2018 Tampa Bay Rays Season Preview

The Tampa Bay Rays look a lot different now then what we thought we would look like at the end of last year coming into the season. Franchise 3rd baseman Evan Longoria, who seemed basically untouchable has been traded to the Giants. Corey Dickerson, gone. Logan Morrison, gone. Jake Odorizzi, gone. This is a whole new team that has a lot to learn with each other before the season starts. This team has basically been split apart completely but in the end I believe it's for the best.

When the Rays traded away these star players we got plenty of good prospects to help out the farm system and some can even play for the Rays in the big leagues this season. The Rays also signed veteran OF Carlos Gomez to a 1 yr contract. This could bring some balance of experience to the young team we have coming in. Overall the team's Outfield is going to be strong with Carlos Gomez, Kevin Keirmaier, and possibly Mallex Smith. The team also brings some really good pitchers in assuming Chris Archer stays healthy. Blake Snell has really shown improvement over the last couple of seasons and even though we lost prospect Brent Honeywell to Tommy John Surgery this could be a pretty stacked rotation which according to Rays Manager Kevin Cash will include 4 pitchers this season.

With the way this team is built I believe the Rays can snatch the final Wild Card spot in the AL and come in 3rd in the AL East. Will be a team to watch for in the upcoming 2018 season.
Alex Mesa

Atlanta Braves season preview

             In one of the worst divisions in baseball, minus the Washington Nationals, the Atlanta Braves finished 72-90, once again disappointing their fans. Even though superstar 1B Freddie Freeman showed MVP potential in the start of the season, an injury kept him out for the middle of the year. With Ronald Acuna and Ozzie Albies expected to get extended playing time, the Braves have a developing year ahead of them. Let's take a look at their offseason.

              Notable additions: RHP Brandon McCarthy, LHP Scott Kazmir, INF Charlie Culberson, RHP Peter Moylan, INF Christian Colon.

               Notable subtractions: OF Matt Kemp, 2B Brandon Phillips, 3B Adonis Garcia, 1B Matt Adams, INF Jace Peterson, U Emilio Bonifacio, RHP R.A. Dickey, LHP Ian Krol.

              What they did well: They unloaded the Kemp contract, but took on Kazmir's and Adrian Gonzalez (who was DFA'd)'s deals. The trade frees up more money for the future, but tighter on them now, when they don't need it as much.

               What they didn't do well: Their outgoing players, Kemp, Phillips and Garcia, weren't replaced by anyone. That means they are leaving it to the young guys, Acuna, Albies and Johan Camargo to get it done. I'm surprised they didn't add a vet like Chase Utley to back up Camargo and Albies, plus a Jarrod Dyson or Rajai Davis to play, since Acuna will probably miss the first six weeks (thus is why he isn't on the projected roster below) so they can keep a year of arbitration on him.

                  Sneaky Sleeper: He may not even be starting on opening day, with a battle between him and Kurt Suzuki going on, but Tyler Flowers quietly had a fine 2017. In just 346 at bats, Flowers hit 14 homers, pretty good for a catcher. If given the starting job, Flowers could challenge twenty homers.

                  Incoming outbreak: There's two 21 year olds I considered putting here, so I'll put them both. As their second baseman, Ozzie Albies was decent as a 20 year old in a short 2017 stint. He hit .286 and stole eight bases in 244 Plate Appearances. One of two young guns expected to make the rotation, Luiz Gohara wasn't as good as Albies in 2017, with a 4.91 ERA in 29.1 innings. More innings, and Gohara will succeed.

                  Unsuspected slump: In his career, Nick Markakis has always been an iron man, playing in 1,839 games in his 11 year career. He played 147 games in his rookie year, and that is still the lowest amount of games he's ever played in. Plus, he's always had a good batting average, with the career mark standing at .288. But, he's lost his power. Most players also lose their ability to keep a high batting average as they age. Markakis might be one of those players this year.

                   Blue-chip Bopper: We all know the answer, I'll say it five times: Freddie Freeman, Freddie Freeman, Freddie Freeman, Freddie Freeman, oh, and Freddie Freeman. Freeman hit 28 homers and had a .307 batting average in just 440 at bats in 2017. He's arguably the second best first baseman in the league, behind Paul Goldschmidt.

