For the 92nd year of the Midsummer Classic, baseball goes to Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The last time the mid-summer classic was played in LA was in 1980. 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 readingAngels
2022 MLB World Series & Awards Predictions
StandardMLB Awards
NL MVP – 1B Matt Olson – Atlanta Braves
AL MVP – P/DH Shohei Ohtani – Los Angeles Angels
NL Cy Young – Max Scherzer – New York Mets
AL Cy Young – Jose Berrios – Toronto Blue Jays
NL Rookie of the Year – P Hunter Greene – Cincinnati Reds
AL Rookie of the Year – OF Julio Rodriguez – Seattle Mariners
NL Manager of the Year – Craig Counsell – Milwaukee Brewers
AL Manager of the Year – Charlie Montoyo – Toronto Blue Jays
Postseason Projections
NL Division Winners – Dodgers, Brewers, Braves
NL Wild Card Winners – Cardinals, Padres, Mets
AL Division Winners – White Sox, Blue Jays, Mariners
AL Wild Card Winners – Rays, Astros, Angels
NLCS – Dodgers over Brewers
ALCS – Blue Jays over White Sox
World Series – Dodgers over Blue Jays
American League West
Standard* – indicates new to team
+ – indicates injury
1. Seattle Mariners
They hit the relative jackpot in getting the reigning AL Cy Young winner and a NL All-Star outfielder in the same offseason.
2. Houston Astros
Losing Carlos Correa will hurt them when it comes closer to October.
3. Los Angeles Angels
They have two of the best players in baseball today. It’s time to start seeing them play in October.
4. Texas Rangers
A lot of money was spent, but the pitching staff isn’t where it needs to be.
5. Oakland Athletics
The fire sale is happening once again. This could get ugly with the lack of a stadium deal being in place.
Player to Watch: P/DH Shohei Ohtani – Los Angeles Angels
Best Acquisition: OF Jesse Winker – Seattle Mariners
New Kid on the Block: OF Julio Rodriguez – Seattle Mariners
Continue readingAmerican League West
Standard* – indicates new to team
+ – indicates injury
1. Oakland Athletics
With their pipeline of pitching on the way they will be hard to contend with in the dog days of summer.
2. Los Angeles Angels
Assuming Shohei Ohtani is back to his old self from his rookie season and Trout and Rendon are playing at an All-Star level, they should be in the Wild Card hunt.
3. Houston Astros
The loss of George Springer in free agency is going to hurt, but not having Justin Verlander in the rotation will be more damaging.
4. Seattle Mariners
They have some intriguing pieces in place for a possible run at a Wild Card spot.
5. Texas Rangers
The growing pains will continue, but their new ballpark looks nice.
Player to Watch: P/DH Shohei Ohtani – Los Angeles Angels
Best Acquisition: P Raisel Iglesias – Los Angeles Angels
New Kid on the Block: OF Jarred Kelenic – Seattle Mariners Continue reading
2020 MLB World Series & Awards Predictions
StandardMLB Awards
NL MVP – SS Javier Baez – Chicago Cubs
AL MVP – OF Mike Trout – Los Angeles Angels
NL Cy Young – Mike Soroka – Atlanta Braves
AL Cy Young – Mike Clevinger – Cleveland Indians
NL Rookie of the Year – 3B Carter Kieboom – Washington Nationals
AL Rookie of the Year – OF Luis Robert – Chicago White Sox
NL Manager of the Year – Mike Shildt – St. Louis Cardinals
AL Manager of the Year – Bob Melvin – Oakland Athletics Continue reading