Comments on: My 2009 MLB Predictions: The NL East http://www.intellectualconservative.com/2009/04/04/my-2009-mlb-predictions-the-nl-east/ Conservative and Libertarian Intellectual Philosophy and Politics Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:00:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Anderson http://www.intellectualconservative.com/2009/04/04/my-2009-mlb-predictions-the-nl-east/comment-page-1/#comment-77219 Anderson Mon, 06 Apr 2009 04:32:34 +0000 http://www.intellectualconservative.com/?p=5729#comment-77219 I am a Marlins fan, so I felt I would have to comment on this one. While I do love my Marlins, I was taken aback by your comment that Cantu, Uggla, and Ramirez strike as much fear as Utley, Howard, and Rollins. I cannot agree, even if I feel that Ryan Howard has fallen back down to Earth and is not as feared as he once was. Utley is really, really good, and Hanley isn't nearly as good in key situations. He should improve on that this year, because I do think the Marlins will be in contention for longer. Nolasco might have been the best kept secret last year, but he's easily the fourth best starter on the Marlins, 3rd if Annibal's shoulder hasn't returned to 100%. Josh Johnson is one of the best pitchers in the game, which makes it more unfortunate that he had to have Tommy John surgery so early in his career. If he pitches as well as he did his rookie season and the end of last season, he could be the Cy Young winner this year in the NL. Volstad was amazing last year as a rookie, and I hope he continues to improve. If Annibal returns to the form that let him one hit the Yankees at Yankee Stadium in his debut and throw a no-hitter against the Diamondbacks, then they will have the best pitching in the majors hands down. The Marlins had all the offense they needed last year, but the pitching failed them. Early on, the starting pitching was horrendous, but the relief was great. Then, towards the end of the season when all their pitchers came back from injury, the bullpen suffered a monumental collapse. Fredi also made the mistake of sticking with Kevin Gregg as his closer when Matt Lindstrom was already showing signs that he was the man who deserved the job. If they can solidify the bullpen, this team, even with a few offensive subtractions, should be fighting at the top of the NL East. I am a Marlins fan, so I felt I would have to comment on this one. While I do love my Marlins, I was taken aback by your comment that Cantu, Uggla, and Ramirez strike as much fear as Utley, Howard, and Rollins. I cannot agree, even if I feel that Ryan Howard has fallen back down to Earth and is not as feared as he once was. Utley is really, really good, and Hanley isn’t nearly as good in key situations. He should improve on that this year, because I do think the Marlins will be in contention for longer.

Nolasco might have been the best kept secret last year, but he’s easily the fourth best starter on the Marlins, 3rd if Annibal’s shoulder hasn’t returned to 100%. Josh Johnson is one of the best pitchers in the game, which makes it more unfortunate that he had to have Tommy John surgery so early in his career. If he pitches as well as he did his rookie season and the end of last season, he could be the Cy Young winner this year in the NL. Volstad was amazing last year as a rookie, and I hope he continues to improve. If Annibal returns to the form that let him one hit the Yankees at Yankee Stadium in his debut and throw a no-hitter against the Diamondbacks, then they will have the best pitching in the majors hands down.

The Marlins had all the offense they needed last year, but the pitching failed them. Early on, the starting pitching was horrendous, but the relief was great. Then, towards the end of the season when all their pitchers came back from injury, the bullpen suffered a monumental collapse. Fredi also made the mistake of sticking with Kevin Gregg as his closer when Matt Lindstrom was already showing signs that he was the man who deserved the job. If they can solidify the bullpen, this team, even with a few offensive subtractions, should be fighting at the top of the NL East.

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