Quote Originally Posted by undermysac:
Sign me up for these:
Reds OVER 83.5 Wins(-125) 1.25/1.00
Cubs UNDER 86.5 Wins(-115) *2.30/2.00
Cardinals UNDER 88.5 Wins(even) *1.00
Adding:
Texas Rangers OVER 79.5(-105) *1.05/1.00
They won 78 last year. And to think that they will only improve by 1.5 wins with the acquisitions they made is quite surprising.
Last year, a little over than a 3rd of the innings pitched by the Rangers were from pitchers with an ERA over 5.75. There wasn't much there after Minor, Lynn and Allard.
This year they are bringing in Kyle Gibson, Jordan Lyles and Corey Kluber to the starting rotation.
Kluber is the wildcard, he only threw 35.2 innings last year in an injury riddled year. The dude took a line drive off of his arm and it broke. It's a little concerning because pitchers who get hurt like that will sometimes carry those memories. But, it's Corey frigin' Kluber. What if he bounces back? If he's even 75% of "prime" Kluber, he will be better than any Jurado, Payano, Volqueuz or Hearn. He looks to be #5 in the rotation, how can that be bad?
Do many people even know who Jordan Lyles is? He played for Pitt and the Brew Crew last year. Did you know, that the Brewers went 10-1 in games that Jordan Lyles pitched? That dude has some brass gonads. Most guys don't do that well after a trade considering the added pressure, change of scenery, moving into a new home etc...As a Brewer, he had a 2.45 ERA, allowed a BA of .202, with an 1.11 whip. Even pitching in the same division where the rest of the NL Central knew him. So the guy ended last year on a major roll, now he is with a new club with a new stadium(similar to Miller Park) and ready to prove it again. #4 starter material? Money.
Kyle Gibson didn't have a year like in 2018, or did he? His ERA went from 3.62 to 4.84, BA allowed from .238 to .272. He went from a 10-13 record in 2018, to a 13-7 record in 2019...So, the Twins basically said "Screw you, we don't need you now that we have an offense". I think he wasn't so bad last year, maybe some what unlucky, and maybe he threw more "get me over" strikes because he was playing with a big lead most of the time. His BABIP went from .285 to .330. In 2019 he had the highest K% of his career at 22.7%, best K-BB% of 14.7%, and best xFIP at 3.80. At 32 is he declining? Hard to say, I don't think the Twins should of let him go. But what do I know, they are the Yankees of the Midwest and don't need arms apparently. Gibson #3 in the rotation? Works for me.
Offensively, don't forget that Joey Gallo is only 26 years old and didn't play after July 23rd when he got hurt. They added the "Todd Father" Frazier to the clubhouse. Not anything eye popping by the numbers, but he has a motor that doesn't stop and is a great add in terms of experience and team chemistry. Where ever he goes he seems to make the game fun and enjoyable for his teammates. Pretty damn good glove and arm at 3rd as well.
Center field will be a problem, decent at the corners, and will the old Rougned Odor come back? We'll see.
Remember fellas, the open sweltering furnace in Arlington is gone. That place was a launch pad. Their new stadium is retractable, and they will have air conditioning(fascinating new technology) So don't think that the Astros and A's are going to come into this park and hit the ball around the yard like in the past, and certainly not against a Starting 5 that has drastically gotten stronger from last season.
Good Luck
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