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| Credit: seniorbaseball.org In July, nine players will take the field as starters for the American League in the 2013 All-Star game. Who should these players be? Lets find out. |
Sunday, June 30, 2013
My American League All-Star Starters and Why
Dan Wanser (Writer): @DanWanser
Every July, the stars from each league unite to play one game. This game is played for fun, its played for bragging rights, but most importantly its played to see which league gets home-field advantage in the World Series. Between the two leagues, only 18 players are chosen to start. This makes starting the All-Star game even more of an honor. Here are my nine American League All-Star starters and why I chose them.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Should Yasiel Puig be an All-Star?
Ryan Ritchey (Lead Analyst): @BaseballAddicts
Yasiel Puig has taken the baseball world by storm the last three weeks. Ever since being called up to the Dodgers on June 3rd all he has done is impress. From great plays in the outfield, to hitting two Home Runs in his second career game. The only thing he hasn't done is hit for the cycle in his first three weeks. All of this begs the question of if he should be an All-Star. Here's my take on the matter...
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| Credit: ESPN Since coming to the majors in early June, Yasiel Puig has taken the country by storm. He has done everything from steal bases to hit home runs. The only question left, is if he should be an All-Star. |
Yasiel Puig has taken the baseball world by storm the last three weeks. Ever since being called up to the Dodgers on June 3rd all he has done is impress. From great plays in the outfield, to hitting two Home Runs in his second career game. The only thing he hasn't done is hit for the cycle in his first three weeks. All of this begs the question of if he should be an All-Star. Here's my take on the matter...
My National League All-Star Starters and Why
Ryan Ritchey (Lead Analyst): @BaseballAddicts
Every July the Midsummer Classic comes and lets the players have a little fun. Unlike all of the other major sports all star games this one actually means something. Not only is it for bragging rights but the winning league gets home field advantage in the World Series. As we have seen the past few seasons this actually comes into play and that is why I love the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. I have put together my National League All-Star starters, so here is who I chose and why.
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| Credit: Sully Baseball The All-Star is three weeks away and I have my National League All-Star starters ready to go. The National League leads the series 43-38-2. Will they win it again this year and give the National League home field in the World Series? |
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Should the way players are selected for the All-Star game and Home Run Derby be changed?
Dan Wanser (Writer): @DanWanser
Should the way players are selected for All-Star festivities be changed? Right now everyone in America has the chance to vote their favorite players or the players they think are the best in their individual position into the All-Star game.
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| Credit: sportslogos.net Should the way All-Stars or Home-run derby participants are selected be changed? |
Dylan Bundy Likely to Have Tommy John
Kyle Pisanti (Administrator): @Baseball_Ways
Dylan Bundy is now set to undergo Tommy John surgery on Thursday (6-27-13). Dylan injured his elbow during Spring Training this year and was expecting to be called up to the Baltimore Orioles during this season.
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| Photo Credit: www.sbnation.com Dylan Bundy, a top ranked prospect (#2) now likely to have season-ending Tommy John surgery. |
Who's the best in the AL West?
Dan Wanser (Writer): @DanWanser
As of today, the Texas Rangers are tied up with the Oakland Athletics in a very close race for the AL West division title. Both teams have very respectable records as they sit tied atop the division. Currently, Oakland has a record of 45-34 while Texas sits at 44-33. Both teams are looking to go into the All-Star break on a hot streak hoping to pull ahead. Lets not forget though, its not all about where you get, its how you get there.
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| Credit: zimbio.com The Texas Rangers are currently locked in a very tight race for the AL West crown with the Oakland Athletics. Who will win? I guess we'll just have to wait and see |
St. Louis Cardinals Are Team to Beat
Ryan Ritchey (Lead Analyst): @BaseballAddicts
We are three weeks away from the All-Star Game and the team to beat seems to be the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals are holding a 48-29 record so far this season, which is tops in the Majors. When you look at this Cardinal team you see a lot of familiar names from the 2011 World Series Champion team. That is always a good sign when trying to go after another championship. The more players that have been put into that situation the better the second time around is. The biggest surprise has to be the pitching staff so far this season. The Cardinals have a lot of young arms on their staff and it seems to be working. Will the Cardinals win another championship? We will have to wait and see until October, but here is my opinion.
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| Credit: Red Bird Rants The St. Louis Cardinals with a record of 48-29 are the best in the Majors. Great pitching and timely hitting have been the key to their run so far. |
We are three weeks away from the All-Star Game and the team to beat seems to be the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals are holding a 48-29 record so far this season, which is tops in the Majors. When you look at this Cardinal team you see a lot of familiar names from the 2011 World Series Champion team. That is always a good sign when trying to go after another championship. The more players that have been put into that situation the better the second time around is. The biggest surprise has to be the pitching staff so far this season. The Cardinals have a lot of young arms on their staff and it seems to be working. Will the Cardinals win another championship? We will have to wait and see until October, but here is my opinion.
What's wrong with the National League East?
