Will Odell Beckham Jr. ever learn from his actions?
This past Sunday the Giants versus Panthers matchup was one to remember for how competitive it was. The only problem is that no one will be talking about the game, because of what one athlete did to hurt his team, and the franchise. The player that I am talking about is New York Giants star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. he was acting very immature, and out of character. Three personal foul calls were against him alone that cost his team. He was shown swinging at Josh Norman which was uncalled for but both are to blame for their actions. The one that really got people aggravated and disappointed, was when he launched himself at Norman, and went helmet to helmet with him. Josh Norman was unaware of what Beckham was going to do. Beckham could have really hurt Norman and could of even paralyzed him. These kind of actions now question the type of person Odell Beckham Jr. really is as a person. Many fans and former NFL players were disgusted, and angry in what he did because of the possible things that could of happen. The pushing, and shoving is one thing, but when you target someone by going helmet to helmet it is taken it to a whole new level.
The Referee's should have taken action earlier in the game when this all began because if they had let it play out any further it could of gotten worse. They should have ejected Odell Beckham after the blow to Josh Norman's head. I want to know how does Odell Beckham Jr not get ejected after getting three personal fouls. He was acting childish, and like a diva because he wasn't getting the calls. I don't know if needs a reminder again that he is playing in a grown mans sport, and no one is going to baby him. He has to let it go because he is a player that many young children look up to, and want to be like him. The New York Giants organization needs to hand down a punishment or a fine, and need teach him what he did is wrong. Even though the NFL handed him a 1 game suspension they are going to take it back, and allow him to play. They don't care about what he did all they are worried about is the money coming in, and how good did they do in the ratings.
For the way he acted on Sunday he is going to have a even bigger target on his back to try to get him to act like that again. Odell has to learn he has to be the bigger person, and walk away because of how big of a contributor he is to his team. Any team he plays knows if you take him out of the game by not letting him produce than the Giants wont function on offense. The Giants offense evolves around Odell because he is the one who is a game changer. He thinks he is better than everyone else, but he has to learn he is just getting into the game being in his second year in the league. He thinks he has earned the respect of the players throughout the league. He is totally far from earning the respect especially after his actions on Sunday. It has taken years for many players because people look at how you act on, and off the field.
As a fan of the game I think his actions need to be addressed, and some type of punishment needs to be handed down. Odell has a lot of learning to do, and needs to grow from this because peoples view of him have changed tremendously. It will take sometime but he has to figure out who he is, and not act like a child. He needs to start acting like a professional, and lead this team because others on the team are not going to take much more of his childish act. Odell needs to continue to reach out to retired players and ask for help. It needs to stop complaining because more and more people hate that just be quiet and go back to playing the game. He needs to stop thinking everything evolves around him because it doesn't. To clear up his image he has a lot of learning to do, and he needs to take this suspension. We shall see what the NFL does when he appeals his suspension and has his hearing tomorrow in front of the NFL front office.
Have the New York Knicks turned around the organization?
When it comes to the New York sport franchises they are always expected to win, and be very successful. Well that has not been the case with the New York Knicks, who have been struggling these past couple of seasons. They have not had a winning season in a couple of years which have made fans frustrated, and embarrassed. They haven't been to the playoffs since the 2012-2013 season when they lost in the eastern conference semi-finals. Fans have been very committed to this team, and want a championship in their possession. This organization has not won a NBA title since 1973 when they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in 5 games. The Knicks teams these past few seasons after the 2012 season haven't had the chemistry in being a successful team. The team finally made changes, and hired Phil Jackson to try and turn this organization around. Last year he got rid of certain players who he felt didn't fit with the offense they wanted to run. This season he had some money to spend on some free agents. Phil Jackson didn't spend all the money on a big name player instead he brought players who will compete, and who are veterans. A lot of people questioned the signings, and the players they got in trades of Robert Lopez, Arron Afflalo, Derrick Williams, Sasha Vujacic, and Kyle O'Quinn, and Kevin Seraphin. Another question fans had was during the NBA draft when they drafted Kristaps Porzingis a 7foot player from Lativan, and Jerian Grant a 6 foot guard out of Notre Dame.
This team so far has fans excited because of the way they compete, and hustle every single game no matter what the score is. The names on this team you would figure would be bench players in other organizations but they have been playing at a whole new level. One person who turned the boo's from fans to cheers is Kristaps Porzingis who has been able to play at high level in just his rookie season. In just 27 games this season many veterans in the league believe he will have a bright future. What I like is that he is very humble, and grateful for the chance he is getting. He has been always talking about the team play, and not about him. Porzingis has taken this city by storm, and has a lot of the fans and players talking about him. Originally they thought he would come off the bench this season, but he has adjusted to playing in the NBA real quick. Porzingis has become the fan favorite, and has taken over the popularity from Carmelo Anthony. Carmelo has mentioned that he does not mind that he shares the spotlight with Kristaps Porzingis. When both Porzingis, and Anthony are on the floor it has given many teams problems because of one of the two are always open. Teams in the beginning of the season have had trouble in controlling the two. As the season has gone on it has been a lot of double teaming.
A lot of the players have stepped up which allowed the team to double the amount of wins they had in the last two years. The team has had everyone contribute in being very productive which the fans are enjoying watching. It has been an up, and down year but if they are able to continue this type of play then I think it will built the teams confidence even more. Many of the veterans on the team have made it very easy for the rookies or new players to learn the system. So far the others that have contributed have been Derrick Williams, Arron Affallo, and Kyle O'Quinn. These three players have been key contributors off the bench. Coach Derek Fisher hasn't set a permanent rotation as he continues to shuffle players. Lately he has played Williams, Affallo, and O'Quinn more than he has in the past couple of games. It will be interesting if Coach Fisher does settle on the rotation off the bench, and who he leaves out. I think he should play everyone, and not change this momentum the team has at the moment.
What I thought was interesting was before the season when Carmelo Anthony had some of the members of the team join him in Puerto Rico. When that happened I though it was a perfect way to build that team bond. Many people would say why would someone do such a think like that. It will help a lot because it helps build the trust between each player on the team, and less stress will occur. This team I think wants to prove people wrong, and are out to do this for one another in making this successful. I think the bond these players have are going to take this team far, and will help them late in the season if they want to make a playoff run.
This organization is slowly making the right moves in making this team a very successful one that will have the fans even more excited. They all play for one another, and not for themselves they want to help everyone succeed. Phil Jackson has a lot of people frustrated at times but at the end of the day he knows what it takes to win. He has done a very good job in making things work within the organization. I think this team is capable of a 20 plus winning season which could possibly put them in the playoff picture. I believe they will need to maybe get a few pieces to help out the team. Phil Jackson has mentioned it will take time, and I have to say he is right we just have to be patient with him. The team just needs to continue to focus on what they are doing, and everything will fall into place. One team maybe they should look at is the Golden State Warriors, and see how they have handle things. It is going to be an exciting season and future that we can not wait for.
