Major league what? Who needs to go to a major league game when the minors has all you could ever want?
That's right I said it. Minor league baseball has it all. It's arguably better than the show itself.
Sure, you're not going to get the views at the stadiums in the heart of the city, you're not going to see the studs play every day, you won't see 450 foot bombs or potential no-hitters, but you're going to get a great environment with great food and less crowds.
Be honest, who wants to sit in a crowded ballpark anyways? Not me.
There's nothing like strolling up to the stadium five minutes before first pitch, buying your ticket, grabbing a hot dog and sitting down before the game starts.
Here are my three main rests that the minors are arguably better than the majors:
1. The team names
Earlier in the year, you might remember that I ranked all the minor league team names based on affiliates. C'mon, you know that you'd love to go see a Yard Goats Vs. Flying Squirrels game am I right? (Yes, that is an actual matchup that happens in the AA Eastern League) Like I said before, you can have just straight up awesome names like the Tortugas, Lake Monsters, Threshers, Jethawks etc or you can also have a team where the name is symbolic to the town they play in. Look no further than the Flying Tigers, Fireflies, Tourists etc. You'll never see a team name like that ever in the Majors. Minor League baseball gets you excited by just the names.
2. The Ballpark
I just love visiting different ballparks. Mostly around Florida and in the Florida State League in particular, but i've been to many. I don't think there's anything like walking into a creaky old, over 100 year-old stadium and catching a game. The billboard signs spread all over the outfield walls, you didn't have to pay for parking, the fans are friendly and they're happy to be there. The food is most likely fantastic and cheap. There's nothing like it.
3. Promotions
Belly-buster Monday's and Thirsty Thursday's are just the beginning. Who want's to pay upwards of $10 for a beer at a Major League game when you can have multiple beers for just $1 a piece at a minor league game? Or how about one ticket at $12 gets you all you can eat food? Can your kids run the base paths after the game every time at a major league park? Probably not. There's almost always fireworks after every weekend home game. Fans have the chance to win handouts in between innings. It's just great stuff. There's nothing like Minor League Baseball there really isn't.
If that isn't convincing enough, just look up your local team and check out their promotions and head to the ballpark this weekend. Baseball season is back, take back America's Pastime today!
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Sunday, April 3, 2016
Tournament Media Rant
This is going to be a rant and it's not going to a pretty one. There's been some recent buzz about Syracuse and their belonging in the Final Four. Even going to the extent that if they won the whole thing, the NCAA Tournament would be a joke.
According to mainstream sports media, such as Mike Greenberg of ESPN, the NCAA Tournament would be the worst way to find a champion of division 1 mens basketball.
I'm sorry but that is simply not true.
I get that Syracuse probably shouldn't have been invited to the tournament in the first place. But they got in anyways as a #10 seed and made their magical run through the tournament. Yes, it may have ended in the Final Four, but had they won the whole thing they would be the best team in the land. They won the NCAA Tournament.
Syracuse played who was in front of them and beat them on their way through the Midwest Region. It's not their fault Michigan State laid an egg against Middle Tennessee State. It's not their fault Gonzaga ended up beating Big East Champ Seton Hall, and then #3 seed Utah handily. Things happened the way they did for a reason in the tournament. That's the magic of this tournament. Anyone can beat anyone. David can slay Goliath year in and year out. That's what makes so many people watch the opening weekend, that's why I think it's the best in sports. The little schools finally get a shot to play the big shots and sometimes they pull out the upset. It's a truly incredibly tournament with literally billions of possibilities.
Syracuse played who they had to play. They won their four games and got to the Final Four. But apparently that wasn't good enough for this team.
Instead of giving a team their deserved praise, they were slammed by many. Thus came about the argument by Greenberg saying that the tournament isn't the best way to decide a champion in basketball.
Let's have a little history segment here.
NO ONE was complaining when Butler made a cinderella like run as a five seed and then again as an 8 seed.
NO ONE complained when UCONN and Kentucky played for the Title in 2014 as 7 and 8 seeds respectively.
NO ONE complained when VCU went from First Four to Final Four in 2011
NO ONE complained when Wichita State did the same thing in 2013.
Where were these haters when the most recent examples of Cinderella-like runs happened? The tournament was great then! Why is Syracuse the enemy all of a sudden? Because they're not a mid-major? Because they're a historic program who had a down year? Do people not enjoy a Cinderella story?
Actually, a majority of the general public like seeing these Cinderella stories make it to the Final Four. We want it to happen every year. And I'm sorry, but if you're a #1 seed and you can't beat a #10 seed to advance, you don't deserve to win the National Championship. Period.
Greenberg went on to say that making the Final Four a best 2 of 3 series to advance to the championship series would make a better way to decide a champion.
RUBBISH
The Tournament is great the way it is. The setup is like nothing seen in sports. 68 teams with a shot to win the National Championship. You have to win six games. That's it. The best part about it is that any team can win on any given day. You have one shot to make it happen. That's why we love seeing #15 seeds beat #2 seeds. That's awesome. If you don't think that way, i'd like to know your thought process.
The point is people, the NCAA Tournament is one of the greatest spectacles in sports. No matter who wins it. No one said that the higher seeds had to win. That isn't an unwritten rule about college basketball. Anyone can beat anyone and if you have a problem with a #10 seed contending for a national championship because they got hot at the right time, then go home. Stop criticizing young men when they should be applauded for what they've accomplished.
