Opening Day is here...the best day of the year!!!

I remember when I was 9 years old and the night before opening day of LL baseball, I slept in my uniform. I was so excited to play baseball that I could not wait...This day is so special because it brings back such good memories. I was fortunate because I had my father coach me from when I was 9 until I was 18 years old. So when opening day with the Dodgers comes I think of my father and the great times.

I really feel that this year is the year that we can break the 20 year curse of not winning the WS. It is hard to believe that Gibby hit the HR 20 plus  years ago and a team that had Jeff Hamilton, Alfredo Griffin, T bone Shelby, Rick Dempsey, and the rest of the misfits on that team won the WS. They did what no one gave them a chance to do and that was win it...

This year the Dodgers are expected to win their division by most of the so called experts, and I believe they will. The achilles heel if we have one is the BP and lack of starting depth that they have. I think Bills will win 18 plus games and be in the top 10 in the Cy Young. Kuroda is going to be a stabilizing force as the number one and will win, 15-17 games. Wolf is good for 14-16 and will win 1-2 games with his bat...Kershaw, I feel, will prove to be the prodigy and win 14 plus games...In 2010 we will have have 2 number ones...Kershaw and Bills...As for McDonald, we are asking alot for him to step in to the 5th spot immediately. I liked the plan to ease him into it, but he was the best alternative that we had...If we sustain an injury we do not have anyone to replace either of these guys....Milton, Weaver, Estes and Schmidt are not the answers. Lindblom,  I am real excited about and hope he will be this years Bob Welch. Welch came up in 77 after a short time in the minors and worked out of the BP and spot started and was very impressive. Lindblom has all of Dodger land talking and it is very exciting.

The BP, where do we start. Broxton is asked to be the man and hopefully he will respond. He did not have a good spring, but as long as he is healthy I think he will save 35 out of 40 save opportunities and be dominant... Joe please do not overuse the big fella. The bad part we do not have another closer type. Hong Chi Kuo, has the best stuff on the staff but is he healthy? Cory Wade was real good last year but again is he past the shoulder issues that plagued him this spring. I think Joe overused him in September last year..Mota, I know will not be the Mota of 5-6 years ago but I hope he is consistent in the 7th inning...Kuo or Wade will handle the 8th and Kuo will  hopefully step up in the 9th when Brox is unable to go.  Ohman is being rushed to the roster so hopefully he will be ready and will it be Bellasario and Troncoso filling out the BP or will Mazone be the other lefty..Bellasario has been a welcome surprise, his ball seems to have natural movement and has swing and miss capabilities. I really like Troncoso but he has been very shaky this spring, but he has the hard sinker that can entice ground balls. I really hope he can get it together...

The lineup should be the best we have ever had...It has power in Manny, Ethier, Kemp, Marty, Blake...Speed in Furcal, Martin, and Kemp...and the defense is so much better with Hudson at 2B...The pitchers will benefit from the DP combo this year...it could be one of the best defenses LA has ever had.

My Predictions

1. Dodgers..the only ? is pitching

2. Arizona..pitching is tough if the hitters develop they will be tough.

3. Giants..good pitching but not enough offense

4. Rockies..will be improved but not enough

5. Padres could be the worst team in the NL..Peavy will be gone at the trade deadline if not sooner.

Loney will bat .300 plus with 35 doubles and win his 1st gold glove

Martin will rebound and hit .285 plus with 15 plus HRs and 80 RBI

Kemp will hit .285 with 22 HRs and 80 RBI and steal 30 Bases and his baserunning will be improved...

Ethier will hit .290 with 22 hrs and 100 RBI will prove to be the 2nd best hitter on the team

Manny will hit .315 with 30/35 Hrs and 115 RBI and will win the MVP (Ok I am a Homer)

The Dodgers will pick up Halladay at the trade deadline and he will be the key to the WS run and Dodgers defeat the Red Sox and Brad Penny in the WS...

Go Dodgers and I love Opening Day!!!! Is it game time yet!!!!