Tag: NL

MLB 2015: Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer Have Restored Chicago Cubs Baseball

Posted on by Adam Cubbage
Kris Bryant, 23, has an On-Base Percentage of .384 to go with his 10 home runs, 42 RBI, and .860 OPS
Kris Bryant, 23, has an On-Base Percentage of .384 to go with his 10 home runs, 42 RBI, and .860 OPS

“At the beginning of the offseason I’m watching the moves A.J.’s making. It’s incredible, the change,” Shields said. “The teams that I was looking at, I knew that they were going to win and win now. That’s what I loved about San Diego and what the ownership’s doing right now is they have that win-now mentality. Not only now, but in the next four, five years. I’m looking forward to doing my part.”  

– James Shields, San Diego Padres SP, after signing 4-year, $75 million dollar contract in February 2015

Continue reading “MLB 2015: Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer Have Restored Chicago Cubs Baseball” →

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

Posted on by Adam Cubbage
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: Top-5 Players Facing A Make Or Break Season In 2015

Posted on by Adam Cubbage
Bryce Harper (55 HR, .272 BA, .816 OPS) has put up solid numbers in his first three seasons. Unfortunately 2015 will need to be even better to buck the "Overrated" label levied by his peers.
Bryce Harper (55 HR, .272 BA, .816 OPS) has put up solid numbers in his first three seasons. Unfortunately 2015 will need to be even better to buck the “Overrated” label levied by his peers.

A make or break year for a baseball player isn’t always one that sees them going into free agency. It’s also one that changes perceptions placed on a player after a couple of inconsistent or down years. Continue reading “MLB Preview 2015: Top-5 Players Facing A Make Or Break Season In 2015” →

Atlanta Braves Change Course, Now What?

Posted on by Adam Cubbage
Jason Heyward produced a 6.4 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) in 2014 and won his second consecutive Rawlings Gold Glove in Right Field (Photo Credit: Atlanta Braves Official Facebook Page)
Jason Heyward produced a 6.4 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) in 2014 and won his second consecutive Rawlings Gold Glove in Right Field (Photo Credit: Atlanta Braves Official Facebook Page)

Wanna know how my day started? Here, I’ll show you: Continue reading “Atlanta Braves Change Course, Now What?” →

Pittsburgh Pirates Are Surging, Others Withering In The Heat Of Summer Races

Posted on by Adam Cubbage
The heat has been turned up on Adam Wainwright and the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central
The heat has been turned up on Adam Wainwright and the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central

As the races in major league baseball march on we are starting to see some teams in situations they may not have foreseen when the season began. Continue reading “Pittsburgh Pirates Are Surging, Others Withering In The Heat Of Summer Races” →

Major League Baseball 2013: Trade Targets For A Few Contenders As Deadline Approaches

Posted on by Adam Cubbage
Cliff Lee was a hot deadline commodity in 2009 and 2010, could he be dealt in 2013 as well?
Cliff Lee was a hot deadline commodity in 2009 and 2010, could he be dealt in 2013 as well?

The July 31st trade deadline is coming up and I’m going to play general manager for a few teams in contention. Baseball has been one of those games where a trade can absolutely swing a teams fortunes on a dime. Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2013: Trade Targets For A Few Contenders As Deadline Approaches” →

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

Posted on by Adam Cubbage
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)” →

Dear Pittsburgh Pt. 2: I Think You’re On To Something

Posted on by Adam Cubbage
Top prospect Gerrit Cole is 4-0 with a 3.70 ERA in his first four career starts
Top prospect Gerrit Cole is 4-0 with a 3.70 ERA in his first four career starts

Back in 2009 when I started my sports writing exodus I wrote about the Pittsburgh Pirates after another purge of their team to figure out the blueprint they wanted to follow. Continue reading “Dear Pittsburgh Pt. 2: I Think You’re On To Something” →

Major League Baseball All-Star Game 2013: 15 (Plus One) Budding Stars That Should Make All-Star Rosters, But Might Not

Posted on by Adam Cubbage
Spectacular defensively and producing offensively, the Orioles have a superstar in Manny Machado
Spectacular defensively and producing offensively, the Orioles have a superstar in Manny Machado

Remember way back in April when Will Middlebrooks of the Boston Red Sox hit three home runs in a game? Everyone was ready to proclaim him the next big superstar in the American League East at third base. Even going so far as to try to convince themselves that another young star at the same position was “overrated” and “inferior” to Middlebrooks. Continue reading “Major League Baseball All-Star Game 2013: 15 (Plus One) Budding Stars That Should Make All-Star Rosters, But Might Not” →

Locker Talk Episode 27! NBA Playoffs and Baseball Chatter

Posted on by Adam Cubbage
The New York Mets Matt Harvey is "must see television" in 2013. Is he a franchise cornerstone?
The New York Mets Matt Harvey is “must see television” in 2013. Is he a franchise cornerstone?

Co-host Baden Bagley and I talk about the Pacers/Heat series and what to expect for game five in Miami. We also talk the top pitchers in major league baseball and which teams are the top three teams in major league baseball.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lockertalk/2013/05/29/locker-talk