Will the New York Giants save their season against the Panthers????? Usually when I am talking about the playoffs most teams in the NFL have winning records, but in the NFC East that is not the case. This season in the NFL, the NFC East is the worst division with all their teams having a losing record. There is a three way tie on top of the division between the Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles, and New York Giants. These three teams sit on top of the division with a record of 6-7. This weekend of all the three teams, the New York Giants have the toughest test when they faceoff against the undefeated Carolina Panthers at MetLife Stadium. This game is the biggest one of the whole season in hopes of the Giants trying to save their playoff chances. Some Giants fans are actually picking them to win the game which is insane. I think with the amount of injuries the Giants have it will be hard for them to pull off the upset. Carolina looks like the best team in the NFL at the moment in how they play the game on offense, and defense. The Giants are coming off a good win on Monday night against the Miami Dolphins. The team played very well on offense and defense they were able to make the key plays when they needed.
In order for the Giants to pull the upset they will need to take care of the football on offense because the Panthers are very good in takeaways. Eli needs to play like he did against the dolphins because the corners for the Panthers are very good. Odell Beckham Jr. along with Rueben Randle will have their hands full in trying to get open. Carolina's defense averages about two, to three takeaways per game. The Giants will need to control the time of possession to help keep Carolinas offense off the field. The Giants can't afford to not score on every possession they will need every point they can get. If Eli can be smart with the ball it will help his confidence in the game. The defense for the Panthers is very young and fast to the ball. If they can get the Panthers to make any mistakes during the game the Giants must take advantage of it. The Giants offense cant just rely on Odell Beckham Jr. to do everything they will need all hands on deck. The key people who I think will need to step up is Rashad Jennings, and Will Tye. These two players have been big producers in the offense, and will need to be this Sunday to take the load off Odell Beckham.
The defense is a big concern when I look at this matchup because I don't how they will get to the Quarterback. The Giants will need to contain Cam Newton in the pocket, and not let him scramble. Jason Pierre Paul will need to step up big time, and been a force in closing the pocket and getting sacks. The defense will need to play like they did on Monday night. Defensive head coach Steve Spagnuolo, will need to have different schemes to make Cam Newton's day a nightmare. The defense will need to force turnovers they are one of the worst teams in the turnover margin. Besides Jason Pierre Paul the two players that I think will need to step is Prince Amukamara, and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. These two players will need to try to stop Ted Ginn Jr. and Greg Olson. These players have had rebound season because no one was giving them a chance. The running game for the Panthers is a big contributor to the success of the offense. The Giants will need all the help in tackling the running backs because they are some big players who will not go down easy.
The outcome of the game can be predicted by most people just by what they see on paper, but it has to be done on the field in order for it to happen. The Giants have ended undefeated seasons before by beating the New England Patriots a few years ago. Any team can be beaten on any given day but it will be a true test for the Giants to keep their season alive. They will need help by having the Cardinals beat the Eagles, and the Bills beating the Redskins. All these games aren't easy but one will prevail. The Giants just need to focus on the task that is in front of them, and go beat the Panthers. If the Giants make the plays they have a good chance to win this game. The Giants must play the way they did earlier in the year against the Patriots with the same intensity but ten times more. I think the Giants will give them a very good game, but I think the Panthers are to much for the Giants to handle with all the injuries. I think the Panthers will come away with the victory on a last minute drive.
Can the New York Jets be a dangerous team if they make the playoffs? As we prepare for the final three weeks of the season, many fans wonder of who will make the playoffs in the AFC. The wildcard picture is a very tight three team race between the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. It is going to be an exciting finish because all three of these teams are playing exciting football. Two of these three teams that make the playoffs will probably do some damage against the top seeded opponents. The one team that I think that can do major damage is the New York Jets, who have won there third consecutive game, this past weekend they defeated the Tennessee Titans by the final score of 30-8. It was a very impressive game by how they played on both sides of the ball in beating a much weaker team. I think there change in attitude came when they played both the Miami Dolphins, and the New York Giants. There attitude seemed like they were a much more focused team. The comeback against the Giants late in the fourth quarter showed me a lot about this team. Head coach Todd Bowles has this team focused on the goal that is in front of them, and that is to worry about there next opponent which is the Dallas Cowboys. Compared to last year, this team has a totally different mindset in how to approach game preparation. This organization has proved a lot this season in who they are. During the losing streak the team looked lost, and not hungry in wanting to win. Todd Bowles was not happy, and let the team have it. He must of said the right things to them because they are playing like they did earlier in the season.
The offense was at a stand still a few weeks ago when they looked like they couldn't score a point at all. I don't know if it has to do anything with it, but after Ryan Fitzpatrick trimmed his beard he has been playing at all time high. He hasn't thrown a interception in this three game winning streak. I think in the beginning of the season he was trying to do to much where it would cost his team. Now that he feels more comfortable the offense looks like a well oiled machine. What helps Fitzpatrick the most is he has the best duo of Wide Receivers in the game in Brandon Marshall, and Eric Decker. These two players are having great years, and have been very productive. What also has helped the offense become very balanced is the running game with the combination of Chris Ivory, Steven Ridley, and Bilal Powell. These three players have made it more difficult for opposing defenses. If they can continue to score like the way they have been it will allow the defense to rest which is very important. Decker and Marshall are in the top 25 in wide receivers currently in the game which is good to have on your team. Brandon Marshall is the first person in NFL history to have a 1,000 yard season with four different teams.
This defense has stepped up big time in this winning streak by forcing turnovers, and getting to the Quarterback. The defensive front of Damion Harrison, Sheldon Richardson, Muhammed Wilkerson, and Leonard Williams have been a force that teams cant really handle. The way they shut down the New York Giants in the second half, and in overtime was very impressive in how they held them to no points. The defense and offense have this mindset when someone is out due to injury that the next teammate will step up, and produce. The defense was missing some key player's, and those who played in their place came up with some key plays. The defense has given up of a average of sixteen points in this three game winning streaks. They have to keep this mentality going into Saturdays game against a well offensive team in the Cowboys. The Jets will be getting a key player back in cornerback Marcus Williams who leads the team in interceptions he has been out with a MCL injury, and he is likely to play. If he returns he can help the secondary in having to cover Dez Bryant, Cole Beasley, and Terrance Williams. It will be interesting to see how much running the Cowboys do because the Jets have the best run defense in the league. The defense for the Jets only gives up 78.9 yards per game which to me is an amazing achievement and Dallas averages 118 yards a game so it will be fun to watch.
The schedule for the Jets does not get any easier as they will face their rivals the final two games of the season. They will be facing the New England Patriots, and Buffalo Bills. The Jets will look for revenge because they know they should of won those games earlier in the year. If they are able to win those games it will be a tremendous achievement. I think this team is hungry, and want this very bad. I think they are getting healthy at the right time because they will need all hands on deck to make this run. Many believe if they are able to make the playoffs that they can surprise a lot of people. This team has exceeded peoples expectation, and need to continue to build on this. This team has a certain swagger that they believe they can go far, and don't want this to end. The only problem with this playoff scenario is that the Jets need the Chiefs, and Steelers to loose at least one of their final games. The reason for this is if these three teams ended up in tie then the Jets will be the odd team out. The New York Jets have a lot of work to do, and need to start by beating the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday night. I believe the Chiefs will lose at least one game and the Steelers will lose as well. I think the final week will make, or break the playoff teams season. Lets see what happens, and hopefully it goes the way they want it to.
