Week Two Preview

Week Two Preview
-Matt Sanders
Seattle vs. Kansas City
I think Seattle wins rather easily. They have some big bats that didn’t deliver last week, and expect n explosion sooner or later, probably this week. Their starting pitching, while slightly inconsistent, is good and can rack up wins. The bull pen is a save and hold machine with Betancourt, Accardo, Soriano, and Moylan. Kansas City lacks offensive fire power, and much pitching, Seattle wins big.

Cleveland vs. Boston
The Indians have the clear edge in pitching, with stars like Wang, Webb, Peavy, and Lincecum-all but Lincecum receiving nice run support. They have some great hitters, who are playing well now, like Jim Thome and Joe Crede…but they’re sitting on the bench when struggling players like Mark Reynolds play. If they platy the right guys, they could compete with Boston. Boston has plenty of bats ready to explode, like Holliday. Boston wins a close one.

Toronto vs. Detroit
Toronto is hitting for average but not for power, which is what most of his players are used to doing. The bull pen is rock solid, but the staff is shaky. The Tigers have a monster line-up if everyone can get going, and will win this one, by most the hitting categories.

Minnesota vs. Chicago White Sox
Chicago is coming off a big victory, and Minnesota a close loss. Chicago should roll in this one, just because Minnesota has to rely on the Cubs too much, they didn’t make many moves to differ from their franchise. Zambrano, the staff ace, isn’t getting it done, and Lee seems to be the only bat they have right now. Chicago rolls.

Cincinnati vs. Chicago Cubs
The Cubs have one of the best young teams in baseball. Hanley Ramirez, Alex Gordon, and Dan Uggla are all firing on all cylinders, that should lead the Cubs to a victory. They have lots of power, as well as some speed. The Reds have a better team on paper, with Adam Dunn and Chipper Jones leading the Cincy squad, but lack speed. This will be a close game, but the Cubs win it.

Dodgers vs. Rockies
If LA is healthy, this should be the game of the week. Victor Martinez, Paul Konerko, Ian Kinsler, Grady Seizmore, Ichiro Suzuki, and Travis Hafner lead a powerful Dodger team into Coors Field. Their pitching is doing terrible however. Manny Ramirez, Lance Berkman, Troy Tulowitski, Big Pappi, and Mike Lowell lead the Rockies. I see this one dead even until somebody gets hurt or hits an early slump.

Arizona vs. Houston
Arizona is really fast, really, really fast. Joey Gathright, Carl Crawford, BJ Upton, and Julio Lugo. They have no power however, after Pena-Upton and Wells will hit some too-, and will struggle against a powerful Houston line-up. Houston wins big on paper, but can those big names deliver? They didn’t Opening Week.

St. Louis vs. Atlanta
Atlanta has a great line-up, that should win nearly every hitting category. St. Louis has better pitching though, and should dominate that side of the scoreboard. This looks lopsided, but look for this to be a close game.