http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com en-us http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com N/A john.mccabe@atomicsportsmedia.com Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:16:25 -0600 20 http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/284/1/San-Francisco-Giants.html The Giants will go as far as Barry Bonds takes them in 2006. that could mean they're playing for a ring, or playing to stay out of the NL West basement. Seth Glasgow breaks down San Fran. no@email.com (Seth Glasgow) Thu, 30 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/265/1/San-Diego-Padres.html The Padres won the NL West last season, but only finished one game over .500. With an improved Dodger team and a healthy Barry Bonds to contend with in 2006, San Diego will need a much better record to repeat. Brian Polking examines the Padres chances. no@email.com (Brian Polking) Wed, 29 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/281/1/Los-Angeles-Dodgers.html Last year's World Series champs came out of nowhere to be the class of baseball. Could the Dodgers be the 2005 edition of the White Sox? Steve Schaefer investigates. steve.schaefer@atomicsportsmedia.com (Steve Schaefer) Tue, 28 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/275/1/Colorado-Rockies.html The Rockies had the worst record in the National League last season, playing mostly rookies. With everyone in the lineup a year more seasoned, ASM's Peter Giordano expects marked improvement. peter.giordano@atomicsportsmedia.com (Peter Giordano) Mon, 27 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/274/1/Arizona-Diamondbacks.html Atomic Sports columnist Craig Joseph takes a look at the Diamondbacks chances in the rough-and-tumble NL West. no@email.com (Craig Joseph) Sun, 26 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/272/1/Texas-Rangers.html A revamped pitching staff has the Rangers thinking postseason in 2006. Steve Michalovich explains. steven.micholavich@atomicsportsmedia.com (Steven Michalovich) Sat, 25 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/267/1/Seattle-Mariners.html How could the Mariners have been so bad last season? It’s a question that fans in Seattle must be asking themselves as they look at a relatively unchanged roster heading into 2006. Steve Schaefer explains. steve.schaefer@atomicsportsmedia.com (Steve Schaefer) Fri, 24 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/257/1/Oakland-Athletics.html The A's haven't made the postseason since 2003, but Phil Mattingly thinks 2006 could be the year they return to the promised land. no@email.com (Phil Mattingly) Thu, 23 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/256/1/Los-Angeles-Angels-of-Anaheim.html The Angels may not be sure which city they play in, but Phil Mattingly believes that Mike Scioscia's club has the talent to be the class of the American League's toughest division. no@email.com (Phil Mattingly) Wed, 22 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/255/1/St-Louis-Cardinals.html The Cardinals aren't head and shoulders above the rest of the NL anymore, but their offense and pitching staff are still among the league's best. If the middle relief can hold up, the Redbirds have an excellent chance of repeating as NL Central champs. Steve Schaefer explains. steve.schaefer@atomicsportsmedia.com (Steve Schaefer) Tue, 21 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/253/1/Pittsburgh-Pirates.html Jason Bay and Zach Duke are the future in Pittsburgh, but the club keeps bringing in veteran hitters to go with young pitching. Jonathan Bentz is trying to figure out just what they're doing in western Pennsylvania. jonathan.bentz@atomicsportsmedia.com (Jonathan Bentz) Mon, 20 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/252/1/Milwaukee-Brewers.html The Brewers have a young nucleus that is just as long on talent as it is short on experience. If the pitching staff can keep up and stay healthy, the Brew Crew might just be the surprise of the National League, according to Atomic Sports Media senior writer Nicholas Jon Wood. nicholas.wood@atomicsportsmedia.com (Nicholas Jon Wood) Sun, 19 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/170/1/Houston-Astros.html The Astros are an enigma this season; where they'll finish nobody knows. Steve Schaefer breaks it down and tries to get to the root of things. steve.schaefer@atomicsportsmedia.com (Steve Schaefer) Sat, 18 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/172/1/Cincinnati-Reds.html Pitching is the key to winning in baseball; without pitching, you've got nothing. As Steve Michalovich explains, the Reds have got nothing. steven.micholavich@atomicsportsmedia.com (Steven Michalovich) Fri, 17 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/174/1/Minnesota-Twins.html With young players like Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, and Francisco Liriano, the Twins are a very talented ballclub. As Robert Ziegler explains, they're just not talented enough to overtake the Tribe and the ChiSox in the American League Central. no@email.com (Robert