Baseball

2014 MLB All-Star Teams

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2014_Twins_All-Star_Game_Logo

Now in its 85th year the Midsummer Classic is appearing at the Minnesota Twins new ballpark Target Field. Now every year there is always a lot of discussion and some it a little dated about how the teams are put together. No system will ever be perfect. Fans don’t always get it right and managers won’t either. The fact that the players are able to vote for participants was a great choice and they know who is deserving. Regardless of who should or shouldn’t be in the game lets just accept that the best players will always be involved one way or another. Here are my all-stars keeping with the rules that every team be represented and a total of 34 players for each league. Continue reading →

2014 MLB World Series & Awards Predictions

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MLB Awards

NL MVP – C Yadier Molina St. Louis Cardinals

AL MVP – OF Mike Trout Los Angeles Angels

NL Cy Young – Madison Bumgarner San Francisco Giants

AL Cy Young – David Price Tampa Bay Rays

NL Rookie of the Year – SS Javier Baez Chicago Cubs

AL Rookie of the Year – 1B Jose Abreu Chicago White Sox

NL Manager of the Year – Mike Matheny St. Louis Cardinals

AL Manager of the Year – Bob Melvin Oakland Athletics

Postseason Projections

NL Division Winners – Dodgers, Cardinals, Nationals

NL Wild Card Winners – Braves, Pirates

AL Division Winners – Tigers, Red Sox, Athletics

AL Wild Card Winners – Rays, Rangers

ALCS – Tigers over Red Sox

NLCS – Cardinals over Dodgers

World Series – Cardinals over Tigers

American League East

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* – indicates new to team
AVG – Batting Average
ERA – Earned Run Average
HR – Home Runs
RBI – Runs Batted In
SV – Saves

1. Boston Red Sox
They’ve built a solid foundation to say competitive for many years.
2. Tampa Bay Rays
Their pitching is solid, but their lineup needs to score more runs.
3. New York Yankees
A lot of spending, but losing Rivera will be their downfall.
4. Baltimore Orioles
It’s a solid lineup, but their bullpen has a few weak spots.
5. Toronto Blue Jays
Standing pat this offseason might have been a mistake. Continue reading →

National League East

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* – indicates new to team
AVG – Batting Average
ERA – Earned Run Average
HR – Home Runs
RBI – Runs Batted In
SV – Saves

1. Washington Nationals
Far too much talent to have a repeat of last season.
2. Atlanta Braves
Lots of pitching, but their lineup has some holes to fill.
3. Philadelphia Phillies
If Rollins, Utley and Howard return to form they might contend.
4. New York Mets
Having a healthy Matt Harvey would put them in contention.
5. Miami Marlins
Loads of talent on the way now and for many more seasons. Continue reading →

American League Central

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* – indicates new to team
AVG – Batting Average
ERA – Earned Run Average
HR – Home Runs
RBI – Runs Batted In
SV – Saves

1. Detroit Tigers
Signing Joe Nathan was the best offseason acquisition.
2. Kansas City Royals
This is their make or break year with James Shields’ free agency looming.
3. Cleveland Indians
Too many pitching questions brings them back to the middle of the pack.
4. Chicago White Sox
A lot of upside, but the rotation falters after Chris Sale.
5. Minnesota Twins
Some encouraging moves in the rotation, but where’s the power in the lineup? Continue reading →