Sleeper

Each year we get to her the predictions
The "experts give with full conviction;
"The Reds are the team to watch this year!"
But the season always ends with a tear.

This season it has already started.
The predictions have not departed.
The past decades losing will be thwarted!
(At least that's what the Cappers Picks Blog reported...)

Baseball Prospectus says we'll be losing again,
But Larkin and Hart both say the losing will end!
All that's for sure is that the Cards are at the top,
A math professor expects our win total to drop.

The gambling sites say the Reds have a chance.
Kneeland says if it goes right they could advance.
Daugherty says the Reds are a team of "ifs."
Gammons says the team has all the right gifts.

Every year people pick the Reds as the sleeper,
But pre-season predictions could not be any cheaper.
Picking the Reds to say "I told you so" if they do it,
Or "I said it was an if" when the inevitably blew it.

As fans, however, there may be reason to hope
After nearly a decade where we could only mope.
The Reds have become a young-star grower;
Let's hope they lead us to a Reds October!