2013 MLB Team Preview: Colorado Rockies

Troy TulowitzkiThe Walt Weiss era begins in Denver this season. He takes over a team with a lot of problems. The most glaring issue is their pitching. When Jorge De La Rosa and Jhoulys Chacin are at the top of your rotation, you’re doing something wrong. Drew Pomeranz, the centerpiece in the Ubaldo Jimenez deal, is not where they expected him to be. He’s only 24, so there’s still time for him to turn into a #1 starter.

The rest of the team lacks an identity. I hope Weiss focuses on defense, because their pitching staff isn’t going to help them.

Can Troy Tulowitzki stay healthy in 2013?

Here is the 2013 MLB season preview for the Colorado Rockies. Continue reading →

2013 MLB Team Preview: Cleveland Indians

Ricky+Vaughn+Charlie+Sheen+Major+League+Cleveland+IndiansAll the familiar faces are gone in Cleveland. You won’t find Grady Sizemore stealing the hearts of women in the stands, Travis Hafner selling Pronk Bars while on the disabled list or Fausto Carmona, I mean Roberto Hernandez trying to find a new identity.

Terry Francona is the new major for the Cleveland Indians. He brings baggage from how his Red Sox tenure ended…and Daisuke Matsuzaka. He doesn’t have as much pressure on him to succeed, which will be something new for him.

Will high priced free agents Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn produce in their first season with the Tribe?

Will Jason Kipnis and Asdrubal Cabrera lead the Indians to an improbable playoff berth?

Here is the 2013 MLB season preview for the Cleveland Indians. Continue reading →

NHL Talk: Ballsy Blackhawks Bet, Chara’s Goal & Schlitz Beer

Zdeno+Chara+Shirtless+NHL+Boston+BruinsTwo hockey guys talking hockey.

Joe Pasquali and Eddie Theisen are two die-hard NHL fans. They both watch every hockey game, every night (almost).

The guys talk about Zdeno Chara’s goal, Anaheim’s trading deadline dilemma, Schlitz beer and the Blackhawks amazing point streak.

It’s a shame that the NHL Lockout had to happen this season. Chicago could be on an historic run, but sadly the season was shortened.

By the way, neither of these guys have a girlfriend.

This is their email conversation the following morning. Continue reading →

2013 MLB Team Preview: Cincinnati Reds

BAKERIn 2012, the Cincinnati Reds won the NL Central by nine games, but lost in the first round of the playoffs to the eventual World Series champion San Francisco Giants.

Walt Jocketty, the general manager of the Reds, doesn’t want to just make the playoffs, he wants to win. He made a trade in the offseason to acquire Shin-Soo Choo, a move shows the Reds are built to win now.

The biggest offseason news was the decision to move Aroldis Chapman into the starting rotation. He was such a dominant relief pitcher, but the transition has been successful with pitchers in the past. Will Chapman succeed as a starter?

Now that Joey Votto is healthy, will have another MVP caliber year?

Here is the 2013 MLB season preview for the Cincinnati Reds. Continue reading →

2013 MLB Team Preview: Chicago White Sox

John+Danks+Funny+Picks+Nose+Chicago+White+Sox+MLBThe Chicago White Sox have been perennial contenders in the AL Central. They’ve had a lean season and bounce right back the next year. They have relied on pitching during this stretch. It is a consistent way to build a team.

In order for a pitching staff to meet its potential, you need a good game-calling cather. Catcher A.J. Pierzynski has been that guy and he was in Chicago during its recent success. They will be without him this season since he signed with the Texas Rangers this offseason. They will rely on an unproven catcher in Tyler Flowers.

Will the pitching staff struggle without Pierzynski?

Here is the 2013 MLB season preview for the Chicago White Sox. Continue reading →

2013 MLB Team Preview: Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs are in the middle of rebuilding their team the right way, through the draft. They are avoiding the offseason barrage of high-priced free agents, which was their vice during the final years of the Chicago Tribune ownership. The new owners, the Ricketts family lured Theo Epstein away from the Boston Red Sox before last season and ended the season with  101 losses in 2012.

Cubs fans aren’t expecting a World Series championship in 2013, but they want to see improvement. A few young prospects are expected to be called up at some point and those are the players the fans will have an interest in.

Should fans expect an All-Star season from Anthony Rizzo?

Will Matt Garza and Alfonso Soriano be traded at some point this season?

Here is the 2013 MLB season preview for the Chicago Cubs. Continue reading →

2013 MLB Team Preview: Boston Red Sox

Boston Red Sox fans wish they could erase the 2012 from the record books. The season had every problem imaginable. Manager Bobby Valentine ripped players in the media and lost the team early, veteran mainstays like Josh Beckett and Kevin Youkilis was sent packing and prized offseason signings from a year ago were send to the Dodgers in an epic salary dump.

The Red Sox are a much different team than took the field on Opening Day last season. That’s good and bad news for Red Sox Nation.

Will Jacob Ellsbury regain his MVP-caliber 2011 form?

Can new manager John Farrell get the pitching staff straightened out or will they have to make more trades?

Here is the 2013 MLB season preview for the Boston Red Sox. Continue reading →

NHL Talk: Prospal’s Winner, Anisimov Injury & the McChicken

Two hockey guys talking hockey.

Joe Pasquali and Eddie Theisen are two die-hard NHL fans. They both watch every hockey game, every night (almost).

The guys talk about if Boston is the best team in the East, Anisimov’s freak injury, if the Buffalo Sabres fanbase smokes a lof of weed and McChicken currency

As a fan of the Columbus Blue Jackets, I’m glad they finally beat the Red Wings. It took a superhuman goal by Vinny Prospal, but I’ll take it…this might be the last one for awhile.

By the way, neither of these guys have a girlfriend.

This is their email conversation the following morning. Continue reading →

2013 MLB Team Preview: Baltimore Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles had a Cinderella season last year. They came into the year with unproven talent mixed with a handful of veterans who were expected to just fill out the roster. They took advantage of a down year for the Red Sox and had many lucky bounces along the way.

Their #1 prospect infielder Manny Machado was added last season and contributed right away. I expect him to take another jump in 2013. He will be a nice complement to Adam Jones in the lineup for the foreseeable future.

Will any of their young arms mature enough to make an impact in the Majors?

Can the Orioles shock everybody again and make the playoffs for a second year in a row?

Here is the 2013 MLB season preview for the Baltimore Orioles. Continue reading →

2013 MLB Team Preview: Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves are trying to repeat the success they had in the 1990s. They have been hovering in & out the playoffs for a couple years and they hope their offseason moves will push them to the next level.

The Braves are replacing two-thirds of their outfield with a pair of talented brothers. Justin & B.J Upton have a lot of pressure to produce this season. They are replacing Martin Prado and Michael Bourn, two players who had career years in 2012.

Can the Braves fight off the Washington Nationals and win the NL East?

Will Kris Medlen start this season hot, as he ended 2012?

Here is the 2013 MLB season preview for the Atlanta Braves. Continue reading →

2013 MLB Team Preview: Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks completed one of the biggest trades this offseason. They shipped their presumed franchise outfielder Justin Upton and third baseman Chris Johnson to Atlanta for 3B/OF Martin Prado and mix of young talent.

It would be easy to write Arizona off this year, but this team won their division in 2011 and finished last season with a .500 record. They are going young, but they’re not rebuilding.

Can manager Kirk Gibson push his team and make the playoffs?

Which starting pitcher will step up and help Ian Kennedy lead the staff?

Will Arizona miss Justin Upton’s presence in the middle of their lineup?

Here is the 2013 MLB season preview for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Continue reading →