2019 NBA Playoffs Preview
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Eastern Conference
1. Milwaukee Bucks vs. 8. Detroit Pistons
Players to Watch: G Eric Bledsoe and F Blake Griffin
Who Wins: Bucks in 5 games
2. Toronto Raptors vs. 7. Orlando Magic
Players to Watch: F Kawhi Leonard and C Nikola Vucevic
Who Wins: Raptors in 5 games
3. Philadelphia 76ers vs. 6. Brooklyn Nets
Players to Watch: C Joel Embiid and G D’Angelo Russell
Who Wins: 76ers in 6 games
4. Boston Celtics vs. 5. Indiana Pacers
Players to Watch: G Kyrie Irving and F Myles Turner
Who Wins: Celtics in 6 games
Western Conference
1. Golden State Warriors vs. 8. Los Angeles Clippers
Players to Watch: F Kevin Durant and F Danilo Gallinari
Who Wins: Warriors in 5 games
2. Denver Nuggets vs. 7. San Antonio Spurs
Players to Watch: C Nikola Jokic and F LaMarcus Aldridge
Who Wins: Nuggets in 6 games
3. Portland Trail Blazers vs. 6. Oklahoma City Thunder
Players to Watch: G Damian Lillard and F Paul George
Who Wins: Trail Blazers in 7 games
4. Houston Rockets vs. 5. Utah Jazz
Players to Watch: G Chris Paul and G Donovan Mitchell
Who Wins: Rockets in 6 games
2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview
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Eastern Conference
Wild Card Team #2 vs. Atlantic Division Winner
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Players to Watch: F Artemi Panarin and F Nikita Kucherov
Who Wins: Lightning in 6 games
Atlantic Division #3 vs. Atlantic Division #2
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Boston Bruins
Players to Watch: D Morgan Rielly and F David Pastrnak
Who Wins: Bruins in 7 games
Wild Card Team #1 vs. Metropolitan Division Winner
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Washington Capitals
Players to Watch: G Petr Mrazek and F Evgeny Kuznetsov
Who Wins: Capitals in 5 games
Metropolitan Division #3 vs. Metropolitan Division #2
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Islanders
Players to Watch: F Jake Guentzel and G Robin Lehner
Who Wins: Penguins in 6 games
Western Conference
Wild Card Team #2 vs. Pacific Division Winner
Colorado Avalanche vs. Calgary Flames
Players to Watch: F Nathan MacKinnon and D Mark Giordano
Who Wins: Flames in 7 games
Pacific Division #3 vs. Pacific Division #2
Vegas Golden Knights vs. San Jose Sharks
Players to Watch: F Mark Stone and D Erik Karlsson
Who Wins: Golden Knights in 6 games
Wild Card Team #1 vs. Central Division Winner
Dallas Stars vs. Nashville Predators
Players to Watch: G Ben Bishop and F Viktor Arvidsson
Who Wins: Predators in 6 games
Central Division #3 vs. Central Division #2
St. Louis Blues vs. Winnipeg Jets
Players to Watch: G Jordan Binnington and F Mark Scheifele
Who Wins: Jets in 6 games
2019 MLB World Series & Awards Predictions
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MLB Awards
NL MVP – 1B Paul Goldschmidt – St. Louis Cardinals
AL MVP – OF Mike Trout – Los Angeles Angels
NL Cy Young – Aaron Nola – Philadelphia Phillies
AL Cy Young – Gerrit Cole – Houston Astros
NL Rookie of the Year – OF Victor Robles – Washington Nationals
AL Rookie of the Year – OF Eloy Jimenez – Chicago White Sox
NL Manager of the Year – Craig Counsell – Milwaukee Brewers
AL Manager of the Year – Rocco Baldelli – Minnesota Twins
Postseason Projections
NL Division Winners – Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers
NL Wild Card Winners – Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Cardinals
AL Division Winners – Houston Astros, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians
AL Wild Card Winners – Boston Red Sox, Minnesota Twins
NLCS – Dodgers over Brewers
ALCS – Yankees over Astros
World Series – Dodgers over Yankees in 6 games
National League West
Standard* – indicates new to team
+ – indicates injury
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
Two straight World Series appearances, but no title to show for it. Third time’s the charm?
2. Colorado Rockies
With a pitching staff that is quickly developing into a force they should be contenders with their stacked lineup as well.
3. San Diego Padres
While the pitching staff isn’t expected to match what their lineup is capable of, they should push for a .500 record this year.
4. Arizona Diamondbacks
They quickly traded away Paul Goldschmidt once the offseason started and it immediately sucked the life out of the franchise.
5. San Francisco Giants
This is going to be the last time we see Bruce Bochy in the dugout managing a baseball team. Too bad it wasn’t under better circumstances.
Player to Watch: 3B Nolan Arenado – Colorado Rockies
Best Acquisition: 3B Manny Machado – San Diego Padres
New Kid on the Block: SS Fernando Tatis Jr. – San Diego Padres Continue reading
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