Bragging Rights and Playoff Implications on the Line
When you think of football rivals you think of, Cowboys versus Giants, Patriots versus Jets, Giants versus Eagles, Jets versus Dolphins, and Steelers versus Ravens, Colts versus Patriots. These type of games as a player get you more pumped and wanting to win even more. This Sunday in East Rutherford, NJ the Giants look to continue their dominance in being the Big brothers of New York/ New Jersey teams when they take on the New York Jets. The Jets have unfinished business because of the beating they took from the Giants in 2011, when the giants beat them. The win by the Giants that year turned the season around because it lead them to winning the Superbowl. This also has bigger implications because both of these teams need this win to keep pace in the playoff race. The last time the Jets beaten the Giants was in 1993 when Boomer Esiason was quarterback for the Jets, and Phil Simms for the Giants. The New York Jets not want to be known as the little brother of the New York teams anymore. The Players want to win this game to let everyone know that the Jets are taking over as the team of New York and the team in Metlife Stadium.
This week in New York is a special week for those who are sports fans, because three of the four New York professional leagues are competing against one another. The matchups are the New York Islanders versus New York Rangers in hockey last night, the Brooklyn Nets versus New York Knicks in basketball on Friday night, and then football this Sunday. This game on Sunday usually happens every few years because both of these teams play in two different divisions. These type of games are ones that get the fans excited because of all the trash talking and the all the publicity it will bring. Players from both teams even get into the trash talking because of how much they want to win this game. It will be a very competitive game in all these matchups which fans enjoy a lot more. This game could possibly turn a season around for team in the right direction, or it could lead the team to play worse the rest of the season.
The New York Giants are in a very weak division in the NFC East. They are battling for the division with the Washington Redskins who are both 5 and 6, with the Redskins on top because of the tie breaker. The Giants looked flat last week against Washington, they put themselves in a hole by being down twenty points. They were almost able to make a tremendous comeback to win the game but had fallen short. Eli Manning wasn't being careful with the football, when he needed to be, because he threw three costly interceptions. Eli is a very good Quarterback but this season he hasn't been playing like himself. He tries to force to many throws into tight situations where you would shack your head. What is also a big question going into Sundays matchup is who will be on the offense line for the Giants. The offense line has so many injuries that they are playing with guys out of position. The Giants will need to put some experience in front of Eli Manning to protect him against the New York Jets defensive frontline.
The Giants wide receivers with the exception of Odell Beckham Jr. need to step up to help out in the passing game. The one person who I think could shine is Shane Vereen, who has hurt the New York Jets in the past when he used to play for the New England Patriots. Vereen could help out with screen passing plays, and he could help out in the short passing situations. His stats this season are down compared to what they used to be. Even though he is an older player, another key player would be Hakeem Nicks. Nicks could help open up the field so that Beckham could get open. When Nicks was on the Giants he used to be a big playmaker. He needs to step up for the Giants because Beckham can't do all the work by himself. Ruben Randle is also another player who can hurt the Jets because the Jets secondary is banged up. Randle has made big plays this year, some of the plays he has produced have been game changers.
The biggest concern on Sunday will be the New York Giants' defense who are ranked the worst in the league. They are going to need to stop the run with the way the Jets run the ball with Chris Ivory, they will need to gang tackle him. Ivory had a good game this past weekend against the Dolphins. Ivory played the game last Sunday like he was out to make a statement which he did. The secondary for the Giants will need to step up big; because they will have to work on stopping the tandem of Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. These two have been playing very well this season. I think that Prince Amukamara, and Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie will need to have their best game in order to stop the Jets passing game. They are worst in the turnover margin as well, which is huge in any NFL game.
The New York Jets are in a tough battle for the Wildcard in the AFC, with them being a three way tie for the final wildcard. This season has been up and down with how this team has performed. Coach Todd Bowles let his team know how he felt they were playing two weeks ago after the lost to the Houston Texans. Coach Bowles must have gotten the word across to the team because the way they played was very impressive, in all phases of the game this past Sunday. The team came out playing lose and fast and made the dolphins looked like they didn't deserve to be on the same field. The offense looked very flat in the beginning, but started to pick it up after a few series. The Defense played very hard, and made the offense for the dolphins have a nightmare of a day. The New York Jets defensive front of Sheldon Richardson, Damon Harrison, Leonard Williams, and Muhammad Wilkerson could be a huge problem for the beat up Giants offensive line. It will be hard for the giants to run the ball because the Jets are among leagues best in stopping the run.
The people who I think will need to step for Jets this weekend is, Devon Smith on the offensive side of the ball, and the secondary for the Jets on the defensive side of the ball. Devon Smith the rookie out of Ohio State can be a huge problem on Sunday, if he continues to built on the positive things he did this past Sunday when he made big plays against the dolphins. He has been struggling in getting use to the style of offense the Jets run compared to what he was used to in college. He worked very hard in getting better, and started to show some hope when he caught his first career touchdown. He has the speed that will allow him to break loose for a big play.
The secondary for the Jets are hurting, and have not been playing up to par this season with allowing big plays. This offseason the Jets spent a lot of money to help bring in productive cornerbacks, up to this point they haven't performed up to there expectations. They will need to help out in producing turnovers this weekend and make Eli Manning make mistakes. When he has pressure on him he has a big tendency of making big mistakes that cost them the game. The Secondary will need to help one another in stopping Odell Beckham Jr. because no one has been able to stop him. If they play like they did against the Miami Dolphins then they should have no problem. This game is a chance for the Jets defense to make a huge statement in showing good they are.
Overall, this game is very hard to determine in who will win because of how good they are between both teams. I believe the running game will be a big priority for both teams in order for them to be successful. The New York Giants have the edge with a Superbowl winning coach and quarterback. Giants fans and Jets fans can do all the trash talking they want, but no one has the edge in this game. It will come down to one team having a big play happen, to gain full momentum of the game. Both teams are fighting for their postseasons lives; we will see who will want it more on Sunday. Usually I am able to give a prediction on the game, but it is very difficult on this one. I am just excited to see what will happen, and hopefully it will be one to remember.
