Backroads23 said:
Dave, which of the Wild Card teams + Texas do you think has the best value in the futures to win it all?
Houston 12-1
Pittsburgh 11-1
Cubs 10-1
Yankees 12-1
Rangers 10-1
Just asking out of curiosity on your take with these teams
I guess that all depends on Jake Arrieta. So, the Pirates. Yes, Arreita is a beast - but the Cubs also benefit from playing in Wrigley. Obviously PNC isn't a hitters park. Pittsburgh has experience, - and can typically win via the long ball or by stringing hits together. They were 52-28 at home. The Pirates were 12-3 in Cole's home starts. Say what you will about Arrieta and his tweets - harken back to a few years ago when Cueto and the Reds game to Pittsburgh for a playoff game and Cueto was crushed. Experience. I think the Pirates and their speed have a better chance of beating the Cardinals, especially if Molina can't play. The Pirates strike out FAR less than the Cubs. My biggest concern about the Pirates is that they committed the second most errors in baseball. That could be the big problem, both tomorrow and going forward. But, even if the Cubs go forward, I think they're screwed in bigger parks like LA, Busch isn't a hitters park when it's chilly and windy -
I like the Royals, actually. Potentially the best starters if Volquez and Cueto get their sh*t together, experience, and bullpen, not to mention probably the best defense. They won it last year, obviously, and at the beginning of the season took them to win it because they lost Butler's .271 and 9 home runs (easily replaced) and Shields (easily replaced). Plus, with the AL having HFA in a 2-3-2 series, I like their chances without a DH for three games better than anyone else.
It's too easy to take Toronto. I don't trust their pitching - and if they go into a hitting slump they could be in trouble. Get them in a bigger park like KC and we'll see what happens. And, if there's one team that could just outscore Toronto, it's Texas. The Dodgers - yes, starting pitching. Just not a cohesive team, and if anyone can beat them it's the Mets, who perhaps have BETTER SP, and of course little or nothing to lose which is always a dangerous team to play.
Cardinals? Cannot discount them and Wahca and Martinez seemed to hold up well despite the number of innings, now out. Garcia more than capable, experienced. Wide open. Could easily be a Missouri WS ? Just rambling and still trying to figure it out.