Tag: Preview

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” →

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” →

The Locker Major League Baseball Preview 2013: National League East

Posted on by Adam Cubbage
Bryce Harper looks to take huge strides his second season in 2013.
Bryce Harper looks to take huge strides his second season in 2013.

Baseball’s toughest division got a whole lot more exciting as the top two teams (Nationals and Braves) made additions. While the Nationals have the better overall ball team, the Braves could be right there with them again in October. The Phillies are still in the mix, but their best shot will be for a Wild Card spot. The Mets have some work to do while the Marlins, well, need some form of a clue.  Continue reading “The Locker Major League Baseball Preview 2013: National League East” →

The Locker Major League Baseball Preview 2013: American League West

Posted on by Adam Cubbage
Mike Trout, spectacular in 2012, is looked to for an equally as good 2013 for the Angels
Mike Trout, spectacular in 2012, is looked to for an equally as good 2013 for the Angels

The American League West has a shot to have three teams within the division in the playoffs. How far any of them go is a matter of pitching and leadership. Continue reading “The Locker Major League Baseball Preview 2013: American League West” →

The Locker Major League Baseball Preview 2013: American League East

Posted on by Adam Cubbage
David Price and the Tampa Bay Rays are my favorites to win the AL East
David Price and the Tampa Bay Rays are my favorites to win the AL East in 2013

There isn’t much debate which team in the American League East has the best chance to navigate its way to the division title. Continue reading “The Locker Major League Baseball Preview 2013: American League East” →

Major League Baseball 2013 Preview: Top-5 Rookies In Baseball

Posted on by Adam Cubbage
  1. Wil Meyers was traded to Tampa Bay for James Shields and others in the offseason
    Wil Meyers was traded to Tampa Bay for James Shields and others in the offseason

    Wil Meyers, Tampa Bay Rays, 2012 Minors: 37 home runs, .314 BA, 109 RBI’s, .387 OBP; Analysis: Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2013 Preview: Top-5 Rookies In Baseball” →

MLB 2012 Predictions: National League Landscape Shaped By Young Talent

Posted on by Adam Cubbage

In the National League, I don’t think the phrase “Senior Circuit” is as applicable as it once was.

Sure, there are no designated hitters, stadiums are generally larger and more accommodating to pitchers, the double-switch is as common as a Wrigley Field seventh inning stretch sung to “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” and yes the league  does have Jamie Moyer.

Jokes aside, even with the exodus of Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder to the American League, the talent is as young and hungry as ever. Continue reading “MLB 2012 Predictions: National League Landscape Shaped By Young Talent” →

MLB 2012 Predictions: American League Division Races Will Come Down To Pitching

Posted on by Adam Cubbage

In the American League, things aren’t always what they seem.

Last season, the Boston Red Sox spent over a quarter of a billion dollars reloading their lineup for what they thought was a World Series run. Many (this writer included) picked them to win their division, their league, and the World Series.

Like most who made this knee-jerk reaction, many still brought up the fact that their pitching wasn’t as dominant past Jon Lester as it could have been, and while no one could have predicted their epic meltdown, many saw their pitching as something to be concerned about and proved prophetic. Continue reading “MLB 2012 Predictions: American League Division Races Will Come Down To Pitching” →

MLB 2012 Preview: Baltimore Orioles Searching For An Identity

Posted on by Adam Cubbage

“It’s just throwing and catching and hitting and running. What’s simpler then that?” -Paul Richards, Baltimore Orioles Manager (1955-1961)

In the Beltway (Washington D.C./Baltimore etc.) area, baseball means lot more than people may realize.

The  capital didn’t get a baseball team because of a hunch by the league when the Expos were searching for a new home. They got a team because someone recognized the untapped potential of that market. A market left dormant, since 1997 by a franchise that once epitomized how things were done in baseball. Continue reading “MLB 2012 Preview: Baltimore Orioles Searching For An Identity” →