Kansas City Royals World Series Champions

The Kansas City Royals defeated the New York Mets in the World Series four games to one.  I was wrong about this one.  The "little engine that could" that is the Royals offense was able to overcome what I thought would be pitching too good to beat.  KC scored 27 runs in the five games while their pitching staff had a 2.94 ERA easily bettering that of the Mets (4.21).  I thought Johnny Cueto's complete game win in game two was the key.  The 2-0 lead really made me think they wouldn't lose this series as I couldn't see the Mets winning all three in New York.  The comeback in game six to tie the game in the ninth before winning the series in the twelfth can't be overlooked as well.  The hitters for Kansas City just never stopped and had timely hits that the New York offense couldn't match.  I love that the Royals won.  They are a small market team whose fan base has had to suffer for a very long time.  Great win for the team and their fans. 

2015 World Series - New York Mets vs Kansas City Royals

While I could have seen the Kansas City Royals here at the beginning of the season I really didn't see the New York Mets in the World Series.  While I have no love for the Mets this is a great matchup.  The Royals are a great contact hitting team while the Mets starting staff loves to strike out opposing batters.  So where do you go with choosing a winner?  I'll go with New York.  When in doubt go with pitching.  While the bullpens favor the Royals the Mets definitely have an edge with their starting rotation.  They also have enough offense to back it up.  With a few good starts by their pitching this could go Kansas City's way.  Still I'll say the Mets win this one in seven games.  That said, I'm rooting for the Royals.  I love this team and really want to see a World Series banner raised at Kaufman Stadium.  Should be a great series no matter who the eventual winner is.

2015 MLB Playoffs - League Championship Series Are Set

NOTE:  I posted this much later than expected so both the ALCS and NLCS have started.  This was written prior to the start of those series though.
  
Great games and series in the Wild Card and Division Series playoff rounds.  All you want are good games and great moments and we got both.  The Pittsburgh Pirates didn't beat Chicago but the Cubs did beat the Cardinals which I thought would would happen. It is great to see Chicago get to the National League Championship Series but it was just as fun watching them beat the Cards who are their big rival.  This Cubs team is young and easy to like. These guys aren't a fluke and it isn't hard to think they could go all the way...which is exactly what I think they'll do.  I expect to see the Cubs in the World Series. 

The Mets are a good blend of offense and pitching but I didn't think they'd be able to defeat the Dodgers as they did.  They are a tough matchup for the Cubs and should provide for an excellent series.  You have to like any team who can beat a team that throws Kershaw and Greinke at you in a five game series.  The moves New York made at the trade deadline were great and they have backed those moves up with a nice post season to this point.

Kansas City beat a Houston Astros team which surprised me by beating the New York Yankees in the wild card game.  I loved this matchup and wasn't surprised it went five games.  Kansas City is still that team that just makes it happen.  Hits can come from anywhere and if their pitching can get to the seventh inning with a lead, the win is almost guaranteed.  K.C. also had to be excited to see the outstanding effort by Johnny Cueto in the clinching game five.  The Royals can't be counted out in any series. 

Toronto stormed back after losing their first two games to Texas to stamp their appearance in the ALCS.  I love this team and that power.  With all the great pitching we now see in the big leagues it is fun to see a team who can seemingly hit one out during any at bat.  And what did I think of the Jose Bautista bat flip?  Loved it.  While I enjoy the prim and proper respect that baseball cherishes I also think that moments like that, great moments, should be full of emotion.  Bautista didn't direct his actions at any particular player.  It was just emotions flowing.  I stand by my original thoughts and think Toronto will make it past Kansas City to reach the World Series. 

2015 MLB Playoffs

Playoff time is here again and I have to get my two cents in.  I'll start in the National League.  If you are the Pittsburgh Pirates you are hating life even if you won't say it publicly.  First you're perennially stuck behind the St. Louis Cardinals which has meant you are again a wild card team despite winning 98 games this year (88 in '14, 94 in '15).  To add insult to injury you are stuck playing the 97 win Chicago Cubs and their Cy Young candidate in a one game playoff tomorrow night.  As much as I love the Cubs' story I'm rooting for the Pirates.  They have done well the last three years and I'd like to see them rewarded with a division series win.  To do that they'll have to get past the Cubs and the 100 win Cardinals.  Their work is cut out for them but I have hope.  The Dodgers host the Mets in the other Division series.  I like L.A. here if for no other reason than the 1-2 punch of Kershaw and Greinke.  If by chance the Mets can win one of those games they have a shot at winning this series but I think this series hinges on those first two games.  The Cardinals just win.  I don't have a clue how but they win.  Living near St. Louis I have to live it all season...in depth.  That said I think that some of the injuries they're dealing with may be too much for them to overcome.  The Cubs and Pirates are both loaded for bear and should be able to beat the Cardinals.  It may be wishful thinking but I think they can.  I give Pittsburgh a better shot than the Cubs but neither can be counted out.  So I'm thinking Dodgers-Pirates in the N.L. Championship Series.  From there I have to stick with Pittsburgh.  I think in a seven game series they can still beat the Dodgers even if they have to face the "Dynamic Duo" four times.  The Dodger's inconsistent offense will be their downfall. 

