[BSgutshot]

Season starts next week. I can't wait. Anyone have any predictions to the season?

[Yearbookpoker]

AL top 3 places in each divisoin

EAST

Yankees - getting old
BO-SOX - Wild Card
Blue Jays - Just miss out of Wild Card

CENTRAL

Inidians
Chi-Sox
Twins

WEST

Oakland
Texas
Seattle

NL

EAST

Braves - also getting old
Mets
Phillies- in normal late season choking fashion

CENTRAL

Cards
Astros - Wild Card
Brewers

WEST

Dodgers
Giants
Padres

[Yearbookpoker]

I'm dissapointed that Bagwell is having surgery again and looks doubtfull to play any time soon for the astros, but I kind of want to see him retire now. He will go out strong and should still make the HOF. Everyone I have heard comment about him making it in or not says he should be in so I hope so.

I also got some information on Clemens. He said he is good enoug to play a full season still, but hasn't made up his mind yet. I really don't know if he is coming back or not, but it would be nice if he did. That would give us a sick pitching staff again.

[UofTNick]

I think Bagwell should just retire now. I agree that he should be a Hall of Famer. He should retire now though, before he pulls a Jerry Rice, and kind of fades into oblivion.

As for Clemens, he's still got the stuff to pitch despite the fact that he is now 97 years old. I would imagine he will come back eventually - but I guess he may prefer to finally hang them up and spend some time with his family.

[Yearbookpoker]

I think world series champioship rings with the Houston Astros should come before family. Oh, guess they don't. Clemens is allowed by the team though when not scheduled to pitch on away trips to stay home with his family. It was in his contract last year and I am sure it could be again this year.

[UofTNick]

Wow really? Didn't realize he had that clause in his contract. That's pretty handy for him. I would think that would make the decision to come back easier. The only reason he might have is that his head just isn't in the game anymore - but I doubt that. He was Cy Young material last year, I can't see him just losing the will and heart to keep playing. He'll be back

[BSgutshot]

Baseball is here!

Phillies are getting shelled right now 13-2. :/

Rollins is 0/3 right now, his hit streak is in jepordy. Phillies pitching flat out sucks today. Jon Leiber is not an ace, when will the Phillies realize that their pitching sucks?

[track1697]

Phils are done for I picked their pitching staff, Utley and Rollins for my fantasy baseball team. That is assured to be the kiss of death.

Though Rollins did come up big with a double at the end of the game...

[BSgutshot]

Their staff is not that good, but their offense should make up for it just like last year. Their oder is one of the best in the yeague.

Rollins
Rowand
Abreu
Burrell
Howard
Utley
Bell/Nunez
Leiberthal/Ruiz
Pitcher

granted Bell, Nunez, Leiberthal, and Ruiz all suckm they should be able to provide some offense from time to time. Rollins is "not the typical leadoff hitter" mainly becasue he's impatient and tries to hot for power more than a leadoff hitter should. I'm not a big fan of his, but he gets the job done. Rowand is a decent CF, should be a good addition and a guy who can play everyday unlike Lofton or Michaels. Abreu has been one of the best RFs the last few years. He constantly hits .300, 20 HRs, 100 RBIs, and 20 SB. Burrell has showed inconsistancy in the past, but if he is productive like last year he can be a threat as one of the best power hitters in the game. Howard and Utley both are young guys with pop. Howard has more power and Utley has more speed. Both should show that last year was not a fluke.

The pitching staff is not so impressive with

Leiber
Myers
Lidle
Floyd
Madson

Madson and Floyd have a combined 5 starts in the major leagues and both are very young and promising prospects. Madson has pitched in the Phillies bullpen for 2 years, but he was a starter before that. Hopefully he can show that he is ready to start and will do well. Gavin Floyd has been one of the Phillies best prospects for some time now. He's fianlly getting his chance. Leiber and Lidle are inconsistant veterans, but both will be okay. Myers should be the Phillies' ace, but Charlie Manuel is a dolt and win't start him as an ace. Myers is primed for a break-out year. Phillies fans have been waiting for him to develop into a top pitcher and this could be his year. He will have the confidence of last year's 3.86 ERA.

Overall I say same old Phillies. Contend, but fall just short of the playoffs due to weak pitching. I hope they make it to the playoffs so they erase my last playoff memory of them when Joe Carter hit one to win the World Series.

[Yearbookpoker]

Houston starts off the year with a win just like all of last year, 1-0. I hate these close games because it puts me on tilt the whole game. It's a shame I fell a sleep for most of it, but I saw it on highlights. I'll take the win though.