Wunderdog Sports Picks Blog

MLB PICKS 2008 AMERICAN LEAGUE PREVIEWS

AL EAST 

BALTIMORE ORIOELS
MANAGER: DAVE TREMBLEY
2007 RECORD:  69-93

KEY ADDITIONS:
TROY PATTON LHP
LUKE SCOTT OF
MATT ALBERS RHP
DENNIS SARFATE RHP
ADAM JONES
GEORGE SHERILL LHP
 
KEY LOSSES:
ERIC BEDARD LHP
MIGUEL TEJADA SS
 
COMING SOON:
MATT WIETERS C
 
OUTLOOK:
The Orioles did nothing to help themselves this season by trading Bedard and Tejada, but at least restocked a depleted minor-league system that could help in the future. The starting pitching looks very poor and they will need a huge year from Cabrera to stay out of the AL East basement. The lineup is average at best, especially when you consider the cleanup hitter is now projected to be Aubrey Huff. The Orioles have been bad the past several years, but this edition, in the tough as it is AL East, may be the worst of all.

MLB Picks 2008 - AL East

MLB PICKS 2008 NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL PREVIEW
 
CHICAGO CUBS
MANAGER: LOU PINELLA
2007 RECORD: 85-77
 
KEY ADDITIONS:
KOSUKE FUKUDOME OF
JOSE ASCANIO RHP
ANGEL GUZMAN RHP
 
KEY LOSSES:
MARK PRIOR RHP
WILL OHMAN LHP
OMAR INFANTE UTL
CRAIG MONROE OF
JACQUE JONES OF
JASON KENDALL C
 
HELP IS ON THE WAY:
COLIN BALESTAR RHP
 
OUTLOOK:
The Cubs have an ace in Zambrano, a solid No. 2 in Lilly and above average starting pitching overall, which in a weak division puts them right there. If Kerry Wood works out as a closer they will be tougher if not, they will have problems closing out games. The middle of the line-up is very good with Soriano, Lee and Ramirez, but not much to speak of after that.

MLB Picks 2008 - NL Central

MLB PICKS 2008 NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST PREVIEW

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
MANAGER: BOB MELVIN
2007 RECORD: 90-72

KEY ADDITIONS:
BILLY BUCKNER RHP
DAN HAREN RHP
CHAD QUALLS RHP
JUAN GUTIERREZ RHP
CHRIS BURKE OF
 
KEY LOSSES:
ALBERTO CASTILLO UTL
CARLOS GONZALEZ OF
JOSE VALVERDE RHP
CARLOS QUENTIN OF
 
HELP IS ON THE WAY:
JUAN GUTIERREZ RHP
 
OUTLOOK:
The Diamondbacks look ready to improve upon a 90-win season from last year. The addition of Haren along with whatever Randy Johnson can give them, add to the pitching depth. They have a lot of young players that have vast potential and if one or two rise into stardom, the World Series is not out of the question.

MLB Picks 2008 - NL West

NATIONAL LEAGUE PREVIEWS

MLB PICKS 2008 NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST

ATLANTA BRAVES:
MANAGER: BOBBY COX
2007 RECORD: 84-78

KEY ADDITIONS:
TOM GLAVINE LHP
WILL OHMAN LHP
JOSH ANDERSON OF
OMAR INFANTE UTL

KEY LOSSES:
LANCE CORMIER LHP
JOSE ASCANIO RHP
WILLIE HARRIS OF

HELP IS ON THE WAY:
JORDAN SCHAFER OF

OUTLOOK:
Hudson, Smoltz and Glavine could eat up 600+ innings. However, the key may be Mike Hampton returning from injury. If he steps up, so will the Braves. The Braves have a long lineup and it is balanced with veterans, and young, rising players. Will be in the hunt.

MLB Picks 2008 - NL East

MLB PICKS 2008 AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL PREVIEW

CHICAGO WHITE SOX
MANAGER:  OZZIE GUILLEN
2007 RECORD:  72-90
 
KEY ADDITIONS:
NICK SWISHER   OF
CARLOS QUENTIN OF
SCOTT LINEBRINK RHP
ORLANDO CABRERA SS
 
KEY LOSSES:
SCOTT PODSEDNIK OF
JON GARLAND RHP
RYAN SWEENEY OF
DARIN ERSTAD UTL
MIKE MYERS LHP
 
HELP IS ON THE WAY:
CURTIS THIGPEN C
 
OUTLOOK:
Cabrera and Swisher will help, but when you look at this line-up compared to those of Detroit, and Cleveland, they are still not there. The rotation has too many question marks, and don’t see this team contending.

MLB Picks 2008 - AL Central