Baseball 2010

[manne]

Well, the season is upon us. I'm going to the Nationals exhibition game against the Red Sox this afternoon, and it couldn't be a better day for it. I look for the Nationals and Orioles to both be improved this year, but still bottom dwellers.

Predictions on your teams?

[1or2]

Everything seemed to be setting up perfectly for the Twins until the fateful day that Joe Nathan's UCL gave out. For now it's Jon Rauch in the ninth. He was so-so for the Nats in that role, so I guess we'll see what happens. I'm hearing that the Padres would be willing to deal Heath Bell, but the price is the big question mark. Target field has been getting rave reviews from everyone. I'm looking forward to my first game there a week from Wednesday.

[mervap]

I'm anxious to see how Target Field plays out for you all...

Braves have done a fair job of plugging holes...still, I worry about hoping Billy Wagner can still do the closer thing every day or so. Rotation looks good and the everyday lineup looks to be improved over last year...looking forward to seeing phenom Jason Heyward patrolling right field at the TED.

[jdz]

Mervap, Billy Wagner will be great until you really need him to save a game, then your grandmother will take him deep.

1 or 2 (or Jim), I really felt for you when I heard Nathan went down, but you guys have enough team to at least stick around for the season, and maybe you can figure out a solution.

Manne, the only thing I know is that my Mets have a shot at being better than your Nationals (considering our payroll, that shouldn't even be an issue). Reyes on IR, Beltran on IR, minimal pitching after Santana and K-Rod. Oh well...

One thing's certain: I'll be watching when they say "Play ball!"

[1or2]

A 5-2 road trip to Orange County and Chicago is a nice way to start the season. Can't wait to see Target Field on Weds. Hope it doesn't rain...

[1or2]

Francisco Liriano has a current streak of 23 scoreless innings including 8 tonight against Detroit. ERA of 0.93 in 4 starts. Shades of 2006? We can only hope. Should be good enough to be AL pitcher of the month, I'd think.

[jdz]

Speaking of scoreless innings, Mike Pelfrey has become the sweet surprise of the Mets' season, and given that a week ago the ship seemed on the verge of sinking, our 8-1 home stand (with one more game today against the Dodgers) has stopped the bleeding. Had this week gone like the previous weeks, Manuel would be gone, and the few remaining fans who populate Citifield might have been gone to. At least for now I can say: Whew!

[bman]

phuckin' birds. 'still' way too many holes to fill. this year it seems there's no power and we have a bullpen that even i could help out in. two blown saves to begin the year and gonzalez, who was signed for way too much money over two years and came to camp arrogant about working hard, is on the dl. now it's closer by committe and that ain't workin.' the rays are in first place in the al east, mostly because they beat up on us the first two weeks of the season. here's to hopin' the heat brings sunnier days. otherwise there isn't much to cheer about here in the land of pleasant living.

b

[1or2]

Geez, almost 4 months since anyone has posted. The Twins have been a machine over the last month or so, although the strength (weakness) of schedule has been part of that. Be that as it may, 22 wins in the last 27 games is pretty sweet. And that's without Justin Morneau. The "problem" we'll have to deal with is what will happen when he has recovered from his concussion. Who will sit? Thome? Kubel? Young? Valencia? I wouldn't want to take any of those bats out of the lineup.

[jdz]

I haven't posted because, frankly, there hasn't been any joy in Mudville for quite some time for Mets fans. Another lost year, and with our current ownership, I don't see things changing much over the next few years. Though Manuel won't survive to next year, it doesn't seem that anything else is going to change, and he's only a small symptom of a much bigger problem.