In the American League the Houston Astros and New York Yankees square off tonight in the wild card game.  I have a feeling the Yankees win this game but how great would it be for Houston to host a playoff game this year?  Their fans and the franchise has suffered for a long time.  Still New York probably takes it.  I don't think either team can beat the Royals so Kansas City should be in the A.L. Championship series for the second year in a row.  Toronto hosts Texas in the other series.  The Rangers are another team we didn't see coming this year, especially after the first half of the season.  Still Toronto has great offense and enough pitching to get by most teams and that includes the Rangers.  Can Toronto get past Kansas City in the next round?  I think so.  Again their offense should be the tipping point.  Kansas City is a very good team overall so I would never count them out (see last year's playoff games as proof). 

So how about a Blue Jays - Pirates World Series?  I'm digging it.  I think the Blue Jays take it all though with an offense that can pummel the best of pitching staffs.  It could still go seven games which of course is what I'd be hoping for in any scenario.  With my teams nowhere to be found in the playoffs I always find teams to root for and this year has plenty of options.  I'm all in on Pittsburgh but the Cubs are so good of a story that a World Series appearance would be nothing less than lots o' fun.  In the American League Houston and Texas have never won a World Series and Kansas City and Toronto haven't won one in a very long time.  All would be great stories but that doesn't mean any of the other teams wouldn't be.  I just know who I'll be rooting for.  Pittsburgh and Kansas City (with Houston close behind).  Still I believe we'll see Toronto as the champs once it is all said and done.  More than anything I hope for some great moments, great games, and plenty to talk about the next day at the water cooler.

Major League Baseball Sprint to October

Baseball season is winding down and the playoffs will be upon us soon.  I want to touch on a few highlights for me as we get to the stretch run.  First off I have to talk about the Blue Jays.  Wow.  This team has been on a tear since July 29th.  Their offense has outscored opponents by 191 runs this season!  Only two other teams have outscored their opponents by over 100 runs.  Add to that they seem to hit homeruns every other at bat this team is fun to watch.  The Jays' pitching is average but this team will be tough to deal with come playoff time as long as their offense is hitting.  The Royals have the easiest rode to the playoffs currently enjoying a 13 game lead within their division.  Didn't see that coming but I love Kansas City having success after suffering so many years.  The American League West is all upside down.  The Astros currently have a 4 game lead over Texas and a 7.5 game lead over the Angels.  Who?  What?  Crazy but I love it.  Houston is another franchise that deserves some love for their long suffering fans.  While I love it, I wouldn't be surprised if the standing in this division change again before the end of the season.  The Twins and Yankees should also be applauded for the nice seasons they have put together when little was expected either of them. 

In the National League the Cardinals just keep winning.  Their stud pitching staff carries them while the

offense is average at best.  It is almost a shame as Pittsburgh and the very surprising Cubs are having very good years but may be destined to meet in a one game playoff.  The Dodgers aren't great but with Greinke and Kershaw they are not a team you want to meet in the playoffs.  No they can't pitch every game but they could win every game they start which will make it tough for any team to counter.  The Nationals have struggled allowing the amazing Mets to surge to a nice 6.5 game lead.  Very happy to see them do well but I, along with many, thought the Nationals could be the team to beat.  I just don't get what happened.  Don't blame it on Bryce Harper though as he has had a wonderful season.   

It has been a very exciting season with many stories we didn't expect.  It makes for a nice change.  The St. Louis Cardinals seem to be the one constant.  I look at this team and it just doesn't seem that scary but they are good.  Still there are lots of stories and who knows what will happen come playoff time.  I for one hope we'll see some new blood win a championship this year.  It is great for the sport and fans to have the different markets compete.  May not be great for ratings but that isn't what it is all about.  It is about players, owners, managers, teams, and fans who bleed team colors and deserve a chance to celebrate a championship.  Since my Braves and Red Sox are out of it, so out of it, I'm rooting for Pittsburgh in the N.L. and Houston, Kansas City, and Toronto in the A.L.  If nothing else it should be fun as always (except for the one game playoff but that is a different post) the next two months.  

The Chicago Cubs donned pajamas for the plane ride home after Jake Arrieta no hit the Los Angeles Dodgers.  You have to love it. 

Braves Trade Kimbrel and Upton to San Diego

The Braves continued the job of rebuilding, or tearing down as many see it, as they traded away Craig Kimbrel and Melvin Upton Jr. to San Diego.  This one hurt.  Kimbrel's is signed through 2017 averaging $10.5M a year over the life of the contract (4 yrs).  I really thought Atlanta would hold on to him and he'd be a Brave for a long time.  Kimbrel is a stud closer and will be near impossible to replace.  Still the crux of the deal was shedding Upton Jr. and his contract one of the worst in the league, if not the worst.  The guy couldn't hit my weight in his time in Atlanta.  He was an absolute disaster at the plate.  I wish him well and hope he can turn it around but his time in Atlanta was not good.  I know everyone is looking towards 2017 when the Braves move into their new ballpark and the belief is all these young prospects will be ready to shine.  That is a lot of "ifs" for me. Way too many prospects never hit it big.  I just hope we aren't looking back two years from now thinking this was all for not. 

