NL East Over / Under

I think the Phillies have the best lineup in the NL East with Howard, Utley, Rollins, Victorino and Burrell, but their starting rotation is nothing but Cole Hammels.  The Mets didn’t really do anything this year.  One example of that Johnny Estrada.  They traded Mota for Estrada, then they non-tendered Estrada’s contract making him a Free Agent.  Essentially they waived Mota…?  But with Martinez healthy this season, I see them improving their record from last season.  The Braves are starting to look like the Braves of yesteryear with the reaquisition of Glavine and Lopez, but they won’t have the same success as they had in their yeasteryear… years.  Jair Jurrjins (isn’t that hand lotion) will be a quality pitcher in the NL, but Atlanta needed more bats after losing Renteria and Jones.  The Nationals seem to have a few hidden gems in Milledge, Dukes and Clippard, but will they produce in 2008.  I don’t think so.  This might be Willy Mo’s year though.  I like him in late rounds in 2008.  Does anyone else think the 2008 Marlins have a shot at being the worst team in the history of baseball?  Sure they traded away pretty much everything outside of Hanley Ramirez for a future, but what we may not see today is that in 3 years, this Marlins team will probably be playing in another World Series.  But that’s the Marlin  way!

1. Atlanta Wins 82-1/2 games
2. Florida Wins 66-1/2 games
3. New York Wins 90-1/2 games
4. Philadelphia Wins 86-1/2 games
5. Washington Wins 76-1/2 games 

Please comment with the line number and “Over”, or “Under”.  Next week… AL East

AL Central Over / Under

Let there be no mistake here.  This division has been won before it’s been up for winning in 2008.  There is no team in this division who will sniff the Detroit Tigers asses, that’s how far back every team is going to finish.  For that matter, I’m not quite sure how the Yankees, or Red Sox will fair against the Tigers this year, unless Santana goes to one of them.  This is my pick for 2008 AL Champion.  Let’s see how the rest of the division will shape up even though there’s not much point to it.  Sorry Bob!  Although Cleveland had a marvelous year last season, I don’t see them repeating and they won’t go 12-5 against Detroit either.

1. Chicago Wins 73-1/2 games
2. Cleveland Wins 89-1/2 games
3. Detroit Wins 99-1/2 games
4. Kansas City Wins 68-1/2 games
5. Minnesota Wins 80-1/2 games 

Please comment with the line number and “Over”, or “Under”.  Next week… NL East

NL Central Over / Under

It’s my opinion that this division is the most interesting of all the divisions for the sole reason of each team having a chance of winning it.  Every team goes 81 and 81 this year!  Just kidding.  Here are my thoughts on how the division will shape up come the end of September 2008.  I ask of you… Over, or Under?

1. Chicago Wins 88-1/2 games
2. Cincinnati Wins 76-1/2 games
3. Houston Wins 75-1/2 games
4. Milwaukee Wins 78-1/2 games
5. Pittsburgh Wins 66-1/2 games
6. St. Louis Wins 74-1/2 games

Please comment with the line number and “Over”, or “Under”.  Next week… AL Central

AL West Over / Under

Is it just me, or does it seem like none of these teams want to win the division?  The A’s traded away Haren to get better in the coming years (just not next year), Texas signed a pitcher from Japan who’s certainly no Dice-K, but definately better than Igaaaaaaaawa, the Angels got Torii Hunter to catch balls in that big park, but that same big park will hurt his offensive numbers and Mariners put thumbs in their ass and spun for fun.  Is it possible for all the teams to lose more games next year than they did this past year?  I ask of you… Over, or Under?

1. Los Angeles Wins 92-1/2 games
2. Oakland Wins 72-1/2 games
3. Seattle Wins 86-1/2 games
4. Texas Wins 76-1/2 games

Please comment with the line number and “Over”, or “Under”.  Also note 1/2 games have been added to assist reponses.  Next week… NL Central

Over the next few weeks the Fantasy Baseball Mafia’s Over / Under will target each division.NL West

1. Arizona Wins 87 games
2. Colorado Wins 88 games
3. Los Angeles Wins 92 games
4. San Diego Wins 82 games
5. San Francisco Wins 65 games

Please comment with the line number and “Over”, or “Under”

Fantasy Baseball Mafia’s Over/Under

1.         Red Sox / Angels series goes 4 games.

2.         Indians / Yankees series goes 4 games.

3.         Phillies / Rockies series goes 4 games.

4.         D-backs / Cubs series goes 4 games.

5.         David Ortiz hits 1 walk-off HR in the ALDS.

6.         Josh Beckett wins 2 games in the ALDS.

7.         Alex Rodriguez bats .300 in the ALDS.

8.         Brandon Webb strikes out 8 in his first NLDS start.

9.         3 comments are left for this episode of Fantasy Baseball Mafia’s Over / Under.

10.       Tony from Jacksonville has 5 Fantasy Leagues next year.

 Please comment with the line number and “Over”, or “Under”

Fantasy Baseball Mafia’s Over/Under

1.         4 AL Rookies get at least one vote for Rookie of the Year.

2.         4 NL Rookies get at least one vote for Rookie of the Year.

3.         95 Players switch teams in the off-season.

4.         4 Managers are fired in the off-season.

5.         2 Japanese players signs with the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, or Dodgers.

6.         6 Teams publicly state interest in Barry Bonds.

7.         The Censor gushes about the Mets, or a Player on the Mets ½ dozen times.

8.         4 AL Players get MVP votes

9.         5 NL Players get MVP votes

10.       The Devil Rays trade two of these players, Carl Crawford, Delmon Young, BJ Upton, Scott Kazmir, or James Shields.

Please comment with the line number and “Over”, or “Under”

Fantasy Baseball Mafia’s Over/Under

 1.       Ichiro ends the season with a .350 AVG

2.       Magglio ends the season with a .350 AVG

3.       A-Rod hits 60 HR’s

4.       Prince Fielder hits 50 HR’s

5.       Jose Reyes steals 90 bases

6.       Barry Bonds plays 5 more games

7.      Boston wins 98 games

8.       5 Teams finish with less than 70 wins

9.       3 pitchers get to 20 wins

10.   Tony says ”You know what?” and mispronounces a Latin American name a combined total of 10 times. 

Please comment with the line number and “Over”, or “Under”

On Wednesday of each week, Our technical Director here at Fantasy Baseball Mafia -  Emperor4Life will publish a new piece titled Over / Under.

We will send this out in our daily member update and and also post it here. We hope it serves as a spark to start meaningful Fantasy Baseball debate 

Please submit responses with the line number and “Over”, or “Under”.

Respond with the line number and “Over”, or “Under”

1. Red Sox win 2 out of 3
2. Dice-K strikes out 7
3. 3 Batter HBP
4. 1 Ejection
5. 1,000 Beers thrown at Yankees Fans
6. Schilling walks 3
7. Wang gets 15 ground outs
8. Papi hits 1 Walk-off HR
9. A-Rod hits 2 HR
10. Yankees get within 2-1/2 games back

Enjoy the biggest rivalry in all of sport!

Jay
Technical Advisor
FantasyBaseballMafia.com