With eighteen teams leading or within 6.0 games of their respective divisions, there may be a lot of new faces in the 2006 playoffs.
Who do you see making the most surprising run of the season in the second half and why?
2006-07-14 06:51:45 · 12 answers · asked by Baseball Fanatic 5 in Sports ➔ Baseball
Yankees for the AL
Dodgers for the NL
When the Yankees get Matsui and Sheffield back, and they can find their swing, they will add more hitters to the line up. And plus their pitching should be getting better, they're big guys like Johnson and Mussina have to be consistant along with the rest of their pitching staff, and they're getting Dotel back and they got new guy Sidney Ponson to try to fill in the 5th spot in the starting rotation. Basically to sum it up, they have to Win.
In the Dodgers case, at 2.5 games behind, their pitching needs to improve. The only one that has really shined is Brad Penny. Derek Lowe needs to be more consistant. And Eric Gagne needs to return! They need their star closer back. The bats have not been that good lately. You can't win with just a couple of good hitters, your whole line-up needs to improve. The more wins, the more their chances increase at winning NL West and making it to the playoffs. Winning is the key.
2006-07-14 07:40:38 · answer #1 · answered by K-Deeznuts 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
After acquistioning Aubrey Huff, the Astros with the third hightest payroll in the majors, who had a bumpy first half, have the ingredients for another great second half. They have always been a second half team. 2004 they were 11 games out of the wild card, got Beltran, lost to the Cards in 7 in the NLCS, 2005, had the same record they did this year after the break, 43-46, but were 11 1/2 games out of the division, but went on a tear to win the wild card going 89-73, 46 and 27. Although they were swept in the Series, the two teams were only separated by 6 runs. The Astros have high profile players, however, have had trouble hitting in scoring situations, Craig Biggio, Lance Berkman, Preston Wilson, and Morgan Ensberg. If these guys can get things firing together, watch out.
2006-07-14 16:48:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most surprising run...hm, the Jays. I mean, it's possible given the Yankees and Bosox woes. It'd be nice to see the Jays back in the hunt after a decade of futility.
Why? Because I do think the Jays have better overall pitching (the long relief needs a bit of work and Lilly needs to be way more consistent...so there I've contradicted myself) than the other two AL East contenders. Plus the offense is finally in shape and fingers crossed Rios comes back soon.
2006-07-14 13:57:39 · answer #3 · answered by fugutastic 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Tigers keep up thier winning ways and compete for The Central Division Title.
2006-07-14 19:04:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
AL: Angels
Theyve got their game back.
NL: Mets
Beltran and Wright will carry the team, even without Pedro
and ive heard theyre trading for Javier Vazquez or Freddy Garcia
2006-07-14 14:14:09 · answer #5 · answered by Jose Lima 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Watch out for the Astros, now with Aubrey Huff swinging the bat.
2006-07-14 15:00:43 · answer #6 · answered by mattapan26 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look out for the Braves in the N.L. they might put in a run for the wild card.
and the Twins will make a push as well.
2006-07-14 13:58:23 · answer #7 · answered by j_dunn27 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Minnesota Twins they will catch the white sox for the wild card spot.
2006-07-14 14:13:17 · answer #8 · answered by banobean 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
AL:
Yankees: They always seem to... they have a so-so first half then break out in the second.
NL:
The Phillies: I think they are due to have a great year.
2006-07-14 13:54:24 · answer #9 · answered by -- 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it will be the Braves because they always seem to do it every year but I sure hope that the Astros can do it.
2006-07-14 15:45:06 · answer #10 · answered by royalsgirl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