American League West

* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. Oakland Athletics

They certainly have the most upside at numerous positions, but will it translate into good things in October?

2. Houston Astros

Their GM and Manager have both been fired from the sign stealing investigation. Can Dusty Baker keep them as contenders?

3. Los Angeles Angels

Bringing in Joe Maddon was the smart move and signing Anthony Rendon was nice, but their pitching staff is still suspect.

4. Texas Rangers

With the opening of a new ballpark who will be the player that takes this team to the next level?

5. Seattle Mariners

The direction is pretty straight forward, but when will they finally say it’s time to become contenders?

Player to Watch: OF Mike Trout – Los Angeles Angels

Best Acquisition: 3B Anthony Rendon – Los Angeles Angels

New Kid on the Block: OF Jo Adell – Los Angeles Angels Continue reading →

2019 MLB All-Star Teams

For the 90th year of the Midsummer Classic, baseball turns its sights to Progressive Field (formerly Jacobs Field or “The Jake”) in Cleveland, Ohio. The last time the mid-summer classic was played in Cleveland was in 1997. 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.

AVG – Batting Average

ERA – Earned Run Average

HR – Home Runs

RBI – Runs Batted In

SV – Saves

BAA – Batting Average Against

WHIP – Walks/Hits Per Innings Pitched

K – Strikeouts

Stats are accurate as of July 5

* – asterisk indicates starter Continue reading →

2019 MLB World Series & Awards Predictions

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

American League West

* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. Houston Astros

Their lineup is formidable and their rotation is among the best in baseball.

2. Los Angeles Angels

Locking up Mike Trout for the rest of his career boosts the morale of a franchise looking to get back into the Postseason.

3. Oakland Athletics

The rotation took a hit in the offseason, but their lineup is as good as advertised.

4. Seattle Mariners

Not quite sure what the method is to the offseason upheaval, but they have a few good pieces to build from.

5. Texas Rangers

Surprisingly they’ll be getting a new stadium next year so this will be another long season in Arlington.

Player to Watch: OF Mike Trout – Los Angeles Angels

Best Acquisition: OF Michael Brantley – Houston Astros

New Kid on the Block: P Jesus Luzardo – Oakland Athletics Continue reading →

2018 MLB All-Star Teams

For the 88th year of the Midsummer Classic, baseball turns its sights to Nationals Park in Washington D.C. This will be the first MLB All-Star game played at Nationals Park and the first in the nation’s capital since 1969 at RFK Stadium, the home of the then Washington Senators. 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. 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.