"Lazzari's Sports Roundup" -- 04-09-05

Ah, yes, the 2005 baseball season has begun--music to the ears of baseball fans throughout New England who've survived another brutal winter. Time to make predictions, folks; I promise I've done NO steroids over the winter in order to get better at doing this--nor have I testified at any Congressional hearings lately. Here goes--in order of anticipated finish:

AL EAST
New York Yankees
Boston Red Sox
Baltimore Orioles
Toronto Blue Jays
Tampa Bay Devil Rays

AL CENTRAL
Minnesota Twins
Cleveland Indians
Chicago White Sox
Detroit Tigers
Kansas City Royals

AL WEST
Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels
Texas Rangers
Oakland A’s
Seattle Mariners

Notes:
AL EAST--$200 million payrolls don't lose; if Torre doesn't win it all with THIS New York squad, then he should immediately look for an acting job on a soon-to-be-made "Sopranos" spin-off; A-ROD wins league MVP--or is runner-up. Don't know if the Sox can recapture enough of the emotion from last season's miracle to overtake "King George's" team; they'll settle for the wild card. O's will score a lot and be improved, but they're in the wrong division; Blue Jays' slogan will soon become "Halladay and Lilly--and then it looks silly." The only good news for Lou Piniella is that he can still continue to work on his tan while managing in Tampa.
AL CENTRAL--Twins' pitching gets them to the postseason; the return of talented catcher Joe Mauer is a huge plus. Remainder of this division is a crap-shoot; Cleveland closer Wickman's health is the key to their success, although Juan Gonzalez' hamstring will experience more pulls than any intense tug-of-war competition. White Sox can score and hit with power, but can Takatsu truly be a "lights out" closer? The Tigers could be the surprise of the division--and will continue to improve. Royals have NO power, NO scary pitchers, and NO chance of winning 70 games.
AL WEST--Angels' pitching is solid, but Jarrod Washburn needs to win more games than he did last season; Texas is well-managed, but I don't like their starting rotation. Zito and Harden must win 30 between them for Oakland to stay remotely competitive. Seattle will score a ton, but pitchers Meche and Pineiro have to start showing the ability many of us THOUGHT they possessed in order for them to escape the cellar.

NL EAST
Atlanta Braves
Florida Marlins
New York Mets
Philadelphia Phillies
Washington Nationals

NL CENTRAL
St. Louis Cardinals
Chicago Cubs
Houston Astros
Cincinnati Reds
Milwaukee Brewers
Pittsburgh Pirates

NL WEST
San Diego Padres
San Francisco Giants
Los Angeles Dodgers
Arizona Diamondbacks
Colorado Rockies

Notes:
NL EAST--Braves always find a way; Smoltz and Hudson will be a terrific starting duo while Kolb steps in to close effectively. A healthy Beckett and Burnett will have to pitch the entire season for Florida to overtake the Braves--which won't happen--although they should take the wild card. Mets' bullpen--outside of Looper--scares no one. Phils can finish third if their pitching stays healthy; a much better clubhouse now with Charlie Manuel in place. Nationals had Nick Johnson leading off during their final spring training game--enough said.
NL CENTRAL--Mulder will do very well in St. Louis--and won't face a DH. Cubs have some pop, but can Prior and Wood start 60 games between them? Astros, though Lidge may become the best closer in the game, will miss Beltran and Kent too much. Randa will help Reds at third base, but their outfield gets hurt WAY too much. If you can name the Brewers' closer, then sports editor Bill Pucci will gladly provide you with a free dinner of your choosing. Pirates continue to have a nice park/stadium to play in, at least.
NL WEST--If RHP Adam Eaton reaches his potential, the Padres win the division; they're great defensively. Jason Schmidt will be a Cy Young candidate, but will LHP Kirk Reuter bounce back and not pitch like Kirk Cameron? Dodgers’ pitching doesn't impress me--and may be overrated. D' Backs may surprise with some good starting pitching--although closing games may be more of a challenge than closing one's eyes at a Hooters restaurant. Rockies' rotation is horrendous, and this team would be average at the AAA level; poor Todd Helton.

Postseason: Yankees and Braves to emerge from their respective leagues--with Bobby Cox' losing squad finding out that competing with the Bombers' $200 million payroll is much more difficult than eating spoiled sushi.

Enjoy the season, everyone--and may your favorite player test cleanly.

Bob Lazzari

Reprinted by permission of the Valley Times.