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 readingRockies
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 readingNational League West
Standard* – indicates new to team
+ – indicates injury
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
What more will they add to the roster that will have Shohei Ohtani return to the mound to pitch this season?
2. San Diego Padres
They will continue to play second fiddle in the division to the Dodgers, but they will remain a force in the National League overall.
3. Arizona Diamondbacks
After just missing out on the Postseason last year, look for them to rally back with the likes of Corbin Burnes atop their rotation.
4. San Francisco Giants
Losing Blake Snell is gonna sting, but seeing him go south to the Dodgers has to feel worse.
5. Colorado Rockies
There is still potential in the Rocky Mountains. Even if that potential is to be worse than the Chicago White Sox were in 2024.
Player to Watch: DH/P Shohei Ohtani – Los Angeles Dodgers
Best Acquisition: P Corbin Burnes – Arizona Diamondbacks
New Kid on the Block: P Roki Sasaki – Los Angeles Dodgers
Continue reading2024 MLB All-Star Teams
StandardFor 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
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