American League Division Series
1. Toronto Blue Jays vs. 4. New York Yankees
Continue readingFor the 95th year of the Midsummer Classic, baseball goes to Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. The last time the mid-summer classic was played in Atlanta was in 2000. The All-Star game should have been played in Atlanta during the 2021 season, but commissioner Rob Manfred decided to score political points and moved it Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. 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.
Continue reading* – indicates new to team
+ – indicates injury
1. Baltimore Orioles
Not bringing back Corbin Burnes will sting, but this team is still good enough to make another Postseason appearance. They must find success come October though.
2. New York Yankees
Last year’s World Series defeat, the loss of Juan Soto in free agency and losing Gerritt Cole to Tommy John surgery have knocked them down a peg. Yet, these are still the Yankees and they will find a way.
3. Boston Red Sox
Getting Alex Bregman and overhauling the rotation were solid moves. A lot needs to go right, but they could be vying for a Postseason spot this season.
4. Tampa Bay Rays
They continue to turn out productive majors leaguers in their farm system. It’ll be interesting to see them play a full season at an outdoor field with it being a minor league facility owned by the New York Yankees.
5. Toronto Blue Jays
Vlad Jr. has been extended, but the depth of this organization is thin and the injuries have mounted over the last few seasons.
Player to Watch: OF Aaron Judge – New York Yankees
Best Acquisition: 3B Alex Bregman – Boston Red Sox
New Kid on the Block: 2B Kristian Campbell – Boston Red Sox
Continue readingFor 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
Continue readingMLB 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