Month: March 2014

Major League Baseball 2014 Preview: National League East

Posted on by Adam Cubbage
Jason Heyward seems to have found his comfort zone in the leadoff spot, from which he hit .322 with 6 HR, 16 RBI's and a .403 OBP.
Jason Heyward seems to have found his comfort zone in the leadoff spot; from which he hit .322 with 6 HR, 16 RBI’s and a .403 OBP.

In the National League East things are getting tight in a hurry.

Last season, everyone (myself included) picked the Washington Nationals to run away with this division. Could you blame me? They had a bullpen, a deep lineup, a strong rotation, and the manager to lead them. They were also coming off a season in which they had already won the division, so forgive me for picking the favorites.

But boy did I struggle again this year. Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014 Preview: National League East” →

Major League Baseball 2014 Preview: American League East

Posted on by Adam Cubbage
Manny Machado's 2013 was cut short by injury (14 HR, 71 RBI, 51 2B, .283 BA) but at age 21 he's and the Orioles are contenders in 2014
Manny Machado’s 2013 was cut short by injury (14 HR, 71 RBI, 51 2B, .283 BA) but at age 21 he’s and the Orioles are contenders in 2014

In the American League East anything can happen.

Last season the Boston Red Sox put a dreadful 2012 behind them and rode their top ranked offense (and their bearded camaraderie) to the World Series title. With so many issues entering the season last year you would have been hard pressed to find anyone who (here included) picked them to make the playoffs let alone win their division, league, and the World Series. The team will be hard pressed to replicate that success in 2014 and I will explain why. Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014 Preview: American League East” →

National Football League Draft 2014: So The Rams, Browns, Texans, Jaguars, and Raiders Need A Quarterback? I’ve Got A Suggestion

Posted on by Adam Cubbage
Brett Smith of Wyoming might be this year’s draft gem at Quarterback

The NFL draft is May 8 and this time of year always makes me scratch my head. Continue reading “National Football League Draft 2014: So The Rams, Browns, Texans, Jaguars, and Raiders Need A Quarterback? I’ve Got A Suggestion” →

Major League Baseball Preview: American League Central

Posted on by Adam Cubbage
Chris Sale (11-14, 3.07 ERA, 226 K’s, 1.073 WHIP) is leading the youth movement on the Southside of Chicago

In the American League Central one thing is clear: you’re only as good as the sum of your parts, and the Detroit Tigers are as good as anyone in baseball. Their lineup features the best hitter in baseball (Miguel Cabrera), the last two American League Cy Young award winners (Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer), and the last three American League MVP award winners (Justin Verlander (2011), Cabrera (2012 and 2013). They traded for Ian Kinsler, get Victor Martinez for another full season, and their bullpen now features Joe Nathan who has 80 saves in 86 opportunities (93%) the last two years. They are the only team in this division who boast those kinds of parts all around. 

Continue reading “Major League Baseball Preview: American League Central” →

Major League Baseball 2014: American League West Preview

Posted on by Adam Cubbage

Sonny Gray will look to lead the A's to a third consecutive AL West Crown (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images North America)Sonny Gray looks to lead the A’s to a third consecutive AL West Crown (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images North America)

The last couple seasons when I’ve kicked off these previews the American League West seemed all but won. In 2012 they had the best staff, best lineup, and best front-office heading into that season. The Oakland A’s proved that incorrect on the last day of that season by thumping the Rangers 12-5. Last season the Angels looked like the favorites heading into the season when they brought Josh Hamilton over from the Rangers to form an impossible lineup trio of Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, and Hamilton. Well, the A’s spoiled those plans as well winning a second consecutive AL West crown.

Yet here I am in 2014 about to prove I haven’t learned my lesson.

Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014: American League West Preview” →

Major League Baseball 2014: New York Mets In The Midst Of An Impressive Rebuild

Posted on by Adam Cubbage
David Wright thinks the Mets can win 90 games in 2014
David Wright thinks the Mets can win 90 games in 2014. Sandy Alderson’s moves have put them closer. 

I am going to admit this early so you don’t accuse me of forgetting: I’ve been a regular at the “Everyone Dump On The Mets” table for some time now. Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014: New York Mets In The Midst Of An Impressive Rebuild” →

Major League Baseball 2014: Medlen, Beachy Injuries Not Enough To Write Off Atlanta Braves

Posted on by Adam Cubbage
Kris Medlen (15-12, 3.11 ERA in 2013) could be facing his second Tommy John Surgery in four years
Kris Medlen (15-12, 3.11 ERA in 2013) could be facing his second Tommy John Surgery in four years

Pack it up, folks. The 2014 Atlanta Braves are finished, done, nothing to see here.

That is, of course, if you believe Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014: Medlen, Beachy Injuries Not Enough To Write Off Atlanta Braves” →

Major League Baseball 2014: These Pitchers Are Poised For A Breakout In 2014

Posted on by Adam Cubbage
Andrew Cashner (1.131 WHIP, 3.09 ERA) is an Ace in every sense of the word
Andrew Cashner (1.131 WHIP, 3.09 ERA) is an Ace in every sense of the word

Over the next few weeks I’ll be putting out quite a few lists before my divisional breakdowns and team reports. 

The definition of a “breakout performance” can vary from person-to-person but the general idea is always the same: that player who takes the next step from potential star to household name. Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014: These Pitchers Are Poised For A Breakout In 2014” →

Major League Baseball Preview 2014: Washington Nationals’ Bryce Harper Key To 2014 Resurgence

Posted on by Adam Cubbage
If the Nationals have any shot in '14, Bryce Harper needs to play 145 or more games
If the Nationals have any shot in ’14, they will need Bryce Harper to play 145 or more games

For all the talk of Bryce Harper as he rose through the ranks of the games elite one narrative hasn’t been spoken enough.

Bryce Harper: irreplaceable.  Continue reading “Major League Baseball Preview 2014: Washington Nationals’ Bryce Harper Key To 2014 Resurgence” →

Major League Baseball 2014 Preview: Five Players Poised To Bounce Back

Posted on by Adam Cubbage
Corey Hart (microfracture surgery in '13) attempts a bounce back with the Mariners
Corey Hart (microfracture surgery in ’13) attempts a bounce back with the Seattle Mariners

With quite a few teams fortunes tied to players coming off of injury I felt it important to highlight a few I felt were primed for the biggest bounce back seasons in 2014. Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014 Preview: Five Players Poised To Bounce Back” →