NL Wild Card

[LeftWideOpen]

I'm interested to see who everyone thinks is going to take the Wild Card and why?

for the sake of argument, i'm not going to consider the Mets, Dodgers and Cardinals.

I put the cutoff at 5.5 games as of this minute, so that includes almost everyone.

[xbrokendownx]

i voted for colorada, just because i like a lot of their players

[fcknazisympathy]

Colorado, Matt Holiday, ftw.

[LeftWideOpen]

i'm going with the reds, although the rotation worries me.

They have an obvious advantage by being in the lead, as of now.
They get on base more then any NL team besides the Dodgers
They have the highest OPS in the league.
They walk the fewest guys in the league

[mat1419]

i literally thought about making this exact thread 10 minutes ago...good call

[StandMyBrothers]

I voted the Padres, though if it is the Marlins or Cardinals that would be awesome.

[Split2nd]

i'm going with the reds, although the rotation worries me.

They have an obvious advantage by being in the lead, as of now.
They get on base more then any NL team besides the Dodgers
They have the highest OPS in the league.
They walk the fewest guys in the league

Arroyo:

July: 5.45 ERA 1.36 WHIP
August: 6.27 ERA 1.71 WHIP

Harang:

July: 4.14 ERA 1.41 WHIP
August: 4.15 ERA 1.62 WHIP

Plus the fact that they no longer have Lopez and Kearns on their offense, that can hurt their OBP/OPS totals.

I went with the Braves. They may have just been 2-hit by Pedro Astacio, but with Chipper back, the Braves have the 3rd best offense in the NL (going by runs scored), Smoltz, Hudson, James have been pitching very well, and Cormier looked excellent tonight. Bullpen has been very solid. I have a feeling. Or blind faith.

[xbrokendownx]

rockies because i think they at least haev pitching that may be reliable


and helton/holliday/hawpe/atkins is a pretty good lineup IMO

[dekdog11]

I don't follow baseball that much and was tempted to go with my Marlins, but I doubt that will happen. I know Houston usually makes season ending runs into the playoffs so I'll go with that I guess.

[MrMet]

Braves out of respect and their 14 year NL East dominance coming to an end to the Mets :)

[LeftWideOpen]

Arroyo:

July: 5.45 ERA 1.36 WHIP
August: 6.27 ERA 1.71 WHIP

Harang:

July: 4.14 ERA 1.41 WHIP
August: 4.15 ERA 1.62 WHIP

Plus the fact that they no longer have Lopez and Kearns on their offense, that can hurt their OBP/OPS totals.

I went with the Braves. They may have just been 2-hit by Pedro Astacio, but with Chipper back, the Braves have the 3rd best offense in the NL (going by runs scored), Smoltz, Hudson, James have been pitching very well, and Cormier looked excellent tonight. Bullpen has been very solid. I have a feeling. Or blind faith.

you also need to consider that Cincinati has 9 games left against Pittsburgh and 7 against the Cubs. Playing in the Central has its benefits.

they've also had good returns on the pitching acquisitions. Guardado has regained his old form, Lohse has been striking out more then a batter an inning while posting a sub 3.00 ERA and Franklin has been reliable. They've completely rebuilt that bullpen and it is now one of the best in the NL.

no team is by any means a lock ...I just think Cincy has as good of a case as any.

[fcknazisympathy]

I hope Colorado wins it and runs the table I love Helton/Holliday.

[LeftWideOpen]

I hope Colorado wins it and runs the table I love Helton/Holliday.

Helton has been kind of a disappointment. I personally like Utley and Howard more, when it comes to NL WC hopeful duos.

[StandMyBrothers]

Milwaukee pretty much has no chance now, I was liking their chances in the first half.

[rcrook]

san diego because i have a west coast bias

[mikeford]

i pick the pirates because who gives a shit whoever gets in is going absolutely nowhere anyway.

[xbrokendownx]

i pick the pirates because who gives a shit whoever gets in is going absolutely nowhere anyway.






haha i knew i could count on a good comment from you on this

[mikeford]

honestly id love to see that team eventually turn it around. i hate the city of pittsburgh but its much better when old baseball towns like detroit and hopefully one day kansas city and pittsburgh start winning than when bullshit cities like miami florida (marlins) and fuckin phoenix arizona (dbacks) win world series

[bigmike]

I went with Milwaukee just because i really, really want to see them do well.

but seriously, I think it'll be the reds or padres.

[mikeford]

san diego cuz of bellhorn, for real answer.

[Dirty Ernie]

i really don't see the reds being there in the end, but its really up for grabs

[Split2nd]

you also need to consider that Cincinati has 9 games left against Pittsburgh and 7 against the Cubs. Playing in the Central has its benefits.

they've also had good returns on the pitching acquisitions. Guardado has regained his old form, Lohse has been striking out more then a batter an inning while posting a sub 3.00 ERA and Franklin has been reliable. They've completely rebuilt that bullpen and it is now one of the best in the NL.

no team is by any means a lock ...I just think Cincy has as good of a case as any.

