|
I'm a firm believer in that once the playoffs begin, anything can and will happen (ie: Marlins, Angels, D-Backs). Here's a breakdown of the pitchers and players you should be scared of:
NL
Dodgers
Jeff Weaver (yes... THAT Jeff Weaver. He's been a hell of a lot better than Brown)
Odalis Perez
Brad Penny (back from the DL... he was dope last year in the playoffs)
Eric Gagne
Yhency Brazoban (came over in the Kevin Brown trade)
Adrien Beltre (in a Bondsless world, he'd be MVP)
Jayson Werth
Steve Finley
Milton Bradley
Cardinals
Ummm... they have NO pitcher that scares me. Not one... even in the bullpen. However...
Albert Pujols (best player not named Bonds... )
Scott Rolen (until a-rod proves me wrong, best 3B in baseball)
Jim Edmonds (most underrated of the three)
Edgar Renteria
Larry Walker
Braves
Jaret Wright
John Smoltz
J.D. Drew
Chipper Jones
Johnny Estrada (who? ... exactly)
Andruw Jones
Cubs
(I think you all forgot about them in your predictions for the NL. Everyone says the Cardinals because of their record, but... LOOK)
Mark Prior
Kerry Wood
Matt Clement
Carlos Zambrano (mega underrated)
Greg Maddux
Aramis Ramirez
Moises Alou
Sammy Sosa (still Sammy...)
Derek Lee
Nomar Garciaparra
AL
Athletics
(You know the drill)
Tim Hudson
Mark Mulder
Barry Zitto
Rich Harden
Octavio Dotel
Eric Chavez
Erubiel Durazo
Eric Byrnes
Twins
Johan Santana (the scariest pitcher in the playoffs)
Brad Radke
Joe Nathan
Lew Ford
Justin Morneau
Yankees
Orlando Hernandez
Tom Gordon
Mariano Rivera (but if it comes down to the Red Sox, he isn't as invincible as he usually is)
Derek Jeter
Alex Rodriguez (though he still hasn't done much to prove he can handle big game pressure)
Gary Sheffield
Hideki Matsui
Red Sox
Pedro Martinez
Curt Schilling
Keith Foulke
Manny Ramirez
David Ortiz
Trot Nixon
Orlando Cabrera (call me crazy... or biased [he's been my favorite SS for like 5 years], but i think he's poised to have a great post season)
Those are the favorites. I'll just do the Astros and Giants, just in case... cause baseball is wacky and wackier things have happened.
Astros
Roger Clemens (still doin' it)
Roy Oswalt
Brad Lidge
Lance Berkman
Jeff Bagwell
Carlos Beltran (say hi to your new CF, Yankee fans)
Giants
Jason Schmidt
AJ Pierzynski
JT Snow
Barry Bonds (who? he's had the best season in baseball history, yet no one seems to care as much as they should. and every year he makes more of a case that he is the greatest hitter of all time)
Well, there ya have it folks. Shamus' Guide to the 2004 Post Season. Hope you recognize some of the more obscure names when you're watching this year.
___________________
*can't imagine it feelin' much better...
i wish it would just last forever.
and so, to feel like that?
i'd pay any price just to get that back.*
|