The AFC wildcard race is so tight that it will come down to the end. As we prepare to wrap up week 12 of the NFL season, the one conference that has people excited about is the AFC. It will look like in order for any team to get to the Superbowl, it will have to go through New England; as the Patriots are sitting atop of the AFC with record of 10-1. Then the second place team is the Cincinnati Bengals who are at 9-2 after coming up with a good win against the St. Louis Rams. Then in third place you have the Denver Broncos at 8-2 who face a tough task against the New England Patriots. In fourth place is the Indianapolis Colts, sitting at 6-5 with a victory today over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who are as well in the playoff hunt in the NFC. The AFC seems to be very competitive this year in such a long time. These wild card teams are playing their better football at the right time. The four teams were struggling early and mid way through the season but have changed that. The New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans, and Pittsburgh Steelers can all make a case in why they should be included in the playoffs. The only thing is that all four of these teams will not make it, when the dust clears only two will claim the final two spots.
The Kansas City Chiefs have made a tremendous push to get themselves into the playoff picture. The Chiefs were at one point sitting at 1-5, and were not even looking like they would have any chance in making the playoffs. The way they have been playing the last few weeks have many changing their look on this team. They had lost many key players due to season ending injuries, and looked down and out. With the veteran pryesence of the players on the team, and future hall of fame coach these players buckled down. The turn around came when they had beaten the Pittsburgh Steelers. Since that game the Chiefs are playing strong on both sides of the ball. I think they will be tested against there next few opponents, especially against the Raiders who are playing much better football. The San Diego Chargers will be a tough test as well. These next two games are huge ones because of them being a divisional opponent.
The Houston Texans have been the biggest surprise this year because of how many holes they have on this team. No one except those who are part of the Texans Organization thought this team would compete this season. The season took a big turn when they went into Cincinnati and beat an undefeated team. After that game the Texans gained a lot of confidence, and are now right in thick of the playoff race. The next two weeks will be a true test for them when they have to play the Buffalo Bills who are desperately trying to stay in the playoff picture, and the New England Patriots who are the biggest test for this team. The defense is a veteran team that has been playing lights out. The defense will be truly tested for those two games. I think the offensive side needs to be established. The Quarterback situation is like a carousel there is someone new each week. Whom ever starts these two weeks coming up will have to play there best without any mistakes.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are no surprise to be in the playoff picture it seems like they are always in it. The Steelers organization is one that everyone in the league wants to be in winning numerous championships. This year was a slow start for them in suffering a tough loses against their rivals the Baltimore Ravens and losing to the Kansa City Chiefs. They have struggled this season with opponents in the AFC division. They have a big game today against the Seattle Seahawks who are fighting for the playoffs in the NFC. If the Steelers were to loose today then they would fall behind the Texans and Jets who have a better winning record within the AFC. There next two opponents are very crucial against the Colts and Bengals who are both ahead of them in the playoff picture. It will be a true test to see if they can come up with the big wins as they will be needed to hold off others.
The New York Jets are a team that are surprising many this year just because of them having a new coach, and new General Manager. This team has been having an up and down year but have kept themselves within reach of the Wildcard. The team has established themselves as one of the top defenses in the league, but the offense has been at a struggle in not being able to score many points. In order for the Jets to obtain the Wildcard they will need to play with the physicality like they did in the beginning of the season. There win today against the dolphins was a huge win especially against a division rival in the Miami Dolphins. There next two opponents are a big matchup they will play crosstown rivals New York Giants, and the Tennessee Titans. Both matchups are from the NFC so they will be tested. If they play like they did today they will grab the wildcard.
Overall, The AFC playoff picture is to hard to determine in who will make it just because of how many games are left. These four teams are quality playoff caliber teams, and will give other playoff teams problems. The two teams that I think will take the Wildcards will be the Kansas City Chiefs and the New York Jets. These two teams seem like they are playing with a chip on their shoulder and want to prove there doubters wrong. This will be an exciting ending to the season in how everything shapes out to be. Either way, the AFC will win this years superbowl. There are other teams still within reach in making the playoffs, but they will need a lot of things to happen in order to jump ahead of these four teams.
The New York Mets end the season with a bad taste in their mouths!!!
The New York Mets season ended this past weekend in a way they didn't want to. The team that most thought wouldn't be in the World Series practically gave the championship away. Looking back in the Series three areas of the game stood out to me with them not hitting, or playing defense, and not having there pitchers perform well on the big stage. The Mets had the chance in being up in the series but they did not get the outs when they needed. When the Mets had made the mistakes the Royals jumped on the chance and took advantage of it. Three out of the five games the Mets made very costly errors and were leading late in the games. If they didn't make these errors the Mets would be leading the series or could have won the Championship. Now they have to wait out the winter to get that bad feeling out of there stomachs. These players need to come back next year with a purpose, and get back to the World Series. The organization now has to set this team up for the future, and not take a step back.
The Mets hitting was on fire during the NLDS, and NLCS against the Dodgers and Cubs who have incredible pitching. When it came to the Royals the New York Mets hitting disappeared and started to look like the old Mets team in the beginning of the season. Give Credit to the Royals for the incredible pitching performances by Edison Volquez, Johnny Cueto, and Yordano Ventura, and Chris Young along with their bullpen. The biggest disappointments were Daniel Murphy, and Yoenis Cespedes who's bats did not produce in getting runs in for the team. The Royals had an incredible game plan going into the series by pitching the both of them inside which lead them to feeling uncomfortable and couldn't get set in the box. David Wright, and Lucas Duda and Travis d'Arnaud also didn't perform well there averages were at 200. Michael Conforto, Curtis Granderson, and Juan Lagares did all they can do but it was to much to handle.
The Mets defense didn't make the crucial plays to help themselves out in securing the wins for the team. During the first two rounds of the playoffs they were flawless in making the plays for the pitchers but during the World Series it was a different story. When they committed the errors it made the pitchers feel the pressure and throw pitches that they did not want to. The Biggest error occurred in Game 4 when Daniel Murphy let a routine groundball go under his glove which allowed the Royals to tie the game up. Cespedes also made a big error in Game 1 when he let a fly ball drop in between him and Conforto which Cespedes kicked the ball away, and it allowed Alcides Escobar to run around the bases for an inside the park homerun. Another Crucial error in Game 1 is when David Wright threw the ball in the dirt which Lucas Duda misplayed and it allowed the runner to be safe. These type of things can not happen when playing in the World Series. The Mets need to look into getting a veteran second baseman as well as maybe switching Wright to another position. They have plenty of prospects in the minor leagues who can help out but they should look into adding depth to this team.
The pitching staff for the Mets is going to be consider the best for years to come. This World Series was a learning experience for them, and they now know what to expect in the near Future. Jacob DeGrom, Matt Harvey, Steven Matz, and Noah Syndergaard, all four of these guys have dominant stuff and will be big time starters for this team. All four have fastballs that clock in an average of 90 plus miles per hour. They need to learn to mix more of there offspeed pitches in. When they were trying to throw the Fastballs the Royals jumped all over it, and hit the ball hard. When the Mets Pitchers used there offspeed pitches they made the royals hitters looked confused and had them striking out more than they every had. They need to add a veteran pitcher to help out the staff. They also they need to build a dominating bullpen that will secure the game for the team.