Syracuse, it was a tremendous run. I loved watching your team play throughout the entire tournament. I want to thank you for giving america another Cinderella Run through the tournament. Congratulations on an incredible season that ended with a trip to Houston in the Final Four. Most people, especially at ESPN, aren't giving you the praise you deserve. Here's to a great season Orange. Thanks Again.
- Sincerely, America. At least those with their head on straight.
According to mainstream sports media, such as Mike Greenberg of ESPN, the NCAA Tournament would be the worst way to find a champion of division 1 mens basketball.
I'm sorry but that is simply not true.
I get that Syracuse probably shouldn't have been invited to the tournament in the first place. But they got in anyways as a #10 seed and made their magical run through the tournament. Yes, it may have ended in the Final Four, but had they won the whole thing they would be the best team in the land. They won the NCAA Tournament.
Syracuse played who was in front of them and beat them on their way through the Midwest Region. It's not their fault Michigan State laid an egg against Middle Tennessee State. It's not their fault Gonzaga ended up beating Big East Champ Seton Hall, and then #3 seed Utah handily. Things happened the way they did for a reason in the tournament. That's the magic of this tournament. Anyone can beat anyone. David can slay Goliath year in and year out. That's what makes so many people watch the opening weekend, that's why I think it's the best in sports. The little schools finally get a shot to play the big shots and sometimes they pull out the upset. It's a truly incredibly tournament with literally billions of possibilities.
Syracuse played who they had to play. They won their four games and got to the Final Four. But apparently that wasn't good enough for this team.
Instead of giving a team their deserved praise, they were slammed by many. Thus came about the argument by Greenberg saying that the tournament isn't the best way to decide a champion in basketball.
Let's have a little history segment here.
NO ONE was complaining when Butler made a cinderella like run as a five seed and then again as an 8 seed.
NO ONE complained when UCONN and Kentucky played for the Title in 2014 as 7 and 8 seeds respectively.
NO ONE complained when VCU went from First Four to Final Four in 2011
NO ONE complained when Wichita State did the same thing in 2013.
Where were these haters when the most recent examples of Cinderella-like runs happened? The tournament was great then! Why is Syracuse the enemy all of a sudden? Because they're not a mid-major? Because they're a historic program who had a down year? Do people not enjoy a Cinderella story?
Actually, a majority of the general public like seeing these Cinderella stories make it to the Final Four. We want it to happen every year. And I'm sorry, but if you're a #1 seed and you can't beat a #10 seed to advance, you don't deserve to win the National Championship. Period.
Greenberg went on to say that making the Final Four a best 2 of 3 series to advance to the championship series would make a better way to decide a champion.
RUBBISH
The Tournament is great the way it is. The setup is like nothing seen in sports. 68 teams with a shot to win the National Championship. You have to win six games. That's it. The best part about it is that any team can win on any given day. You have one shot to make it happen. That's why we love seeing #15 seeds beat #2 seeds. That's awesome. If you don't think that way, i'd like to know your thought process.
The point is people, the NCAA Tournament is one of the greatest spectacles in sports. No matter who wins it. No one said that the higher seeds had to win. That isn't an unwritten rule about college basketball. Anyone can beat anyone and if you have a problem with a #10 seed contending for a national championship because they got hot at the right time, then go home. Stop criticizing young men when they should be applauded for what they've accomplished.
Syracuse, it was a tremendous run. I loved watching your team play throughout the entire tournament. I want to thank you for giving america another Cinderella Run through the tournament. Congratulations on an incredible season that ended with a trip to Houston in the Final Four. Most people, especially at ESPN, aren't giving you the praise you deserve. Here's to a great season Orange. Thanks Again.
- Sincerely, America. At least those with their head on straight.
Sunday, March 27, 2016
Continued Post-Season MLB Predictions
So obviously we are a couple of weeks removed from these regular season predictions, so for the purpose of all of our memories, lets go over the teams that did make the playoffs from my predictions:
A.L.:
1. Toronto Blue Jays
2. Houston Astros
3. Kansas City Royals
WC1: Texas Rangers
WC2: Minnesota Twins
N.L.:
1. Chicago Cubs
2. San Francisco Giants
3. New York Mets
WC1: Los Angeles Dodgers
WC2: St. Louis Cardinals
So let's start with the Wild Card games for each league.
A.L. WILD CARD
Minnesota Twins Vs. Texas Rangers
The Twins might be a surprise pick to make the Wild Card game in these predictions, but I put them in because I'm expecting them to build off of impressive rookie seasons by Miguel Sano and Byron Buxton. Obviously their season will depend on the latter of those two, but I think this is a good enough team to make the WC game at least. Unfortunately for them, they're on the road against a Texas club that has superior starting pitching and experience pitching in big games. I'll pick the Rangers to come out of this game based solely on a strong start by Cole Hamels, one of the better big game pitchers in the game. The Twins will put up a fight, but it won't be enough in the end.
WINNER: Rangers
N.L. WILD CARD
St. Louis Cardinals Vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Boy what a Wild Card matchup this would be? These two teams have given us incredible postseason series in the last five years and this one game should be no different. The Cardinals have gotten the best of the Dodgers in recent years and are one of the few teams to beat Clayton Kershaw not once, but twice in a series. This Dodgers team is good, very good. Kershaw pitching in a one game playoff is incredibly tempting, but i'm going to take the Cardinals in this scenario. Their experienced lineup will get to Kershaw again. Matt Carpenter hits a go-ahead solo shot in the top of the eighth and Trevor Rosenthal caps it off with a six-out save. Cardinals advance to face the Cubbies.
