2020 Wild Card Series Preview

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American League Wild Card Series

1. Tampa Bay Rays vs. 8. Toronto Blue Jays

Don’t scoff at the Rays being the best team in a 60-game season. They did accomplished this feat in ways most teams can’t. Continue reading

2020 MLB World Series & Awards Predictions

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MLB 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

American League West

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* – 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

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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