Baseball

2022 MLB All-Star Teams

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For 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.

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2022 MLB World Series & Awards Predictions

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MLB 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

National League West

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* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

The rich got richer with the addition of Freddie Freeman being put into a stacked lineup.

2. San Diego Padres

With Tatis Jr. getting hurt to start the year it will slow down expectations, but the rotation should be much improved with a new manager aboard.

3. San Francisco Giants

They went for it last year and couldn’t finish the job. Now without the retired Buster Posey there will be a void this season.

4. Colorado Rockies

Just a few seasons after trading away Nolan Arenado, they spent big money to get Kris Bryant. Make it make sense.

5. Arizona Diamondbacks

Once again this franchise doesn’t know what it wants to do, but they should be taking things slow this season and don’t overreact one way or the other.

Player to Watch: SS Trea Turner – Los Angeles Dodgers

Best Acquisition: 1B Freddie Freeman – Los Angeles Dodgers

New Kid on the Block: C Joey Bart – San Francisco Giants

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National League Central

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* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. Milwaukee Brewers

Their pitching staff is among the best in baseball. Can the bats match the output their arms provide?

2. St. Louis Cardinals

It will be a farewell tour for the ‘Big 3’ of Wainwright, Molina and Pujols as they march towards another October together.

3. Chicago Cubs

The transition to a new era on the Northside begins with a new crop of youngsters taking the reins.

4. Cincinnati Reds

They have slashed payroll once again and it cost them Jesse Winker in the process.

5. Pittsburgh Pirates

There isn’t much to say as the ‘Jolly Roger’ won’t be raised very much in Pittsburgh.

Player to Watch: P Corbin Burnes – Milwaukee Brewers

Best Acquisition: OF Seiya Suzuki – Chicago Cubs

New Kid on the Block: P Hunter Greene – Cincinnati Reds

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National League East

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* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. Atlanta Braves

Repeating as World Series champions is always difficult, but it will be interesting to see if they do so without Freddie Freeman.

2. New York Mets

They spent a lot of money acquiring many players, but if deGrom isn’t healthy it won’t matter in the end.

3. Philadelphia Phillies

Their lineup got a lot better and their bullpen looks much better than in years past.

4. Miami Marlins

Pitching is still a strength for them, but I’m not sure if their lineup is good enough to get past other Wild Card contenders.

5. Washington Nationals

It’s gonna be another rough year, but there is plenty of room for improvement.

Player to Watch: 1B Matt Olson – Atlanta Braves

Best Acquisition: P Max Scherzer – New York Mets

New Kid on the Block: P Edward Cabrera – Miami Marlins

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