National League Central

* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. Milwaukee Brewers

Even with the trades they made in the offseason, their lineup is still formidable and they have plenty of depth in their pitching staff to plug any holes.

2. Chicago Cubs

The signing of Alex Bregman signals that they are serous about being contenders. Their pitching staff can compete with others in the National League, but can this group find Postseason success as currently constructed?

3. Cincinnati Reds

Losing Hunter Greene for about half the season will sting, but signing Eugenio Suarez provides the needed power bat the middle of their lineup sorely needed for an October push.

4. Pittsburgh Pirates

They actually went after and signed or traded for top notch bats to bring some scoring prowess to the lineup. Paul Skenes and company will do their part and with added run support this team might flirt with a Wild Card spot.

5. St. Louis Cardinals

The youth movement is in full swing now. It will be interesting to see if the loyal fan base will remain patient with the amount of success this franchise has had for the past few decades.

Player to Watch: P Paul Skenes – Pittsburgh Pirates

Best Acquisition: 3B Alex Bregman – Chicago Cubs

New Kid on the Block: INF JJ Wetherholt – St. Louis Cardinals

Continue reading →

2025 MLB All-Star Teams

For 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 reading →

National League Central

* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. Milwaukee Brewers

They have a unique lineup that is very top heavy with a solid pitching staff. Jackson Chourio is the real deal for them.

2. Chicago Cubs

This is a crucial season that will determine whether they ascend to contention or fall flat into the cellar. Having acquired Kyle Tucker and keeping him in Chicago is crucial to keep them as contenders.

3. Cincinnati Reds

Bringing in Terry Francona as the manager only means one thing; they want to win and that’s the only reason why he took the job.

4. St. Louis Cardinals

It’s going to be some uncharted territory for this franchise. It will also be interesting to see where Nolan Arenado eventually ends up.

5. Pittsburgh Pirates

Paul Skenes is the only reason to watch this team.

Player to Watch: P Paul Skenes – Pittsburgh Pirates

Best Acquisition: OF Kyle Tucker – Chicago Cubs

New Kid on the Block: P Bubba Chandler – Pittsburgh Pirates

Continue reading →

2024 MLB All-Star Teams

For the 94th year of the Midsummer Classic, baseball goes to Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The last time the mid-summer classic was played in Arlington was in 1995. 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 13th

* – asterisk indicates starter

Continue reading →

National League Central

* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. Chicago Cubs

While they faltered at the end last season, it was an encouraging sign that they were trending in the right direction.

2. Cincinnati Reds

The youth movement is in full swing and now is the time for them to capitalize on it with a weak division.

3. St. Louis Cardinals

Getting Sonny Gray puts the top of their rotation in a stable setting, but will they be able to get production out of Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado once again?

4. Milwaukee Brewers

Their pitching staff as a whole has taken a hit and not having Craig Counsell as their manager could put this franchise in a state of flux for a while.

5. Pittsburgh Pirates

Like their counterparts in Cincinnati, there is a fair amount of prospects ready to take the leap into the majors. Time to see if it clicks for Pittsburgh.

Player to Watch: OF Cody Bellinger – Chicago Cubs

Best Acquisition: P Sonny Gray – St. Louis Cardinals

New Kid on the Block: OF Jackson Chourio – Milwaukee Brewers

Continue reading →