Which team is in the best position to win the WS in 2009

[Frow]

The Sox, because the rich get richer.

 

[phillyfan0417]

Biased of course but the phillies are in a position to repeat simply because they have the offense and pitching to do so. When that line-up is on, its as good as anyone's. My only concern right now is the back of the pen, Lidge needs to get it together and fast.

They also now run out Hamels, Lee and an emerging Blanton.

Hamels has to be a concern. He looks like Beckett did after the 2007 playoffs.

Last few starts have been an improvement, especially last night.

 

[rico08]

In this order:

Phillies
Cardinals
Dodgers

I chose the Dodgers because favorites rarely win.

 

[Wes]

In this order:

Phillies
Cardinals
Dodgers

I chose the Dodgers because favorites rarely win.

All NL teams? That surprises me.

 

[abncollectsautos]

I would like to say the Braves if they could pick up a big bat. But i think the Phillies will be dangerous with Hamels, Lee, Moyer, Blanton, and whomever else they throw in. They have been raking lately.

 

[phillyfan0417]

I would like to say the Braves if they could pick up a big bat. But i think the Phillies will be dangerous with Hamels, Lee, Moyer, Blanton, and whomever else they throw in. They have been raking lately.

Throw Pedro into that mix. Also, I think we may still see happ moved...

 

[kentuckyderby]

Phils
LA
Cubs (Ouch that really hurts typing in those letters)

 

[abncollectsautos]

I would like to say the Braves if they could pick up a big bat. But i think the Phillies will be dangerous with Hamels, Lee, Moyer, Blanton, and whomever else they throw in. They have been raking lately.

Throw Pedro into that mix. Also, I think we may still see happ moved...

I forgot pedro, a real big game pitcher. I think he could come in as a long releiver and be dangerous

 

[vwnut13]

there lineup is SOOO bad, that they will not win a playoff series.

Says the Red Sox fan to the Giants fan :lol:

 

[rico08]

In this order:

Phillies
Cardinals
Dodgers

I chose the Dodgers because favorites rarely win.

All NL teams? That surprises me.

Based on the current poll results, I'm not the only one. The Yankees/Red Sox do not strike me as teams best positioned to win the WS.

The Phillies have upgraded with the addition of Lee, the Cardinals did the same adding Holliday, and the Dodgers just lost three games in a row for the first time all year.

Once the Dodgers' lineup adjusts to the addition of Manny and he finds his groove, look out. They're also rumored to be looking to add Sherrill to their bullpen. Billingsley has become a question mark but his outing yesterday wasn't as poor as the line might indicate. Kershaw seems to have found some mojo and Kuroda will be fresh for a playoff run. I like their chances.

 

[Wes]

In this order:

Phillies
Cardinals
Dodgers

I chose the Dodgers because favorites rarely win.

All NL teams? That surprises me.

Based on the current poll results, I'm not the only one. The Yankees/Red Sox do not strike me as teams best positioned to win the WS.

The Phillies have upgraded with the addition of Lee, the Cardinals did the same adding Holliday, and the Dodgers just lost three games in a row for the first time all year.

Once the Dodgers' lineup adjusts to the addition of Manny and he finds his groove, look out. They're also rumored to be looking to add Sherrill to their bullpen. Billingsley has become a question mark but his outing yesterday wasn't as poor as the line might indicate. Kershaw seems to have found some mojo and Kuroda will be fresh for a playoff run. I like their chances.

Why not? The two best teams in the best division in the best league.

The Phillies still run Moyer, Blanton and Happ out there, hardly guys that would be favored to win playoff matchups. The same goes for LA with Kuroda and Jason Schmidt. The Cardinals have two good starters but aside from Franklin a terrible bullpen.

 

[rico08]

Why not? The two best teams in the best division in the best league.

The Phillies still run Moyer, Blanton and Happ out there, hardly guys that would be favored to win playoff matchups. The same goes for LA with Kuroda and Jason Schmidt. The Cardinals have two good starters but aside from Franklin a terrible bullpen.

Pedroia isn't the MVP like last year. He was arguably the most important part of their offense (and defense) down the stretch. Ortiz is half asleep and Bay has cooled down. Beckett and Lester should be fine but no one can assume Penny/Smoltz/Buccholz/Matsuzaka will be any better than Moyer/Haap/Blanton or Wolf/Kershaw/Kuroda/Schmidt.

Kuroda was great during the playoffs last year. This year, his arm will be fresh after missing time--but it wasn't for anything shoulder or elbow related.

But as far as the playoffs are concerned, isn't breaking down a team's five-man rotation pointless? The Phil's did it last year with an unstoppable Hamels and gutsy support from Moyer and Blanton.

 

[Wes]

Why not? The two best teams in the best division in the best league.

The Phillies still run Moyer, Blanton and Happ out there, hardly guys that would be favored to win playoff matchups. The same goes for LA with Kuroda and Jason Schmidt. The Cardinals have two good starters but aside from Franklin a terrible bullpen.

Pedroia isn't the MVP like last year. He was arguably the most important part of their offense (and defense) down the stretch. Ortiz is half asleep and Bay has cooled down. Beckett and Lester should be fine but no one can assume Penny/Smoltz/Buccholz/Matsuzaka will be any better than Moyer/Haap/Blanton or Wolf/Kershaw/Kuroda/Schmidt.

Kuroda was great during the playoffs last year. This year, his arm will be fresh after missing time--but it wasn't for anything shoulder or elbow related.

But as far as the playoffs are concerned, isn't breaking down a team's five-man rotation pointless? The Phil's did it last year with an unstoppable Hamels and gutsy support from Moyer and Blanton.

Fair enough as far as the five man rotation, but Philadelphia still has to use Moyer, who was awful in the playoffs. Hamels has been a shell of his 2008 form after throwing a career high in innings by almost 70. I would take Beckett + Lester or Sabathia + Burnett and any Red Sox or Yankees pitcher over any three of the Phillies or Dodgers starters.

 

[DetroitTigers]

[quote="Brett Keith":2608092q]I think it's the Cardinals. I don't know if anyone is better at the top than Carpenter and Wainwright...

"Hey, you forgot us!"

Beckett/Lester, Lincecum/Cain, Hamels/Lee, whoever else, maybe as good, but not better than Carpenter/Wainwright. [/quote:2608092q]

Verlander/Jackson.