WINNER: Cardinals
ALDS: Texas Rangers Vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Ironically enough we have the exact same ALDS matchups in these predictions than the 2015 postseason had. Here we have the Blue Jays and Rangers. If you recall, the Rangers took the first two games of the series needing to win one of the last three games with two of those at home. Well, they didn't. This Blue Jays team, came alive. The offense was dormant but awoke like a rising phoenix in the last three games, all Blue Jays wins. The Blue Jays don't have the best rotation by any means, but this offense will carry them in close games. Look for the Blue Jays to best the Rangers in 4 games.
RESULT: BLUE JAYS IN 4
ALDS: Kansas City Royals Vs. Houston Astros
This is the same exact matchup as a year ago as well, and it was one hell of a first round matchup. This time though, the Astros are the home team. My MVP favorite this season for the AL is Carlos Correa and look for him to have a big series and postseason in general. Of course, they're going up against the two time defending AL Champs and the reigning World Series Champions. However, the Royals won't be doing any defending this season. The Astros take this series in five games with timely hitting and key pitching. The Royals bullpen is nasty, but the Astros starters won't let it get that bad. Evan Gattis has a key hit in the late innings of game five and the Astros move on to the ALCS for their first time as AL members.
RESULT: ASTROS IN 5
NLDS: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs
Once again, the same matchup as last year except the roles are switched. The Cubs are coming off of a great regular season, and it is the Cardinals that are the lower seed having won the WC game against the Dodgers. The Cubs are an incredibly complete team. This team has it all. They have a couple of weak spots in the back end of their bullpen and that COULD cause them some problems come October. I don't think it will in this particular series. The Cubs can score in bunches and have an incredibly strong 1-2-3 punch in their starting rotation. Jason Heyward will stick it to his old team just like he did in the offseason by signing with the hated Cubs. The Cubs move on to the NLCS for the second straight year.
RESULT: CUBS IN 4.
NLDS: New York Mets Vs. San Francisco Giants
Well, it is an even year. But the Giants are no fluke for making the playoffs. That's not why I put them in. They have a solid 1-2-3 punch in their rotation as well. The Shark and Johnny Baseball will add something the Giants didn't have on last seasons team: Starting pitching depth. Something the Mets are overflowing with in Queens. Just like last season, I expect the Mets' starting pitching to overwhelm opponent once the playoffs come. They have the offense to back up their pitching as well. Yoenis Cespedes is back in Queens and expect him to TAKE OVER once the playoffs come.
RESULT: METS IN 5
ALCS Houston Astros Vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Another potentially great matchup here as we have the upstart Astros against the established Blue Jays. This Astros team reminds me a lot of the Cardinals teams back in the early 2010's. They have an influx of veterans but they also have these youngsters coming up the system and now they're starting to produce at the highest level. In my opinion, this is the Astros' series to lose. Their starting pitching is on par with the Blue Jays but ultimately it comes down with the bullpens. The re-signing of Tony Sipp went incredibly under the radar as a lefty specialist. The Astros have the more complete team with the blue Jays lacking strength in the bullpen. The Astros move onto the World Series for the first time since 2005.
RESULT: ASTROS IN 6
NLCS: New York Mets Vs. Chicago Cubs
Another rematch, this seems to be the the theme of this post. Once again, the seedings are flip-flopped and the Cubs are the home team in this seven game series. This has the potential to be one of the better postseason series' in recent memory. Both of these teams got better in the offseason. The Cubs added some more weapons with Zobrist, Heyward and Lackey signing on in Chicago. The Mets simply get another season of experience for their young pitching core. Look for them to lead the, early on in the series but look for the Cubs to feed on the Mets average bullpen. However, i'm a firm believer in pitching beats the best offenses... and well...
RESULT: METS IN 7
World Series: Houston Astros Vs. New York Mets
A matchup of some young, upstart teams. Just two seasons ago these teams both lost 85+ games. Now, with young studs in both of their respective lineups these teams are going to show the world this season just how good they can be. They both have Cy Young contenders at the head of their rotations and they have MVP favorites in their lineups. It truly would be a talented and special matchup. Hypothetically, this series is going to go seven games. These two teams are about as equally matched as they come. Both have exciting offenses that can catch fire at any given point. Both have excellent starting rotations. Both have average bullpens. The Mets however, have the presence of an all-star caliber closer. Not that it'll change the series by any means, just pointing out the facts. But I believe this is the year for the N.L. It is so top heavy in the NL and playing those top teams all season long will prep them for this tough test. The Mets with their young core will be World Series Champion this time around defeating the Astros in six games.
RESULT: METS WIN WORLD SERIES IN 6 GAMES
A.L.:
1. Toronto Blue Jays
2. Houston Astros
3. Kansas City Royals
WC1: Texas Rangers
WC2: Minnesota Twins
N.L.:
1. Chicago Cubs
2. San Francisco Giants
3. New York Mets
WC1: Los Angeles Dodgers
WC2: St. Louis Cardinals
So let's start with the Wild Card games for each league.
