The Phillies will repeat as division champs
davipaez said 03/20, 10:14 PM
As defending champs, the Phillies are confident. We retained the a number 2 starting pitcher,in Brett Myers. We have the best offense in the league. And finally, Chase Utley will be the 3rd philly to win MVP.
The Bandit said 03/20, 10:35 PM
Hmm, even though they are the defending NL East champions but to declare as repeat champions againis somehwhat very bold. Let's see..if i had a choice between the Phillies versus the field NL East teams which includes the revamped Mets..I will have to go with the field.
The Mets have made one of the biggest offseason signings by acquiring high caliber pitcher Johan Santana. Although they may have slumped or "choked" towards the end last season, acquiring Santana will without a doubt give them some insurance and avoid the same catastrophe from happening again. Last season, they missed out on winning the NL East division by a couple of games..I think Santana is good for more than a couple of games to get them over that hump.
As if Santana isn't enough to fortify an already decent staff, tab in Pedro Martinez who will be looking to revive his career. This gives the Mets a formidable 1-2 punch on the rotation that also includes Orlando Hernandez, John Maine, and Perez. All 3 are not spectacular but they decent pitchers that along with Santana and Pedro, can sustain a successful season for the Mets.
Utley to win the MVP? Are you serious? There are better candidates.
More next.
davipaez said 03/21, 11:10 PM
Forfeited Turn
The Bandit said 03/21, 11:33 PM
Great..way to forfeit your turn.
Alright, I just wanted to clarify something. I'm not discrediting all the other NL East teams. Braves can certainly surprise. I am simply arguing that the Mets have a better chance than the Phillies on capturing the NL East crown.
Phillies did lead the league with 892 total R's last season. But consider the huge loss of Rowand.?? His 27 HR, 89 RBI's, and 105 Runs will be hard to compensate for despite adding Feliz.
How potent are both teams overall as far as hitting? the Mets had a.275 avg, Phil's .274. About equal.
Speed is an important facet of the game and the Mets have 3 players in their starting lineup who can provide it :Reyes, Wright, and Beltran.
Phillies: only Rollins and Victorino.
Who did the Phils have on their rotation?
An aging 45 year old veteran in Jamie Moyer, who's no longer as effective. His stats last season: 14-12 with a 5.01 ERA.?? An ERA of 5!! I don't think he is the answer towards solidifying the staff.
Hamels, as good as he is, has yet to pitch a full season(injury prone).
The Mets have the better overall pitching. Better depth with more experienced starters, and I will explain why next.
davipaez said 03/23, 12:10 AM
Forfeited Turn
The Bandit said 03/23, 12:37 AM
Another forfeited turn. Wow, at least make a case for the Phillies.
Not that it's necessary, but I'll elaborate a little more on my arguments.
Myers was only 5-7 last year coming from the bullpen, so how well he will fare going back into the rotation is anybody's guess.
Kendrick is a promising young star who can be good, but still has to prove he's not a flash in the pan.
Also, Lidge as a closer is now a question mark due to his knee injury that'll likely debilitate at some point in the season. He won't be as effective.
The 5th starter will either be Eaton has an ERA of 6.29 or Durbin who has an ERA of 4.72. Both are abysmal and terrible options if you ask me.
A solid consistent rotation is imperative if a team wants to have successful campaign. Besides Hamels and Kendick, all other Phillie starters have posted ridiculously high ERA's, that doesn't really work in their favor.
The Mets rotation definitely has the edge. All starters have a winning record last year. All has an ERA below 4. Maine with highest ERA at 3.91.
Overall team pitching, Phillies have an ERA of 4.73 while the Mets have 4.26 which should go lower with the addition of Santana.
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Comments (16)
Good Luck davipaez.
The Bandit | 03/20/08, 10:38 PM
Report Offensive CommentDavi's first argument was made more of homer predictions than actual points backing up the claim that the Phillies will win the division.
