Tag Archives: mlb

2013 MLB Team Preview: Los Angeles Angels

After signing Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson last offseason, Angels’ fans expected a World Series ring last season. They struggled out of the gate and once they righted the ship, Oakland and Texas had a grip on the playoffs spots.

This offseason they upped the ante even more by adding Josh Hamilton, Ryan Madsen, Jason Vargas and Tommy Hanson. The Angels are built to win now and it’s hard not to pick them to win the AL West and represent the league in the World Series in October.

Can Mike Trout repeat his rookie campaign or will he fall victim to a sophomore slump?

Here is the 2013 MLB season preview for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Continue reading →

2013 MLB Team Preview: Kansas City Royals

The Kansas City Royals made one of the biggest trades this offseason. They traded a package featuring top prospect Wil Myers to Tampa Bay for two MLB-level starters James Shields and Wade Davis. Does this movie make you believe the Royals are ready to win now?

The Royals have not shown any signs they are ready to compete in the AL Central. Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer were once top prospects, but haven’t made ways in the Majors. There are holes in their team that won’t be fixed by the end of the season.

Will the Royals trade Jeff Francoeur for major-league ready players or prospects to build toward the future?

Here is the 2013 MLB season preview for the Kansas City Royals. Continue reading →

2013 MLB Team Preview: Houston Astros

The Houston Astros are in complete rebuilding mode. It will take longer than most teams, because their farm system was completely bare of top-notch young talent. They traded every asset they had and now their farm system is better, but not anywhere near the top. Also, their top prospect, Jonathan Singleton, has been suspended for the first 50 games due to a failed drug test. It will be a rough season in Houston.

Will Houston set a new modern-day record for most losses in a season? Would you go to an Astros game, even if you were given a ticket? It’s insane you even have to pause to answer a question about receiving a free ticket to an MLB game…but, I still wouldn’t go.

Here is the 2013 MLB season preview for the Houston Astros. Continue reading →

2013 MLB Team Preview: Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers have one of the most talented pitchers in the Majors (Justin Verlander), one of the best power hitters in the game (Prince Fielder) and the reigning AL Most Valuable Player (Miguel Cabrera)…so the AL Central should be easy to win, right? Kind of.

After Verlander, the rest of the Tigers starting rotation are inconsistent. When Verlander started, the Tigers were 21-12. In games without him, Detroit was only 67-62.

Will the Tigers go forward with their current rotation or will they make a few trades?

Victor Martinez is back from his knee injury. Will be produce at the same level as 2011, or has he lost a step?

Here is the 2013 MLB season preview for the Detroit Tigers. Continue reading →

2013 World Baseball Classic: Notable Players

The World Baseball Classic has been lost in the shuffle with the beginning of Spring Training, but it kicks off this weekend on March 2nd.

It’s an event that’s supposed to showcase the world’s best…but at the same time, aggravate the pants off every Major League team’s front office. They must hate seeing their pitchers waste their arms in an International tournament.

Asian countries have had the most success in this format, but the Latin American countries always bring the most individual talent. The rosters have been finalized and we list the notable players who will play in this year’s World Baseball Classic. Continue reading →

2013 MLB Team Preview: Colorado Rockies

The 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: Cincinnati Reds

In 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

The 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: 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 →

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: 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 →

Sports Crush: Heidi Watney

How could we not include the MLB Network’s latest addition to my ‘Sports Crush‘ series?

Heidi Watney was hired by the MLB Network back in September and she’s getting ready for her first complete season there. She has worked for NESN hosting “The Red Sox Report” and “The Ultimate Red Sox Show”. Before working there, she was a sports anchor for two stations in Fresno, California.

The internet is filled with pro-Heidi Watney buzz. The Dropkick Murphys even had her in their video for “Going Out In Style”. She is more than just a pretty face, Watney knows her stuff and very good at her job.

If you’re not familiar with Miss Watney, we help you get ready for the upcoming MLB season with a picture gallery of Heidi Watney. Continue reading →