Good point on the schedule, but I don't think their bullpen has been that great. Guardado pitches like once a fucking week and his arm hurts for the rest of the week. Other than him, it's been pretty mediocre. Coffey is alright, Bray is decent, Majewski is atrocious. It's really not that good.

[Clarett'sGreyGoose]

Good point on the schedule, but I don't think their bullpen has been that great. Guardado pitches like once a fucking week and his arm hurts for the rest of the week. Other than him, it's been pretty mediocre. Coffey is alright, Bray is decent, Majewski is atrocious. It's really not that good.
I think once the Braves get a REAL 5-man rotation back, they'll win more games.

Everyone else: Think about it.

The rotation right now? Smoltz, Hudson, Chuck James, (insert RP/AAA call-up of the week in slots 4 and 5).

[looksthatkillbn]

you also need to consider that Cincinati has 9 games left against Pittsburgh and 7 against the Cubs. Playing in the Central has its benefits.

they've also had good returns on the pitching acquisitions. Guardado has regained his old form, Lohse has been striking out more then a batter an inning while posting a sub 3.00 ERA and Franklin has been reliable. They've completely rebuilt that bullpen and it is now one of the best in the NL.

no team is by any means a lock ...I just think Cincy has as good of a case as any.

i absolutely love you. you're my hero. you're officially my favorite user on this site.

and adding to the schedule aregument, the last two and a half weeks of the season for the reds goes like this:
3 @ CHI
3 @ HOU
4 vs. CHI
3 @ FLA
3 @ PIT

And to refute the Lopez/Kearns loss, honestly, look at the lineup, and even without them, for pure power/potency, there aren't many scarier lineups in the league.

And really, the rotation isn't all that bad, the top two (Harang/Arroyo) haven't performed to their abilities recently (especially Arroyo), but they both should come around. The next two (Milton/Lohse) have both been phenomenal recently.

Lohse's two starts with the Reds:
5 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 7 K
6.1 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K

Milton's last four starts with the Reds:
7 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
7 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
5.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K

both pretty good for 3-4 starters

[StandMyBrothers]

where were all these reds fan in the beginning of the year?

[Split2nd]

i absolutely love you. you're my hero. you're officially my favorite user on this site.

and adding to the schedule aregument, the last two and a half weeks of the season for the reds goes like this:
3 @ CHI
3 @ HOU
4 vs. CHI
3 @ FLA
3 @ PIT

And to refute the Lopez/Kearns loss, honestly, look at the lineup, and even without them, for pure power/potency, there aren't many scarier lineups in the league.

And really, the rotation isn't all that bad, the top two (Harang/Arroyo) haven't performed to their abilities recently (especially Arroyo), but they both should come around. The next two (Milton/Lohse) have both been phenomenal recently.

Lohse's two starts with the Reds:
5 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 7 K
6.1 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K

Milton's last four starts with the Reds:
7 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
7 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
5.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K

both pretty good for 3-4 starters
Freel
Hatteberg
Griffey
Encarnacion
Dunn
Philips
Clayton
LaRue/Ross

It's really not that scary. If anything it should be complemented for being very solid all the way through. Except for Royce Clayton. He's unbelievably awful.

[Split2nd]

I think once the Braves get a REAL 5-man rotation back, they'll win more games.

Everyone else: Think about it.

The rotation right now? Smoltz, Hudson, Chuck James, (insert RP/AAA call-up of the week in slots 4 and 5).

Problem is there is no one in sight. Hampton's out for the year. Thomson's out for the year. Ramirez is out for the year.

I mean, fucking shit, that's 3/5 of the rotation (2/5 really). Davies is re-habbing but he's having control issues with his injury still sort of looming. He had control issues before, but now they're worse.

Cormier looked great tonight. If he continues, and one of LeRew, Villarreal, or Davies can step up as a decent 5th starter, then I'll feel a lot better about their chances.

[looksthatkillbn]

Freel
Hatteberg
Griffey
Encarnacion
Dunn
Philips
Clayton
LaRue/Ross

It's really not that scary. If anything it should be complemented for being very solid all the way through. Except for Royce Clayton. He's unbelievably awful.

Yeah Clayton has been absolutely horrible since he came over. But Griffey, Encarnacion, Dunn, Ross, and Aurilia (unlisted) all have serious home run power, and Phillips, Freel, and Hatteberg, who really don't have a whole lot of power, have all been hitting over .300 for at least significant stretches this season.

[looksthatkillbn]

where were all these reds fan in the beginning of the year?

I've been here all year brother, all year I promise. There's only one other kid I know of who's a Reds fan, and I can't come up with his name right now...all I can remember is that he's from Lexington.

