Maine's 2012 MLB forecast

[MaineDolFan]

The fact of the matter is this:  I am right more often than I am wrong about baseball.  Case in point, I was the only guy last year on this board that saw the Cards as a championship material.

That being said, why do you care what I think about the Marlins?  I feel like they are going to suck donkey eggs this season.  I just do.  One man's opinion.  Get over it.  Move along, nothing else to see here.  You don't need my validation to make you feel warm & fuzzy about your Marlins.  I'm not feeling them.  They have talent.  My man crush for Josh Johnson is well documented.  I really like Stanton.  

By the way, regarding Heath Bell?  I wouldn't call a guy with a life time of 134 career saves in 160 chances and a 3.06 ERA "one of the games best."  He is a decent closer, I am not taking anything away from the guy.  He isn't elite.

Sorry, over all...I ain't buying what they are selling.  More than happy to eat crow when I'm wrong.  Feel feel to grave dig, I'm the first one to pop up my hand and say "my bad."  I own it.  case in point, I also thought the Twins would be pretty good last year.  Marlins prove me wrong, I will be the first to admit it.  

By the way, the Diamondbacks went from 65-97 in 1998 to 100-62 in 1999.  Sure, it happens.  So do Blue Moons and Haley's Comet.  Trent Dilfer won a Super Bowl.  Weird things in this world happen.  Baltimore also started 0-21 in 1988.  How often does that occur?

[MaineDolFan]

At this point, I would take a wild card for the Braves. Hopefully Heyward's offseason work puts him on the right track.

I actually think the Braves could put together a heck of a run this season.  They might have one of the game's best rotations.

[EDGECRUSHER]

The Marlins improved on paper, but they only win the Wild Card if EVERYTHING goes right for them. Buerhle needs to be very good. Reyes needs to prove he can stay healthy and not just produce in walk years and Hanley needs to bounce back from the crap he was last year.

85 wins to me seems fair IF Reyes has a repeat year and Hanley bounces back. Zambrano and Guillen sounds like a disaster I can't wait to watch.

[el diablo]

I actually think the Braves could put together a heck of a run this season.  They might have one of the game's best rotations.

I agree. Great starting rotation. Great bullpen. Like every year, it depends on the offense. McCann can't do it by himself.

[el diablo]

Since the party don't start til they walk in...spring training officially kicks off tomorrow. GO BRAVES!

[Landshark]

A sure sign spring is in the air.  Baseball players are working out in Arizona and Florida, and college students (including mine) are working it in Daytona and in my neck of the woods. 

For the young'ns on this board, here's a few differences between Spring Training and Spring Break (read this in an article in ESPN Magazine once). 

Mode of Transportation-  For Spring Training, it's a golf cart.  For Spring Break, it's a jet ski.

Preferred Shot-  For Spring Training, it's Demorol.  For Spring Break, it's Jagermeister.

Plastic Cup-  For Spring Training, it's for protection.  For Spring Break, it's for pitchers.

Rubber Mound-  For Spring Training, it's for pitchers.  For Spring Break, it's for protection.

Making Out- For Spring Training it's good for pitchers and bad for hitters.  For Spring Break, it's good for everyone involved.

Sweaty, hulking men-  For Spring Training, they are chased by reporters.  For Spring Break, they are chased by sorority chicks.