Overall, this season was unforgettable for the New York Mets players as well as there fans. It has been a tough time for the fans to get excited about this team but now the future is here and this team will be an excitement to watch. Next Year, Daniel Murphy along with Yoenis Cespedes will be gone and the Mets will need to fill these holes. If they can get a player like Jason Heyward it will boost this teams offense. They will need to find a consistent player at first along with a player at shortstop. The Front office has a lot of work to do in tuning up this team. If they can get good players in free agency for the bench then it will make it easier for Manager Terry Collins to bring in a good player incase of an substitution. If they build there bullpen like the Royals then it will make this team even a bigger threat. Next season will be interesting in how the Mets respond for this incredible run they had this postseason. Mets Fans get ready you have a team that is ready to make their presence felt for the future.
The baseball season has finally come down to the two top teams , which most wouldn't predict in the New York Mets making the World Series. This team has exceeded expectations in making this incredible run. They have played with a chip on their shoulder in proving the doubters wrong, and are playing for one another. Their season took a dramatic turn when one of the players Wilmer Flores starting showing true emotion on the field by crying thinking he was traded for Carlos Gomez who was on the Brewers. He thought that night it would be his last time in the blue and orange jersey since he has been with the franchise since his early teens. Then news starting circulating that he was not going anywhere because of Gomez not being healthy and the Mets deciding to pull back on the trade. I believe that night the team became even closer and started to take steps in the right direction. Their pitching staff has to be one of the best in a very long time with Jacob DeGrom, Matt Harvey, Steven Matz, and Noah Syndergaard. These four aces have been so dominant this postseason that they look unhittable.
Mets Fans haven't had this much excitement in a long time it has been a brutal go around for the past 10 to 12 years. They were always told "wait till next year" but fans were getting frustrated, and wanted something to happen now. General Manager Sandy Alderson listened to the fans, and started adding pieces with acquiring Juan Uribe , and Kelly Johnson from the Atlanta Braves who are good players coming off the bench. Then the big trade happened after some additions were brought in for the bullpen. The Mets pulled the biggest trade when they acquired American League Slugger Yoenis Cespedes from the Detroit Tigers. Many teams had wanted Cespedes but were afraid to pull the trigger because of what Detroit wanted. Alderson was not afraid, and made the deal happen. Cespedes also brought a spark to the team with having an incredible run during the regular season, and so far this postseason. These players made the change in the teams philosophy happen very quick and took the division by storm and had a commanding lead.
There opponents in the playoffs have been tough in facing the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Chicago Cubs. When looking on paper these teams look overpowering, and no one would give the Mets any chance. When they played the Dodgers they had to face two future hall of fame pitchers in Zack Greinke, and Clayton Kershaw. No one thought the Mets could beat Dodgers but with the offense being productive they were able to beat Kershaw in Game 1. A star was made when of all players on the Mets Daniel Murphy began to do something that most players in league history will never do. Daniel started to hit homerun after homerun in six consecutive games. So far this postseason he is batting 421 which is unheard of and has been playing off the charts. Cespedes, and Murphy along with Curtis Granderson have brought the spark to the Mets Offense. In the regular season the New York Mets were not aggressive in stealing bases but Terry Collins changed things up, and have been very aggressive on the base paths which can cause problems for opposing pitchers. They have been a very defensive sounded team.
The World Series will be a very tough task in facing the American League Champions in the Kansas City Royals. The Royals were in the same spot last year as were the Mets are right now. They are back to finish what the didn't accomplish last season in winning the World Series. The Royals are a better team compared to last seasons team. This lineup is very deep there one through nine hitters can cause a major problem. If the Mets don't jump out to an early lead and let the Royals lead after 6 or 7 innings it will be hard to be productive since the Royals have the best bullpen in the league. The Mets were starting to see other players begin to be productive in Lucas Duda, David Wright, and Travis d'Arnaud, and Michael Conforto. It will be a true test for both teams especially for the Mets since they have had a few days off. I think the Mets will be bringing home the trophy for the first time since the they last won it in 1986. I think they are playing with a purpose, and are out to prove people wrong. I think this World Series will be one of the best in a very long time. I think the Mets will win the series in 6.
Can the New York Jets handle the tough task on Sunday? For the past decade the New England Patriots have owned the AFC East, and now this Sunday could be the their toughest task in a long time. The New York Jets are coming in with high expectations in being a well rounded team. This game will feature the best defense versus the best offense in the league. If you are a football fan this is the game you would want to watch because of the type of chest match it will be. The head coach for the New York Jets Todd Bowles is a defensive minded head coach who blitzes about 48 percent of the time. The Patriots will have a tough task with the offensive line being moved around because of the injuries they have. The backups for New England will have a tough task in stopping the front line of the New York Jets in Mohammed Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, Damon Harrison, and Leonard Williams. The Sons of Anarchy front line of the Jets have been getting a lot of pressure against there opponents which is causing the opposing Quarterback to throw interceptions, or are forcing fumbles. Besides the front four the Jets secondary is a veteran group that has made a huge difference. The reason for this success is the veteran presence of Darelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie.
If the Jets want to win this game they will need to make Tom Brady move in the pocket, and force him to make decisions on the run. If he is able to sit in the pocket he will pick this defense apart, and will turn this game into a blowout. Tom Brady has played every defensive scheme that is out there so he is not worried. He has plenty of weapons around him that can be a nightmare for any opponent. His wide receiver core is a very talented one in Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, and Rob Gronkowski. His tight end is his go to player because of how big and physical he is. Also there running game is a big plus Legarrette Blount is a very hard physical runner who can open up many holes. The New York Jets need to make Brady feel uncomfortable he is very weak on the move. Brady looks like a rookie quarterback when on the move he makes the mental mistake which makes him frustrated.
The New York Jets offense is a well talented bunch with the offensive line and wide receiver's they have. The only question I have is with the Quarterback in Ryan Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick is a very average player that has done very well so far. If he throws more than 40 plus passes through out his career he has had a very horrific record. If they can make a game plan with him throwing about 20 plus passes then they have a shot. The big factor will be the Jets establishing the run game. Chris Ivory has been a big contributor for the wins this season. Ivory has had 2 consecutive 100 plus yards games. The Defense for New England is very weak against the run and have given up big plays.
The Jets wide receiver core of Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker have become a very good core that causes opposing defense problems. If the Jets can establish Devon Smith more then I can see them causing a bigger problem. The other receiver's for the Jets Chris Owusu, Jeremy Kerley have contributed very well. They cant afford to throw many big passes they should stick to the short passes and medium passes. If they mix the plays up then it will be leaving areas open down the field along with opening holes for the running game. A key Contribution is coming back from injury who can create a two headed monster for the running game with the return of Steven Ridley. Before Ridley was injured he was a great contributor for the Patriots run last year to the Super Bowl.
