ODC... Easy as One Two Three!
By Jack Jablin
Jack Jablin: Alright, it's been just a few days, but the ODC is back! Not a lot has changed, but the hype machine is rolling and we're here to set the record straight! The theme to tonight's ODC would have been "Freedom" by Jimi Hendrix, but for legal reasons let's just say that's the song that's been caught in my head all day.
Check the Stats: Golden oldy..
Jack Jablin: TONIGHT on the ODC... Ortiz and Howard in a race for the Major League Home Run Title, the Red Sox are feverishly trying to prove that they are NOT out of the AL East race; The Dodgers are trying to ride the D-Train to victory, but they don't mean Willis. Lastly, the Reds pull into a tie with the Cardinals; what does this mean for the NL Wild Card? Just ask us, becuase you don' know the Jacks.
Check the Stats: But first?
Jack Jablin: But first, we check the fan mail box!
Jack Jablin: Our fan mail of the night is from someone named "Slammalammadingdong9", it reads as follows:
CTS, Jablin. I've been reading YS.com for a while now and it appears as if you guys know or at least pretend to know something about baseball. my question is simple, do you think that teams like the orioles devil rays or your beloved royals will have a chance at winning their divisions in the next five years?
Check The Stats: Well, slammalamma, it really depends on how managerment handles things, with teams like the Giants who do not use enough prospects have a team that will not make the playoffs, however if these teams do not resign said prospects they will go to the big markets where they will be sought after by whoever can fork over the most dough.
Jack Jablin: Right, because arbitration can be a real pain in the arse. The Royals got a taste of arbitration with David DeJesus, and now they're preparing for players like Mark Teahen to go that same route. For the D-Rays, they recently had to grant Carl Crawford a multi-million dollar deal, and with players like Scott Kazmir nearing arbitration, it should be interesting to see how the players react. For the Orioles, there's really one name they need to focus on: Nick Markakis. If they can hold onto him they should be ok as far as prospects go for a little while.
Check the Stats: If these teams can keep the young guys then they will thrive, but you will always have the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, and Angels who will throw out money to get the players that they want
Jack Jablin: Precisely, if they can hold onto their younger players, they WILL have a shot in a few years. But as of now, they may have to give up on this season and just enjoy the ride to glory; long as it may be.
Check the Stats: If teams find the balance between young and old they can find a way to success, just look at the Tigers, perfect example of a team that is the laughingstock turned league leader. I believe it was only a matter of years ago that the Tigers lost over 100 games.
Jack Jablin: Speaking of jokes turned into leaders, the Cinci Reds have turned their fortunes around; matching their tremendous offense with some stellar pitching. In fact, it was only two days ago that the Reds wered tied with the Cardinals. At this point, not only are the Reds hot in the NL Central hunt, but they lead the NL Wild Card. Hot on their tales are the Padres, Phillies and Giants (who the Reds play this weekend). What are your thoughts on Cinci's chances, thus far?
Check the Stats: I think that if the Reds pitchin can get itself together they can win the division because they definately have the offensive backing
Jack Jablin: Where do the Cardinals fall, into the wild card lead?
Check the Stats: I believe that they could win the wildcard, but they will have to earn it. The phillies and padres will be right on there tails so they won't make it easy for them
Jack Jablin: Speaking of the Phillies, Philly star Ryan Howard hit his 46th home run today, tying David Ortiz for the MLB lead. CTS, both of these players are lefties, but only Ortiz has the World Series ring. Who is going to finish the season with more homers?
Check the Stats: I believe Ortiz brcause of the man who is hitting after him and that is Manuel Ramirez, pitching around Ortiz can be more deadly than pitching to him because now Manny has a runner on base.
Jack Jablin: Makes sense, but Philly now has Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and other hitters that can put up formidible numbers on a regular basis; unlike several key Red Sox hitters. I have to wonder if - since pitchers obviously prefer to pitch to Manny - Ortiz will get less at bats than Howard. As such - and since Howard has been on fire since the Abreu trade - I'm going to leap on a limb and say I think the former Rookie of the Year will shock the world with the home run crown in '06.
Check the Stats: Hmm we will have to see my friend, we will have to see.
Jack Jablin: Speaking of the national league and rookies, the Dodgers - led by rookie Andre Ethier, veterans J.D. Drew and Jeff Kent - are making their way toward the playoffs, as we predicted. What are your thoughts on the Dodgers current prediciment, and how much will mid-season acquisitions Julio Lugo and Greg Maddux really mean toward the Dodgers final standing?
Check The Stats: I think that they could be the one team in th NL that challenges the Mets for the NL title. Because they have in the pitchering and the hitting that spells success, but with guys like Maddux and Lowe who both know how to get to the World Series and play there they could lead that staff
Jack Jablin: Nomar, Furcal, Betemit, Drew, Kent, Ethier - and now Lugo? This is a team to fear, no matter who you are. And with pitchers like Derek Lowe, Greg Maddux, Brad Penny and Chad Billingsly as starters, the team posts a double threat. While the bullpen may be an Achilles heel for LA, the starters have shown the ability to go 8 or even 9 innings in any given outing, giving LA fans a reason to cut their offense some slack when they don't preform spectacularly.
Check The Stats: but do you think the AL teams have anything to fear
Jack Jablin: I think a team like Oakland may have something to fear in the Dodgers, I'm sure that the Tigers, White Sox or Yankees would definitely make for a high-adrenaline matchup; I wouldn't take sides just yet, but I do think the AL might have the slight advantage over any team not from Cinci (the Reds would be an excellent American League team in my opinion) in the long run.
Check the Stats: I think that the AL pitching in most situations is subpar, and if they can be out pitched then they can be stopped
Jack Jablin: This is true, the problem is that American League teams somehow find a way for their subpar pitching to step up in games versus in the NL (interleague play, playoffs) and their offense stays the same, if not more powerful than normally.
Check the Stats: Maybe it has to do with two letters, D H?
Jack Jablin: Think about Derek Lowe in the 2004 playoffs. A pitcher who had a poor year, who stepped up to make history in multiple ways during the playoffs; including a gem versus St. Louis.
Check the Stats: It may have to do with the teams that they face, the offense of most AL teams means that if you can survive that you can survive anything, it's like drinking rams piss, if you can drink that, you can drink anything.
Jack Jablin: This is true, and much like Broken Lizard in beerfest, baseball is all about commitment to perfection through one team working as a collective unit. As such, I feel it only fair that we use this time to pick the team that has best showcased a mix of improvement, clever management and team chemistry. CTS, what's your pick for this year's most impressive team?
Check the Stats: Well it's a no-brainer, the Detroit Tigers; the Tigers have mixed young and old, have veteran coachers, and have made the right moves to get everything working to make the team a collective works unit.
Jack Jablin: For me, I have to go with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Over the past two years, the Dodgers have changed almost all of their offensive starters, mixed up a majority of their starting rotation and they have made a lot of selfless moves to better their organization and make the fans cheer "Think Blue" for the first time in almost two decades. With young talent stepping up and veteran players taking time to shine, it would legitimately be a shame to see the Dodgers fail to make this year's playoffs.
Check the Stats: Well that could make for an interesting World Series match up; Detroit V LA?
Jack Jablin: That does it for this edition of the ODC. Join us Wednesday for the next edition.
Check The Stats: Goodnight you knuckleheads, and hey David Wells had a good start, WOW!
To send in your questions to the On Deck Circle, drop them to JJablinYS@hotmail.com
