HIGGINS the Handicapper woings to you the top picks of the season, : NL EAST Phillles- easily the class of the divi- sion. They have too much of everything that the others wished They had. (3-5 odds on winning) Pirates~- once again bridesmalds, with the honeymoon soon to be over between: Dave Parker and friends with the city of Pittsburgh. The Pirates may hit an i low on the mediocrity scale. 8-~ Cardinals- still need a power. hitter and two more pitchers. (15-1) : pi Cubs- people will be ready tor. an This year; they need pitching and depth. (15-1) Expos- 2 to 3 years away. (50-1) NL WEST Dodgers- still have too much . pltshiry : for the Big Red Machine. They can match up with Reds in any other cate~ Jonys big edge for them is pitching. Reds- st1l! need a starter & rel fever. Awesome |ine-up (just like Delco base- ball?) hitting & fielding. more than Tom Terrific. (3-1) Astros- have the pitching the Reds need. A few more quality players & a happy Cedeno make them look good in a few years. (20-1) | Giants~ tallest pitching staff around. (30-1) Padres- sizzle faster than owner Ray Kroc's Big Macs. Look for Gaylord Perry & Mickey Lolich's pacemaker to give out by mid-August. (100-1) Braves- from the same state that brought you the other comedy team of Lance & Carter. Need | say more? They need AL EAST Boston- more, yes more power than any team in-baseball. Two new flame throwers (Torrez & Eckersley) help the cause. The boys from Beantown will be gassing the rest of the: division. (2-1) Yankees- Billy, Thurmon, Sparky & Lou are in there last year in New York. The Yankees take a lesson from the Ran- gers and choke on the big one this year. | 've ‘seen better shoulders on 1-95 than on their pitching staits (4-1) Orioles- the best manager In baseball, but the rest -of the league Is ready for the Birds. They need 2'more pitchers. (7-1) il Betis Brewers~ not this year. Sober up and Try ha ¢ a few years. (20-1) AL WEST Royals- two top rookies, experience, falrly good pitching staff make them the logtcal choice. -Look~for them fo be bridesmaids again: ¥0 the AL’ East winner. (3-1) Angels~- best lefty-righty sorb in base- ball in Ryan & Tanana. Could make a closing rush if all their free agents come through. That could .get owner. Gene Autry singing again (that's one. reason why | hope Yooy jose it) (6-1) Rangers- should Shick “the Cowboy Cheer- leaders in the opponents locker ‘room to tire them out. dm Hy (12-1) Chicago- best announcer In basebal | (Harry Carry) = it's a shame he can't play 2 (30-1) Playoffs Phitly over L.A. in 4 Boston over K.C. in 5 Series Philly over Boston in 7 in a Series that will take up back to the old Boston- Philly basketball wars.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers