The Race is on!
With just under 2 weeks played in the FCBL season we can see some interesting matchups forming. It is a long race and you have to pace yourself but a few of these horses got out of the gates in a hurry. Now we will take a look and see if they are the real deal or if they will pull a Barbaro and pull up lame before seasons end.
In the east the Card’s sent a message to the Braves with a 3 game sweep of Noland’s team of All-Stars. The Cards have the roster to stay at top of the division but the rotation is questionable and will be cause for concern. The cards should beat out Florida this year but I wouldn’t expect to see them atop the division come seasons end. Look for the Braves to move ahead in the coming week.
In the Central the much improved Cubs are out of the gate quick but the Giants are right on their tail. Justin has rededicated himself to this franchise but he is still missing the elite talent that it takes to put a stranglehold on a division. The Giants should overtake the Cubs by the All Star break and stretch the lead from there.
In the Midwest the Dodgers sent a statement to the Rangers beating them into submission and then promptly bent over and took it from the White Sox. This could be a very up and down season for the Dodgers. You can pretty much count on the Dodgers and Rangers going the full 162 but you can expect the surprise Indians to pull up lame and finish about 13 games back of the division lead.
The West is shaking up to be interesting as the Mariners have not got their rotation working they way they would like yet but this is still a very good rotation and I think you will see it start to take form over the next two weeks. Just don’t look for the Rays or A’s to just hand the division over just yet. This could be the toughest division top to bottom. I wouldn’t bet on a horse in this race.
Bill Toth
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4/16/2009 12:00:00 AM
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