Ziegler) Wed, 15 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/173/1/Chicago-Cubs.html If they stay injury-free, the Cubs are World Series candidates. If they don't, they might finish last in their division. Steve Schaefer explains the slippery slope in Chicago. steve.schaefer@atomicsportsmedia.com (Steve Schaefer) Wed, 15 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/175/1/Kansas-City-Royals.html The Royals have only had six winning seasons since 1985. They added several veterans to the roster this offseason, but Steve Michalovich doesn't think that it will translate to the club finishing over .500. steven.micholavich@atomicsportsmedia.com (Steven Michalovich) Tue, 14 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/176/1/Detroit-Tigers.html The playoffs are just a pipe dream for the Tigers in 2006, but Steve Michalovich says there is hope for the future. steven.micholavich@atomicsportsmedia.com (Steven Michalovich) Mon, 13 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/177/1/Cleveland-Indians.html The Indians fell just short of the playoffs in 2005, and Travis Minnear thinks that 2006 could be the year they break through. no@email.com (Travis Minnear) Sun, 12 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/178/1/Chicago-White-Sox.html The Blue Jays made some major moves, the Yankees got Johnny Damon, the Mets got a closer and pillaged the Marlins, but the White Sox had the best offseason of any team in baseball. Steve Schaefer explains why he likes their chances to win back-to-back titles. steve.schaefer@atomicsportsmedia.com (Steve Schaefer) Sat, 11 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/179/1/Washington-Nationals.html The Nats will need a happy Alfonso Soriano and plenty of luck to have any chance at contending for a playoff spot in 2006. Josh Ellis doesn't see it happening. no@email.com (Josh Ellis) Fri, 10 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/180/1/Philadelphia-Phillies.html Jimmy Rollins 36-game hit streak and the ascent of Ryan Howard are the two biggest bright spots for the Phillies this season, but if the pitching doesn't hold up Josh Ellis says they might be the only two. no@email.com (Josh Ellis) Thu, 09 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/181/1/New-York-Mets.html The Mets are a trendy pick to take home the National League pennant this season. As much as it pains him, Steve Schaefer has to agree with most of the hype. steve.schaefer@atomicsportsmedia.com (Steve Schaefer) Wed, 08 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/182/1/Florida-Marlins.html Is it 1997? The Marlins traded off most of their team again this offseason, and new manager Joe Girardi is going to be more of a babysitter than a coach in 2006. According to Steve Schaefer he should get comfortable changing diapers because it's going to be a long season. steve.schaefer@atomicsportsmedia.com (Steve Schaefer) Tue, 07 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/183/1/Atlanta-Braves.html The Braves got pretty damn lucky last season. They used 18 rookies and still made it to the playoffs. Steve Michalovich says don't be surprised if they make it 16 straight NL East titles in 2006. steven.micholavich@atomicsportsmedia.com (Steven Michalovich) Mon, 06 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/184/1/Toronto-Blue-Jays.html The Blue Jays made a lot of moves this offseason in an effort to narrow the gap between them and the playoffs. They've done an admirable job, but Steve Schaefer explains why they're at least a year away from contention. steve.schaefer@atomicsportsmedia.com (Steve Schaefer) Sun, 05 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/185/1/Tampa-Bay-Devil-Rays.html The Devil Rays have no chance of making the postseason this year, but Jeff Nelson is going to tell you why Tampa Bay fans shouldn't hesitate to start saving money for 2008 playoff tickets. no@email.com (Jeff Nelson) Sat, 04 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/187/1/Boston-Red-Sox.html The Boston Red Sox have fully recovered from what in many respects was a season of unfulfilled promise.  Atomic Sports Media Senior Writer Nicholas Jon Wood explains why the state of Red Sox Nation is strong and predicts their current World Series drought will end at one. nicholas.wood@atomicsportsmedia.com (Nicholas Jon Wood) Thu, 02 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/186/1/New-York-Yankees.html Johnny Damon is fitting right in with the Yankees. The long hair and beard may be gone, but Phil Mattingly says it's what Damon brings to the leadoff spot and not the beauty salon that's going to get the Yanks back to the Fall Classic. no@email.com (Phil Mattingly) Thu, 02 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/188/1/Baltimore-Orioles.html Miguel Tejada was a real crab this offseason, demanding a trade. Even with Tejada now saying he's happy, will the Orioles have enough firepower to compete in the AL East? Jonathan Bentz breaks it down. jonathan.bentz@atomicsportsmedia.com (Jonathan Bentz) Wed, 01 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600