                   Astounding ace: Despite a rough 2017 where he had a 4.49 ERA, and was a disappointment to my fantasy team, Julio Teheran is still their best starter by far. He has pitched at least 185 innings in each of the last five seasons. Not many starters can boast of that. He still has a career 3.59 ERA, after an ugly year.

                   Here is the Braves projected roster, starting with their lineup.

 CF Ender Inciarte (L)
 2B Ozzie Albies (S)
 1B Freddie Freeman (L)
 C Tyler Flowers (R)
 RF Nick Markakis (L)
 SS Dansby Swanson (R)
 3B Johan Carmago (S)
 LF Lane Adams (R)
 Pitcher

               Here is their rotation:
 RHP Julio Teheran
 RHP Mike Foltynewicz
 LHP Sean Newcomb
 LHP Luiz Gohara
 RHP Brandon McCarthy

  Arodys Vizcaino (R) is their closer, with Scott Kazmir (L), Peter Moylan (R), Aaron Blair (R) and Sam Freeman (L) also in the pen.

 C Kurt Suzuki (R), U Danny Santana (S), INF Charlie Culberson (R), 3B Rio Ruiz (L) and eventually OF Ronald Acuna (R) are on the bench.

 Finally, for my prediction, I think the Braves, a team on the rise, will not make the playoffs in 2018.

Arizona Diamondbacks Season Preview

By @carterhudblog

          In 2017, the Arizona Diamondbacks finished with a record of 93-69, and they ended up running away with the 1st wild card spot in the National League, with a six game lead over the Colorado Rockies, who the D-Backs beat in that game. But, the Los Angeles Dodgers swept Arizona in the NLDS. With star rental J.D. Martinez heading free agency, like all rentals, GM Mike Hazen had some moves to make. Let's take a look at what the D-backs did last offseason.

             Notable additions: OF Steven Souza, RHP Yoshihisa Hirano, OF Jarrod Dyson, C Alex Avila, RHP Brad Boxberger, LHP Antonio Bastardo, RHPs Neftali Feliz, Michael Blazek, Kris Medlen, Fernando Salas, OF Ramon Flores.

             Notable subtractions: OF J.D. Martinez, INF Brandon Drury, C Chis Iannetta, RHPs Fernando Rodney, J.J. Hoover, RHP David Hernandez, OF Gregor Blanco, INF Adam Rosales, LHP Anthony Banda.

              What they did well in the offseason: They didn't try to replace Martinez with an overpayment of Martinez or someone else. Avila and Souza might hit less homers combined in 2018 than Martinez, but with an already completed outfield, and no DH, it's understandable to let him walk. Also, the Added some relievers looking for redemption to minor league deals. See: Bastardo, Blazek, and especially Feliz and Medlen. Those are guys who could break the opening day roster. Hirano is coming from Japan, and should be a better closer than Rodney was.

              What they did bad: Not much. It would be nice to re-sign Martinez, but spending over $100 million for a guy when you already have your team set isn't worth it. It was a smart pass.

               Sneaky Sleeper: Expected to be the fifth starter with Shelby Miller still recovering with Tommy John surgery, Zack Godley had an underrated 2017, with a 3.37 ERA and 165 strikeouts in 155 innings. If he can get enough innings and stay healthy, Godley can be a good 5th starter for them.

               Unsuspected slump: After a very successful 2016, Yasmany Tomas hit just .241, and a .294 OBP. Entering his prime, I still don't think Tomas will come close to the 31 homers he hit in 2016. Plus, the addition of Souza could limit his playing time.

               Incoming outbreak: Ketel Marte didn't play too much in the first half, but an increase in second half games led him to a still light 255 Plate Appearances. His .345 OBP is something he'll look to keep going. Even though he has a career .265 batting average, he has a very good career .314 BABIP. That is a stat that can be great one year, and be horrible the next, but if Marte can maintain his success there, it'll be a fine year.With the trade of Drury, he'll get more ABs in 2018.

                Blue chip Bopper: Paul Goldschmidt has made the last five all-star teams. He's hit thirty homers three times, and would've hit it four times if not for injuries. He's reached 100 RBIs those three years. He's undoubtedly not just their best player, but the best 1st baseman in the league.

                Astounding ace: A really bad first season in the desert had some questioning the $206.5 million deal the D-Backs signed Donald Greinke to (you may know him by his middle name, Zack). But, Greinke rebounded in 2017, with a 3.20 ERA and 215 strikeouts in 202.1 innings. Even a year worse than 2017 should still leave Greinke as their ace.

