MLB Playoffs 2003

[Dogbert0228]

Who will win their divisions and who will win the wild card berths? Then once the playoffs begin, who will be able to go all the way and who will fail miserably and hang their heads in shame for the rest of fall and winter?

My predictions:

National League

East - Atlanta Braves

Central - St. Louis Cardinals

West - San Francisco Giants

Wild Card - Arizona Diamondbacks

American League

East - New York Yankees

Central - Chicago White Sox

West - Seattle Mariners

Wild Card - Boston Red Sox

World Series

Seattle v. Atlanta, Atlanta in 6 games

[Slipknot]

My Predictions

National League
East - Atlanta
Central - Houston
West - San Francisco
Wild Card - Florida

American League
East - Boston
Central - Chicago
West - Oakland
Wild Card - Seattle

Im not gonna go as far as World Series pick, becuz my pick would b biased cuz i live in Boston.

[Dogbert0228]

I want to see Boston do well, and I think they have a good chance at making the playoffs, and even making it through the first round (I hope they knock out the Yankees, or at least go farther than NY). They did a lot of building right up to the trade deadline and it all seemed to help, not hinder... However, not having been to the playoffs in such a long, long, long time, I don't think they can go all the way. Pick up another big bat or two in the offseason, and they'll be set for 04'...

[Slipknot]

ya, u must be pissed that the Seattle Mariners didnt go out and get anybody at the trade deadline. I see u live in Washington so i assume u like the Mariners, and i gotta say that Yankees-Mariners trade was a disaster for the Mariners... Jeff Nelson is way better than Armando Benitez, Beintiez may have better stuff but he gets scared in big games and blows a lot of them. Nelson in my opinion was a better pitcher. The Yankees wouldnt even use Benitez cuz they were so scrared that he'd blow it for them.

[Dogbert0228]

Originally posted by Slipknot
ya, u must be pissed that the Seattle Mariners didnt go out and get anybody at the trade deadline. I see u live in Washington so i assume u like the Mariners, and i gotta say that Yankees-Mariners trade was a disaster for the Mariners... Jeff Nelson is way better than Armando Benitez, Beintiez may have better stuff but he gets scared in big games and blows a lot of them. Nelson in my opinion was a better pitcher. The Yankees wouldnt even use Benitez cuz they were so scrared that he'd blow it for them.

I don't know... Nelson is more consistent, but he hadn't been his best this year, and I use the game he blew against Seattle in New York the other day as an example. We had a few of those high-pressure situations for him throughout the season, and he didn't come through regularly like he had in the past. As for their stuff, I think we only lost that wicked slider of Nelly's, but I think they're both good pitchers on the whole. As for reliability, I'm scared of what I've heard of Benitez, but I think we just need to give him some work, and if he proves to be unreliable, only use him in low pressure situations. We have a few great young arms in the bullpen that have really shone this year (Julio Mateo and Rafael Soriano) and can handle big games...

It was disappointing that no BIG deals were made, but I think as long as we can stay healthy, we'll be okay... The world series prediction is only wishful thinking, but I don't think it's too far-fetched... Oh, and before the deadline, we picked up Ray Sanchez from the Mets (ha, the Mets... can't talk about them without laughing :)) to fill in for the injured Carlos Guillen at short, and Sanchez has been great offensively and defensively. Maybe he just needed a few more at-bats and a change in scenery... In fact, when Guillen comes back, he might play third, to take Cirillo's (ha, Jeff Cirillo, have to laugh at him, too) spot because of his groin, and how it't reduced his range a bit.

Anyway, go M's and go Boston. Here's a deal for you. You take care of Oakland in the regular season in the wild card, and we'll take care of the Yanks in the playoffs, then we can battle it out in the ALCS :)

[Slipknot]

ya u guys have that great young Rafael Soriano... hes the top pitching prospect in baseball right now. Boston had Rey Sanchez last year... he played well. We came back and split the games with Oakland 2-2... it was a great 2 wins for Boston... now we have to face Seattle... it will be one hell of a week with Seattle then home to face Oakland, then Seattle comes in to Boston. This week is HUGE for Boston. Suppan Vs. Moyer in the first game... Moyer has had one hell of a season for such a old guy.

[Dogbert0228]

Scary thing is, Moyer isn't even at his best this season... He had 20-some wins last year... I heard one baseball analyst saying how he believed Soriano would be our closer in a year or 2... If Sasaki doesn't fully recover from his injuries, I don't think that's too far-fetched... He'd be awesome to see start, but I worry about his endurance a bit. We had him start for us a few times last year, and that was his role in AAA, but I think he's too awesome as a long-relief, middle-innings setup guy to mess with...

I'm really looking forward to seeing the Boston series, both here at home and when we head back to the east coast. I love games at Fenway... Always a great, almost playoff like atmosphere...

[FrankTheBunny]

Predictions wise:

NL
East: Braves
Central: St. Louis
West: San Fran
Wild Card: Phillies

AL
East: Yankees
Central: White Sox
West: A's
Wild Card: Red Sox

I still think the Phils will pull out the Wild Card in the NL East. The pitching is too deep and with Burrell starting to come out of his slump, and Chase Utley finally being brought up, this team's offense is just too scary. But the race between the D'Backs, Marlins and Phils will be tight until the last day of the season.

[Slipknot]

Rafael Soriano could b a great starter... i dont think he should b the Mariners future closer. Soriano could b as good as any pitcher in the MLB in a year or 2. Ya i love games at Fenway too, they just seem abot thirty times better than watching them down in Tampa Bay with a crowd of 200. Seattle draws a lot of fans tho... and i really like there baseball park, Safeco is a nice park.

[Skinny]

National League:

West- San Francisco Giants
Central- St. Louis Cardinals
East- Atlanta Braves
Wild Card- Florida Marlins

American League

West- Seattle Mariners
Central- Chicago White Sox
East- New York Yankees
Wild Card- Boston Red Sox

What i'm really interested in following at the moment is the NL wild card race... its really close and exciting... i predict the Marlins are gonna hold on... but i could be wrong... we shall see

[Dogbert0228]

The series is mine! Um, er, I mean, the Mariners! Great series. Pedro continues to dominate the M's, but Freddy's back (for a game :)) Anyway, looking for Boston to get on track again and knock the A's out again, and I too am really enjoying the NL wild card. Sorry, I'll babble more baseball later. Just got home, and too tired for typing...

[Skinny]

I just hope that the world series aint gonna have the Yankees and the Braves... 2 teams i really dont like... being a West Coast MLB fan and all...

[brody27]

Well you had your wish last year.

National League

East: Braves
Central: Cardinals
West: Giants
Wild-card: Phillies

American League

East: Yankees
Central: White Sox
West: Mariners
Wild-card: Athletics

World Series: Braves vs. Yankees - Braves in 5

[Illchill]

Argh, this coulda been down in my sports debate, but the Sox WILL take the wildcard, if Burkett can out of this jam, we will be just one step closer.....

[Glordreen]

I hope Seattle makes it to the World Series. I want it to be Seattle vs San Fran. Or Seatle vs Atlanta

[Glordreen]

I just hope the Yankees never make it to the World Series again. My hatered runs deep for them

[Rabbit]

Me too. Thats what made my teams victory over them so much better (Arizona)