Look, I'm sorry that I'm always the buzzkill in these threads - I understand that most of the people on this site obsess over young guys, and are therefore super-optimistic - but it goes overboard so often...

I mean, there are a half-dozen easily identifiable reasons to dislike a rookie making his first start on national television against another Grade-A young talent and a lineup with dangerous hitters, and you call it backwards crap? And more people aren't disagreeing with you?

I'm increasingly convinced that John is nearly the only person on this site capable of rationally analyzing players and situations. Most posters or diarists are either blinded by roses, or their perspective is negatively skewed - and then they cite a bunch of stats that support their pre-existing view, especially if there's a pet exotic stat that can be used (Oooh! Look at Cain's xFIP! He's terrible!)

So what? You can find damaging stats on every player. You can find positive stats for every player. Stats are interesting, but they aren't the end-all/be-all. Let's let Lincecum get some games under his belt and evaluate him at the end of the season, instead of post a bunch of worried diaries the first time he goes on a 3-game losing streak.

</rant>

Just so we're clear, is it "good prediction," like "I think your prediction will come true," or "good prediction," like "I like your prediction, because it makes Tim Lincecum look good, and I live to worship Tim Lincecum?"

My prediction:

5 IP
5 H
3 BB
3 ER
6 K

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/humour