2019 MLB All-Star Teams

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 →

National League West

* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

Two straight World Series appearances, but no title to show for it. Third time’s the charm?

2. Colorado Rockies

With a pitching staff that is quickly developing into a force they should be contenders with their stacked lineup as well.

3. San Diego Padres

While the pitching staff isn’t expected to match what their lineup is capable of, they should push for a .500 record this year.

4. Arizona Diamondbacks

They quickly traded away Paul Goldschmidt once the offseason started and it immediately sucked the life out of the franchise.

5. San Francisco Giants

This is going to be the last time we see Bruce Bochy in the dugout managing a baseball team. Too bad it wasn’t under better circumstances.

Player to Watch: 3B Nolan Arenado – Colorado Rockies

Best Acquisition: 3B Manny Machado – San Diego Padres

New Kid on the Block: SS Fernando Tatis Jr. – San Diego Padres Continue reading →

NFC East

1. Philadelphia Eagles

If they weren’t in a stacked conference, they would be easy favorites to repeat.

2. Dallas Cowboys

Not having Dez Bryant and Jason Witten means they will lean heavily on Ezekiel Elliott.

3. New York Giants

In Eli they trust as the Giants selected RB Saquon Barkley with their first pick as opposed to a QB.

4. Washington Redskins

Replacing Kirk Cousins with Alex Smith isn’t a bad consolation prize. They just needed to do more this offseason. Continue reading →

2018 MLB All-Star Teams

For the 88th year of the Midsummer Classic, baseball turns its sights to Nationals Park in Washington D.C. This will be the first MLB All-Star game played at Nationals Park and the first in the nation’s capital since 1969 at RFK Stadium, the home of the then Washington Senators. 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. 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 13

* – asterisk indicates starter Continue reading →

National League West

* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

There’s no reason to think that they can’t make another trip to the World Series.

2. Arizona Diamondbacks

If their pitching staff can take another step in the right direction, they could contend for the NL West.

3. Colorado Rockies

They have possibly the best lineup in the National League and that will keep them in Wild Card contention.

4. San Francisco Giants

With all of their offseason moves to fix their lineup, they hope that will keep them out of the cellar.

5. San Diego Padres

By adding Eric Hosmer to a young roster, the Friars hope they can create some magic that Hosmer experienced with the Royals. Continue reading →