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
Padres
2020 MLB World Series & Awards Predictions
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MLB Awards
NL MVP – SS Javier Baez – Chicago Cubs
AL MVP – OF Mike Trout – Los Angeles Angels
NL Cy Young – Mike Soroka – Atlanta Braves
AL Cy Young – Mike Clevinger – Cleveland Indians
NL Rookie of the Year – 3B Carter Kieboom – Washington Nationals
AL Rookie of the Year – OF Luis Robert – Chicago White Sox
NL Manager of the Year – Mike Shildt – St. Louis Cardinals
AL Manager of the Year – Bob Melvin – Oakland Athletics Continue reading
National League West
Standard* – indicates new to team
+ – indicates injury
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
A stacked roster now has a former AL MVP in Mookie Betts to torment opposing pitchers.
2. Arizona Diamondbacks
They took some important steps forward last season and now have Madison Bumgarner to anchor their staff.
3. San Diego Padres
This could be a big year for them with two high priced players (Hosmer and Machado) and a nice blend of up and coming talent around the diamond.
4. Colorado Rockies
Not much to speak of other than a very vocal star in Nolan Arenado not liking the direction of the club.
5. San Francisco Giants
They are a far cry from where they were 10 years ago.
Player to Watch: 3B Nolan Arenado – Colorado Rockies
Best Acquisition: OF Mookie Betts – Los Angeles Dodgers
New Kid on the Block: 2B Gavin Lux – Los Angeles Dodgers 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
National League West
Standard* – 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
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