2016 MLB Season Preview: Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates had a great season last year, but fell victim to the Wild Card system. They won 98 games, but still had to play the Chicago Cubs in the Wild Card game…and they failed to win.

The Pirates made some move this offseason, but none of them were very flashy. General manager Neil Huntington is sticking to the strategy he used to build this team. He makes low-cost free agent signings and continues to develop his farm system.

The NL Central will be the most competitive division in baseball. The Cardinals and Cubs made some big free agent signings this offseason. Will the Pirates refusal to open their checkbook hurt them this year?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies have had a few rough years in a row as they wait for Ryan Howard’s huge contract to expire and rebuild the team from top to bottom.

Manager Pete Mackanin will serve his first year without the “interim” label. He took over last June when Ryne Sandberg stepped down. Mackanin was the bench coach for the Phillies from 2009-2012 and was then re-hired to be their third base coach in 2014. He knows the franchise inside and out, but hiring him as the manager doesn’t seem like a smart long-term move…but perfect for a team rebuilding.

How will this young Phillies team fare this season?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Philadelphia Phillies.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: Oakland A’s

The Oakland A’s was far from their ‘Moneyball’ days last year. They faced an uphill battle from the start with Jarrod Parker, A.J. Griffin and other pitchers fell victim to major injuries.

The AL West could be one of the most dominate divisions in baseball. Houston has come of age and are now the favorites, Texas is always looking to get better, the Angels have Mike Trout and Albert Pujols, and Seattle could make a move with a new manager.

Does Oakland finally pull the trigger and trade ace Sonny Gray for a huge load of prospects?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Oakland A’s…and enjoy our #BadMSPaint Khris Davis picture.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: New York Yankees

The New York Yankees championship window is closing shut. They were quiet this offseason when it came to free agents, but they made two important trades to acquire shortstop Starlin Castro and closer Aroldis Chapman.

The AL East is expected to be one of the most contested divisions in Major League Baseball. Boston added some big free agents, Toronto’s offense is a beast, Baltimore is always dangerous and Tampa Bay is on the rise.

Does A-Rod, Carlos Beltran and Mark Teixeira have one more championship run left in them?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the New York Yankees.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: New York Mets

Not only were the New York Mets a dark horse contender last year, but they made it all the way to the World Series.

How did the Mets make such a huge leap? Pitching. You knew they would eventually have a stacked young rotation with so many young arms in their farm system, but everything just fell into place last season. It’s scary to think that they didn’t even have one of their best young starters (Zack Wheeler) at all last season. Could their rotation even be better in 2016?

The NL East is top heavy this year with the Mets and Nationals expected to battle for the division crown. Do the Mets have enough offense to keep up with the Nationals?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the New York Mets.

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2016 MLB Season Preview: Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Twins are a team on the way up in Major League Baseball. They have young talents that are maturing into stars. Prospect Byron Buxton was actually ranked ahead of Kris Bryant coming into the season last year. He has all the tools and should develop into a really good player for the Twins.

The Twins were only expected to win around 70 games last season, but finished with a 83-79 record. They come into the season with just about the same roster. They added some power by signing Byung Ho Park, who hit over 50 homers in each of the last two seasons in the KBO. Can his success in Korea translate to the Majors?

The Twins aren’t too far away from being a legit pennant contender in the American League. Could they win the AL Central this season?

Here is the 2016 MLB season preview for the Minnesota Twins.

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NCAAB: What to Look Forward to During March Madness

One of the most exciting parts of March Madness is the brackets and betting.

When it comes to finding out which teams are going to win, you need to either do a lot of research on teams past history and records or rely on a betting expert. You want to find out if your teams are going to make it to the top or perhaps if you choose the wrong ones.

Whichever teams you choose to go with, you can still find this type of wagering some of the most exciting sports betting out there, even if you’re not a huge basketball fan. It is still fun to do.

Make the Right NCAA Predictions

When you choose to make the right NCAA predictions, you’re choosing to go with teams that you want to win. If you’re unsure of who to put at the top, you can always reach out to betting experts like The Machines Picks for some of the best teams to wager on. They also help pick out the best teams for the brackets. This is always a good thing to do when it comes to doing a bit of NCAA basketball betting. You won’t have to worry about a thing, since they have you covered.

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2016 March Madness: #4 Iowa State vs #13 Iona

We are here to help you fill out your brackets and finally beat your cubicle neighbor in your office pool this year.

The Big 12 was stacked this year. If a team from that conference made it to the Big Dance, they are battle-tested. There was no easy path through the Big 12 this season. Iowa State has the talent to make some noise.

The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference had a banner year this season. Monmouth and Iona both had excellent seasons in the conference.

Can Iona knock off Iowa State in the first round?

Who do you think will win? We help you fill out your bracket.

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2016 March Madness: #4 Duke vs #13 UNC-Wilmington

We are here to help you fill out your brackets and finally beat your cubicle neighbor in your office pool this year.

The ACC was top-heavy this year. Virginia and North Carolina hogged much of the spotlight and accolades. Duke did have their share of success, but the defending champs haven’t looked very ‘Duke-ish’ at points this season.

The Colonial Athletic Association is usually a single-bid conference in the NCAA Tournament. A few teams from the conference have played Cinderella in the past.

Could UNC-Wilmington wear the glass slipper?

Who do you think will win? We help you fill out your bracket.

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2016 March Madness: #4 California vs #13 Hawaii

We are here to help you fill out your brackets and finally beat your cubicle neighbor in your office pool this year.

The Pac 12 was arguably the most competitive power conference in college basketball this year. There wasn’t a single team that ran away with the conference because it was so deep. California was a team that started playing its best basketball at the right time.

The Big West Conference is usually only a single-bid conference in the NCAA Tournament. Hawaii ran through it and went on to win the conference tournament.

Who do you think will win? We help you fill out your bracket.

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2016 March Madness: #11 Michigan vs #11 Tulsa

We are here to help you fill out your brackets and finally beat your cubicle neighbor in your office pool this year.

The Big Ten was loaded this year. Not only is Michigan State a legit title contender, but a handful of other teams in the conference could surprise us all and win the tournament. Michigan shown to be pesky when they knocked off Indiana in the conference tournament.

The American Athletic Conference probably shouldn’t have received as many at-large bids into the tournament as they did, but Tulsa is glad they get a shot. The senior-laden team could be a tough out for Michigan.

Who do you think will win? We help you fill out your bracket.

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2016 March Madness: #16 Florida Gulf Coast vs #16 Fairleigh Dickinson

We are here to help you fill out your brackets and finally beat your cubicle neighbor in your office pool this year.

The last time a team from the Atlantic Sun Conference made a dent in the NCAA Tournament was when Florida Gulf Coast’s Dunk City team went on a run to the Sweet Sixteen in 2013. Could the up-tempo team do it again?

The Northeast Conference is usually a one-bid conference and often the conference tournament winner ends up playing in the First Four play-in games. Fairleigh Dickinson is right where many other Northeast teams have been before.

Who do you think will win? We help you fill out your bracket.

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