For the 96th year of the Midsummer Classic, baseball goes to Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This all-star game is timed perfectly to coincide with the United States of America’s 250th birthday. Celebrating where the nations Declaration of Independence and Constitution were both signed and ratified in the city of brotherly love. The last time the mid-summer classic was played in Philadelphia was in 1996 at the Phillies previous confines of Veterans Stadium. 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 readingPadres
2026 MLB World Series & Awards Predictions
StandardMLB Awards
NL MVP – P/DH Shohei Ohtani – Los Angeles Dodgers
AL MVP – 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – Toronto Blue Jays
NL Cy Young – Paul Skenes – Pittsburgh Pirates
AL Cy Young – Max Fried – New York Yankees
NL Rookie of the Year – SS Konnor Griffin – Pittsburgh Pirates
AL Rookie of the Year – SS Kevin McGonigle – Detroit Tigers
NL Manager of the Year – Walt Weiss – Atlanta Braves
AL Manager of the Year – Dan Wilson – Seattle Mariners
Postseason Projections
NL Division Winners – Dodgers, Brewers, Braves
NL Wild Card Winners – Phillies, Cubs, Padres
AL Division Winners – Blue Jays, Mariners, Tigers
AL Wild Card Winners – Astros, Orioles, Yankees
NLCS – Dodgers over Braves
ALCS – Blue Jays over Mariners
World Series – Blue Jays over Dodgers
National League West
Standard* – indicates new to team
+ – indicates injury
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
Their quest for a 3-peat could determine the outcome of the upcoming labor dispute between the players union and the league owners. If the Dodgers win again, a lockout is likely. If they lose, there might be a deal forthcoming.
2. San Diego Padres
Once again playing second fiddle to the team in LA. Will a new first time manager who was a teammate with some of these players be the answer to get them over the hump?
3. Arizona Diamondbacks
Health is their primary concern as they need Corbin Carroll to have a full season and they will certainly need Corbin Burnes to get back to form when he returns later in the year from Tommy John surgery.
4. San Francisco Giants
The big splash to get Rafael Devers at the beginning of last season had mixed results. Their bullpen is not appealing for a team that wants to be a contender.
5. Colorado Rockies
There is no fire from anyone in the organization from top to bottom to get them on track to build a winner. It’s rinse and repeat with new names, but with the same mentality of mediocrity.
Player to Watch: P/DH Shohei Ohtani – Los Angeles Dodgers
Best Acquisition: OF Kyle Tucker – Los Angeles Dodgers
New Kid on the Block: 1B Bryce Eldridge – San Francisco Giants
Continue reading2025 MLB All-Star Teams
StandardFor 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 reading2025 MLB World Series & Awards Predictions
StandardMLB Awards
NL MVP – DH/P Shohei Ohtani – Los Angeles Dodgers
AL MVP – SS Bobby Witt Jr. – Kansas City Royals
NL Cy Young – Paul Skenes – Pittsburgh Pirates
AL Cy Young – Jacob deGrom – Texas Rangers
NL Rookie of the Year – OF Dylan Crews – Washington Nationals
AL Rookie of the Year – SS Jacob Wilson – Athletics
NL Manager of the Year – Craig Counsell – Chicago Cubs
AL Manager of the Year – A.J. Hinch – Detroit Tigers
Postseason Projections
NL Division Winners – Dodgers, Braves, Brewers
NL Wild Card Winners – Cubs, Padres, Phillies
AL Division Winners – Tigers, Rangers, Orioles
AL Wild Card Winners – Yankees, Astros, Mariners
NLCS – Dodgers over Cubs
ALCS – Rangers over Tigers
World Series – Dodgers over Rangers



