Rob Neyer's NL Central comments

[mikechamp]

From an ESPN chat. It's a Brewers-heavy edition.

Buster Olney is scheduled later this afternoon, so stay tuned for that.

Mandatory Linkage: http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=15232
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Hey Rob, what do you think was the biggest story on opening day?

ROB NEYER
I would give Ben Sheets the nod, in a photo finish, over Felix Hernandez, only because the Brewers are expected to contend and the M's are not.
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Great time to be a Brewers fan isn't it? Rickie, Prince, JJ, Bill, Benny, Chris, Jeff, Geoff, Corey, and Ryan Braun waiting in the wings.

(A complete roster can be found at brewers.com)

ROB NEYER
Yeah, but I think next year will be a greater time, as decent 2007 will cast Brewers as favorites in '08.
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Rob, which team do you see as one that will surprise some people this year?

ROB NEYER
You mean which team is this year's Tigers? I like the D'backs a lot, but you know that already. And the Brewers are in the mix, but you know that, too. I suppose if I have to choose an American League team, I'll say I like the Orioles to perhaps sneak into third place with 84 wins. But they're going to make a lot of headlines, and there doesn't seem to be much room for big surprises in the AL.
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You continue to bash the Reds and say that Harang and Arroyo will both regress in 07. Ever think that maybe its going to be Oswalt and Carpenter that regress while Harang and Arroyo Dominate? Neither looked as good as Harang in their first start Harang has gotten better each and every year. How bout them Reds now?

ROB NEYER
Yesterday in this space, we banned the word "respect" from future chats, and today I think we should extend the ban to "bash," which really has no place in civilized discourse.
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