Fuck the Cubs, who will win the National League this year…
What an ironic coincidence. I was just working on a new thread. I was more verbose:
Spring Training is now in full swing (pun intended) with exhibition games about to crank up. Obviously, the main focus of these threads each year centers around the Braves, Cubbies and Red Birds because nobody offers up a take on any other team. Right now, we’re all undefeated so we can all claim this to be our year. (It's the Cubs'. We all know it.)
The Braves had a MLB leading win total of 104 games last year. They were one of 3 teams to hit the hundo mark with the Orioles at 101 and Dodgers at 100. With a few exceptions, the Braves will go with an almost identical line up in 2024, both in the line up and on the bump. The Bravos set records offensively left and right, with several guys having career years, and Ronald Acuna Matada Jr. winning the MVP. I…am…so….ready!!!! NOT! Crazy as it sounds, I can’t recall being less pumped for a season than this one. 104 wins coming off a World Series, and going for a back to back. Then, the first round lets the air right out of that balloon, and I still have a hangover from it. But, I’m sure I’ll get the fever again as soon as some games get started.
Really, the only somewhat significant changes to the Braves are the loss of outfielder, Eddie Rosario, and the addition of pitcher, Chris Sale. Rosario stings a bit. Solid bat in the line up and decent in left field. They signed Jarred Kelenic from Seattle, who really hasn’t done much. He’s a “promising prospect”. For about a 5-6 year stretch in his career, Sale was a beast. The 6’6” lanky lefty could bring it up there in a hurry. However, he’s 34 now, and the last 3-4 years have been marred by injuries and less than stellar throwing of the baseballs. They gave him a nice 2 year contract, so I’m hoping the Braves feel like he can gain some of that form back.
The Cards limped to the finish line last season, with a 71-91 record. Jar can speak to the expectations far better than I can, just as Buzz will have to give a Cubbies breakdown. It looks to me like some of these young bucks like Jordan Walker, Lars Nutbar, Tommy Edman and Brendan Donovan are going to have to have some break out years. Arenado is 32, coming off back issues and kind of mentally checking out for 2023. Maybe just a bump in the road. Goldy is 36 and Matt Carpenter is 38. On the mound, Miles Mikolas is now 35, but he’s a true pitcher, so age is not much of a factor. I looked down that pitching roster, and I honestly don’t know who factors in. Again, give us the 411 Major Jar.
Not that anyone wants my thoughts on the Cubs, who finished 83-79 last year, behind only the Brew Crew in the Central. But Buzzy, you’re gonna’ have to help a brother out. I hardly recognize 5 names on that roster, and the Comeback Player of the Year, Cody Bellinger, still hasn’t signed. Or did he in the last few days?
It may be a mute…err, moot point anyway, because the Dodgers broke the bank and picked up Show Hey Ohhhh-face-tani. I hate those frickers.
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