For the 93rd year of the Midsummer Classic, baseball goes to T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Washington. The last time the mid-summer classic was played in Seattle was in 2001. Now every year there is always a lot of discussion and some of 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, nor the commissioner’s office. 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 32 players for each league.
Continue readingBaseball
2023 MLB World Series & Awards Predictions
StandardMLB Awards
NL MVP – SS Trea Turner – Philadelphia Phillies
AL MVP – 3B Jose Ramirez – Cleveland Guardians
NL Cy Young – Corbin Burnes – Milwaukee Brewers
AL Cy Young – Shohei Ohtani – Los Angeles Angels
NL Rookie of the Year – OF Corbin Carroll – Arizona Diamondbacks
AL Rookie of the Year – P Grayson Rodriguez – Baltimore Orioles
NL Manager of the Year – Brian Snitker – Atlanta Braves
AL Manager of the Year – Terry Francona – Cleveland Guardians
Postseason Projections
NL Division Winners – Braves, Padres, Brewers
NL Wild Card Winners – Phillies, Dodgers, Cardinals
AL Division Winners – Astros, Guardians, Yankees
AL Wild Card Winners – Blue Jays, Rays, Mariners
NLCS – Padres over Phillies
ALCS – Yankees over Astros
World Series – Padres over Yankees
National League West
Standard* – indicates new to team
+ – indicates injury
1. San Diego Padres
They got over the hump and eliminated the Dodgers in the NLDS last season. Now it is their time to take the division crown from them.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
A rather quiet offseason from them considering they lost a good bit of talent from a World Series contending roster.
3. Arizona Diamondbacks
The amount of minor leaguers that are ready or are about to be called up is off the charts with this franchise.
4. San Francisco Giants
What looked to be an interesting offseason ended with a whimper, but there are some pieces that could prove to be a perfect fit.
5. Colorado Rockies
Anyone know what the plan is here?
Player to Watch: OF Juan Soto – San Diego Padres
Best Acquisition: SS Xander Bogaerts – San Diego Padres
New Kid on the Block: OF Corbin Carroll – Arizona Diamondbacks
Continue readingNational League Central
Standard* – indicates new to team
+ – indicates injury
1. Milwaukee Brewers
Their pitching rotation and bullpen are the main reason they get the edge ahead of the Cardinals.
2. St. Louis Cardinals
They’re able to plug any holes with a booming farm system and sign the premier free agent catcher in Willson Contreras to replace the retired Yadier Molina.
3. Chicago Cubs
An interesting offseason in which they spent big money on signing Dansby Swanson, but it’s unknown what the long-term plan is.
4. Pittsburgh Pirates
The one saving grace for them is that they play in the same division as the Reds.
5. Cincinnati Reds
Ownership and the fan base are having a war of words with each other. That’s the only thing worth watching play out this season with the Reds.
Player to Watch: P Corbin Burnes – Milwaukee Brewers
Best Acquisition: C Willson Contreras – St. Louis Cardinals
New Kid on the Block: 3B/OF Jordan Walker – St. Louis Cardinals
Continue readingNational League East
Standard* – indicates new to team
+ – indicates injury
1. Atlanta Braves
A stellar lineup that gets bolstered with the addition of Sean Murphy and a deep pitching staff bodes well for them in October.
2. Philadelphia Phillies
Losing Rhys Hoskins for the season will be noticeable, but adding Trea Turner should help offset that injury.
3. New York Mets
If their closer Edwin Diaz did not have a season ending injury in the World Baseball Classic, they would be a contender for the division. A Wild Card spot is still within reach with this group they’ve assembled.
4. Miami Marlins
Outside of Sandy Alcantara, Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Luis Arraez, there ins’t much here in terms of being contenders.
5. Washington Nationals
Yes, the return they got for Juan Soto at last years trade deadline was good, but this is going to be a rough year for this franchise.
Player to Watch: P Sandy Alcantara – Miami Marlins
Best Acquisition: SS Trea Turner – Philadelphia Phillies
New Kid on the Block: C Francisco Alvarez – New York Mets
Continue reading
