The estimable Rodger Payne offers the following prediction for the NL Central:
1. Houston Astros 94 - 68
2. Chicago Cubs 89 - 73
3. St. Louis Cardinals 87 - 75
4. Cincinnati Reds 74 - 88
5. Milwaukee Brewers 68 - 94
6. Pittsburgh Pirates 66 - 96
Professor Payne is obviously insane, and has failed to take account of the astonishing 2-0 start for the unstoppable powerhouse which is the Milwaukee Brewers. With the amazing starting pitching of Ben Sheets and, um, that other guy and, er, that guy who got hurt last year, and the slugging of Geoff Jenkins and, um, Craig Counsell and, er, Ben Grieve, the Brewers strike fear into the heart of all who must face them. And all of this on a payroll slightly less than what the Yankees (and Rangers) pay Alex Rodriguez! Any prediction of fewer than, um, 73 wins is frankly bizarre and unwarranted.
Gosh it stinks being a Brewers fan. At least you don't have to deal with those pesky anti Dukists... Curse you Bud Selig!
Sorry, that's it for posting. Buried under more work than I care to think about.
On the other hand, he's WAY too optimistic about the Pirates. It's pretty lonely being a Bucs fan, too.
Posted by: Dave L | April 08, 2004 at 02:20 PM
It could be even worse-be a Cubs fan: doomed to futility. But some have seen the light since the '69 flop and we have better teams to cheer for (and more hats to wear!).
Posted by: daveb | April 09, 2004 at 12:11 AM