Dan Wanser (Writer): @DanWanser
What is up with the National League East? In the beginning of the season it looked like the Phillies, Braves, and Nationals would all fight to capture a NL East crown. Now, almost halfway into the year, it's a pretty one sided division. At this point in the season, The Atlanta Braves have a respectable 45-33 record. However, they're on their own up at the top as they're the only team in the division with a record above .500.
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| Credit: dailystache.net At the beginning of the season, Strasburg, Stanton, Wright, Heyward, and Hamels all wanted to be contending for the NL East crown at this point in the season. Up to this point, nobody is seeing what they expected |
What is up with the National League East? In the beginning of the season it looked like the Phillies, Braves, and Nationals would all fight to capture a NL East crown. Now, almost halfway into the year, it's a pretty one sided division. At this point in the season, The Atlanta Braves have a respectable 45-33 record. However, they're on their own up at the top as they're the only team in the division with a record above .500.
Carlos Marmols Adventure
Kyle Pisanti (Administrator): @Baseball_Ways
Carlos Marmol was once an unbearable pitcher to face when standing in the batters box. The Cubs signed Marmol as a free agent in 1999 out of the Dominican Republic. Surprisingly, the Cubs signed him as a catcher/outfielder but his statistics were not there so he was turned into a pitcher. Now, 14 years later, the Cubs are moving in a new direction with Marmol. Marmol is 2 for 5 in save opportunities this year and is tossing a 5.86 ERA. He is costing his team more than helping them. With the fire sale coming up for the Cubs, Marmol's release was only the beginning.
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| Photo Credit: www.chicagomag.com Carlos Marmol has been released by the Chicago Cubs on 6/25/2013. It was a matter of time until they were to release him as they are looking to go into a new direction with their young ball club. Marmol is only 30 years old, but every year he continues to depreciate in talent. |
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Machado Solidifies Oriole Lineup
Ryan Ritchey (Lead Analyst): @BaseballAddicts
As a baseball fan you get excited about young players coming to the big leagues and making a difference, even if they don't play for your favorite team. It isn't every day that you see a rookie like Mike Trout come to the majors and almost win the American League Most Valuable Player. You don't see a rookie sensation like Bryce Harper, who hit a 500 foot home run at the age of sixteen. Now that those two guys have got all the glory it is time for Manny Machado to step into the spotlight.
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| Credit: Baltimore Sun In just his first full season in the Majors Manny Machado has made a lot of noise. He has done it with both his bat and glove and undoubtedly should be an All-Star on July 16th. He is on pace to break the single season doubles record set by Earl Webb in 1931. |
As a baseball fan you get excited about young players coming to the big leagues and making a difference, even if they don't play for your favorite team. It isn't every day that you see a rookie like Mike Trout come to the majors and almost win the American League Most Valuable Player. You don't see a rookie sensation like Bryce Harper, who hit a 500 foot home run at the age of sixteen. Now that those two guys have got all the glory it is time for Manny Machado to step into the spotlight.
Monday, June 24, 2013
Winning Records and Pirates Don't Mix
Ryan Ritchey (Lead Analyst): @BaseballAddicts
In 1992 the Pittsburgh Pirates won their third consecutive division title with a ninety-six win season. They ended up losing in the National League Championship Series to the Atlanta Braves. The manager for that '92 team was now Detroit Tigers skipper Jim Leyland. Leyland had now New York Mets manager Terry Collins as an assistant on the club. Notable players on the '92 team are now Diamondbacks skipper Kirk Gibson, knuckle-baller Tim Wakefield, and slugger Barry Bonds. That is the last time the Pirates had a winning season.
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| Credit: Bleacher Report The Pittsburgh Pirates haven't had a winning season in twenty years and are looking to end that trend in 2013. Through 76 games this season they are sixteen games over .500 which is the most they have been since their last winning season in 1992. |
AL East Chase
Kyle Pisanti (Administrator): @Baseball_Ways
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Credit: Bleacherreport.com
Edwin Encarnacion has been on fire as of late. He has been one of the
big players to contribute to the Jays 11 game win-streak. Over his
last 7 games he is hitting .346 with 3 home runs and 8 RBI'S.
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Don't count the Blue Jays out of the American League East race just yet. As bad things have happened with the Blue Jays this season, things are looking like they are picking up. Not only is the pitching for the Jays contributing in a big way, but the bats have been there too.
Triple Crown Round Two?
Ryan Ritchey (Lead Analyst): @BaseballAddicts
If you want to debate who the best hitter in baseball has been the past three seasons you have to have Miguel Cabrera in the top three. Not only does he hit for power, as you want your three hole hitter to do, but he also hits for a very high average.
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| Credit: Toronto Sun Miguel Cabrera won the Triple Crown in 2012 for the first time since Carl Yastrzemski did it in 1967. In 2012 Cabrera hit .330 with 44 home runs and 139 RBI. Through 74 games this season he is hitting .370 with 20 home runs and 75 RBI. |
If you want to debate who the best hitter in baseball has been the past three seasons you have to have Miguel Cabrera in the top three. Not only does he hit for power, as you want your three hole hitter to do, but he also hits for a very high average.