2022 Wild Card Series Preview

American League Wild Card Series

3. Cleveland Guardians vs. 6. Tampa Bay Rays

The one constant for the Rays the past decade has been a pitching staff that has plenty of depth and is the main reason they are Postseason participants. That is no different this year as their rotation is as strong as its ever been with Shane McClanahan as their ace. Tyler Glasnow has returned from Tommy John surgery and could be that extra spark to make a deep run. Jason Adam has been a force in the bullpen this year and with the return of Pete Fairbanks that only adds to their arsenal. Randy Arozarena had a fantastic run in September and his Postseason heroics of 2020 weren’t that long ago. Expect him to make some noise again. There needs to be more from the lineup if they want to play in the Division Series. Could that be Wander Franco with his return from injury?

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2022 MLB All-Star Teams

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

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

American League East

* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. Toronto Blue Jays

Their rotation is better and their lineup is deeper than it was last season. Their window to win is now.

2. Tampa Bay Rays

They made minor tweaks throughout the roster, but the core remains to contend in a tough division.

3. New York Yankees

The biggest splash they made was getting Josh Donaldson, but that might not be enough to make a long postseason push.

4. Boston Red Sox

There are too many questions in the rotation, but they will score lots of runs and stay competitive.

5. Baltimore Orioles

It’s going to be another rough year, but the prospect pool will be arriving this year.

Player to Watch: 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – Toronto Blue Jays

Best Acquisition: P Kevin Gausman – Toronto Blue Jays

New Kid on the Block: C Adley Rutschman – Baltimore Orioles

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2021 MLB World Series & Awards Predictions

MLB Awards

NL MVP – OF Ronald Acuna Jr. – Atlanta Braves

AL MVP – OF Mike Trout – Los Angeles Angels

NL Cy Young – Jacob deGrom – New York Mets

AL Cy Young – Tyler Glasnow – Tampa Bay Rays

NL Rookie of the Year – OF Dylan Carlson – St. Louis Cardinals

AL Rookie of the Year – OF Jarred Kelenic – Seattle Mariners

NL Manager of the Year – Mike Shildt – St. Louis Cardinals

AL Manager of the Year – Carlie Montoyo – Toronto Blue Jays Continue reading →