CJ, Name me your top 5 MLB Teams

[sq764]

CJ, with all your Boston bashing, I was curious as to your neutral opinion of the top 5 teams in baseball.. As of today, who would be your top 5 all-around strongest teams?

My list:

1) St Louis (They are just destroying teams right now)
2) Yankees
3) Red Sox
4) Los Angeles (the recent trade was huge for them)
5) tie between Atlanta, Chicago and Oakland (Concievably all 3 could miss or make the playoffs..)

[cj]

1) St Louis
2) NY Yankees
3) Atlanta
4) Los Angeles
5) Oakland

That is neutral. I honestly, and really not busting on you, see how in the world a team who wouldn't even be the wild card team can be your 3d best. I hardly call that neutral. They wouldn't be in first place in any division in baseball.

[Valuist]

St. Louis will not only not win the World Series, they will NOT win the National League. They are tailor-made for the regular season, with a powerful lineup and 5 ok starters but pretty weak in starters 1-3 compared to other top teams. My Cubs will NOT catch them in the regular season, but I'd love to face them in the postseason. No way St. Louis goes to the World Series.

[sq764]

Atlanta is a fraud, they are fortunate to be in the worst division in baseball (yes, the one the Phillies are in)..

And you don't have to be in first place to make the playoffs.. Haven't you figured that out yet?

Out of your 3,4,5 teams, I think the only one that has a shot to make it into the ALC series is LA.. Oakland is again an underachiever..

[Speed Figure]

If L.A makes it to the ALCS that would be a 1st!

[ceejay]

Originally posted by Speed Figure
If L.A makes it to the ALCS that would be a 1st!

What? You don't beleive in interleague play!:D

[sq764]

Jeez, I was unaware we were getting so petty here..

I will clarify.. NLCS!

[Valuist]

top teams based on run differential:

1. St. Louis +135
2. Chicago (NL) +84
3. Boston +80
4. Atlanta +72
5. New York (AL) +63
6. Los Ang +61
Chicago (AL) +61
8. Oakland +59
9. Anaheim +53

[sq764]

The above shows the importance of defense.. LA and Chicago have average offensive lineups, but play great defense and they can hang in the playoff race..

Too bad Boston can't catch the damn ball, that is their biggest downfall.. But an essential part of the game..

[Valuist]

Agree Boston can't catch the ball but Chicago has an average offense? Definitely not after the Nomar trade. Player for player their lineup is as solid as St. Louis'. I wouldn't be shocked to see both Boston and Chicago get into the WS as wild cards. Boston will always be tough in a playoff scenario w/Schilling and Pedro. I also think the run differential shows bullpen effectiveness. Teams w/good pens win a lot of one run games.

[sq764]

Yes, Chicago has an average offense..

They are 14th in MLB in average
They are 16th in MLB in runs scored

(6th and 7th, respectively in the NL)

Sorry, I don't think anyone's lineup is close to St Louis's right now.. (Yanks and Boston are up there, but not going as good as the Cards)

I guess if you strictly went by total bases, the Red Sox are the best offense.. (Something tells me CJ won't use this stat :-)

[Valuist]

The Cubs are 4th in MLB in HRs (1st in the NL) and 7th in the MLB in slugging. But lets not forget, those stats include a .217 hitting shortstop w/3 homers who has been traded and replaced by a career .323 hitter. Whole new ballgame. And no, I won't take Edgar Renteria over Nomar.

[cj]

Originally posted by sq764

I guess if you strictly went by total bases, the Red Sox are the best offense.. (Something tells me CJ won't use this stat :-)

I've never said the Sox don't have a very good offense. I've said they are not a very good team. The fact that you keep pointing out the weaknesses of the Yankees, a team they trail by a week and a half worth of wins, only makes my point.

I can understand you wanting to believe they are better than the record reflects, but as a sports fan my whole life, I KNOW it is not possible to objectively assess a team you are a fan of, no matter how hard you try.

Let's face it, the AL East is a pretty damn weak division. Tampa, Baltimore, and Toronto stink. If Boston doesn't get the wild card playing in this division, there is no way they can be considered the #3 team in baseball. The fact they are only 1 1/2 behind that position right now means they are a decent baseball team, but I'd love to hear how they are #3.

[dav4463]

Watch out for the Texas Rangers. They will get back on track soon I hope ! We have baseball in Dallas, (Arlington) I mean, now !!!!!!!!!! It has been a while !!!!!!

[sq764]

CJ, the wildcard encompasses the whole league, not just the division..

[cj]

My point being, that playing in a fairly weak division, they should at the least be at no disadvantage, and maybe have a slight advantage. I don't think anyone could argue Boston's schedule is tougher than that of the AL West teams.

[sq764]

So do you think Boston makes the playoffs this year or no?

[cj]

They have a shot. I'd say 40% they go, 60% they stay home.

[sq764]

Are you really John Kerry?

You always leave that small window of excuse, don't you..

[cj]

Its my honest opinion. I'm not foolish enough to say they won't make it for sure. If they were leading the wild card race, it would be 60 - 40 for them making it.

You still haven't explained how they are number 3. You just ignored my arguments, which makes me think you agree and realize you were being a bit biased.

[sq764]

They are #3 because they have a tremendous offense and a great pitching staff.. They are 2nd in the league in runs, 5th in average, 3rd in the AL in Era..

I mean a team in the top 3 in offense AND pitching isn't exactly horrible, wouldn't you say?

I guess my question to you would be what puts Atlanta, LA and Oakland ahead of them as better teams?

[cj]

Well, I guess its the fact they all have better records. Oakland plays in a tougher division AND has a better record. Talent on paper just doesn't mean much if you don't back it up between the lines.

[sq764]

So was Florida a better team than the Yankees last year?

[cj]

What does that have to do with this discussion Kerry?

Probably not, to answer your question. But in a short series, any team can win. The trouble is, you have to get to play in the short series first.

[sq764]

So strength of a team does not coincide with record alone?

Florida was 91-71 last year, Atlanta was 101-61, Yankees were 101-61...

If it was only so simple to rank a team's strength by their record... But that's not reality..

[cj]

I said the Yankees were probably better. Keep grasping for straws, there is no way Boston is the 3d best team...Dream on, you're dismissed.

[sq764]

Nothing to grasp at big daddy.. Boston wasn't better than Oakland last year, but where was Oakland in the ALCS?

I hope you don't bet on baseball, cause if you bet based on regular season records, you would be a poor man..

(I do sympathize with you though, you have to endure the Bullets, Orioles and Ravens..I thought I had a tough time with the Phils, Eagles and Sixers..)

[chickenhead]

not as poor as you'd be betting on the bosox....
:p

[sq764]

Hmm, $100 per game straight up against the Yanks this year puts you up $270 (assuming 10% juice)

I'll take that..