With only a few days left in spring training, I thought that it would be a good time to not only look back at the questions of spring training, but look forward to the upcoming season. Spring training this year, as is the same every year, was marred by high profile injuries. I have already mentioned Adam Wainwright's lost season and Chase Utley's uncertain future, but other teams are now facing the injury bug. Brian Wilson, star closer/crazy person and postseason hero Cody Ross of the San Francisco Giants now will most likely start out the season on the disabled list. One of the famed “Four Aces” in Philadelphia, Roy Oswalt, just was struck with a line drive in the neck, although all indications are that he will be fine. New Brewers ace Zach Greinke will miss a while after messing up his knee playing pickup basketball down in Florida. Looking forward though, you can see the steps that some players are taking this year. Mike Stanton, sophomore standout for the Florida Marlins, played his first spring training game, lighting up Cy Young hopeful Clay Bucholz to the tune of two homers and seven runs batted in. Neftali Feliz said that he wanted to be a starter for the Rangers, but the Rangers had other plans. The reigning rookie of the year will once again close for Texas, probably for the best.
This season looks to have several incredible division battles ahead in the National League. In the NL East, there are the now injury-plagued favorites, the Phillies. However, the Braves and even the Marlins could challenge them for the crown. The NL Central features the Reds, Brewers and the Cardinals. In my opinion, this is the most contested division. All three of these teams are about even in terms of hitting, although the Brewers now have an advantage in pitching. The NL West is the Giants’ to lose, although the Rockies are definitely on the rise and could challenge the defending NL champs.
No comments:
Post a Comment