A.L. WILD CARD
Minnesota Twins Vs. Texas Rangers
The Twins might be a surprise pick to make the Wild Card game in these predictions, but I put them in because I'm expecting them to build off of impressive rookie seasons by Miguel Sano and Byron Buxton. Obviously their season will depend on the latter of those two, but I think this is a good enough team to make the WC game at least. Unfortunately for them, they're on the road against a Texas club that has superior starting pitching and experience pitching in big games. I'll pick the Rangers to come out of this game based solely on a strong start by Cole Hamels, one of the better big game pitchers in the game. The Twins will put up a fight, but it won't be enough in the end.
WINNER: Rangers
N.L. WILD CARD
St. Louis Cardinals Vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Boy what a Wild Card matchup this would be? These two teams have given us incredible postseason series in the last five years and this one game should be no different. The Cardinals have gotten the best of the Dodgers in recent years and are one of the few teams to beat Clayton Kershaw not once, but twice in a series. This Dodgers team is good, very good. Kershaw pitching in a one game playoff is incredibly tempting, but i'm going to take the Cardinals in this scenario. Their experienced lineup will get to Kershaw again. Matt Carpenter hits a go-ahead solo shot in the top of the eighth and Trevor Rosenthal caps it off with a six-out save. Cardinals advance to face the Cubbies.
WINNER: Cardinals
ALDS: Texas Rangers Vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Ironically enough we have the exact same ALDS matchups in these predictions than the 2015 postseason had. Here we have the Blue Jays and Rangers. If you recall, the Rangers took the first two games of the series needing to win one of the last three games with two of those at home. Well, they didn't. This Blue Jays team, came alive. The offense was dormant but awoke like a rising phoenix in the last three games, all Blue Jays wins. The Blue Jays don't have the best rotation by any means, but this offense will carry them in close games. Look for the Blue Jays to best the Rangers in 4 games.
RESULT: BLUE JAYS IN 4
ALDS: Kansas City Royals Vs. Houston Astros
This is the same exact matchup as a year ago as well, and it was one hell of a first round matchup. This time though, the Astros are the home team. My MVP favorite this season for the AL is Carlos Correa and look for him to have a big series and postseason in general. Of course, they're going up against the two time defending AL Champs and the reigning World Series Champions. However, the Royals won't be doing any defending this season. The Astros take this series in five games with timely hitting and key pitching. The Royals bullpen is nasty, but the Astros starters won't let it get that bad. Evan Gattis has a key hit in the late innings of game five and the Astros move on to the ALCS for their first time as AL members.
RESULT: ASTROS IN 5
NLDS: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs
Once again, the same matchup as last year except the roles are switched. The Cubs are coming off of a great regular season, and it is the Cardinals that are the lower seed having won the WC game against the Dodgers. The Cubs are an incredibly complete team. This team has it all. They have a couple of weak spots in the back end of their bullpen and that COULD cause them some problems come October. I don't think it will in this particular series. The Cubs can score in bunches and have an incredibly strong 1-2-3 punch in their starting rotation. Jason Heyward will stick it to his old team just like he did in the offseason by signing with the hated Cubs. The Cubs move on to the NLCS for the second straight year.
RESULT: CUBS IN 4.
NLDS: New York Mets Vs. San Francisco Giants
Well, it is an even year. But the Giants are no fluke for making the playoffs. That's not why I put them in. They have a solid 1-2-3 punch in their rotation as well. The Shark and Johnny Baseball will add something the Giants didn't have on last seasons team: Starting pitching depth. Something the Mets are overflowing with in Queens. Just like last season, I expect the Mets' starting pitching to overwhelm opponent once the playoffs come. They have the offense to back up their pitching as well. Yoenis Cespedes is back in Queens and expect him to TAKE OVER once the playoffs come.
RESULT: METS IN 5
ALCS Houston Astros Vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Another potentially great matchup here as we have the upstart Astros against the established Blue Jays. This Astros team reminds me a lot of the Cardinals teams back in the early 2010's. They have an influx of veterans but they also have these youngsters coming up the system and now they're starting to produce at the highest level. In my opinion, this is the Astros' series to lose. Their starting pitching is on par with the Blue Jays but ultimately it comes down with the bullpens. The re-signing of Tony Sipp went incredibly under the radar as a lefty specialist. The Astros have the more complete team with the blue Jays lacking strength in the bullpen. The Astros move onto the World Series for the first time since 2005.
RESULT: ASTROS IN 6
NLCS: New York Mets Vs. Chicago Cubs
Another rematch, this seems to be the the theme of this post. Once again, the seedings are flip-flopped and the Cubs are the home team in this seven game series. This has the potential to be one of the better postseason series' in recent memory. Both of these teams got better in the offseason. The Cubs added some more weapons with Zobrist, Heyward and Lackey signing on in Chicago. The Mets simply get another season of experience for their young pitching core. Look for them to lead the, early on in the series but look for the Cubs to feed on the Mets average bullpen. However, i'm a firm believer in pitching beats the best offenses... and well...
RESULT: METS IN 7
World Series: Houston Astros Vs. New York Mets
A matchup of some young, upstart teams. Just two seasons ago these teams both lost 85+ games. Now, with young studs in both of their respective lineups these teams are going to show the world this season just how good they can be. They both have Cy Young contenders at the head of their rotations and they have MVP favorites in their lineups. It truly would be a talented and special matchup. Hypothetically, this series is going to go seven games. These two teams are about as equally matched as they come. Both have exciting offenses that can catch fire at any given point. Both have excellent starting rotations. Both have average bullpens. The Mets however, have the presence of an all-star caliber closer. Not that it'll change the series by any means, just pointing out the facts. But I believe this is the year for the N.L. It is so top heavy in the NL and playing those top teams all season long will prep them for this tough test. The Mets with their young core will be World Series Champion this time around defeating the Astros in six games.
