MLB 2011 Wins Totals

ruday- great reply thanks for the analysis.

Diamondbacks over [B]Let's recap 2010[/B]: All time major league record 1529 strikeouts. 28th out of 30 Teams in ERA. 29th in "save percentage" at 59%. 65 wins. [B]Let's close the book on 2010[/B]. I'm only asking for 73 wins, folks. I am very high on new manager Kirk Gibson and GM Kevin Towers. I think Gibson gives them the fire that they haven't had and Towers has a track record I like (he put together an excellent team over there at San Diego). 390 of the strikeouts left the team with the departure of Adam LaRoche and Mark Reynolds. They've added JJ Putz as the closer. Look for another 5-7 wins just because of him. They have a fair rotation, nothing great but good enough to compete. They will get their share of wins within the division and have a good track record playing at home. They play the AL East in interleague. They should compete, there. I won't go through the starting eight but with "New Coach New Approach" Gibson, who brought over a winning attitude (and, more wins)when he joined the club last year, I like this team to get into the mid to high 70's in wins. Nowhere near the strikeouts, better fundlamentls, better pitching and they compete in 2011. Just give me 73 but I think we don't sweat it that much.

I'm off the "Arizona Over" wager I had to get off this wager last night. I have ignored the injuries that have piled up so far this spring because most teams have injuries that put players on the bench or DL to begin a season. But, the problems with JJ Putz got me off the bet. The key to my wager was Putz getting enough saves that would have got away with last years staff to easily get over this total. However,JJ has a back problem and has hardly pithed this spring. The team is hopeful he will start the season but I'm not comfortable that this team has enough to compete. The injuries to Duke, Blum and Upton just adds to the frustration. I had real hopes Arizona would be a sleeper in this division. Not anymore. I took the other side at Under 72.5 and will just pass on this wager.

I also had high hopes for the DBacks. But they are a mess right now. I love your Phils play. With all the injuries, and absolutely nothing to like about the bullpen, I think you're on the right side. I missed the number, but played the Braves +425 to win the division. Same church, different pew.

Adding White Sox OVER 85 Palm Tree, thanks for the comments. Your opinion means a lot. Pale Hose Over 85. You can shop and get this at 84.5 paying more juice but I'll go with 85.

Dang that moved quick. Both of my spots with 86.

Tim - Thank you for the info on the White Sox. They certainly look loaded. My only concern is Ozzie and his history of screwing things up. At any rate, I too want to reverse a position on a team, the Angels. I originally stated that the Halos were a mess but that was two weeks ago. One should look at how a team is playing now, as spring training comes to a close, and how many question marks still remain. The Angels have looked sharp the last ten days and seem poised to make an impact early. Their pitching has come around and their hitters have been putting up numbers day-in, day-out. Question marks on Kazmir, Pinerio, and Morales but there is enough depth all around to fight for the division. OVER 83 now looks attainable. Rudy (Skeeter - in agreement on your Angels' assessment)

I'm on the fence Rudy, I purposely held off writing anything about the Angels because I wanted to see a little more results in spring training. I'm on the fence. Have not backed off the bet and probably won't but I understand your position. I originally had them at 78-80 wins. I'm not so sure, now. My position is that they are the 3rd strongest team in the division behind the Rangers and A's. So, my question is whether 3 teams will go over .500. The Central and East should have 3 at .500 or better so I am trying to determine how the Angels get 84 wins. Thats the quandry I face.

Sticking with the Angels under Angels didn't do enough for me to get off the bet. Losing Morales for an undosclosed amount of time will hurt. They gained Wells but lost Napoli and Rivera. This team has a good defensive outfield now and very good starting pitching. But, not enough improvements on offense keeps me thinking 80 wins, not enough to get to 84.

White Sox over Better offense with the addition of Dunn, a pitching staff that could be great, could be poor if Peavy doesn't get back into good form or Buehrle regress further but probably will be serviceable. Bullpen looks good and reliable and I like Thorton as the closer. The team will put up runs, no doubt about it. 85 wins is attainable and 90 might be the number they get to.