Carrabis: 2010 National League Preview by Jared Carrabis
SSN's Jared Carrabis breaks down the National League


For more than a decade, the National League has been dominated by the American League in both the All Star Game, and most importantly, in the World Series.

NL East

In the past two seasons, the Philadelphia Phillies have risen as a National League team with an American League attitude. Complete with a devastating lineup and superb starting pitching, the Phils claimed World Series glory in 2008 and fell just short against the George Steinbrenner’s billion-dollar circus in 2009.

In the National League East, Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins and the boys from the City of Brotherly Love will once again come out on top. If they can make it to the World Series without a healthy closer who was perfect a year prior, then the addition of Roy Halladay to this club will only make things better. Of course, they do say their goodbyes to Cliff Lee, but a full season of Roy Halladay and a healthy Brad Lidge will leave the NL East competition in the dust.

The Atlanta Brav...READ MORE!

Published on March 30, 2010 See Comment(s)

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Ghika: 2010 National League Preview by Mike Ghika
SSN's Mike Ghika breaks down the National League


NL East

Phillies – Roy Halladay matching up against NL lineups is heavenly for the reigning league champs, and the lineup is still dangerous as ever with Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, free agent to be Jayson Werth, and newly added Placido Polanco. Expect a big bounce back year from a rejuvenated Cole Hamels, but something has to be done at the back end of the bullpen after closer Brad Lidge's disastrous 2009 (7.21 ERA).

Braves* – This will be manager Bobby Cox's 25th and final year at the helm, and 20-year-old Jason Heyward spotlights a team hopeful of a September playoff chase. Even despite dealing Javier Vazquez to the Yankees in a salary dump, the rotation is very deep, but the comebacks of first baseman Troy Glaus and closer Billy Wagner could decide Atlanta's fate.

Marlins – The team won 84 games in 2008 and three more last year despite the lowest payroll in baseball. Although Hanley Ramirez and Rookie of the Year Chris Coghlan a...READ MORE!

Published on March 30, 2010 See Comment(s)

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If you could go to any 10 Red Sox games in 2010... by Jared Carrabis
SoxSpace's Jared Carrabis counts down the Top 10 games to attend in '10


Here’s the situation: a guy walks up to you and tells you he has season tickets to all 81 home games at Fenway Park this year and he’s trying to get rid of them for free.

Here’s the catch: you can only pick ten games and you have to pick them before the season starts so that you’re not guaranteed to see a certain starting pitcher. What are you going to pick? Opening Day? Interleague games? Got a favorite team that you always love to see? Starting from the bottom and working my way up, here is what I would pick and why.

10.) May 19-20 Vs. the Minnesota Twins: You won’t be seeing Joe Nathan coming out of the bullpen, but this Twins team has plenty of stars worth coming to see A couple of my personal favorites, the Twins have added the O-Dog, Orlando Hudson, to play second base and they’ve also brought on board a former Red Sox-killer with Cleveland, Jim Thome. Aside from those names, they’ll have a healthy Justin Morneau at first and you know wh...READ MORE!

Published on March 26, 2010 See Comment(s)

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Farewell, Nomar by Jared Carrabis
Boston bids farewell to a legend


On July 31, 2004, Theo Epstein changed the hands of destiny by trading the face of the Red Sox franchise away to the Chicago Cubs.

On Wednesday, March 10, 2010, much like Michael Myers, he came home. In what was one of the most pleasant surprises in recent memory, the Red Sox signed legendary shortstop, Nomar Garciaparra to a one-day contract, which enabled him to put an end to what was once a very, very promising career in a Red Sox uniform.

It was a day in which Nomar dreamed about ever since his departure in that summer of 2004. “My dream was to retire with the Red Sox,” said Garciaparra. It was a dream for him, and a dream come true for Nomar fans in New England who were left heartbroken when the shortstop was unexpectedly sent packing. At his press conference, Garciaparra put his retirement in perspective by claiming that his tank was “empty.” He could no longer work out to the extent that he liked to during the offseason and it was then that he knew it was time.

...READ MORE!

Published on March 12, 2010 See Comment(s)

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