Indians

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 →

2018 MLB All-Star Teams

Standard

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 →

2018 MLB World Series & Awards Predictions

Standard

MLB Awards

NL MVP – 1B Paul Goldschmidt Arizona Diamondbacks

AL MVP – OF George Springer Houston Astros

NL Cy Young – Clayton Kershaw Los Angeles Dodgers

AL Cy Young – Justin Verlander Houston Astros

NL Rookie of the Year – OF Lewis Brinson Miami Marlins

AL Rookie of the Year – SS Willy Adames Tampa Bay Rays

NL Manager of the Year – Torey Lovullo Arizona Diamondbacks

AL Manager of the Year – Aaron Boone New York Yankees

Postseason Projections

NL Division Winners – Dodgers, Nationals, Cubs

NL Wild Card Winners – Diamondbacks, Cardinals

AL Division Winners – Astros, Yankees, Indians

AL Wild Card Winners – Red Sox, Angels

NLCS – Dodgers over Nationals

ALCS – Yankees over Astros

World Series – Dodgers over Yankees

American League Central

Standard

* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. Cleveland Indians

A catastrophic amount of injuries looks to be the only way they don’t make another World Series run.

2. Minnesota Twins

Their surprise 2017 season was no fluke and they brought in some valuable help to make a run at Cleveland.

3. Chicago White Sox

The youth movement is in full swing and they have some nice pieces that are coming into form.

4. Detroit Tigers

Aside from Miguel Cabrera and Michael Fulmer, there isn’t a lot to be excited about.

5. Kansas City Royals

Losing Eric Hosmer and Lorenzo Cain has really put a damper on their outlook for 2018. Continue reading →