               This is probably what you came for, but here is the D-Backs projected roster, starting with their lineup.

 SS Ketel Marte (S)
 CF A.J. Pollock (R)
 1B Paul Goldschmidt (R)
 3B Jake Lamb (L)
 LF David Peralta (L)
 RF Steven Souza (L)
 C Alex Avila (L)
 2B Chris Owings (R)
 Pitcher

             Here is their rotation.

 RHP Zack Greinke
 LHP Robbie Ray
 LHP Patrick Corbin
 RHP Taijaun Walker
 RHP Zack Godley

 Yoshihisa Hirano (R) will be their closer, with Archie Bradley (R) and Brad Boxberger (R) in the set-up roles. Neftali Feliz (R), Antonio Bastardo (L), Michael Blazek (R), Andrew Chafin and Randall Delgado will also be in the pen.

 OFs Yasmany Tomas (R), Jarrod Dyson (L), C Jeff Mathis (R), INF Nick Ahmed (R) and C Chris Hermann (L) are on the bench.

 For my prediction, I think the Diamondbacks will make the playoffs once again, and even be a dark horse World Series contender.

Royals Walk Off Rockies

ROYALS WIN 6-4 by way of walk off over the Colorado Rockies and win game 2 of the series and clinch at worst a series win. Ian Kennedy pitched 4.2 innings giving up 3 runs on 7 hits, 3 walks and 6 strikeouts. Down by 2 with 2 outs in the 9th and runners on first and 2nd, Eric Hosmer hit a 3 run walk off home run off of former Royal Greg Holland. That is Eric Hosmer's first walk off homer of his career. Pitching the final game of the series tomorrow for the Rockies is German Márquez and Jake Junis will pitch for the Royals. The game is scheduled for 1:15 at Kauffman Stadium. #RoyalNoah

Royals Take Game 1 Over Rockies

ROYALS WIN 3-2 over the Colorado Rockies and win game 1 of the 3 game series. Danny Duffy pitched 6 complete innings giving up 2 runs on only 1 hit, 3 walks and 7 strikeouts. In the 9th inning Kelvin Herrera came on for the save however after recording 2 outs and then loading the bases on a triple, and a pair of walks he was taken out of the day with what manager Ned Yost called "right forearm tightness". Scott Alexander came on and recorded the final out to record his first career save. Pitching game 2 tomorrow for the Rockies is Antonio Senzatela and Ian Kennedy will pitch for the Royals. The game is scheduled for 7:15 at Kauffman Stadium. #RoyalNoah

Royals Avoid Sweep

ROYALS WIN 7-4 over the Cleveland Indians and win the final game of the 3 game series and avoid being swept by the Indians. The Royals scored 7 runs on 15 hits including a solo home run by Cheslor Cuthbert in the bottom of the 4th. That is his 2nd homer of the season. Jason Hammel pitched 6 innings giving up 3 runs on 5 hits, 1 walk and 3 strikeouts. The Royals have a day off tomorrow before resuming the homestand with a 3 game series with the Colorado Rockies. Pitching game 1 on Tuesday for the Rockies is Jon Gray and Danny Duffy will pitch for the Royals. The game is scheduled for 7:15 at Kauffman Stadium. #RoyalNoah

Royals Hit 5 Home Runs Win Series Against White Sox

ROYALS WIN 7-2 over the Chicago White Sox and win game 2 of the 3 game series and clinch at worst a series win. Jason Vargas pitched 5 complete innings giving up 2 runs on 7 hits, 1 walk and 2 strikeouts. The Royals were losing 2-0 going into the bottom of the 6th inning when Salvador Perez hit a 2-run homer, his 19th of the season, and Mike Moustakas hit a solo homer back-to-back. 2 batters later Brandon Moss hit a solo homer, his 12th this season, and the Royals ended the 6th inning with a 5-2 lead after Whit Merrifield singled in Alex Gordon to score the 5th run of the game. Jorge Bonifacio hit a solo home run in the bottom of the 7th for the Royals 6th run of the game and Bonifacio's 12th homer of the year. In the bottom of the 8th Mike Moustakas hit another solo home run putting the Royals at 7 runs and Moose at a total of 28 home runs on the season. Pitching the final game of the series tomorrow for the White Sox is Derek Holland and Travis Wood will pitch for the Royals. The game is scheduled for 1:15 at Kauffman Stadium. #RoyalNoah