National League West

* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

A lot has been said about how much money they have spent this past offseason. Even with their offseason splurges, they haven’t been back to the World Series since winning it in 2020.

2. Arizona Diamondbacks

They shocked the baseball world by getting to the World Series last year. With the way their offseason went, they want to prove it wasn’t a fluke.

3. San Francisco Giants

It could all go well and they get back into the Postseason or could come crashing down. Bringing in Bob Melvin as the manager would suggest that it will work out.

4. San Diego Padres

For all that this franchise has done the past few seasons, it’s probably best that they fly under the radar.

5. Colorado Rockies

If not for a draft lottery now, they would be guaranteed the number one pick in the 2025 MLB Draft.

Player to Watch: P Tyler Glasnow – Los Angeles Dodgers

Best Acquisition: DH/P Shohei Ohtani – Los Angeles Dodgers

New Kid on the Block: OF Jackson Merrill – San Diego Padres

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2023 MLB All-Star Teams

For the 93rd year of the Midsummer Classic, baseball goes to T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Washington. The last time the mid-summer classic was played in Seattle was in 2001. 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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2023 MLB World Series & Awards Predictions

MLB Awards

NL MVP – SS Trea Turner – Philadelphia Phillies

AL MVP – 3B Jose Ramirez – Cleveland Guardians

NL Cy Young – Corbin Burnes – Milwaukee Brewers

AL Cy Young – Shohei Ohtani – Los Angeles Angels

NL Rookie of the Year – OF Corbin Carroll – Arizona Diamondbacks

AL Rookie of the Year – P Grayson Rodriguez – Baltimore Orioles

NL Manager of the Year – Brian Snitker – Atlanta Braves

AL Manager of the Year – Terry Francona – Cleveland Guardians

Postseason Projections

NL Division Winners – Braves, Padres, Brewers

NL Wild Card Winners – Phillies, Dodgers, Cardinals

AL Division Winners – Astros, Guardians, Yankees

AL Wild Card Winners – Blue Jays, Rays, Mariners

NLCS – Padres over Phillies

ALCS – Yankees over Astros

World Series – Padres over Yankees

National League West

* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. San Diego Padres

They got over the hump and eliminated the Dodgers in the NLDS last season. Now it is their time to take the division crown from them.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers

A rather quiet offseason from them considering they lost a good bit of talent from a World Series contending roster.

3. Arizona Diamondbacks

The amount of minor leaguers that are ready or are about to be called up is off the charts with this franchise.

4. San Francisco Giants

What looked to be an interesting offseason ended with a whimper, but there are some pieces that could prove to be a perfect fit.

5. Colorado Rockies

Anyone know what the plan is here?

Player to Watch: OF Juan Soto – San Diego Padres

Best Acquisition: SS Xander Bogaerts – San Diego Padres

New Kid on the Block: OF Corbin Carroll – Arizona Diamondbacks

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2022 MLB Championship Series Preview

New York Yankees vs. Houston Astros

They were on the brink of being eliminated in 4 games by the Cleveland Guardians in the Division Series. Thanks in large part to Gerrit Cole who pitched 7 innings for the Yankees in Game 4 that was avoided. Cole struck out 16 batters in his two starts for the series with a 2.03 ERA thus earning his salary. Nestor Cortes in his two starts had a 2.70 ERA and Clay Holmes didn’t allow a run out of the bullpen in his 4 appearances. The bats were alive and well with Giancarlo Stanton leading the way with 6 RBI and half of those coming from a 3-run HR in Game 5. Anthony Rizzo batted .294 with 4 RBI and Harrison Bader had 3 home runs and batted a respectable .267. Aaron Judge didn’t have a great series, but his presence was felt with him getting 2 home runs. If New York wants to return to the World Series, their pitching staff will need to be near perfect the rest of the way.

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