RESULT: METS WIN WORLD SERIES IN 6 GAMES
Sunday, March 20, 2016
The First Two Days...
The NCAA Tournament is, personally, one of my favorite events of the year. Everything from those Cinderella stories, the huge upsets, the 10-point swings and all the way to cutting down the nets and One Shining Moment. So... is it possible to pick a favorite part?
Yes
The absolute best two days of the SPORTING YEAR are the first two days of the NCAA Tournament.
Not the first four, that doesn't count. Sure, there have been some great teams come out of the First Four (IE VCU in 2011). However, the first four pales in comparison to the first two days of the tournament.
How is the first two days of the tournament the best you ask?
How is it not?
16 games in one day, having three to four games on at once and all of the upsets and underdogs hanging in with the big boys. There is no better day in sports than the first two days of the tournament. For one day, the David's of the world can hang and dethrone the Goliath's.
I mean look at the last couple of seasons and the upsets we've seen. Who doesn't love these upsets?
Last year we had Georgia State taking down Baylor. R.J. Hunter had one of the best shots in recent history in the first round. As for his Dad's reaction on the bench? (His dad Ron is the head coach at Georgia State) Even better.
You have to love the little school's putting up a fight and pulling out a nail biter in the dying seconds. Or you could just be the 2013 FGCU Eagles and have no disregard for human life. Like this.
The first round of the tournament is about getting all your friends to come over to your place, huddle around a TV, order a pizza or two and watch game after game after game. Odds are, in one of those 16 games, there's going to be a close one or at least a buzzer beater.
But just when you're exhausted after the first day of it, THERE'S MORE!
Another 16 games coming right at you for the second day in a row. By this time i'm sure your bracket has been ruined because let's be honest, no one will ever fill out a perfect bracket. but the best thing to do is ignore that, crack open a cold one with your friends and enjoy the best two days of the sporting year. Basketball comes at you nonstop and gosh darnit, you never know what might happen. You gotta love March!
Sunday, March 6, 2016
2016 MLB Season Predictions
Spring Training is already underway in both Florida and Arizona and I personally cannot wait for opening day this season. There is no clear cut favorite to take home the World Series, but if we had to pick one I think it'd be the Cubs. Anyways, this week on Hutch On Sports we're going to preview everything about the regular season. Giving the individual record predictions for each team. Next week we do the playoffs and the World Series. Something tells me that I'll be slapping myself in October when all is said and done, but lets just remember these are PREDICTIONS. I'm no Nostradamus and I don't expect to be one. Without further to do, lets start with the American League!
A.L. East
1. Toronto Blue Jays (94-68)
2. Boston Red Sox (89-73)
3. New York Yankees (87-75)
4. Tampa Bay Rays (81-81)
5. Baltimore Orioles (78-84)
I really like the Blue Jays offense to continue their mauling ways in 2016. It really is a toss up when it comes to those top three teams. None really boast a dominant rotation, but I like the Blue Jays offense to carry them late in the season and eventually pull away from the pack. Sure there's questions with a shaky bullpen, but i'll take my chances. The Sox I think will have a bounce back year with many of their top prospects on the verge of The Bigs. David Price is the ace they never truly had last season. However, for them to do anything Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez have to do SOMETHING. The Yankees have the best bullpen in baseball, but an aging offensive core is the question mark here. Do I believe that Teixeira, A-Rod, Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran can carry the load yet again in 2016? I'd bet against it. The Rays are one of my sleeper teams this season. A return to form of Evan Longoria would be nice to see at The Trop this season, but as always with the Rays, it starts with pitching. That rotation has the chance to be one of the best in baseball again. Don't sleep on the Rays. As far as the O's, an aging roster and a closing window, no rotation or farm system to speak of. it might get ugly in baltimore really quickly.
A.L. Central
1. Kansas City Royals (92-70)
2. Minnesota Twins (90-72) WC
3. Detroit Tigers (87-75)
4. Chicago White Sox (84-78)
5. Cleveland Indians (80-82)
Until they get knocked off the top, the Royals are still the favorites in this division. Their brand of baseball is so unique and successful that even with their lack of quality arms in their rotation, they'll still be fine. I'm thinking the Twins build off of their successful surprise season from 2015. Top prospects will start to reach the big leagues and we get a full season from Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano. Yes Please. The Tigers got better in the offseason, however pitching and their bullpen remain a question mark, could we be seeing the writing on the wall for Brad Ausmus in Detroit? The White Sox got a lot better too. The Todd Frazier trade was an interesting one, but it definitely helps adding a guy who still is in his prime, though on the wrong side of it. The rotation shouldn't be an issue, however its the bullpen that is still a question mark here. It was historically bad last season, here's to hoping it rebounds in 2016. The Indians are one of the most complete teams in this division. They just need to be able to hit and put it all together over a full season. Any of these teams can win the division, it should be the best race to see unfold in MLB this season. Opening day is when?