This game wont make the outcome of the season for both teams but for one team it will mean something a lot more. The New England Patriots have been an incredible franchise who have been very successful for many years. I think the New York Jets will show up on Sunday and will make a statement in winning this game. The final score will be the Jets 28 the Patriots 21. It will be a last second drive that will it for the Jets. The spread for this game is very high and are not giving the Jets any chance but this team is very focused and are out to make a point. Coach Bowles and General Manager Mike Maccagnan have turned this franchise around and have them heading in the right direction. They aren't worried about what the media is saying the Jets are going to allow the talk to be done on the field. Let the best team win on sunday it will be a boxing fight whoever makes a key mistake will most likely lose this game.
Will the 2015 New York Jets provide spark to the fans this upcoming season?
My interest this year will be on the New York Jets in how they will act with new head coach Todd Bowles in the culture he brings. So far it seems that this team on paper looks like they will be a much better team this season. The organization was very active this past offseason with acquiring Brandon Marshall from the Chicago Bears, and already having another big receiver in Eric Decker on the other side of the ball it will help Geno Smith build up confidence in becoming a better quarterback for the team. With Sheldon Richardson being suspended for a couple of games rookie lineman Leonard Williams will have to fill a big hole. Many analyst believe the Jets obtained a huge playmaker because many thought he was the best player in the draft. Williams I think will be able to adjust just fine and make a big impact on the team from the start. Devon Smith who was also drafted by the Jets will be a very good slot receiver once he returns from his broken rib injury. A big weakness was the Jets secondary with them acquiring Buster Skrine, and Marcus Gilchrist it took that problem away real quick. What was also key was brining back former Jets Darrell Revis, and Antonio Cromartie this secondary just went from being horrific to being one of the best in the league.
Today at MetLife Stadium, the New York Jets held an open practice for the fans to get their first look at the new team. I was very interested to see how the team is prepping for the upcoming season, and from what I saw it seems like they are all about business. Todd Bowles wants to bring that defensive mentality over to the New York Jets just like he did when he was the defensive coach with the Arizona Cardinals. He was in the top three in run defense, and in the top five for passing defense. Tonight when they did the eleven on eleven with the first string players on both sides of the ball the defense was flying everywhere. Geno was having trouble in getting time to set up, and throw the ball for how fast they were coming at him. Many Fans were booing Geno in his performance which I cant understand why they would do that. From what he showed me he is slowly making better decisions in the throws he makes, and not forcing the ball to areas. The reason he had trouble was because of the defense flying to the ball, and the different type of blitz packages coming at Geno. The offensive line seems slow but I don't know if they were expecting to have that defense come at them like that the first play.
Rookie Quarterback Bryce Petty made some good impressions to the fans that made people very happy, and hopeful for the future of the team. He displayed his mobility in being able to move the ball pretty well down the field when it came to his turn to take the field. I liked how he took off with the ball to gain positive yardage out of a play rather than trying to force the ball, or have the ball intercepted. I believe if they develop him in the next two years he could become the starter of the team. He has a very strong arm he let a nice pass out that was about a thirty five yard pass up the middle against the heart of the defense. The only negative thing about his game is he needs to take more reps under center rather than in the shotgun position. In college he was a very good passer because of the spread offense they had ran in Baylor. Chan Gailey can be a big help in developing Petty in learning a new type of offense. Ryan Fitzpatrick can be a mentor to Geno, and Bryce in learning the offense Gailey runs since Fitzpatrick knows it from when Gaiey and Fitzpatrick were together in Buffalo.
It seems like Geno Smith, and Brandon Marshall are together on the same page in knowing how each play on the field. As it got later in the scrimmage Geno threw a perfect pass to Marshall that had to be at least 55 yards that would of been a touchdown. When the fans saw that happen it made the Jets fans very excited and hope this is the start of something this season. These two became very close friends this offseason by moving in with one another to get to know each other and help one another get better as football players. If it helps them develop a team bond to help them win on the field than many fans including myself will like this a lot. From what I see Geno has been speaking up more and trying to be the leader of the team for the offense.
Overall, The defense of the team will be very scary this year because of how physical and deep they are this year. Revis and Cromartie will be a big factor in brining there veteran presence to this team in making them winners. The offense will be the biggest question because of the Quarterback situation in seeing how Geno Smith will perform. It is time for Geno Smith to shut up and stop making excuses and produce. Coach Bowles will not be afraid to take out Smith if he is not producing he wants the best player that will help the team win on the field and not on the sideline. Smith has plenty of weapons on offense with Marshall, Decker, Kerley, Devon Smith, Amaro, Evans and Cumberland all these guys are playmakers who have what it takes. The running backs are going to produce a big problem because of how big they are. When I saw them tonight they looked like tractor trailers running because of how big they are as a person. The First test will be next week when they open the preseason against the Detroit Lions on the road. I will be watching closely in how both sides play. I am curious in how the second string and third string will do because from what I saw tonight the Jets have some players that I thought can maybe make the team, and help in some way. I think the AFC EAST will be very tough this season. I think the Jets will end with either a 8-8 record or a 10-6 record. I believe they are very close in take the division away from the Patriots who won the East for over a decade. I hope I am right in my record prediction we just have to wait and see.
What Team is a trade away from a Title Run?
With the regular season of Major League Baseball coming closer to the end many teams are gearing up to make a push for the playoffs. Many teams are either running away with the division or are in a tight race. With the July 31st deadline approaching rapidly it seems that teams are slowly making the moves but are trying to find the right pieces to make that deep run. Two teams have been a huge surprise this season thus far, and they are Houston Astros from the American League, and the New York Mets in the National League. They both haven't been successful organizations these past couple of years, but this year with a lot of their young talent up in the majors they have been very competitive. If they want to continue playing hard they will need to add a few bats to help even out with what their pitching staffs have done so far.
The New York Mets have been aggressive so far in trading for two very good utility players in acquiring Juan Uribe, and Kelly Johnson from the Atlanta Braves. They also boosted their bullpen in getting Tyler Clippard from the Oakland Athletics this can help with back end of the bullpen. Now they need to get a big name, or mid level player in helping out in the lineup. The Mets are struggling to score runs in winning games this year. With the type of starting rotation they have in Matt Harvey , Jacob DeGrom, Noah Syndergard, Bartolo Colon, and Stephen Matz they can go up against any team in the National League. Harvey, DeGrom, Matz, and Syndergard could be number one starters in any other teams in the league. They have a chance this year to get back into the playoffs it would be the first time since 2006. This weekends upcoming series against the division leader Washington Nationals will be a big one. If they add the right pieces by acquiring at least two big bats to help the run producing improve this will be a team to watch out for.
The Houston Astros are in a very tough race with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim they are separated by one game. The Astros have been one of the worst teams in the league for quite sometime with all the first round picks they have had they are finally showing the talent they have. Jose Altuve and Carlos Correra are the young talent that has the buzz surrounding this team. This offseason I think helped big when they brought in the veteran presence of Colby Rasmus, and Evan Gattis these two players have been on winning ball clubs throughout their career. Dallas Keuchel has been very impressive for the Astros but he cant carry the pitching staff. I think by them acquiring Scott Kazmir from the Athletics is a big step in the right direction for needing a veteran pitcher. It is good to see a struggling organization finally be competitive again.
