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 readingTwins
American League Central
Standard* – indicates new to team
+ – indicates injury
1. Detroit Tigers
Will Skubal win his third consecutive Cy Young award and if the Tigers should falter this season will they end up trading him instead of losing him for nothing in the offseason?
2. Kansas City Royals
They have put together a solid core that should make a run for a Wild Card spot this season.
3. Cleveland Guardians
Their lineup consists of Steven Kwan and Jose Ramirez, but not much else in terms of productivity. The pitching staff will take a hit with former closer Emmanuel Clase’s federal charges of fixing games via gambling manipulation keeping him away from baseball.
4. Chicago White Sox
This is the time for them to take a step out of the cellar with a better cast of hitters to unleash, but the pitching staff has a ways to go still.
5. Minnesota Twins
The fire sale at last season’s deadline is just the beginning. It’s going to get a lot worse before it looks any better for this franchise.
Player to Watch: P Tarik Skubal – Detroit Tigers
Best Acquisition: P Framber Valdez – Detroit Tigers
New Kid on the Block: SS Kevin McGonigle – Detroit Tigers
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 readingAmerican League Central
Standard* – indicates new to team
+ – indicates injury
1. Detroit Tigers
Steps were made last season and in October to put them in position to go further this time around. Tarik Skubal is a perennial Cy Young candidate moving forward.
2. Cleveland Guardians
Their pitching, particularly their bullpen will get them to the Postseason. Jose Ramirez is still among the most unheralded players in baseball after nearly having a 40-40 season last year.
3. Kansas City Royals
Last season wasn’t a fluke. The rotation was a large part of that success and Bobby Witt Jr. is a MVP candidate for the foreseeable future.
4. Minnesota Twins
With current ownership looking to sell the franchise, the product on the field is going to suffer. A lot of bloated contracts and a few players that must stay healthy in order for the team to remain competitive.
5. Chicago White Sox
The worst team in baseball history by record last season will have another 100+ loss season to look forward to.
Player to Watch: SS Bobby Witt Jr. – Kansas City Royals
Best Acquisition: P Tommy Kanhle – Detroit Tigers
New Kid on the Block: P Jackson Jobe – Detroit Tigers
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
Continue reading