If the Mets old timers get revved up again and they can get the bullpen in order, Mets are a force.
Coletrain | 03/20/08, 10:44 PM
Report Offensive CommentDon't forget atlanta they are always good and can always challenge.
Chengy: bye FN | 03/20/08, 10:53 PM
Report Offensive Commentwelcome to Fannation davipaez
Bye to manny | 03/20/08, 11:18 PM
Report Offensive CommentBandit, you can't just be a homer here. You didn't really argue that much, you'll need to do better to get my vote.
Dawgee - U-M owns all | 03/20/08, 11:46 PM
Report Offensive CommentIf the Mets old timers get revved up again and they can get the bullpen in order, Mets are a force.
Coletrain | 03/20/08, 10:44 PM
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Those are really big ifs. Delgado, Alou, and Castillo have already been hurt, and the Mets' bullpen, which was their biggest problem last year, hasn't been upgraded at all. Both teams, like every other team in MLB, has holes and questions, over the off-season the Phillies did more to fill their holes. They upgraded every part of thier team, Feliz is better than Helms/Dobbs, Lidge is better than Gordon, Victorino is better defensively than Rowand, and Jenkins/Werth can easily match his usual offensive numbers, while the Mets sat back and did nothing(I know Santana is the best pitcher in baseball, but he wasn't their biggest need), unless you consider Angel Pagan an upgrade.
mm881102 | 03/21/08, 12:08 AM
Report Offensive CommentBandit, you can't just be a homer here. You didn't really argue that much, you'll need to do better to get my vote.
Dawgee Fresh-Top 100 Songs | 03/20/08, 11:46 PM
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You're kidding me right? I really didn't argue that much? I think I argued more than davipaez so far, yet you voted for him.
The Bandit | 03/21/08, 12:25 AM
Report Offensive CommentVote to the right for now but will change if this newbie can bring it for his remaining arguments.
rstowe - The NMI Emperor | 03/21/08, 07:13 AM
Report Offensive Commentthe mets will win the divison because of a better lineup and better pitchers,so vote right
Ny | 03/21/08, 08:25 AM
Report Offensive Commentphillies will win again
vote to the left
philliesfan121 | 03/21/08, 09:34 AM
Report Offensive Commentphilliesfan...so the guy writes 4 random sentences and you vote to the left? Retained Brett Myers? Thats the big story?
At least pay attention to the point - and the arguments. If the arguments dont matter, why dont we just post topics and let people vote. Those are called polls.
Moondizzle...Flying Cows. | 03/21/08, 09:47 AM
Report Offensive CommentPhillies wont win, Mets wont win, Braves WILL win so Im abstaning from voting
gonets: 3 days until RU vs FSU | 03/21/08, 10:03 AM
Report Offensive CommentI agree with davi but his arguement stinks; vote to the right!
Papi's 1# Fan is The Truth | 03/21/08, 10:25 AM
Report Offensive CommentPhillies wont win, Mets wont win, Braves WILL win so Im abstaning from voting
gonets | 03/21/08, 10:03 AM
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The Braves aren't going to do anything this year, guys like Teixeira, McCann, and Francoure will be there all year, and Chipper will do great the 95 games that he's actually healthy, but their pitching is highly overrated. The Phillies and Mets atleast have a decent rotation. Hudson will be good, but Smoltz will fade like he has for the last couple of years, Glavine hasn't been effective in 3 years, Hampton is a question mark and almost a lock to go on the 60-day DL, and Chuck James isn't that good, and they have no depth in the bullpen.
mm881102 | 03/21/08, 10:33 AM
Report Offensive CommentNope
But Bandit has more convincing argument
1-NY Mets
2-Philly
3-Atlanta
djroxalot got a promotion!!! | 03/21/08, 11:23 AM
Report Offensive CommentBraves will contend with Phillies for 2nd and the Wild Card
djroxalot got a promotion!!! | 03/21/08, 11:24 AM
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