Same thing to you about Shelly Duncan. Really? Shelly Duncan?

I'd sooner bet Victoria Beckham becomes a breakout star for the White Sox.

I'd break her out of her underpants, fo sho.

I don't think Johnson will be much of an upgrade. Plus, his days in LA where there was talent, he did not have great years.

How I look at it is offensively, I think this team is incredibly thin. Outfield looks awful including Werth with Storen out and I will think it will be hard pressed for Storen to repeat last yaer. I think on the infield you have Zimmerman, LaRoche, and Espinoza.

Pitching wise they should be pretty strong, I'll adhere to that. But Washington and what makes the NL East so wide open has a very weak lineup right now. I'd still put the Braves offense ahead of them and 1 game notwithstanding, Florida's offense is better as well.

I put them on the similar road to Philadelphia's offense.

Wait til next year for your adopted NL team.

<He must hit 18 HRs
He must plate 77 RBI
He must hit .255

Would you consider that a breakout season ???>

I don't think with those other two numbers 77 RBI is feasible. If you said Duncan hitting .285, 18, 77, then yes, I'd consider it.

But no, I wouldn't.

People laughed at me for saying Choo would bust last year.

And he did.

<.255>

Seeing how his career average is sub 250, (.239) to think he can accomplish that over regular playing time would be pretty good

Just to entice ya...

I'll raise it to .257 (that's nearly 20 points over his career stat)
19 HRs (8 more than he's hit on a season)
80 RBI (33 more here)

If he gets to 360 ABs, he hits all three of those numbers. And if he does, I can't think you can argue that he hasn't "broke-out"

<last chance>

He should be coming up for his first plate appearance here, in about an hour-and a half.

Beer ???

.270.

.255 would be a good year for INGE. And nobody claims those were "breakout" years. I lean more towards breakout years as big numbers AND giving a team a major jolt.

.255 for Duncan and 17 HR would not do it for me.

<Beer wager>

Must be whoever wins the most bets.

ok

Dude! Don't agree to that! Make the bet a beer per bet. Is this guy too cheap to spring for a fracking six pack???? Sheesh!!! (LOL)

Remember what salary I'm on. :)

I did not agree (by the typing the small case ok) I was just confirming that there is no Shelly Duncan Wager........for he believes a hitter that has never hit over .240, that .255 wouldn't be a significant break-out accomplishment.

I would never agree to a wager that he could hit .285

ok did not confirm a S. Duncan wager.

+ the season has(had) already started. Ya can't wager on a football game after the kick-off. Nor on a season prospective result after the first pitch is thrown.

DO NOT deny Shelly Duncan !!!

<more early returns>

1) Nats Vs. Braves. Scoreboard.......right now. Chipper coming back and producing has given ya some hope. I'm not worried a bit.

2) Soxx finish. Minny & KC are so bad that I find it hard to believe right now that Chicago won't be third or higher.

3) Cabby's 144. As stated to '84, I don't mind losing this one. It'll take a DL appearance by Cabrera for me to come out on top on this wager. At 3B, it could easily happen.

4) G Becks. Looks like he's busting to me

5) Jhonny looks as if he's breaking out.

6) Already in my brown paper bag, from your confidence in Tebow.

<again>

I'd say I'm up 5-1 right now.

<Undies>

How 'bout Sandy Duncan ???

Yeah, but one thing to take into consideration: Nationals had a relatively easy schedule to this point. Houston, Mets, and Cubs.

Atlanta had well a similar schedule except replace Cubs with Brewers. And Brewers are way better.

Both have West Coast Trips soon. Atlanta goes to Arizona and LA before heading home to Pittsburgh, while the Nats get the Marlins at home before traveling to SD and LA.

Advantage schedule Washington. Pittsburgh can't hit the broadside of a barn right now and SD blows.

ChiSox: I think they hit that similar wall like last year. Started off well, but the Baltimore series has reared their uglier than Ken Harrelson Head. Cleveland on the other hand, they are better than the ChiSox. Minnesota I didn't figure Baker would be lost for the season. KC's issues isn't with pitching. It is their hitting. Nobody is hitting.

Beckham: I guess UGA products fare way better when it comes to the NFL instead of MLB.

Remember the ultimate thing: IT IS EARLY.

1) Nats/Braves...looks like this one will go all summer
2) Soxx doing well...I am up here so far
3) Miggy @ + 144. As always, this depends on a DL trip. All it takes is one dive. Not hoping of course, I just expect it. I will gladly lose this one.

4 & 5) Becks and Jhonny. Looks like our prospective booms are busts. A push here.

3 outta of 5 for one of us, most likely. I like my chances almost a third of the way in.

At least Beckham is playing. (I guess he has been a bit better lately)
Duncan is down the tubes.

You were right on both.

Right now the Braves are playing incredibly banged up. No Chipper, McCann has been battling a bad virus for a week, Freeman is out and unsure when he gets back, and now the pitching is going to waste.

Nats don't need Werth-less. :)

Should have gotten you on Duncan.