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 readingAngels
American League West
Standard* – indicates new to team
+ – indicates injury
1. Houston Astros
Even with the loss of Justin Verlander to free agency, their depth is so good that it won’t affect them much at all. Adding Jose Abreu was a shrewd move on their part.
2. Seattle Mariners
They finally got back into the Postseason, but fell flat. Bringing in Teoscar Hernandez and Kolten Wong brings added experience for October.
3. Los Angeles Angels
All eyes will be on this franchise and whether they extend, trade or eventually let superstar Shohei Ohtani test free agency after the season.
4. Texas Rangers
It was another spending spree of an offseason for this franchise; mostly focused on their pitching staff. The real focus is on who they hired to be their manager as Bruce Bochy makes his return.
5. Oakland Athletics
The clock is ticking on whether they stay in the Bay Area or make an eventual move to Las Vegas.
Player to Watch: P/DH Shohei Ohtani – Los Angeles Angels
Best Acquisition: P Jacob deGrom – Texas Rangers
New Kid on the Block: C Logan O’Hoppe – Los Angeles Angels
Continue reading2022 MLB All-Star Teams
StandardFor 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 reading2022 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
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