The other teams that I think need to add some pieces that are in the chase are the Yankees, Blue Jays, Cubs, and Angels. These teams don't need to much in trying to help their team get better just maybe one or two trades will make a difference if they do make the playoffs. The Blue Jays have enough offense that will be a problem for many teams but they need big help in their starting rotation along with their bullpen. They need starters who can take them deep into games, and not have pitchers only last a few innings. The Blue Jays each year compete all first half of the year then as soon as it gets to late in the year they begin to fall apart. The fans of the Blue Jays are getting tired of the losing, and want the team back in the playoffs.
The Yankees also are a big surprise this season with how successful they are so far this season. They need to maybe add some help in the bullpen, and maybe add a starting pitcher along with a bat that can even make this lineup deeper than what it already is. They are in playing like they are a very young team who is enjoying the game every day. The concern that I think that everyone has is the age of this team. They are running on a high note with all the veterans stepping up. The Yankees need to find help in making their bench alittle more deeper than what it is. The pitching needs to be fixed because they can not rely on Tanaka and Pineada. If they can take the pressure off these two pitchers by acquiring a strong pitcher it can make a huge difference. This teams chemistry is a big thing because this team is playing for one another.
The Cubs and Angels I believe both have the same issues in them needing to make a run into getting to the playoffs and making a deep run. Both teams have a lot of offensive power along with young and veteran talent on the team. They are in need of starting pitching because of the weak starting rotations they have. With the number one starters on both teams Jon Lester and C.J. Wilson they don't have nothing much behind these players. If they can add a third or fourth type of starter maybe it can give them a late push. It will be interesting to see what exactly these two teams due over the next couple of days.
I think these are the teams that will need to make a difference if they want to compete late in the season along with in making the playoffs. These teams are lined up to be very tough to beat but their are some areas of weakness that needs to be addressed. This is one of the most exciting times in baseball because of the possible trades that could possibly be made. If they are trying to be successful they cant wait for the future the fans want things to happen now. I think these teams can dethrone the Champions of the divisions who are the Kansas City Royals of the American League Division and the San Francisco Giants of the National League. It will be an interesting second half of the year along with going into the playoffs.
Is there any team that can stop the Kentucky Wildcats from having a perfect season?
As we say goodbye to February, and welcome in the month of March college basketball fans start to get excited because in less than a few weeks starts the NCAA tournament. The overall number 1 seed and number 1 team in the country the Kentucky Wildcats look like they are going to be impossible to beat. Some say this team has a starting lineup that would be drafted within the top ten of the NBA'S draft selection. No one is giving any other team a shot because they feel they don't have the talent to compete with Kentucky. The question I have is that if the Wildcats have been challenged enough to where they wont loose their composure in the tournament. The SEC isn't as strong as other conferences in the country so I wonder how they will be able to handle the pressure. This team has so much talent it feels like I am watching a professional basketball team coached by John Calipari who has done an incredible job. The players that make this team such a dominance are Willie Cauly-Stein, Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew and Aaron Harrison, and Devon Booker. These five players are a big reason in the success this season for the Wildcats. What is interesting about this team is when you think you are getting a break from their starting center or any other position player another is coming in with the same talent and same size.
I truly think they can run the table, and win the national championship but it wont be easy. When it comes to the NCAA Tournament many upsets occur, and teams turn it up a notch in the level of play. Those who are top seeds in the tournament know it gets harder and harder because of the opponents they play, and the competition gets better. Last year everyone thought Wichita State was going all the way to the championship game for being undefeated but when they got to the sweet 16 it was a different story, and were beaten by the Kentucky Wildcats. It would take alittle pressure off the team if they were to loose in the regular season so they wouldn't have to think about the hype of their undefeated season. For how young these players are this pressure is something that can help them grow as players, or it can break them down.
I think there are some teams that would be able to defeat the Wildcats if they were to matchup in the tournament. These schools come from very good conference competition they are Duke, Wisconsin, Virginia, Arizona, and Gonzaga. These teams are well coached and are disciplined enough into not falling for the opponents game plan. Each team has a certain advantage point to where it can disrupt the Wildcats fast pace game. These teams also have a different style of play where the defense of Kentucky could be confused. Alot of teams the Wildcats have faced this season haven't had much size but with these five teams they have plenty of size and depth that can play with the Wildcats. The one thing that separate's the Wisconsin Badgers from the rest of the group is they don't commit fouls unless they are playing catch up. The Badgers are one of the best teams in getting to the foul line and shooting free throws. The Badgers also take there their time in executing their offense and are a half court offensive team.
The Arizona Wildcats along with the Gonzaga Bulldogs will give the wildcats big problems from the full court defense they play. They also play a three guard spread which means good ball handlers on the court. the three guard spread the Wildcats haven't yet seen this season because most teams are worried about matching up against the size. Arizona is also good from the perimeter in shooting the three's which could give Kentucky problems because of them playing a lot of help defense. Gonzaga on the other hand likes to drive the ball which can cause problems if the big man start to get into foul trouble. If this were to happen it would give Calipari a hard time in managing the minutes for his players. Gonzaga also likes to pass the ball until the best shot is open for the player capable of making the shot. Many teams around the country I think will be studying up on Kentucky in trying to set up a game plan for them.
Duke and Virginia are both very good defensive teams like the Wisconsin Badgers. Duke play man to man defense and cover the on ball screen very well. Virginia plays a lot of man to man defense along with double teaming the one controlling the ball. Duke and Virginia have many players who can score and hurt you from the perimeter. Virginia has many big players that like to crash the boards and aren't afraid if they need to get physical. Virginia is the second team that many think would give the Wildcats many problems. Virginia's basketball team has been known for there suffocating defense and slow pace offense. Duke runs a two or three guard offense who have plenty of offensive players that can keep them in any game.
Overall, we can all say the Wildcats are the best team from what we have see thus far into the season but the real season starts in a few weeks. Many teams needs to just play there game and not lose their composure in the games. I think it will be a tough task in trying to beat the Wildcats but it can be done. Teams just need to study up on the way they run certain offensive plays or what type of defensive plays they use a lot. I think the biggest problems they could run into is a team with a good size depth down low or a spread type of offense. I think the finals will be the Wildcats facing off against the Wisconsin Badgers.
What has been a brutal winter this year in the northeast along with other parts of the country they finally have something to look forward to. Baseball Season is finally here, and we can look forward to spring coming very soon. This offseason many teams made significant moves to their ballclubs to help provide the spark, or become a better team to help them get over the hump in winning a championship. Many people are picking one team to win it all just because of the one move they made to make their ballclub a deeper threat overall as a team. What is great about baseball is that you never know what could happen. These past couple of seasons many teams had a mediocre season but when they got into the playoffs they made a deep run and eventually won the world series or lost in the division championship game. If your team get hot at the right moment it could take them a long way into the playoffs. One wrong move can change a whole game it can be a walk, error, or wildpitch that's what makes it great about the game. You can never count yourself out of some game you just got to keep on competing.
