S3, EP. 1: Jessica Kleinschmidt, MLB.com and Cut4

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The Because of Sports Podcast is back! Jessica Kleinschmidt of MLB.com and affiliate site, Cut4, joins host Adam Cubbage to discuss the 2018 Major League Baseball season, her role with MLB.com and Cut4, staying true to yourself, and Joey Votto’s chances of winning a medal in Olympic Curling. Continue reading “S3, EP. 1: Jessica Kleinschmidt, MLB.com and Cut4”

Major League Baseball 2015: The Locker’s First-Half MLB All-Stars

Joe Panik was inserted into the Giants starting lineup just before their World Series run in 2014. He's an All-Star in 2015, and a First-Half All-Star here as well.(Photo By: Scott Strazzante)
Joe Panik was inserted into the Giants starting lineup just before their World Series run in 2014. Now he’s an All-Star in 2015, and a First-Half All-Star here on the blog as well.(Photo By: Scott Strazzante)

First-half of the 2015 Major League Baseball season is in the books. That means it’s that time of year when debate will rage on about who made the All-Star teams and who should have made the All-Star teams.  Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2015: The Locker’s First-Half MLB All-Stars”

MLB 2015: 5 Observations On The 2015 Major League Baseball Season (Through 6/1/2015)

Matt Kemp (.249 BA/.284 OBP/.332 Slugging) not performing is just one of the many issues surrounding the 2015 San Diego Padres, thus far
Matt Kemp (.249 BA/.284 OBP/.332 Slugging) not performing is just one of the many issues surrounding the 2015 San Diego Padres, thus far

I can’t believe it’s already June 1st.

While this date might seem unimportant to some, it’s very important when it comes to those of us tracking Major League Baseball’s marathon known as the regular season.

Why? Well for a few reasons:  Continue reading “MLB 2015: 5 Observations On The 2015 Major League Baseball Season (Through 6/1/2015)”

First Impressions From the 2015 MLB Season and (Finally) My Division and Wild Card Predictions (Part One)

Kris Bryant, the #1 Prospect in baseball, has arrived in Chicago. They still have more young help on the way.
Kris Bryant, the #1 Prospect in baseball, has arrived in Chicago and they still have more young, top-flight prospects on the way.

It’s been almost three weeks since the season started and there are quite a few storylines to discuss. I figured I would break this into two parts and give a few first impressions starting with the National League. I also will (finally) dole out division predictions so without further delay let’s get to it. Continue reading “First Impressions From the 2015 MLB Season and (Finally) My Division and Wild Card Predictions (Part One)”

MLB Preview 2015: A Tale Of Two Philosophies For Marlins And Padres In 2015

James Shields has averaged 14 wins, 33 starts, and a 3.72 ERA every season since 2007.
James Shields, 32,  has averaged 14 wins, 33 starts, and a 3.72 ERA every season since 2007. He signed a 4-year, $75 million dollar contract this past offseason to continue that production in Southern California.

This past Major League Baseball offseason was the most intriguing I’ve witnessed in years.

Of all the interesting moves that went down perhaps the most interesting were how two markets (Miami and San Diego) made themselves relevant in two very different ways.  Continue reading “MLB Preview 2015: A Tale Of Two Philosophies For Marlins And Padres In 2015”

Major League Baseball 2014: The Division Races and Other Second-Half Predictions Pt. 2

Mike Trout of the Angels and Robinson Cano of the Mariners make the AL West as exciting a race as ever (Harry How/Getty Images North America)
Mike Trout of the Angels and Robinson Cano of the Mariners make the 2014 AL West as exciting a race as ever to watch in the second half (Harry How/Getty Images North America)

What a second-half it is shaping up to be.

I saw the other day a statistic that said for the first time in Major League Baseball’s history four divisions are separated by no more than a game and a half. Four! So where does that put things for those contenders who are, not only fighting to avoid the Wild Card play-in game, but fighting for the opportunity to be in that playoff conversation? Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014: The Division Races and Other Second-Half Predictions Pt. 2”

Major League Baseball 2014 Preview: National League East

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”

Fantasy Baseball 2013: Five Second-Half Tips To Get You Over The Hump (Or Back In The Race)

Derek Jeter could provide a boost to someones fantasy roster down the stretch
Derek Jeter could provide a boost to someones fantasy roster down the stretch

All-Star week in Major League Baseball usually means there isn’t much going on in the sports world (except the ESPY’s of course). But for some, this is the best time to set up their fantasy baseball teams for the stretch run. Continue reading “Fantasy Baseball 2013: Five Second-Half Tips To Get You Over The Hump (Or Back In The Race)”

The Week (Er…Weeks) That Were In Major League Baseball (5/24/2013)

Yu Darvish and the Rangers are rolling early in 2013, but Oakland still looms
Yu Darvish and the Rangers are rolling early in 2013, but Oakland still looms

Yes it has been a few weeks since I last posted this and I apologize (mainly to my mom whose my most avid, yet sports clueless reader). I’m back on it though so I won’t waste time. onward! Continue reading “The Week (Er…Weeks) That Were In Major League Baseball (5/24/2013)”

The Week That Was In Major League Baseball (5/1/2013)

We recognize everything Mark Reynolds has done in 2013 here at The Locker
We recognize everything Mark Reynolds has done in 2013 

Another week has passed and still no sign of Roy Halladay, Josh Hamilton, or the Arizona Diamondbacks bullpen. For their sake, they hope that changes heading into the second month of the season. For now, we recap. Onward: