Sweetbob’s Hipster Music Playlist: March 2015

I’ve been drowning in MLB team previews and fantasy baseball position rankings, so I thoroughly enjoyed making this month’s Hipster Music Playlist. It is filled with new bands and some that might be familiar to you.

I always keep an ear out for new music. I love discovering new bands/songs, it’s a habit from my days as a music journalist. Even though this is mostly a sports blog, I still add quite a bit of music and pop culture content.

I have been called a hipster on more than one occasion. I like indie music more than any other genre of music. Don’t get me wrong, I can rock out to Richard Marx or Ace of Base (depending on the amount of alcohol in my system).

These songs may not be able to melt the snow in your area, but I think you will enjoy them.

Here are 15 new indie songs I’m currently listening to. Your ears will thank you for listening!

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2015 MLB Team Preview: Miami Marlins

Watch out, guys. The Miami Marlins opened their checkbooks this offseason. This happens once a decade, so enjoy it while it lasts.

Miami paid Giancarlo Stanton to a big contract and traded for some legit talent. They didn’t acquire washed-up players. They acquired guys like Dee Gordon and Mat Latos. Players who are just now hitting their prime.

Miami will be without their ace Jose Fernandez for the first few months of the season. He needed Tommy John last May. He is already throwing off a mound, so they are circling June as a possible return date.

Can they compete for the NL East crown?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Miami Marlins.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers have one of the best rosters in the Majors. They are loaded with established veterans, enthusiastic youth and one of the best starting rotations in the league. This could be a big season for the Dodgers.

The Dodgers have deep pockets and have been throwing money at players since they signed their lucrative TV deal. They didn’t splurge this offseason on free agents, but they did do some targeted trades. They knew what they needed and went out and filled holes.

Don Mattingly has been on the hot seat since the Dodgers hired him. He has dealt with lofty expectations and um, Yasiel Puig’s antics. Can he corral Puig’s shenanigans and keep him in line this season?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Los Angels Dodgers.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: Los Angeles Angels

The Angels had a fantastic regular season in 2014. Mike Trout won league MVP and Albert Pujols bounced back from a below average 2013 season. The Angels postseason wasn’t as spectacular. They were swept in the ALDS by Kansas City.

As long as the Angels have Mike Trout, they will be a World Series contender. He does need help and their current roster is more than suitable for the job.

Pitching is a strong area for the Angels. Their rotation has established All-Stars and young talent that could eventually become top-of-the-rotation starters.

Josh Hamilton is expected to miss some time this season due to a drug relapse. How many games will he miss?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Los Angels Angels.

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2015 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Top 40 Second Baseman

Second base was one of the thinnest positions last year, but due players like Anthony Rendon and Brian Dozier, it’s now extremely deep. There is a group of young second baseman in MLB that have surpassed guys like Chase Utley and Brandon Phillips. The position should be deep for quite some time.

How will Javier Baez and Rougned Odor fare in their first full seasons in the Majors?

My 2nd base fantasy baseball rankings are based on a standard 5×5 league. If you have any specific questions about a different league, email me BobbyMcrib@gmail.com.

1. Robinson Cano – Seattle Mariners – Cano has been the consensus #1 second baseman for quite some time. He proved last season that getting a fat paycheck didn’t affect his on-the-field performance. He’s good for .300+ with double-digit power and the ability to drive in 90 runs.

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Toy Crazy: Mattel’s WWE Elite Series 35

I’m a self-confessed vintage toy nerd. I collect vintage wrestling action figures from the 80’s & 90’s. I started purchasing some vintage toys out of nostalgia. Well, WWE and Mattel sucked me into their new stuff. I now buy a few figures a month.

Elite Series 31, Elite Series 33 & Elite Series 34 were all home runs (Elite Series 32…not so much). Even though Elite Series 34 hasn’t officially been released, Mattel released finished product photos of Elite Series 35. It looks like a solid set.

The WWE Superstars included in Elite 35 are Earthquake (Flashback), Randy Orton, Triple H, Luke Harper and Los Matadores (Diego & Fernando).

Here are some pictures and a review of which accessories each figure will come with.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: Kansas City Royals

Kansas City defied all odds and represented the American League in the 2014 World Series. They gave San Francisco quite a battle. The Giants needed seven games to win their third ring in five years.

Kansas City are coming off back-to-back winning seasons. They are trending in the right direction. They aren’t a prime free agent destination, but did manage to lure a few former All-Stars to the team in the offseason.

The Royals core group of players are still quite young. It seems they are older than what they are since we’ve been talking about them from the time Kansas City drafted them. They have relied heavily on their farm system.

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Kansas City Royals.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: Houston Astros

Houston has spent the last few seasons at the bottom of the league in nearly every statistical category. They’ve just been marking time while their prospects made their way through their farm system. George Springer was one of this regime’s first blue chip prospects to be called up. He produced as advertised before getting injured.

The Astros have a long way to go to compete with the talented teams in the AL West. They could further prove that being patient and slowly building your team through the draft is the way to win in today’s game.

Could we see either Carlos Correa or Colin Moran in Houston this season?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Houston Astros.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers won the AL Central in 2014, but Kansas City was the team to make the most noise in the postseason. Miguel Cabrera has broken down late in the season in back-to-back years. He had surgery this offseason to fix his nagging ankle injury.

The Tigers let former Cy Young winner Max Scherzer walk, but added Yoenis Cespedes this offseason. He is expected to further protect Victor Martinez and Cabrera in the lineup. Detroit should light up the scoreboard this season.

Can Detroit’s bullpen hold up this season? Will Joe Nathan keep the closer job for the entire year?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Detroit Tigers.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: Colorado Rockies

The NL West should be one of the best (if not the best) divisions in Major League Baseball. Colorado is in the unfortunate position of being a rebuilding team while their division is so strong.

Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki have both been hampered by nagging injuries. If both players appear in 145+ games, could the Rockies shock the world and contend? If not, should the Rockies try to move them for prospects?

Can the starting rotation hold up until top pitching prospects Jon Gray and Eddie Butler are ready?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Colorado Rockies.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: Cleveland Indians

Cleveland have back-to-back winning records under manager Terry Francona. We expected him to improve the team, but didn’t expect it at this rate.

The AL Central produced two playoff teams in 2014. The Tigers won the division, but it was the Royals that made the most noise. They lost to the Giants in the World Series. The Indians were only three games out of the final Wild Card spot.

The Indians were quiet this offseason. Their only marquee acquisition was trading for Brandon Moss. They come into 2015 with nearly the same squad that went 85-77.

Can Cleveland starting rotation overachieve or will they be in trouble?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Cleveland Indians.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds have been NL Central contenders for the last few years, but Pittsburgh and St. Louis have taken control of the division. The destiny of the Reds rides on the health of Joey Votto, who missed a huge chunk of time in two of the last three seasons.

The Reds will rely heavily on their starting rotation. They do have a slight edge in that category over the top teams in the NL Central. They need their offense to come back (28th in Runs Scored in 2014) in order to take advantage of having aces Johnny Cueto and Homer Bailey.

Can Devin Mesoraco become an elite catcher?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Cincinnati Reds.

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