Baseball Preview (L.A. Times picks us 4th)

[fan_since79]

Forget that!!

 

http://www.latimes.com/sports/mlb/la-sp-al-capsules-20160403-story.html

 

 

[Blarg]

The Astros crumbled down the stretch with poor defense and an offense that had multiple holes. Their pitching staff is Kueschell and McCullers then prepare for the cellars. Oh wait, Lance wore out his shoulder last season so there is no time table for his return. At least they have Doug Fister if he can bounce back. Then there is the part time pitcher in Feldman that fizzeled out half way through last season. The one guy I think may be the difference maker is McHugh, he was great in 2014 then pitched more like a human in 2015 but with splits that said his second half was much better than the first. Kueschell, McHugh and McCuellers would be the best trio in the AL, if tge injury bug doesn't nail them.

Texas, outside of Beltre, has a poor fielding team as well. Their pitching staff is no match for their stadium unless Darvish returns quickly because 36 year old Swiss Cheese Lewis and Blame the Dogginess on the Dog Holland are due to fall apart. Cole will start to feel like Coal after a full summer in Texas where it is kind of like Philly on a bad day on a good day in Arlington.

They will have to slug their way out of every game. Unless Choo and Fielder are at the top of their game offensively this offense is toothless. Daniels has cobbled together a horse with polio if Hamilton does what Hamilton does and that is screw up lineup consistency with his thousand excuses and trips to the DL for rheumatoid assholiness.

Seattle? Hah, really, Seattle? The whole story on Seattle is they have the worst OBP in baseball and claim they put three players in the lineup to improve that. One is a backup catcher that had a .293 OBP last season and a platoon player that can only hit right handers. It is another year of Cruz and Cano then the offense down the Drano.

For pitching they have Hernandez. He's really good. Then they got Tijuana Walker a guy you want to believe in, like a stoned cousin that has potential but never really achieves anything. Then there is Mishmash Iwakuma that the Dodgers, really in need of pitching, recinded their offer because upon further medical review he had no arm tendons left. Wade Miley that hasn't had an ERA+ number in two years, he should be a golf partner with Tijuana and the can score 90 together.

The A's aren't even a major league team. The AL faces them as a designated schedule break to rest starters but have to play the games to cover their cable obligations. The Padres will probably be swept by them.

The Astros are really the only team that could prevent the Angels from taking the West. The other three are just stepping stones.

[Angels#1Fan]

"rheumatoid assholiness."

 

 

 

LOL!
 

[Angel Oracle]

It could be a four team race. No one stands out, although Keuchel, McHugh, and McCullers could be the difference for Houston. They improve in one way: no more Kazmir.

Four teams winning between 83-88 games?

Edited April 3, 2016 by Angel Oracle

[Blarg]

No, the Mariners are smoke and a cracked mirror. They are going no where.

[eligrba4ever]

Being great in spring training proves you're great in a spring training season. It just might carry over. It may not.

 

That Times preview is based on the commonly perceived expert wisdom and what happened a year ago. The Angels are being dinged for the uncertainty of the starting rotation. IF Heaney takes off. IF Skaggs comes back soon and effectively. IF Weaver can fool people and look like 2014 and not 2015. IF the left field platoon REALLY works. IF it all comes together.

 

What it all means will be clarified soon enough by how all the teams meet, exceed or fall short of expectations. All of that will happen.

[fan_since79]

Last year Sporting News picked Boston to finish first. They came in last. This year they're picking them again. Talk about bias!

[Blarg]

Well, Pablo is in the worst shape of his life...

[ettin]

A's - Lot of versatility and they have some sneaky good offensive players. Their defense at critical positions (SS for instance) is a little suspect). They have a good core of relievers.

 

Astros - Young, athletic team that will have a good offense if they stay healthy. They have concerns at the back-end of their rotation and their middle relief but everything else is solid to really good.

 

Mariners - The offense will be above average if Cano is back at full strength. The starting pitching is pretty good overall. They have a sneaky good relief core (Zych is scary good). Defense is a bit above average overall too.

 

Rangers - Middle and back-end starting pitching is suspect but could be average overall. Bullpen has some good relievers in it. Offense will be good and maybe even great if Odor becomes what he could potentially be. Defense is good too.

 

Angels - Starting pitching could potentially be above average but requires the younger starters to step up and become what they can potentially be. Relief core is actually really sneaky good (Street, Smith, Rasmus, Morin, Bedrosian can all be really solid). Defense is greatly improved and can be pretty good even excellent. Offense, if everyone stays healthy, can be above average to really good.

 

It's a dogfight in my mind. Astros have a slight edge overall but anyone can take this to be honest.