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2008 MLB
Predictions
2008 New York Mets Predictions & Season
Preview
Oddsmakers feel the Mets are
the favorites to win the NL
East and among the favorites
to win the World Series.
Find out why Jimmy Boyd
thinks New York is overrated
in his 2008 New York Mets
predictions.
Starting Rotation/Bullpen
Thank God New York landed
Johan Santana. Otherwise
they would have had to ride
Pedro Martinez’ fragile
shoulder now that Glavine is
back home in Atlanta.
Santana gives them a legit
Cy Young Caliber guy, but he
still faces the challenge of
responding after a
lackluster season in an
unfamiliar league. Both
Pedro and Orlando Hernandez
figure to spend time on the
DL. Both pitch extremely
smart and can still be
productive when healthy, but
both are never at 100
percent anymore. The
production of John Maine and
Oliver Perez will be huge
for this rotation. Both
pitchers went 15-10 and had
ERA’s under 4.00 and proved
that they can pitch in big
games in the 2006 playoffs.
Mike Pelfrey figures to get
quite a few starts this
season as well with imminent
injuries. He was just 3-8
after being called up to New
York, but the Mets expect
better.
The pen is in pretty good
shape. Fire baller Billy
Wagner should get near the
40 saves mark. Jorge Sosa
can pitch any time his name
is called. You’ll see him in
long relief and as a spot
starter. Scott Schoeneweis
is often used, but his 6.91
ERA at Shea is not
comforting.
Batting Order
Shortstop Jose Reyes is one
of the game’s elite at his
position and certainly one
of the best lead off men in
baseball. In an era when the
stolen base has lost its
luster, Reyes had 78 thefts
and is always a threat to
score. Fellow middle
infielder, Luis Castillo is
a versatile number two
hitter. He was good enough
in his 50-game audition with
the Mets to land a deal.
Third baseman David Wright
is one of the best players
in baseball. He hit .325
with 30 homeruns and 107
RBIs. He even stole 34
bases. His 330 total bases
in 2007 set a Mets club
record. Centerfielder Carlos
Beltran led all players at
his position in homeruns and
RBIs n 2007 with 33 big
knocks and 112 RBIs. It will
be hard for him to match
that kind of production.
First baseman Carlos Delgado
had a bit of an offseason as
left handed pitching foiled
him time and time again. He
needs to better than 24
homeruns and 87 RBIs. Moises
Alou proved he could still
swing a hot bat despite his
age. I don’t expect him to
be able to match his .341
average. Rightfielder Ryan
Church and catcher Brian
Schneider wrap up the order.
Church had 15 jacks and 70
RBIs playing as a National
in pitcher-friendly RFK
which has New York think his
power numbers will improve.
Brian Schneider also comes
over from Washington and
gives the Mets a very good
defensive catcher.
The New York Mets endured
one of the worst collapses
in league history last
season, blowing a seven-game
lead with 17 to play. The
offense is stacked once
again and Santana will help
the rotation so there is no
question that they will
compete for the division
title with Atlanta and
Philly. If history tells us
anything though, the health
of Pedro and Orlando
Hernandez will not hold up
and the Mets desperately
need their experience on the
mound. One also wonders if
New York can recover
mentally from such a
terrible collapse. With so
much pressure and hype, I
think the Mets could buckle
again.
Do yourself a favor and play
with 2007 World Champion MLB
Handicapper Jimmy Boyd from
Opening Day through the
World Series. His
MLB picks are second to
none in the industry and it
won’t take you long find out
for yourself. Sign up for a
season package and make
kicking your
sportsbooks part of your
daily routine.
Odds to win NL East:
1/3
Odds to win 2008 NL Pennant:
9/5
Odds to win 2008 World
Series:
4/1
Other Predictions for the 2008 Season:
Updated February 16th, 2008
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