A.L. West
1. Houston Astros (93-69)
2. Texas Rangers (91-71) WC
3. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (84-78)
4. Seattle Mariners (81-81)
5. Oakland Athletics (73-89)
Last years Cinderella story should continue in 2016. The Astros lose Scott Kazmir from their rotation but they still have reigning Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel. Hopefully he proves not to be a one hit wonder for their sake. the Astros get a full season of Carlos Correa and we might be hearing MVP chants in Houston sooner rather than later for him. The Rangers should give them a run for their money and it'll be close. I just like the Astros a tad more. Yu Darvish comes back from Tommy John and they get Cole Hamels for a full season too. It'll be interesting at the top to say the least. Team Trout will win 80 games simply because that man will be roaming center field for 162 games. They'll need contributions from someone other than Mike Trout to have anything that resembles a chance. The Mariners have become one of the most frustrating teams in the league to watch over the past couple of seasons. A dearth of talent at the MLB level but always underwhelming. I expect more of the same despite a revamped roster. The A's will probably be the worst team in the A.L. this season, but they're soft rebuilding the right way. Moneyball will soon be reaping its reward in the Coliseum.
N.L. East
1. New York Mets (95-67)
2. Washington Nationals (87-75)
3. Miami Marlins (74-88)
4. Atlanta Braves (65-97)
5. Philadelphia Phillies (63-99)
Last years N.L. Pennant winners get a boost this season. They play in the weakest division in baseball and get a full season of Yoenis Cespedes. That rotation is still going to be the best in baseball without a doubt. They get to beat up upon the bottom three in this division and their only test will be from a Nats team with a new manager. I like their chances to get back to October. The Nationals should be better under Dusty Baker than they were under Matt Williams. A players coach, Baker has already seemed to have broken through to this clubhouse of chokers and such. Bryce Harper will carry this team at the end of the day, but they're getting old fast on offense. This window is closing soon. The Marlins should be the best out of the bottom three in this division because (hopefully) they get a full season of Giancarlo Stanton mashing baseballs and they'll have Jose Fernandez assuming they don't trade him. It's a mess in Miami but maybe they'll surprise us. The Braves and the Phillies will be duking it out for what looks like the #1 pick in the draft and last place in the division. The last season at Turner Field isn't going to be a pretty one for the Braves. The Phillies are in the same boat, good minor league system, bad major league team. Look for that to change in the coming seasons for both teams. But for 2016? Yikes.
N.L. Central
1. Chicago Cubs (102-60)
2. St. Louis Cardinals (91-61) WC
3. Pittsburgh Pirates (87-75)
4. Milwaukee Brewers (76-86)
5. Cincinnati Reds (67-95)
Could this be the year? The Cubs look dangerous folks, they have the chance to be the best team in baseball and end the longest drought in professional sports. Then again, they are the Cubs. This team got a lot better with the additions of Jason Heyward and Ben Zobrist. Not to mention a signing of a veteran starter in John Lackey. Those Cardinals and Cubs games should be joys to watch. The Cardinals do lose two big FA's to the Cubbies but not to worry in STL, the Cardinals have great organizational depth (shocker). They're not going to take us like surprise like they did last year and win 100+ games, but this team knows how to win and expect them to compete for the division. The Pirates will also be very good in 2016. They didn't make many changes to their overall roster, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Now they just need to get into the playoffs... and win. There's a major drop off from three to four in this division and the Brewers won't be anything special. However, they're rebuilding the right way and saw some impact in the rotation towards the end of last season. Look for that to continue. The Reds should be an atrocity. Anything above 70 wins for this club should be deemed a successful season. Look for Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce to leave town via trade sooner rather than later.
N.L. West
1. San Francisco Giants (96-66)
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (94-68) WC
3. Arizona Diamondbacks (90-62)
4. San Diego Padres (78-84)
5. Colorado Rockies (66-96)
It's an even year. Watch out world, here come the Giants again. No, I didn't rank them at the top solely because it's an even year. They got much better in a great offseason by their management. Additions of Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija will greatly help their rotation woes from last season. The offense was great last season and it will continue to be this season. I like the Giants out west. The Dodgers are nipping at their heels though, along with the Dbacks. The Dodgers lose Zack Greinke but now have arguably more rotational depth than they did last season. Kenta Maeda is a big question mark as you never know how those Japanese pitchers will hold up in their first full 162 game season. Hyun-Jin-Ryu looks to be delayed coming back from shoulder surgery but the addition of another solid lefty in Scott Kazmir will help Clayton Kershaw for sure. Oh, did we mention the Dodgers have one of the best minor league systems? Corey Seager will play his first full season in the bigs and we might be seeing Julio Urias sooner rather than later. What a phenom this kid is. The Diamondbacks possessed the best offense outside of Coors Field last season and now they have the pitching staff to compete for a division crown. But can they? Zack Greinke is a bonafide ace and a student of the game. Shelby Miller is a young stud coming off a great statistical season with the Braves. Paul Goldschmidt is the MVP candidate no one is talking about (or no one ever talks about). The pieces are the for the Diamondbacks to go for it in 2016. Now we just have to wait and see how it all unfolds. The Padres will take a step back from the hype train that surrounded them leading up to last season. After another disappointing campaign in SD, the Padres now lack depth in their minor league system and lack talent with their major league system. They do however have a heap of bad contacts. This might not be pretty in SD this season. Finally we have the Rockies who will have the same line they do going into seemingly every season in Denver: Best offense in baseball, bad rotation pitching at Coors Field. They'll score a lot of runs, but they'll give up more. Lets hope that top 10 minor league system brings up more pitching prospects.
Next week we take these predictions and make them even more exciting! Awards and Playoff predictions come next week on Hutch On Sports and we'll see you then!
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Why are things the way they are in the NBA?
