Let's throw LA/SD into a pot and say the 2nd place team will be in the WC race.
Who does everyone like most between the only 3 teams who will realistically compete for the NL Wild Card?
Phillies have been playing well lately but need to hold the fort down until they get Myers and Gordon back in the pen in a few wks. They have been riding solid starting pitching and a very good lineup (espec with Ryan Howard coming around).
Braves have hit the skids since Chipper got hurt and the loss of Mike Gonzalez for the yr was a big blow. If Chipper cannot stay healthy I see them fading as their starting staff doesnt stack up against the Phils in terms of depth after Hudson and Smoltz. Chuck James, Buddy Carlyle and Kyle Davies as the 3-4-5 dont stack up to Philly's 3-4-5 of Moyer-Garcia-Lieber. Put Gordon and Myers back into the mix and Atlanta's greatest strength over Philly, the bullpen, is offset. I think everyone would agree the Phils have the better lineup, top to bottom, not much to debate there.
I have to go to bed now but someone else feel free to break down SD-LA and how you think they compare to Philly-Atlanta.
Oh, and how BAD is the NL Central? This is easily the worst division in baseball history. It's pathetic that the Brewers, who look awful lately, still have a FIVE game lead while NY, Phil and Atl have to slug it out against each other all season.
Who does everyone like most between the only 3 teams who will realistically compete for the NL Wild Card?
Phillies have been playing well lately but need to hold the fort down until they get Myers and Gordon back in the pen in a few wks. They have been riding solid starting pitching and a very good lineup (espec with Ryan Howard coming around).
Braves have hit the skids since Chipper got hurt and the loss of Mike Gonzalez for the yr was a big blow. If Chipper cannot stay healthy I see them fading as their starting staff doesnt stack up against the Phils in terms of depth after Hudson and Smoltz. Chuck James, Buddy Carlyle and Kyle Davies as the 3-4-5 dont stack up to Philly's 3-4-5 of Moyer-Garcia-Lieber. Put Gordon and Myers back into the mix and Atlanta's greatest strength over Philly, the bullpen, is offset. I think everyone would agree the Phils have the better lineup, top to bottom, not much to debate there.
I have to go to bed now but someone else feel free to break down SD-LA and how you think they compare to Philly-Atlanta.
Oh, and how BAD is the NL Central? This is easily the worst division in baseball history. It's pathetic that the Brewers, who look awful lately, still have a FIVE game lead while NY, Phil and Atl have to slug it out against each other all season.
