FrontRowSportsReport.com: Sports Blog

How many times have you heard or read the statement that it is to early in the season to panic or start talking smack about how good your team is? Living in the NYC area I hear it all the time since there is no shortage of sports news outlets or fans. However, seems as though most people don’t heed this advice. True, even a couple weeks into the season you want to see your team at least heading in the direction, plus you can star to get an idea of how the big names will perform. But, just like in life, everything can and usually changes in a heartbeat.

Let’s look at the current MLB standings:

In the ultra-competitive American League East the Baltimore Orioles are currently 6-1 and have the best record in MLB. Great for the Orioles but does anyone really think they will keep this up? Not even keep it up but stay within the playoff chase with the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees in the division? The Red Sox and Yankees are both sitting at 4-5, odds are at least one of the two teams will start playing up to their potential. The Orioles should be happy with a 3^rd or 4^th place finish and not get their hopes up for anything more.

In the American League West all 4 teams are within a game or two of each other, I actually see this division being a tight race for most of the season until the Los Angeles Angles run away with it towards the end of the season. What about the Mariners and Rangers? The Rangers are not as bad as everyone thinks but still not good enough and the Mariners are not as good as everyone thinks. 

Things get interesting in the American League Central. The Kansas City Royals are 6-2 and the Detroit Tigers are 1-7. Seems like the opposite of what it should be right? Well the Tigers are not looking good, I thought they would be better heading into Spring Training but I have not seen any progression of their top free agents and core players. The Kansas City Royals are a team that could be the surprise MLB team of 2008. There is a lot of talent in this division; it might come down to who can stay the healthiest.

The National League is a lot less dramatic – the Nationals and Giants suck, as well they should. The Cardinals are playing good baseball right now and will run away with the Central division (sorry Cub fans). The National League east will be the most interesting; none of the teams are showing me anything that makes me think one will separate from the pack. Oh even though I said that it is to early in the season to make predictions – but I got one Pedro Martinez will fight the injury big all year long.

President George W. Bush threw out the the first pitch last night for the Washington Nationals season opener and as you can hear from the video the fans in attendance were not big fans. While President Bush was introduced you can hear more boos then cheers for the outgoing Commander-in-Chief. Honestly, I might not be a fan of Bush but I don’t agree with booing him.



The 2008 MLB season is upon us so what better time then to lay out our predictions for this baseball season - which promises to be one for the ages. So, below are our entire predictions for the 2008 MLB season, including final standings, who makes the playoffs and who will be the 2008 MLB World Series champions.

2008 MLB Regular Season Predictions 

American League East

1. Boston Red Sox
2. New York Yankees
3. Tampa Bay Devil Rays
4. Toronto Blue Jays
5. Baltimore Orioles

American League Central

1. Detroit Tigers
2. Chicago White Sox
3. Cleveland Indians
4. Minnesota Twins
5. Kansas City Royals

American League West

1. Los Angeles Angels
2. Seattle Mariners
3. Texas Rangers
4. Oakland A’s

National League East

1. New York Mets
2. Atlanta Braves
3. Philadelphia Phillies
4. Washington Nationals
5. Florida Marlins

National League Central

1. Chicago Cubs
2. Houston Astros
3. Cincinnati Reds
4. St. Louis Cardinals
5. Milwaukee Brewers
6. Pittsburgh Pirates

National League West

1. Los Angeles Dodgers
2. Colorado Rockies
3. Arizona Diamondbacks
4. San Diego Padres
5. San Francisco Giants

2008 MLB Post-season Predictions

American League Wild Card: New York Yankees
National League Wild Card:  Atlanta Braves

American League Champion: Detroit Tigers

National League Champion: New York Mets

World Series Champion: Detroit Tigers

Yup, as we all know Billy Crystal, who is a life-long New York Yankees fan, was “signed” for one day by the Yankees and was given a offical at-bat during yesterdays spring training game. Watching the video I realized that Crystal wasn’t that bad and took some decent cuts.



Yes, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw has a nasty curveball but I think announcer Vin Scully might have went a bit overboard in his call during the game.

The good news is that Minnesota Twins pitcher Francisco Liriano pitched his first MLB game in 18 months. The great news is that he gave up no runs and felt no pain.

Liriano underwent Tommy John surgery back on November 6th 2006. “I feel good. I feel strong. No pain, no soreness at all,” Liriano said. “I was a little bit nervous, but after the first hitter that went away.” Liriano went 1 2/3 innings throwing 40 pitches - he allowed 2 hits, a walk and had one strikeout.

The Twins need Liriano back at full-strength, especially after losing both Johan Santana and Carlos Silva to other teams.  In 2006 Liriano went 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA and 144 strikeouts in 121 innings before his season was cut short with his injury.

Tampa Bay Lightning Andre Roy and Philadelphia Flyers Riley Cote fought last night twice, the first round was a draw - the second round was a bit different as you can tell from this great hockey fight video. One punch and he is out - this is why the NHL rules.

The Boston Red Sox signed closer Jonathan Papelbon to a one year deal worth $775,000 - which doubles Papelbon’s 2007 salary. Papelbon was one of 18 Red Sox who agreed to a one year deal resulting in their entire roster being under contract.

Papelbon, who earned $425,550 last year, had 37 saves and a 1.85 ERA in 2007.  Papelbon also saved 3 of the 4 World Series games against the Colorado Rockies.

Papelbon is not that happy with the offer, he feels as though he should be paid in line with other top closers.”I feel a certain obligation not only to myself and my family to make the money that I deserve but for the game of baseball. Mariano Rivera has been doing it for the past 10 years and with me coming up behind him I feel a certain obligation to do the same.” Papelbon, who is 27, will be eligible for arbitration next year and will be looking for a big time raise.

Philadelphia Phillies newest closer Brad Lidge hurt his knee yesterday during batting practice and will now undergo arthroscopic surgery - Lidge is expected to miss 3-6 weeks.

Lidge, who was traded to the Phillies in the offseason, caught his spike in the mound when he made his first pitch during batting practice. Lidge injured the same knee he had surgery on back in October.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said that Tom Gordon will close if Lidge is not ready for their opening day game against the Washington Nationals on March 31st.

Lidge was optimistic about his injury and his recovery time. “Right now, if we had to do this during the season, then obviously you’re missing a big chunk of the season,” Lidge said. “I definitely need a few bullpen sessions, but I feel like my arm is ahead of schedule so after a week I should be able to throw again.”

Minnesota Twins pitcher Francisco Liriano is having issues getting back into the U.S. because of a drunken-driving arrest in 2006. Liriano, who is is from the Dominican Republic, had his visa held up and he could be late for the start of spring training. The Twins pitchers and catchers report this Sunday in Fort Myers, Florida.

Liriano was arrested in Florida back in 2006 and was charged with speeding and drunken driving. In order to gain entrance back into the U.S. Liriano has to undergo a sobriety test and attend a counseling session.

Liriano had a break-out season in 2006, his rookie year, he went 12-3,? struck out 144 batters and had a 2.16 ERA. However, Liriano missed all of 2007 after undergoing Tommy John surgery.