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A few surprising numbers appear on this season’s board and a closer look there could be some value in these numbers! Below is a review of some 2008 Win Totals for the upcoming MLB season that command some attention:
Atlanta Braves - 85.5 wins
This looks like a solid UNDER. Atlanta only won 84 games last season. Now, without Andruw Jones and Edgar Renteria, they are being asked to win even more games this season. This does not make any sense whatsoever. This is especially true when you consider that the Mets and Phillies look at least as strong as they did last season.
The Braves are much weaker up the middle without the big bats plus solid defense of both Jones and Renteria. Relying on Mike Hampton to resurrect the starting rotation has proven to be a mistake. Also, don’t be surprised if Chuck James slumps again after surprising success in his rookie season. He’s already gone from 11-4 to 11-10 and sub-.500 would not be a surprise this season. The more familiar teams are with him the more hittable he becomes and a repeat of prior season’s success for the southpaw is not likely.
Yes, the Braves added Tom Glavine but he’s beginning to show his age and was often very hittable in many of his outings last season. The Braves also are relying heavily in a lot of unproven arms in the bullpen and this could be a much weaker area for Atlanta this season. The Braves look like a sub-.500 team to us. Play UNDER the Win Total for Atlanta in 2008.
Chicago Cubs - 87.5 wins
This look like a solid OVER. The Cubs are basically just being asked to win a couple more games than they did last season. When you consider the current status of the rest of the teams in the National League Central Division that is quite likely. The Cardinals are way down. The Reds are trying to work their way up but are unproven. The Brewers will be fortunate to repeat last season’s success and the Pirates are relying on young pitching and a weak offense.
Certainly the Cubs should be able to dominate the NL Central and that will play a key role in helping insure that they get over this win total. Chicago has a nice “Big Three” in their rotation with Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, and Rich Hill. The Cubs went into Spring Training with some solid options and some good depth in terms of whom the other starting pitchers would be. Other teams were not afforded that same luxury and it’s certainly a luxury that the Cubs are so deep in such an important area.
The lineup of the Cubs is not oozing with star power but they’ve got enough big sticks to give their solid pitching all the support it needs. The Cubs bullpen looks very solid with Kerry Wood as the closer and a deep group of effective relievers that can insure most leads remain intact for Wood to shut the door! The Cubs have Carlos Marmol, Bob Howry, and Mike Wuertz all “at the ready” for key late inning work. The weak Central Division is the “kicker” here and the Cubs will take advantage of that for another divisional title and a season that should see a win total easily get past the 90 mark. Play OVER the total for the Chicago Cubs in 2008.