The NBA has been getting a little weird.
Just the way the game is played today, it's so different than it was 10-15 years ago. How have we gotten to this point? Why are things the way they are? Is it just because of one player?
Is Stephen Curry changing the way we play basketball? It sure seems that way.
Think about it. In 2004-2005, we crowned the Detroit Pistons as champions of the NBA. They played a dirty, grind-it-out style of basketball. Defense first, offense second. That's unheard of in the NBA today... Would the 04-05 Pistons even succeed in today's NBA? That's something you have to ponder.
Stephen Curry has singlehandedly transformed the way we play basketball now. Dunks aren't the rage anymore. What gets us all going is the art of shooting. The art of the three-point shot. Stephen Curry has mastered this. I mean... did you see how he won the game last night against the Thunder?
Did you see where he shot the ball from? That's not even fair. Not to mention he broke his own record for Three-point shots made in a single season. There's 25 games left. Are you kidding me? We've never seen a marksman like this in the NBA. He's changing how they play. He's changing how they "defend". I put that in quotations because what exactly is defense in today's NBA? You hear legends like Isaiah Thomas and Oscar Robertson argue that the Warriors wouldn't be this good if they played in their era. That they actually played defense. Well with gems such as this....
How can you blame them?
Defense is an expiring art form in today's NBA. No one plays it. Why do you think we see NBA scores in the upper 100's and college scores in the upper 60's? One actually plays defense and the other plays "defense".
So how did we get here? How did the NBA go from "The Bad Boy" era of hard fouls and stingy D to no defense and "hard fouls" getting called as flagrants?
Honestly, I couldn't tell you. Every sport has a phase, I think basketball is just going through one right now. For example, we remember the read-option in football. Remember how Colin Kaepernick was good for a season and a half? Remember how awful he was this past season?
Let's not forget the moneyball period and the Oakland A's and baseball. It worked, just for a short amount of time though. Now big money and big minor league systems rule baseball.
College football and the triple-option? With the exception of Georgia Tech and Navy, that's gone.
Hockey? Well Hockey is just fast paced and crazy. It always has been, I'll take a nice fistfight any day of the week though.
Point is, three-point madness is a phase. At the end of the day, outside of the Splash Brothers and the Warriors, it's a low percentage shot. Yes, there are marksmen and yes defense still exists to some extent. Just like all the other phases, someone will learn how to defend it. Someone will learn how to test Steph Curry. Someone will learn how to rattle his cage. This is just going to take some time to learn how to stop it.
Kenny Smith said during All-Star Saturday Night that the three-point contest should be the main event of the night. Then the dunk contest happened. He took that statement back.
Defense will rule again one day in the NBA. Maybe a new phase will come about. Who knows. That's the great thing about Professional Sports.
Just the way the game is played today, it's so different than it was 10-15 years ago. How have we gotten to this point? Why are things the way they are? Is it just because of one player?
Is Stephen Curry changing the way we play basketball? It sure seems that way.
Think about it. In 2004-2005, we crowned the Detroit Pistons as champions of the NBA. They played a dirty, grind-it-out style of basketball. Defense first, offense second. That's unheard of in the NBA today... Would the 04-05 Pistons even succeed in today's NBA? That's something you have to ponder.
Stephen Curry has singlehandedly transformed the way we play basketball now. Dunks aren't the rage anymore. What gets us all going is the art of shooting. The art of the three-point shot. Stephen Curry has mastered this. I mean... did you see how he won the game last night against the Thunder?
Defense is an expiring art form in today's NBA. No one plays it. Why do you think we see NBA scores in the upper 100's and college scores in the upper 60's? One actually plays defense and the other plays "defense".
So how did we get here? How did the NBA go from "The Bad Boy" era of hard fouls and stingy D to no defense and "hard fouls" getting called as flagrants?
Honestly, I couldn't tell you. Every sport has a phase, I think basketball is just going through one right now. For example, we remember the read-option in football. Remember how Colin Kaepernick was good for a season and a half? Remember how awful he was this past season?
Let's not forget the moneyball period and the Oakland A's and baseball. It worked, just for a short amount of time though. Now big money and big minor league systems rule baseball.
College football and the triple-option? With the exception of Georgia Tech and Navy, that's gone.
Hockey? Well Hockey is just fast paced and crazy. It always has been, I'll take a nice fistfight any day of the week though.
Point is, three-point madness is a phase. At the end of the day, outside of the Splash Brothers and the Warriors, it's a low percentage shot. Yes, there are marksmen and yes defense still exists to some extent. Just like all the other phases, someone will learn how to defend it. Someone will learn how to test Steph Curry. Someone will learn how to rattle his cage. This is just going to take some time to learn how to stop it.
Kenny Smith said during All-Star Saturday Night that the three-point contest should be the main event of the night. Then the dunk contest happened. He took that statement back.
Defense will rule again one day in the NBA. Maybe a new phase will come about. Who knows. That's the great thing about Professional Sports.
Saturday, February 20, 2016
It's time Peyton...
You all know what's coming. We saw it this past season.
Peyton Manning... It's time for a new Sheriff in town.
There's no more records to break, there's nothing more to prove. You just won your second Super Bowl and your legacy will live on forever as one of the best quarterback to ever play the position.
Why contemplate coming back? You'll be 40 years old by the time Week 1 rolls around next year. Certainly you don't want to do what Favre did. Look at the feelings he hurt. The people he betrayed. Do you want that to be you?