[Clarett'sGreyGoose]

Problem is there is no one in sight. Hampton's out for the year. Thomson's out for the year. Ramirez is out for the year.

I mean, fucking shit, that's 3/5 of the rotation (2/5 really). Davies is re-habbing but he's having control issues with his injury still sort of looming. He had control issues before, but now they're worse.

Cormier looked great tonight. If he continues, and one of LeRew, Villarreal, or Davies can step up as a decent 5th starter, then I'll feel a lot better about their chances.
Out of those, I'd put my money on Lerew first, Davies second.

Although if Davies keeps having setbacks with his control issues, he'll be more of a "September callup" than anything..

[Adeniz19]

i'm going to have to go with the padres. i have really lost all hope on the giants and their bullpen this year

[Split2nd]

i'm going to have to go with the padres. i have really lost all hope on the giants and their bullpen this year
They're in terrible shape for the future... although I wouldn't be surprised to see them sign someone like Soriano this offseason with all that cash.

[allisterkid]

Cincy baby!

[justinevans]

damn, alot of people picked Philly

[thejetstolehome]

i voted cincinatti 'cause that seems the most realisitc/they really are the best team. however, i find myself rooting for the rockies.

[mat1419]

damn, alot of people picked Philly

you know its not because we actually think they're going to win, but because it doesn't feel right to ever pick against them

[Dirty Ernie]

phils have a lot of holes but jon lieber must pitch like he did last september if they want to make a run at it

[sayyes]

if atlanta gets in i'm out 50 bucks

[justinevans]

i voted cincinatti 'cause that seems the most realisitc/they really are the best team. however, i find myself rooting for the rockies.

so how much are they paying Eric Milton?

[xbrokendownx]

if atlanta gets in i'm out 50 bucks






and i have to sport whatever sig splt2nd wants

[The Matt Kaufman]

I picked san diego

[livethesounds]

Right now id put my money on Phillly, they are very hot. I think cincy wins the central and the cards fall off allthogether.

[MrMet]

I picked san diego

Do we really want to see Piazza again? Answer: Of course we do!

[histrionics22]

you also need to consider that Cincinati has 9 games left against Pittsburgh and 7 against the Cubs. Playing in the Central has its benefits.

they've also had good returns on the pitching acquisitions. Guardado has regained his old form, Lohse has been striking out more then a batter an inning while posting a sub 3.00 ERA and Franklin has been reliable. They've completely rebuilt that bullpen and it is now one of the best in the NL.

no team is by any means a lock ...I just think Cincy has as good of a case as any.
The Cubs are 7-5 against the Reds so far this season.

[histrionics22]

Yeah Clayton has been absolutely horrible since he came over. But Griffey, Encarnacion, Dunn, Ross, and Aurilia (unlisted) all have serious home run power, and Phillips, Freel, and Hatteberg, who really don't have a whole lot of power, have all been hitting over .300 for at least significant stretches this season.
Everyone has home run power in that park.

[LeftWideOpen]

The Cubs are 7-5 against the Reds so far this season.

but that doesnt change the fact that the Cubs are a terrible team. The Sox have gotten their asses handed to them by Tampa Bay this season, but I'm still looking forward to playing them. Why? On most nights, they are subpar ...just like the Cubs.

and 7-5 doesnt exactly scream "we own you". it isnt any legit indicator of how the remaining series will play out.

[histrionics22]

but that doesnt change the fact that the Cubs are a terrible team. The Sox have gotten their asses handed to them by Tampa Bay this season, but I'm still looking forward to playing them. Why? On most nights, they are subpar ...just like the Cubs.

and 7-5 doesnt exactly scream "we own you". it isnt any legit indicator of how the remaining series will play out.
I know. But I think schedule is a little overrated, especially in baseball. The Pirates have been over .500 since the All-Star break. Other bottom teams are doing better as well.

[Split2nd]

and i have to sport whatever sig splt2nd wants

wooo... look forward to the Red Sox bitch!

[Zeran]

milwaukee

[Goodbye Forever]

and i have to sport whatever sig splt2nd wants

Same here.

I have a hard time picking against Cincy because I've been doing that all year and they're still in the lead... Plus all the things that everyone else already said.

[justinevans]

phils have a lot of holes but jon lieber must pitch like he did last september if they want to make a run at it

dude's heating up.

[MrMet]

wooo... look forward to the Red Sox bitch!

I would make him put in a mr. met fan banner ;)

[Split2nd]

I would make him put in a mr. met fan banner ;)
hahah. that's not enough. a huuge mr met sig. although that would make me sick too. hell i could see them making that my sig/av if i lose.

[xbrokendownx]

i love how no one voted for arizona even though theyre 1 game back

[Split2nd]

i love how no one voted for arizona even though theyre 1 game back
the fact that they're still paying for Russ Ortiz is proof enough for me that they're not gonna make the Wildcard