National League West

* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

The rich got richer with the addition of Freddie Freeman being put into a stacked lineup.

2. San Diego Padres

With Tatis Jr. getting hurt to start the year it will slow down expectations, but the rotation should be much improved with a new manager aboard.

3. San Francisco Giants

They went for it last year and couldn’t finish the job. Now without the retired Buster Posey there will be a void this season.

4. Colorado Rockies

Just a few seasons after trading away Nolan Arenado, they spent big money to get Kris Bryant. Make it make sense.

5. Arizona Diamondbacks

Once again this franchise doesn’t know what it wants to do, but they should be taking things slow this season and don’t overreact one way or the other.

Player to Watch: SS Trea Turner – Los Angeles Dodgers

Best Acquisition: 1B Freddie Freeman – Los Angeles Dodgers

New Kid on the Block: C Joey Bart – San Francisco Giants

Continue reading →

National League West

* – 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

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 →

2019 MLB World Series & Awards Predictions

MLB Awards

NL MVP – 1B Paul Goldschmidt – St. Louis Cardinals

AL MVP – OF Mike Trout – Los Angeles Angels

NL Cy Young – Aaron Nola – Philadelphia Phillies

AL Cy Young – Gerrit Cole – Houston Astros

NL Rookie of the Year – OF Victor Robles – Washington Nationals

AL Rookie of the Year – OF Eloy Jimenez – Chicago White Sox

NL Manager of the Year – Craig Counsell – Milwaukee Brewers

AL Manager of the Year – Rocco Baldelli – Minnesota Twins

Postseason Projections

NL Division Winners – Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers

NL Wild Card Winners – Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Cardinals

AL Division Winners – Houston Astros, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians

AL Wild Card Winners – Boston Red Sox, Minnesota Twins

NLCS – Dodgers over Brewers

ALCS – Yankees over Astros

World Series – Dodgers over Yankees in 6 games

National League West

* – 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 →