Youth Be Told

Want to know why we have problems with the Rays? One word: Youth. They have young speed, young power, young pitching, and a youthful defense. For the same reason why Dustin Pedroia is so exciting to watch, aside from the "Dustin vs. Goliath" commercials, is the entire Rays' team is full of vibrance and exuberance (how's that for "ances") or a team full of Pedroia's.

They get intense, excited, serious, focused and play phenomenal defense, all the things that real baseball players need.

The pitching staff from St. Pete is a little out of sorts right now. But, if the start from Garza against a team that had won 11 of 12 games is any indication on how this season series is going to go. Take cover Sox fans you're about to get dominated, or Garza'd if you will. The defending AL champs STILL have the youngest starting staff in the league. Anchored by "Big Game" James (Jury's still out), Scott Kazmir, the aforementioned Garza, Sonnanstine, and let us not forget about the Stud they have waiting in the wings in Durham, David Price.

Upton and Longoria, FLAT OUT STUDS. Crawford, great speed and veteran leadership for someone that isn't even 30 yet! Maybe the least recognized "big" move this offseason was the trade for Matt Joyce. This kid has 35 HR's written all over him (next year) and should be a force to reckon with in twenty-ten.

This team WILL continue to give us problems all year long. With their relentless running attack (Crawford 6 steals on Sunday)and the Red Sox having a Catcher with a below league avg arm; A single turns into a double and even a triple for some of the people on their team. They don't give up and when their pitching turns around…It's going to be scary. Which is why I chose them to win the AL EAST. But the Playoffs are a WHOLE OTHER ANIMAL.

This, however brings me to my next segment. Prediction time: DA DA DA DANANA *trumpet sound from
FIGURE IT OUT* circa 1998.

AL East-Rays 94 Wins

AL Central- Royals 91 Wins

AL West- Rangers 86 Wins (LAA can't overcome that many injuries)

AL Wildcard-Red Sox 92 Wins (Hotly contested by CHW, NYY, and Min)

NL East- Mets 92 Wins

NL Central- Cubs 94 Wins

NL West- Dodgers 97 Wins

NL Wildcard- Cardinals 88 Wins

 

Reminiscent of March Madness I have made out a bracket that is most likely destined to die a slow and painful death but this is what I see happening in this years MLB Playoffs

And if you're saying to yourself, "This is just another STUPID Sox fan." I say this to you. JOHN SMOLTZ. He is a physical Freak. Not to be confused with Tim "The Freak" Lincecum. This guy is one of the ALL TIME greatest post season performers and is back for one more round. And to the Yankee fans. Yes, you spent almost a half BILLION dollars *Dr Evil Voice*. But your team is Old. You have probably the WORST defensive outfield in the majors, your catcher is deteriorating (ala Jason Varitek), and your best player B---h T- - s is now going through more ridicule than Michael Jackson at Chuck E' Cheese.

The Rays and Red Sox if it should come down to it will probably go ANOTHER 7 games and be just as exciting as last year. But I wouldn't want to be the Rays and have to face Beckett, Lester, and Smoltz in the same series. Could be an uphill battle.

Stay Tuned

Ryan