Last night I was googling Manny Ramirez, as one does. My primary motivation for checking in on the dreaded one was this: with the A’s-Mariners 2-game Japan Series on Wednesday and Thursday, the baseball season has officially begun. So too, has Manny’s 50-game suspension. I was looking to confirm that Manny would be serving the…
Initially, it looked as if the St. Louis Cardinals had dodged a bullet when two weeks ago the discomfort in Chris Carpenter’s neck was diagnosed as stemming more from a bulging disk than a nerve issue. Renewed symptoms earlier this week led to renewed concerns, however, and while the Cardinals remain optimistic, Carpenter’s history of…
In Episode 13, Brock and Dan are joined by Los Angeles Dodgers fan and Citizen of the Diaspora Brett Moore to talk NL West. After hearing about growing up Dodger Blue from Brett, the guys discuss:
- How bleak things got for Dodgers fans at the end of the McCourt era and who fans hope wins the bidding for the franchise
- Reports that Dodger Stadium naming rights might be for sale and how much of a travesty a name change would be for one of baseball’s most historic parks
- The Dodgers’ offseason moves and whether the 2012 version of the team is better than the 2011 entry
- Matt Kemp’s 8-year $160 million extension and whether it is a good deal for the Dodgers
- If the Arizona Diamondbacks can repeat as division champions
- Whether the San Francisco Giants offseason moves improve their offense sufficiently to return them to the playoffs after they failed to defend their World Series title in 2011
- Whether the Colorado Rockies have a coherent plan in place or if Colorado’s questionable offseason acquisitions signal a lack of direction for the club
- San Diego’s rebuild and if the Mat Latos trade, Cameron Maybin signing and the Padres’ strong farm system are evidence that the Padres are moving in the right direction
- How the additional Wild Card will impact the NL West and if the division can expect more than one team in the playoffs this season and beyond
and
- Predictions for who will win the NL West and NL Wild Card(s)
Brett Moore is a host of sports and fantasy sports shows on KCR College Radio in San Diego. Follow him on Twitter as @BigLoudMoore.
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In Episode 12, Brock and Dan turn their attention to Brock’s favorite division – the NL Central. Joined by very special guest Marc Towler, Brock’s dad and Citizen of the Diaspora, the guys tackle the St. Louis Cardinals and the rest of the Central. After Marc recalls what life was like for diaspora fans prior to the internet, satellite and cable, the guys discuss:
- Which of the departures – Albert Pujols, Tony La Russa, Dave Duncan and Jeff Luhnow – will impact the St. Louis Cardinals most going forward
- How the Cardinals offseason moves – adding Carlos Beltran, extending Yadier Molina – will make up for the loss of Pujols
- How Matt Holliday will handle becoming more of a focal point of the offense
- Whether Chris Carpenter’s neck injury is cause for concern
- Dan’s scouting report on the Cardinals, based off his visit to Cardinals Spring Training last week
- How the Cardinals’ primary competition in the division – the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers – stack up against each other and against the Cardinals for 2012
- What the outlook is for the Pittsburgh Pirates and if their young core and prospects will gel to become a factor in the NL Central in the near future
- What Theo Epstein and new ownership means for the Chicago Cubs’ chances to end their century-plus championship drought
- How much the NL Central will miss the Houston Astros after this season and how strange it will be for AL West fans to welcome a new team into the division
- How the addition of a second Wild Card will impact the NL Central and whether more than one team from the division will make the playoffs this year
and
- Predictions for who will win the NL Central and NL Wild Card(s)
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In Episode 11, Brock & Dan are joined by Mets fan and Citizen of the Diaspora Mike Connors, who helps the guys break down the NL East. After Mike regales the guys with stories of his epic baseball road trips, the three discuss:
- The financial woes of New York Mets ownership and whether fans can hope for a resolution soon
- The Mets offseason and whether the team will be better than last season
- David Wright and whether he will still be a Met by season’s end
- Johan Santana’s recovery and what to expect from him this season
- R.A. Dickey and Mets fans appreciation for him
- The Mets abandoning black in their uniforms and returning to the classic blue and orange only
- The Philadelphia Phillies and if age, injuries and bad contracts will keep them out of the playoffs this season
- The Atlanta Braves and whether injuries will continue to hold them back or if their young talent will rise to the top
- The Miami Marlins and how their big offseason positions them in the division
- First impressions of the new Marlins Ballpark based on Dan’s visit there for Tuesday night’s exhibition between a Marlins’ split squad and the University of Miami baseball team
- The Washington Nationals and if they are ready to take the next step and become a contender in a tough division
- Whether the Marlins or the Nationals are more likely to make the playoffs in 2012
- How the additional Wild Card impacts the NL East and whether we can expect to see 3 NL East teams in the 2012 postseason
and
- Predictions for who will win the NL East and NL Wild Card(s)
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In Episode 10, Brock and Dan preview the AL West. Dan stands in for an outside expert since his knowledge of the division runs deep. After reviewing Dan’s application for Citizen of the Diaspora, the guys discuss:
- The Yoenis Cespedes signing and whether it makes sense for the A’s
- The Manny Ramirez pick-up and whether Manny will be a factor for the A’s this season or not
- The A’s third base situation and who replaces the injured Scott Sizemore
- Brandon McCarthy and what he means to A’s fans
- Whether the Texas Rangers remain the team to beat in the AL West in spite of the Angels’ offseason moves
- If they expect the Rangers to three-peat as AL Champions
- How the Los Angeles Angels will perform given their new additions – Pujols, Wilson, etc.
- Whether the Angels will make the playoffs
- How the Angels handle the Mike Trout situation with an overstocked outfield
- Whether the Seattle Mariners will surprise people and be more competitive than expected
- How the – now confirmed – additional Wild Card impacts the AL West both this season and in the next few
and
- Predictions for who will win the AL West and one of the AL Wild Cards in 2012
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