2015 Boston Red Sox Preview

Hanley Ramirez

After their 2013 World Series win over St. Louis Boston struggled to a 71-91 record last year.  Enter two big bats to help turn things around.  Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval join the team to help solidify third base and the outfield respectively.   These two will add quite a bit to a lineup that struggled last year.  I like the additions and how it makes the lineup look.  Rookie Mookie Betts will get a chance to show he is the real deal at the major league level.  A big time prospect, Boston would really like him to stick after apparently striking out with Jackie Bradley Jr.  The ageless one, David Ortiz, will anchor the middle of the lineup with first baseman Mike Napoli also back to add power.  I do believe one of the keys to the lineup will be Dustin Pedroia.  While it wasn't a bad year for him last year it wasn't typical.  Hopefully he can rebound and hit with a little more power and average.  With a lineup that might look like this from the two through sixth hole offense shouldn't be a problem - in theory:  Pedroia, Ortiz, Ramirez, Sandoval, Napoli. 

The pitching staff is more of an enigma for me.  There are some good pitchers there but I'm not convinced they can carry the team to the playoffs.  The starting five will probably look like this though the order will differ some:  Rich Porcello, Clay Bucholz, Wade Miley, Justin Masterson, Joe Kelly.  Buchholz struggled last year (8-11 5.34) and he needs to be at his career 3.92 ERA to give the Red Sox a year worthy of a number two starter.  That said Porcello was the only one of the five to have an ERA below 4 last year.  Doesn't exactly make me feel great going into the year.  Again all 5 are solid but if Porcello and/or Bucholz struggle this could be bad.  I don't see much depth to pick them up. 

The bullpen is in good hands with 40 year-old closer Koji Uehara as long as age doesn't catch up to him.  Junichi Tazawa had another good year and will hopefully be back with the same in 2015.  Otherwise the rest of the bullpen is average with some like Edward Mujica and Craig Breslow needing bounce back years to make a positive impact. 

Some say this will be a down year for the American League East and Boston should vault their way to first place.  I'm not so sure.  Baltimore was very good last year and Toronto is always retooling.  If nothing else this will make for a lot of very tough games.  For me that also says that everything needs to go right for this team to reach first place.  Not saying they can't but I'd be surprised.  I do think they can win another eight to ten games but for me it all hinges on the pitching.  I like the moves the Red Sox made and hope they all work out.  Just not sure this is a team built for long run. 

Atlanta Braves 2015 Preview

After a 79-83 2014 season the story of the off season for the Atlanta Braves was change.  Gone are Jason Heyward, Justin Upton, Evan Gattis, Ervin Santana, Aaron Harang, Jordan Walden, Anthony Varvaro, David Hale, Tommy La Stella, Emilio Bonifacio, and Gavin Floyd among others.  Many of these players were major parts of last season's team.  Change is part of every new year but to me most of these will really impact the 2015 Braves in a negative way.  Specifically the offense struggled last year and it definitely isn't better now (14th in runs in the NL last year).  The pitching staff adds starting pitcher Shelby Miller but loses key parts to their rotation and bullpen.

I understand why many moves are made.  Mostly due to money.  Some players were due new contracts after this year and some became free agents after 2014 and weren't affordable.  Still it hurts.  It is hard to look at this team and think it will even reach 79 wins.  The offense was bad last year and lost two huge parts in Upton and Gattis.  Nick Markakis and Jonny Gomes fill the outfield slots around Melvin Upton Jr. (formally B.J.) who only hit his weight once (.208 last year) in two years with the Braves.  I don't know why he is still on this team.  This lineup just isn't that scary.  I love franchise guy Freddie Freeman but I'm not sure he has much help around him this year.  Hopefully 3B Chris Johnson can regain his hitting stroke and stud defensive SS Andrelton Simmons can find his bat or any bat for that matter. 

Pitching might not be too bad but they definitely lost some quality arms.  Still the front of the rotation of Julio Teheran, Alex Wood, and Shelby Miller should provide some stability.  It is what Mike Minor and the 5th starter (TBD) will bring that will determine how the staff really performs.  The bullpen is anchored by five star closer Craig Kimbrel who I don't see slowing down anytime soon barring injury.  Veterans Jim Johnson and Jason Grilli are looking to have bounce back years after once being closers.  They'll need to be steady hands to help get to Kimbrel with consistency.  I'm just not sure what Atlanta will get from them. 

I'll be surprised if Atlanta reach the 79 wins they got last year.  The good news is the Braves will have a new stadium in a few years and the thinking is more money will be available to spend.  I hope so.  There is other good news in we'll see catching prospect Christian Bethancourt start this year.  He isn't a can't miss prospect but hopefully he can learn to call a good game and provide a decent bat.  The big buzz is all around second baseman Jose Peraza though.  He could be a pure lead off hitter the Braves haven't had in a long time and would hopefully bring stability to second base.  I'm thinking we'll see him sometime this year.  Again we'll see how everything plays out and hopefully some things will go better than I think.  But I'm looking at it being about 75 wins this year.

Jose Peraza