Astros

American League West

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* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. Texas Rangers

Last season was a bit of a fluke and that shouldn’t be the case with a healthy Jacob deGrom back in the rotation. Adding Jake Burger and Joc Pederson to an already stacked lineup only helps in the long run.

2. Houston Astros

The transition period is taking place with the lineup having different faces. Christian Walker was a good signing for first base, but the loss of Kyle Tucker might hurt them in the long run.

3. Seattle Mariners

Having Randy Arozarena and Victor Robles for a full season should have the offense in better position to score more runs. Their stacked rotation keeps them in contention regardless of the offense.

4. Athletics

They’ll be playing at a triple A field in Sacramento, California for the next few seasons before their move to Las Vegas, Nevada. Don’t expect them to suddenly be contenders, but they are better than advertised.

5. Los Angeles Angels

Even if Mike Trout is healthy for a full season, they won’t be much better than their 99-loss season last year.

Player to Watch: P Jacob deGrom – Texas Rangers

Best Acquisition: 1B Christian Walker – Houston Astros

New Kid on the Block: SS Jacob Wilson – Athletics

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2024 MLB All-Star Teams

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For the 94th year of the Midsummer Classic, baseball goes to Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The last time the mid-summer classic was played in Arlington was in 1995. 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 13th

* – asterisk indicates starter

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2024 MLB World Series & Awards Predictions

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MLB Awards

NL MVP – OF Ronald Acuna Jr. – Atlanta Braves

AL MVP – C Adley Rutschman – Baltimore Orioles

NL Cy Young – Tyler Glasnow – Los Angeles Dodgers

AL Cy Young – Kevin Gausman – Toronto Blue Jays

NL Rookie of the Year – OF Jackson Chourio – Milwaukee Brewers

AL Rookie of the Year – INF Jackson Holliday – Baltimore Orioles

NL Manager of the Year – David Bell – Cincinnati Reds

AL Manager of the Year – Brandon Hyde – Baltimore Orioles

Postseason Projections

NL Division Winners – Braves, Dodgers, Cubs

NL Wild Card Winners – Diamondbacks, Phillies, Reds

AL Division Winners – Orioles, Astros, Twins

AL Wild Card Winners – Rangers, Blue Jays, Mariners

NLCS – Braves over Dodgers

ALCS – Orioles over Astros

World Series – Braves over Orioles

American League West

Standard

* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. Houston Astros

They still have a stacked lineup, a solid rotation and a strong bullpen got even better with the addition of Josh Hader as their closer.

2. Texas Rangers

As the defending champions, they proved last year that they were the best team and still have the resources to keep this going should the need arise again to go all-in for another title.

3. Seattle Mariners

With the best rotation in the division, they have a leg up on the rest. The lineup though cannot get off to a sluggish start like they did last year if they want a Postseason berth.

4. Los Angeles Angels

For their sake they are lucky to be playing in the same division as the Oakland Athletics. They would finish dead last in every other division in baseball.

5. Oakland Athletics

Folks care more about where this franchise will play than what has become of the city of Oakland.

Player to Watch: OF Mike Trout – Los Angeles Angels

Best Acquisition: P Josh Hader – Houston Astros

New Kid on the Block: OF Wyatt Langford – Texas Rangers

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