American League West

* – indicates new to team

1. Houston Astros

They are in it to win right now with the acquisitions of Beltran and McCann.

2. Texas Rangers

Their bullpen and top of the rotation give them a distinct advantage for a Wild Card spot.

3. Seattle Mariners

With the massive turnover of the roster, things will need to click right away for their playoff drought to end.

4. Los Angeles Angels

Everything i.e, health and player performance, has to go right for them to contend for a Wild Card spot.

5. Oakland Athletics

This will be another rebuilding year, but there are some interesting pieces coming from the minors very soon. Continue reading →

Spring Is In The Air

Is it a coincidence that Spring Training starts around Valentine’s Day? While I like talking about football, basketball and hockey, I love when it’s time for baseball. The sound of the ball hitting the glove or being struck by a bat. This is my first love when it comes to sports. Continue reading →

2016 MLB All-Star Teams

For the 86th year of the Midsummer Classic, baseball turns its sights to Petco Park in San Diego, California. This will be the first time the MLB All-Star game will be played at the San Diego Padres new ballpark. It was first opened back in 2004. 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 34 players for each league.

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2016 MLB World Series & Awards Predictions

MLB Awards

NL MVP – OF Bryce Harper Washington Nationals

AL MVP – OF Mike Trout Los Angeles Angels

NL Cy Young – Clayton Kershaw Los Angeles Dodgers

AL Cy Young – Chris Archer Tampa Bay Rays

NL Rookie of the Year – SS Corey Seager Los Angeles Dodgers

AL Rookie of the Year – OF Byron Buxton Minnesota Twins

NL Manager of the Year – Bruce Bochy San Francisco Giants

AL Manager of the Year – A.J. Hinch Houston Astros

Postseason Projections

NL Division Winners – Cubs, Giants, Mets

NL Wild Card Winners – Cardinals, Pirates

AL Division Winners – Royals, Blue Jays, Astros

AL Wild Card Winners – Rangers, Red Sox

NLCS – Giants over Cubs

ALCS – Royals over Astros

World Series – Royals over Giants

American League West

* – indicates new to team

1. Houston Astros

The upstart Astros with a legitimate closer should vid for the division title.

2. Texas Rangers

Health will always be a huge factor for them and a healthy Yu Darvish is the prime example of that.

3. Los Angeles Angels

They’ll go back to basics with pitching, defense and a return to playing small ball.

4. Seattle Mariners

They’ve cleaned house from top to bottom. They’ll need another year to get things in order.

5. Oakland Athletics

With payroll limitations and a football stadium as their home, another year in the cellar seems in order.

Continue reading →