Many teams look to improve or play like the way the Kansas City Royals did in making it all the way to the World Series. Last year Kansas City was the Cinderella team for how young they were and how confident they were as a team. They didn't have the big name all star player like most ball clubs do. The Royals had the speed and pitching depth that took them very far. The Royals will look to use that momentum this season and try to get back to the fall classic. It will a very a tough task because the central division improved a lot this offseason. The Royals are going to have a tough task in keeping up with the other teams in the divison since they had some departures this offseason James Shields, along with Billy Butler. These two players were big parts in the success last season. Butler was a key part of their infield handling the corner at third. Shields was a big pitcher for them last year in the big games they needed to win. The ballclub will be able to fill that whole at the top of the rotation with the young arms they have on that team.
The Indians, White Soxs, Tigers, and Twins and Royals, were busy this offseason in improving each of their teams. The Indians improved this offseason by improving their bullpen along with depth in their batting order which were two big problems this past season. They had many injury problems last year which had them fall back deep early on in the year. As the season went on and they got healthy they won many games to where they competed for a wild card but were to far back to catch anyone ahead of them. This season with many of their young players coming up from the minors along with the players they have on the ball club now I think they will be a wildcard team. I think Michael Brantley will have a big year for the ball club as he keeps improving his numbers these past two seasons. The White Soxs improved a lot this offseason by bulking up their bullpen with the addition of David Robertson, along with a starter Jeff Samardzija these two help in big ways. They brought in two very good bats as well in Melky Cabrera, and Adam Laroche these two are big bats in the lineup that they can help surround their biggest bat which is Jose Abreu.
The way the Tigers improved this past season was by adding to their bullpen which has been a huge weakness these past few seasons. They have to step up big now since they had lost two key starters in starting rotation. The offense will still be a huge threat because of how deep their lineup is but they will need to stay healthy because they aren't as deep as they were a few seasons back. The Twins have a new manager this season in Paul Monitor one of there former players. The twins brought back one of their former players in Tori Hunter who is at the end of his career. The Twins have a lot of wholes to fill but with their talented farm system they should have success in a few years. I think this season will be a cold one for the Minnesota fans.
The next divison I think that people will focus on is the AL West. The Angels have always been the team that people picked. I think it will change this year, and we will have a new leader it will be the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners had a successful season last year with competing for the wild card last season. One of the key reasons for the success was having the veteran presence of Robinson Cano. This offseason they had another big splash in the free agency when they added Nelson Cruz who had a great season last year for the Orioles. With Cruz's presence in the lineup to help out Cano with the other pieces on the team their offense will be more of a problem than what it was last season. With their pitching staff if they can get the help out of their third and fourth starters they could compete for the division this season. The Angels have plenty of power in the offense were they will stay in plenty of games this season. I believe Pujols along with Hamilton will need to have big games to help produce runs besides Trout. The Rangers and Athletics along with the Astros will have a rebuilding year because of them trading numerous players that have been with the ball club the past few seasons.
The AL East is something that is up for grabs but I think the favorite team to win it is the Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles will have a huge target on their back after this offseason when there division rivals the Rays, Red Sox's, and Yankees improved there teams to be able to get back on top of the division. The Yankees improved this offseason by bringing a lot of young arms to help the bullpen along with signing Andrew Miller who was a big free agent that many teams wanted. The Yankees didn't do much on the offensive side so that will be the big question mark if they can stay healthy, and be a threat. The Red Sox's became dangerous again because of them signing two big free agents Pablo Sandoval, and Hanley Ramirez who will make them scary along with David Ortiz these three in the lineup will give a huge headache for opposing teams. With the addition of Rick Porcello who the red sox's got in an offseason trade have improved there starting rotation.
The Rays will be a huge question mark this year because of the team looking totally different from all the offseason moves they made. I don't know why they would trade Will Meyers this offseason who is an amazing outfielder. The farm system players will now have a chance to show what they have this season. The Blue Jays will have a huge question mark as well with the players they lost in free agency or traded away. The two big question marks will be if Jose Batista and Jose Reyes staying healthy. The Orioles will be interesting in seeing how if they can handle the pressure of winning the division again. Out of all the divisions in baseball this one I really cant make a decision in who will win until maybe midseason.
The NL East will be a two team competition it will be the Mets, and Nationals. These two teams have really good pitching staffs that are both in the top 10. I think the edge will have to go the Nationals because of the offense the Nationals have along with the pitching staff. With them signing Max Scherzer it will put them over the edge they have been needing these past few years. The one team that will be a surprise pick is the Miami Marlins who have something special being built. I think within the next year or so they will be the team to beat. The Braves on the other hand will be struggling after trading and releasing half of their team from last season. The Phillies I think will be one of the worst teams this season for how old they are and still have the same team that didn't do much last season.
In the Central Divison I think we will have a new Champion it will be the Chicago Cubs because of the new look they have. The signings of Joe Madden as there manager it will bring a certain attitude to the team that has been missing for a long time. Also the big signing of John Lester will bring some buzz to the team. There rotation will be a big question but if you look at there numbers it seems like they will be pretty good. The offense will be the big question because of the many new faces they have coming up from the minors. The Cardinals I will think be dangerous as well but it will be hard to see because of the trades they made in their back part of there rotation. One question I have is if Jayson Hayward can become the player he once was with the Atlanta Braves. I think the Brewers aren't far away from the division title. The Pirates I am still unsure of just because of the team and how will they adjust to one another again in finding that spark they had these past two seasons. The Reds I think will have to wait a few years because they have no real starter and not enough hitters in the lineup besides Todd Frazier and Brandon Phillips along with Joe Votto.
The West I think is between the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants. These two teams are real deep in offense along with pitching as well. The new additions for the Padres of Meyers, Upton, and Matt Kemp they will be able to have a better production of scoring more runs. The last few years they were on the bottom of the league in runs scored. The Giants will be hurting in the beginning because the rotation not being fully healthy and they will look into finding the replacement for Pablo Sandoval. The Dodgers I think will still be competitive but how far will they get with they have for this season. The Diamondbacks are still far away from being competitive this season just because of them not having much in pitching and offense.
Overall, this season will be interesting because of how many teams improved over the offseason. I think the winners in the division will be the Mariners in the AL WEST, Tigers in the AL Central, Orioles in the AL East. The National League winners will be the Nationals in the East, Cubs in the Central, Padres or Giants in the West. The Wild Card winners will be the Yankees or Red Soxs, and the Angels in the American League, and the National League will be the Mets, Cardinals. The two I think that will meet in the World Series is the Nationals representing the National league and in the
American league it will be the Tigers. The MLB champs this year will be the Washington Nationals winning it all in seven games. Lets hope this season will be exciting to what they are making it out to be. Lets get through this winter and count down the days until opening day and the spring. Lets see what happens and maybe my prediction will be right.
