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
Indians
American League Central
Standard* – indicates new to team
+ – indicates injury
1. Minnesota Twins
A high powered lineup with a slightly better pitching staff should keep them in the conversation.
2. Chicago White Sox
They’ve put together an interesting blend of top tier talent with veterans that bring a winning attitude.
3. Cleveland Indians
The window is closing fast and would they be tempted to trade Lindor in a 60-game season?
4. Kansas City Royals
With a new owner at the helm they will begin a methodical rebuild, but look to remain competitive with Mike Matheny in the dugout.
5. Detroit Tigers
It will be another painful year and it could be worse with only 60 games to play.
Player to Watch: SS Francisco Lindor – Cleveland Indians
Best Acquisition: 3B Josh Donaldson – Minnesota Twins
New Kid on the Block: OF Luis Robert – Chicago White Sox 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
2019 MLB World Series & Awards Predictions
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MLB Awards
NL MVP – 1B Paul Goldschmidt – St. Louis Cardinals
AL MVP – OF Mike Trout – Los Angeles Angels
NL Cy Young – Aaron Nola – Philadelphia Phillies
AL Cy Young – Gerrit Cole – Houston Astros
NL Rookie of the Year – OF Victor Robles – Washington Nationals
AL Rookie of the Year – OF Eloy Jimenez – Chicago White Sox
NL Manager of the Year – Craig Counsell – Milwaukee Brewers
AL Manager of the Year – Rocco Baldelli – Minnesota Twins
Postseason Projections
NL Division Winners – Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers
NL Wild Card Winners – Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Cardinals
AL Division Winners – Houston Astros, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians
AL Wild Card Winners – Boston Red Sox, Minnesota Twins
NLCS – Dodgers over Brewers
ALCS – Yankees over Astros
World Series – Dodgers over Yankees in 6 games
American League Central
Standard* – indicates new to team
+ – indicates injury
1. Cleveland Indians
Their rotation is among the best in all of baseball. That should give them a spot atop the division.
2. Minnesota Twins
Among the most active teams in the offseason, their acquisitions should have them back in contention.
3. Chicago White Sox
While they missed out on a big free agent acquisition, they have some solid pieces in place for the future.
4. Detroit Tigers
They still have some bloated contracts they need to get away from, but the future is beginning to take shape.
5. Kansas City Royals
They won’t be anywhere near contention because of their pitching staff, but their lineup should not be underestimated.
Player to Watch: SS Francisco Lindor – Cleveland Indians
Best Acquisition: DH Nelson Cruz – Minnesota Twins
New Kid on the Block: OF Eloy Jimenez – Chicago White Sox Continue reading