Of course the situations you face are far less extreme for you than Favre had. You just won the Super Bowl. THE SUPER BOWL!!! Peyton, it's the perfect ending. Exit stage left. Ride off into the sunset as a champion. There's nothing left for you to prove. You're one of the best to ever play the game. Your records speak for themselves. Touchdown passes, Passing yards, completions, touchdown passes in a season, the MVP's. Peyton... it's obvious. It has to be.
This past season was one of the toughest of your career. It was tough on all of us to watch. I didn't like seeing it personally, I know a lot of people didn't like seeing it. I'm sure you didn't like hearing people talk about if you still had "it" or not. Im sure you're tired of all the jokes people made about your passes looking like fluttering ducks. I know you've heard it all.
The torn plantar fascia must have been tough to come back from. I've seen athletes struggle with that injury. Look at the basketball players in recent memory. Joakim Noah, Pau Gasol, Al Jefferson. I can tell it's painful just by watching. When you're retired you don't have to worry about that anymore Peyton. You can worry about making more gems like these.
Seriously, how awesome were those commercials though?
I can't question a professional athlete and the decisions they make because I'm not one of them. I'm actually one of the annoyances in the life of a professional athlete. The Media. Guess what Sheriff, no more of me! No more cameras in your face. No more questions about this and that. No more after practice news conferences. Heck, no more practice. There's a win.
But I will never understand the one thing a professional athlete has more than anyone else on the Earth: Drive.
I'd kill to know what it feels like to wake up in the morning and do everything it possibly takes to be good enough to compete for a championship. Peyton Manning did this better than anyone else throughout his career. Just ask yourself Peyton. Do you have it in you still? Is that drive still there to go get another ring?
If you have to think about it, I think your answer has already been made.
Peyton, I just want to say it's been an absolute honor growing up and watch you play the position. You've broken my heart a couple times, but you were an absolute professional each time. I respect you for everything you've done on the field throughout your entire career. You've given multiple kids a role model to look up to. (This is all barring the recent news of the off the field stuff at the University of Tennessee by the way) I don't want to see father time take another one from us. He's undefeated after all. Well, Tim Duncan has something to say about that.
Peyton, I know you're going to make the decision that's best for you in the end. I just want you to be happy. If going out and suiting up again makes you happy then do it. If hanging 'em up and looking back you can smile about everything you've accomplished makes you happy, do it.
One thing is for sure though.
Come Week One and #18 is still under center, i'll be shaking in my boots. That old Sheriff still knows how to sling it, doesn't he?
Peyton Manning... It's time for a new Sheriff in town.
There's no more records to break, there's nothing more to prove. You just won your second Super Bowl and your legacy will live on forever as one of the best quarterback to ever play the position.
Why contemplate coming back? You'll be 40 years old by the time Week 1 rolls around next year. Certainly you don't want to do what Favre did. Look at the feelings he hurt. The people he betrayed. Do you want that to be you?
Of course the situations you face are far less extreme for you than Favre had. You just won the Super Bowl. THE SUPER BOWL!!! Peyton, it's the perfect ending. Exit stage left. Ride off into the sunset as a champion. There's nothing left for you to prove. You're one of the best to ever play the game. Your records speak for themselves. Touchdown passes, Passing yards, completions, touchdown passes in a season, the MVP's. Peyton... it's obvious. It has to be.
This past season was one of the toughest of your career. It was tough on all of us to watch. I didn't like seeing it personally, I know a lot of people didn't like seeing it. I'm sure you didn't like hearing people talk about if you still had "it" or not. Im sure you're tired of all the jokes people made about your passes looking like fluttering ducks. I know you've heard it all.
The torn plantar fascia must have been tough to come back from. I've seen athletes struggle with that injury. Look at the basketball players in recent memory. Joakim Noah, Pau Gasol, Al Jefferson. I can tell it's painful just by watching. When you're retired you don't have to worry about that anymore Peyton. You can worry about making more gems like these.
Seriously, how awesome were those commercials though?
I can't question a professional athlete and the decisions they make because I'm not one of them. I'm actually one of the annoyances in the life of a professional athlete. The Media. Guess what Sheriff, no more of me! No more cameras in your face. No more questions about this and that. No more after practice news conferences. Heck, no more practice. There's a win.
But I will never understand the one thing a professional athlete has more than anyone else on the Earth: Drive.
I'd kill to know what it feels like to wake up in the morning and do everything it possibly takes to be good enough to compete for a championship. Peyton Manning did this better than anyone else throughout his career. Just ask yourself Peyton. Do you have it in you still? Is that drive still there to go get another ring?
If you have to think about it, I think your answer has already been made.
Peyton, I just want to say it's been an absolute honor growing up and watch you play the position. You've broken my heart a couple times, but you were an absolute professional each time. I respect you for everything you've done on the field throughout your entire career. You've given multiple kids a role model to look up to. (This is all barring the recent news of the off the field stuff at the University of Tennessee by the way) I don't want to see father time take another one from us. He's undefeated after all. Well, Tim Duncan has something to say about that.
Peyton, I know you're going to make the decision that's best for you in the end. I just want you to be happy. If going out and suiting up again makes you happy then do it. If hanging 'em up and looking back you can smile about everything you've accomplished makes you happy, do it.
One thing is for sure though.
Come Week One and #18 is still under center, i'll be shaking in my boots. That old Sheriff still knows how to sling it, doesn't he?
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