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 readingRangers
American League West
Standard* – indicates new to team
+ – indicates injury
1. Seattle Mariners
It’s the best time for them to recharge and get back to the ALCS for another shot at their first World Series appearance.
2. Houston Astros
The health of Yordan Alvarez will determine this team’s success. If he suffers an injury then Houston will be in danger of missing the Postseason for consecutive seasons.
3. Texas Rangers
The acquisition of MacKenzie Gore puts their rotation near Seattle’s, but the Rangers lineup doesn’t have the same pop as they’ve had in years past.
4. Athletics
Their lineup will be scoring a ton of runs with the depth they have. Whether they will have the pitching needed to sustain a chance at a .500 record is another matter.
5. Los Angeles Angels
Once again they are plugging in their various holes on the roster with temporary fillers and hoping it works out for them. While their owner continues to gaslight the fanbase into thinking that he is putting together a contender year in and year out.
Player to Watch: C Cal Raleigh – Seattle Mariners
Best Acquisition: P MacKenzie Gore – Texas Rangers
New Kid on the Block: SS Colt Emerson – Seattle Mariners
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
American League West
Standard* – indicates new to team
+ – indicates injury
1. Texas Rangers
Last season was a bit of a fluke and that shouldn’t be the case with a healthy Jacob deGrom back in the rotation. Adding Jake Burger and Joc Pederson to an already stacked lineup only helps in the long run.
2. Houston Astros
The transition period is taking place with the lineup having different faces. Christian Walker was a good signing for first base, but the loss of Kyle Tucker might hurt them in the long run.
3. Seattle Mariners
Having Randy Arozarena and Victor Robles for a full season should have the offense in better position to score more runs. Their stacked rotation keeps them in contention regardless of the offense.
4. Athletics
They’ll be playing at a triple A field in Sacramento, California for the next few seasons before their move to Las Vegas, Nevada. Don’t expect them to suddenly be contenders, but they are better than advertised.
5. Los Angeles Angels
Even if Mike Trout is healthy for a full season, they won’t be much better than their 99-loss season last year.
Player to Watch: P Jacob deGrom – Texas Rangers
Best Acquisition: 1B Christian Walker – Houston Astros
New Kid on the Block: SS Jacob Wilson – Athletics
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