One of the most consistent franchises in the game (the Atlanta Braves) are looking like they might be headed for a serious down cycle. I am all for the pinning the future on promising pitching but they have gutted their lineup, making it older and less talented at the same time.
I bet you probably forgot that the Milwaukee Brewers had a winning record last season. The fact is they have have pretty good success over the past decade but never really broke through (two early playoff exits).
Perhaps no team in the Major Leagues went through more changes this past offseason than the Tampa Bay Rays – from the front office to the product on the field the Rays will be a much different team than the one that has contended virtually every year the last decade.
All eyes will be on the Boston Red Sox once again this season as they attempt to bounce back from a 91-loss campaign last season. 3B Pablo Sandoval, LF Hanley Ramirez, RHP Rick Porcello, LHP Wade Miley, RHP Justin Masterson, C Ryan Hanigan and Robbie Ross are a few names that were added to the lineup that still includes Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz.
Spring Training is underway and nowhere is the spotlight bigger than in the home of the New York Yankees who will have their share of intriguing storylines as we head into the season. A-Rod, CC Sabathia and Carlos Beltran are all examples of aging veterans that could be a huge difference maker for this team – good or bad!
The Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers are waging a nice battle for supremacy in the AL Central. As we head down the stretch they are neck and neck so every game between these two is critical. They have one more series after this one. Cappers Picks provides free MLB Baseball handicapping tips all season long. So keep checking in for our 4* Free plays.
The Atlanta Braves are still trying to punch their postseason ticket, and will look to pull within a game of the second National League wild card with a win over the NL East-leading Washington Nationals on Tuesday in game two of a three-game set in D.C. Cappers Picks provides free MLB Baseball handicapping tips all season long.
The St. Louis Cardinals host the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday evening in the first game of a three-game set at Busch Stadium.
The Los Angeles Dodgers host the Atlanta Braves on Thursday night in the third game of a three-game set at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers will be looking for the series sweep after claiming a 10-inning victory in Wednesday’s contest.
The Atlanta Braves host the Miami Marlins on Tuesday in the second game of a four-game set at Turner Field. The Marlins came to Atlanta with losses in six of seven games, while the Braves began the series with wins in four of their previous five games.
The professional ranks take a break from the regular season to begin the week, but a select few stars will put their skills on display in Monday’s Home Run Derby. Both the American League and National League will be putting some dynamic power hitters on display.
This interleague match-up features a punchless offense (the visiting Padres) doing battle with an offense that’s been downright Mike Tyson-esque so far this season. It will be interesting to see if anything bucks the trend on Friday night.
After a dreadful start to the season the Angels got back on track by taking 3 of 4 against Houston. The problem is that poor start was against these same Mariners and now they are on the road against the Ms.
The Boston Red Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals have made it through the first two rounds of the postseason and will square off in the 2013 World Series. Boston will enjoy home field advantage in the Series because some Rangers and Orioles and Twins beat some Rockies and Marlins and Brewers in July (sounds silly when you put it that way, doesn’t it?).
The Red Sox are starting to run away with the AL East with a 9.5 game lead over the Orioles and a 10 game lead over the Yankees, so New York and Baltimore will likely have to snag a Wild Card to make the playoffs.
The Red Sox have won 3 straight and they are in first place in the AL East with a 2.5 game lead over the Rays and a 6.5 game lead over the Orioles.
