How Many Baseball Teams Are in the American League?
Currently, there are 14 Major League Baseball teams in the American League. These organizations are spread among three different divisions too. The league was formed in 1901 and has won the majority of World Series championships since then in comparison to the older National League. In any case, some of the most successful teams in baseball history call this league home and loads of fans lay betting lines on this league. Read the rest of this entry »
Oakland A’s 2011 Bullpen Outlook
The Oakland A’s seem to be the dark horse and trendy pick to walk away with the American League west crown this year. There is good reason too, as at least the top four spots in the rotation are solid. Though there is not a clear cut shut you down front of the rotation starter per se, there is a solid foundation and an entire rotation of scrappy competitors.
The return of Rich Harden has been set back again with his most recent injury and Manager Bob Geren does not expect him to be available for opening day. Combine that with the recent concern over Andrew Bailey’s surgically repaired elbow and there may be trouble brewing in Oakland.
Brandon McCarthy should be the favorite for the fifth spot with Harden unable to compete. He has the best track record and his stuff fits well into the A’s philosophy. Geren is not tipping his hand on the subject though.
Dallas Braden, Trevor Cahill, and Gio Gonzalez all stand to gain from solid years in 2010, and if southpaw Brett Anderson finds his
New York Yankees Season Depends on Rotation
Every year is a disappointing year in the Bronx if the Yankees don’t win it all. The Yankees got to the American League Championship in 2010, but were outclassed by Cliff Lee and the Texas Rangers. Determined not to let that happen again, the Yankees made pitching there primary focus during free agency.
The biggest prize was the aforementioned Cliff Lee, who was expected to either re-sign with the Rangers or join former teammate C.C. Sabathia in New York. He surprised everyone and signed with the Phillies. That, coupled with the retirement of Andy Pettite, means the Yanks will be looking in house to fill out the rotation.
C.C. Sabithia is the unquestioned ace of the staff, and came into spring training in the best shape of his life. A.J. Burnett and Phil Hughes have been outstanding at times, but have been inconsistent. That leaves three pitchers to contend for the remaining two spots. The Yankees hope Ivan Nova, Sergio Mitre, or the under-achieving c can successfully handle the starting duties.
Re-signing Mariano Rivera, the best closer in baseball, would have been enough
Mets As Division Champs? It Could Happen
On the surface, the chances of the Mets winning the NL East or coming anywhere close seem very slim. However, that’s why they play games, and as we’ve seen in baseball time and time again, anything can happen. The NL East is quickly becoming one of the top divisions in baseball, which will make the Mets trek to the top all the more challenging.
The Phillies compliment their dynamic offense with the best starting rotation ever assembled, making them heavy favorites. The Braves and Marlins both return solid ball clubs, and the Nationals are a young team that is due to make a big leap in their win total any year Read the rest of this entry »
Yankees Pitching a Big Question Mark for 2011
Most teams in baseball would have been thrilled to have the season the Yankees did in 2010. The 2009 World Champions made another playoff appearance, easily brushing aside the Twins in the ALDS before finally succumbing to the Rangers in the ALCS. However, the Yankees are not like other teams. Anything less than a World Series ring is considered a disappointment in the Bronx. And so the Bronx Bombers went into this off-season looking to improve upon a team that is already supremely talented.
By far, the biggest unknown going into next year is with their starting rotation. Behind staff ace CC Sabathia and budding star Phil Hughes, there are a lot of question marks. Javier Vazquez had a disastrous return to the Bronx in 2010 and is now down in Florida. Andy Pettitte, the long time workhorse of the Yanks, appears to be headed towards retirement. A.J. Burnett looked lost on Read the rest of this entry »
CIN Reds,MLB, can they win their division next year?
The Reds were able to take a big step last season in the NL Central. They won the division because of some truly phenomenal play by the likes of Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips. Their ability to put big number up on the scoreboard and to do some basic fielding of the baseball disappeared in the postseason.
This had to be quite a frustrating sight for people like Reds manager Dusty Baker and a veteran left handed reliever like Arthur Rhodes for example. It is hard to say whether the Reds genuinely expected to win the World Series after they made it to the playoffs last season. They have had no major defections from the team so far in the offseason so many analysts seem to believe there is no logical reason why they can’t compete for the NL Central Title again.
The Reds were able to make some key offseason Read the rest of this entry »
Hideki Okajima signed again by the BoSox
Hideki Okajima and the Boston red sox have come to an agreement, depending upon Hideki passing a physical exam by the team’s doctors.
Okajima became a free agent in early December when Boston didn’t get him to sign a new deal. His contract last year was worth 2.75 million. Boston wants him to compete with in the rotation with Andrew Miller, Rich Hill, Lenny DiNardo and Felix Doubront during spring training for a bullpen job.
Okajima had issues during 2010. Having a 3.06 earned run average within his 254 career relief appearances, having 16 wins and eight losses, the red sox wants him to come back to previous form as he did during his final 13 innings allowing Read the rest of this entry »
Blazers looking for a divisional win at home
Friday will see the Minnesota Timberwolves traveling to Portland, to take on the division rival Trail Blazers. Both teams have struggled this season, after strong starts early. At one point the Trail Blazers looked like they might just be the team to beat in the division, however those days are long gone.
Both of these teams are desperate for a win right now. Both teams are coming off three game losing streaks, and they both rank at the very bottom of their division. These teams are very evenly matched, and despite the poor records this should be an intense match up as both of them try to get back on track.
Portland has suffered a total break down in all phases. They have trouble scoring, and they have trouble stopping other teams at the basket, and baseline alike. They haven’t posed any kind of serious threat, and on a whole have looked confused and disjointed as a team. There are no real stand out stars on this team, but as they showed early on in the season, if everyone comes together, and plays as a whole unit they can be a very good, and very dangerous squad.
The big problem is that they have not Read the rest of this entry »
Suns looking to snap their losing ways against the Bobcats
The previous occasion the suns dropped 3 consecutively had also been the previous time they played the Bobcats on their home floor.
Wanting to steer clear of a repeat, Phoenix will benefit from Nash’s come back from a 1 game absence Saturday evening versus Charlotte.
Phoenix (6-6) has dropped the 1st 2 games on its 4 game bachelors party in uneven style, pursuing Wednesday’s 123-96 defeat vs. the Heat having a 105-89 defeat at the Magic on Thursday, meanwhile Nash was on the sidelines for the first time this year having a sore groin.
Not having him, Phoenix dropped behind by as much as thirty-two prior to Orlando emptying all their reserves on the floor.
A long period of time with out Nash may likely result in the year appearing to be considerably longer. As he rejoined the club in 2004-20505, the Suns are 9-18 when Nash is sidelined and not playing in the game, & 329-148 when he’s on the court.
Luckily for the Suns, coach Alvin Gentry stated his star point guard most likely could have participated, however there was clearly absolutely no rationale to press the damage. Nash, who had been healthy and Read the rest of this entry »
The top three rookies in major league baseball
Major League Baseball produced a number or promising rookies in 2010. Lefty Brian Matusz of the Baltimore Orioles won 10 games, Naftail Feliz saved 40 games for the American League champion Texas Rangers, and Danny Velencia of the Minnesota Twins batted 311. Wade Davis of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays was stellar down the stretch and ended up winning 12 games for the season. As well as these players performed three others did even better.
Austin Jackson, the 23-year-old centerfielder of the Detroit Tigers ended the season batting .293. He became only the fourth Major League player in history to collect 180 hits, score 100 runs, bang out 30 doubles and 10 triples, and steal 27 bases. Jackson also displayed some of the best defensive play Read the rest of this entry »