15, 2003 Well the reason I think Hendry is increidbly over-rated is he forgot all about the bullpen and how brutal it is. AND he gave away Rod Beck ( 20-for-20 in saves for the Padres ) then asked San Diego if they would trade him back!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted September 15, 2003 Share Posted September 15, 2003 AND he gave away Rod Beck ( 20-for-20 in saves for the Padres ) then asked San Diego if they would trade him back!! To top it off Rod Beck BEGGED the Cubs to take him back. He turned down a couple of teams hoping that the Cubs would call, finally he gave up and signed with the Padres. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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