Sportswriter for Montgomery Media
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Before the cleats are tied and the bats are tarred and taped there is only so much the media can talk about. In each city the concerns heading into Opening Day 2011 are all anyone can talk about. It's better TV and radio to discuss why teams will not win a World Series.
Sure, every team does have its weaknesses and concerns, but here is why no matter what team you root for there is hope win this season. As cliche as it is, everyone's record is 0-0 today.
If I had to make an argument for all 30 teams in baseball to make the playoffs I could.
Here is why the Pirates and Mariners could possibly shock the the universe.
Pittsburgh Pirates - Don't look now, but the Pirates high first round picks have all finally made the opening day roster. The world knows of Andrew McCutchen by now, but the emergence of Jose Tabata, Neil Walker and Pedro Alvarez could make this an offense nobody wants to face.
Arizona Diamondbacks - Every year the D'Backs think this is the year they put it all together. Now that they have traded for a bonafide ace in Daniel Hudson (traded Edwin Jackson to the White Sox) and the offense is one of the N.L.'s elite behind MVP candidate Justin Upton, Stephen Drew and Chris Young, the Diamondbacks think they will back in the playoffs.
Cleveland Indians - A full season with Carlos Santana and Grady Sizemore protecting Shin Soo Choo and Travis Hafner should do wonders for this club. No one is going to run away with the A.L. Central and if the Indians can get the Fausto Carmona of years past and Carlos Carrasco and Justin Masterson take the next step, the Tribe will be in the thick of it.
Washington Nationals - The Nats have improved in all areas. Jordan Zimmermann has the chance to become the staff ace, while Drew Storen takes care of the back end. Adam LaRoche and Jayson Weth have added depth and power to the lineup and don't forget Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper are on the way.
San Diego Padres - The Friars won 90 games last year when no one expected them to and they think they can do it again. Sure, they lost Adrian Gonzalez but they are confident that Ryan Ludwick and Chase Headley can take their game to the next level. They know if the starters keep it close through six innings the backend of Luke Gregersen, Mike Adams and closer Heath Bell are lights out.
Kansas City Royals - No matter wasting time with place holders and now they have the best farm system in baseball they are going to give all the kids a shot. The likes of Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas are going to be thrown in with Billy Butler and Alex Gordon to take KC back to the glory days of the mid-80s.
Toronto Blue Jays - The Jays are loaded with past prospects that have taken longer to develop than some may thought, but once Travis Snider, Adam Lind, Edwin Encarnacion and the young pitching staff put it all together they will be a team to fear.
New York Mets - Health will be the key, but once Johan Santana gets back the Mets could make some serious ground in the N.L. East. The lineup will stay in tack as Jose Reyes, Jason Bay and Carlos Beltran are back to help out David Wright and budding star Ike Davis.
St. Louis Cardinals - Don't doubt Tony LaRussa and pitching coach Dave Duncan. The loss of Adam Wainwright hurts, but expect the Kyles, Lohse and McClellan, to pick up the slack and Albert Pujols, whose in a walk year, to continue to do what he has done for the last decade.
Chicago Cubs - The hype has been lost, and who can blame it after 100 plus years of losing. But just when you expect them the least, here comes Carlos Pena to knock in 100 runs, Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Zambrano return to old form and Matt Garza changes leagues and becomes a Cy Young candidate.
Oakland A's - After leading the majors in team ERA the young guns are back to do it again. All that was missing last year was some offense and they think the additions of Josh Willingham, David Dejesus and Hideki Matsui are just what was needed to put this team over the top.
Colorado Rockies - Behind the newly contracted Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez the Rockies have plenty of offense to be the team to beat in the National League. The key will be for starters to Jorge de la Rosa, Jhoulys Chacin and Jason Hammel to support Ubaldo Jimenez. The Rox could run away with the West on their way to another Roctober.
Los Angeles Dodgers - Rookie manager Don Mattingly inherited a savvy starting five that could take them to new heights. Jon Garland is a strong five and Clayton Kershaw draws comparison to the great Sandy Koufax. If Matt Kemp can rebound from a frustrating '10 campaign, which is not a big stretch, the Revine should be in store for a strong season.
Tampa Bay Rays - While the media concentrates on the losses (Crawford, Garza, Pena, Soriano) the Rays like to think they have stockpiled prospects for another go-around right away. With Jeremy Hellickson and Desmond Jennings coming on and Evan Longoria and David Price still in tact, there is no reason the Rays will not be right there in the A.L.
Atlanta Braves - The Braves may be the most balanced team in the N.L. will above average players in the rotation, offense, and bullpen. They already have proven aces in Derek Lowe and Tim Hudson and Tommy Hanson could be the best of the five. Add in Dan Uggla and Freddie Freeman to a strong lineup and Braves are many people's pick to win the East and represent the N.L. in the World Series.
Cincinnati Reds - The reigning Central winners are back with the same faces, ready to do it again. The lead the N.L. and runs they should be able to it again. Now they will have secret weapon Aroldis Chapman coming out of the bullpen for an entire season, making Cincy a deadly club.
Milwaukee Brewers - They've always had the offense to contend and now they have the pitching. Adding Shaun Marcum and 2009 Cy Young winner Zack Greinke to the rotation makes this team scary good. No one will be surprised when they are five up on every one in the Central for the majority of the season.
Detroit Tigers - Finally the Tigers went out and got some protection for the best hitter in the American League. Miguel Cabrera now has Victor Martinez hitting behind him and it should do wonders for the lineup. Now with the emergence of Max Scherzer last year, followed by the break out of Rick Porcello this season, the Tigers should be a tough team to beat.
Philadelphia Phillies - There have been great rotations before, but none ever with the lofty resumes of the Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels. Everyone sees the injuries, but I see an insane amount of workhorses and Ryan Howard in the middle of the lineup. They are my pick to reach the World Series.
San Francisco Giants - They are the World Series champs until this upcoming October, but they have pitching staff to take the title for another year. The one concern at the Bays is offense in a big ballpark, but Boster Posey seems legit, Pablo Sandoval is a lighter panda, and Brandon Belt could make it back-to-back years a Giant wins rookie of the year.
New York Yankees - While haters want to doubt the starting rotation, manager Joe Girardi says just keep me in the game through six innings. The trio of Joba Chamberlain, Rafael Soriano and Mariano Rivera should make the game over early and the Yanks have plenty of offense to give guys like Ivan Nova and Freddy Garcia the run support they need.
Los Angeles Angels - In a winnable A.L. West the Angels have the best manager and a well-rounded club. While the Rangers have the best offense and the A's have the best rotation, neither of those team have the collective 25-man roster the Halos have. A full year of Dan Haren behind Jered Weaver makes them a tough team out west.
Minnesota Twins - While the pitching staff has always been strong and managed to perfection by Ron Gardenhire, the lineup is the best its been in years and should put them over the top. Justin Morneau is back from a concussion, Joe Mauer is healthy and Delmon Young has put it together. They should be able to play with any team in either league.
