Phillies Beat Yanks In Game One

The Phillies beat New York in game one of the World Series 6-1. Cliff Lee dominated beating the Yankees powerful lineup allowing just one run. Chase Utley got the momentum with a home run. My prediction for game two: another win for Philly.

AL Playoff Picks

ALDS

Yankees vs. Twins: Yankees in four.
The Twins have no shot at all in this series. Derek Jeter, Mark Teixara and Alex Rodriguez are possibly MVP canidates. Hand Joe Mauer and the Twins a win but nothing else.

Red Sox vs. Angels: Angels in five.
This season the Angels will finally get past the Sox and challenge the Yanks for the AL crown. Torii Hunter, Chone Figgins and Vladimir Guerrero will fuel for constant runs even against Jon Lester and Josh Beckett. The memory of Nick Adenhart will fuel the Angels.

ALCS


Yankees vs. Angels:Yankees in four.
Again the Yankees will dominate. If the Yankees can play like they did in the regular season they could possibly sweep the Yanks. Don't count on it though.

AL Winner:Yankees.

Sanchez and Lee Traded

Just before the deadline on Friday the Cleveland Indians traded ace Cliff Lee to the Philedelphia Phillies for some top prospects including catcher Lou Marson. Plus, second basemen Freddy Sanchez, formerly of the Pittsburgh Pirates was traded to the San Franciso Giants. Also, in the trades, Jack Wilson was traded to Seattle for 1B Jeff Clement and SS Ronny Cedeno.

Home Run Derby Finished

The 2009 Home Run Derby is over with Prince Fielder the champion. Only a few years earlier Fielder was eliminated in the first round. The disappointment: Adrian Gonzalez with two home runs in the first round. Brandon Inge, all star third basemen hit zero home runs but wasn't expected to do much. Can't wait until next year.

Mid Season Report:Chicago White Sox

Chicago is in the race for the AL Central along with the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins. They get awesome play from outfielders Carlos Quentin and Jermaine Dye but still need young infielders Chris Getz and Alexei Ramirez to produce to there potential. Through July 13th, 2009 the Sox are 45-43 and in second of the AL Central. The Sox are going to have a tough second half but, may make a run towards October.

Mid Season Report:Chicgao Cubs

After a great year last year the Cubs fell short to the LA Dodgers in the playoffs. Maybe that tipped off their momentum as they have fell rapidly to third in the NL Central with a (going into July 7th) 41-39 record. Hopefully new Milton Bradley, Alfonso Soriano and Derek Lee can ban togteher for a playoff birth.

Mid Season Report:Boston Red Sox

In 2004, the "Curse of the Bambino" was broken. After that histrorical moment the Red Sox have been unstoppable. Even without Manny Ramirez, the Red Sox have managed with all stars Jason Bay, Dustin Pedroia (2008 AL MVP) and Jonathan Papelbon. This year they seem to be even better than last year, first in the AL East with a 49-33 record.

Mid Season Report:Baltimore Orioles

When will it happen? The Orioles have been struggling to get anywhere close to the top of the AL East. They have many bright spots just like the Braves including: Matt Wieters, Nick Marakis, Adam Jones and Jeremy Guthrie. They are in the cellar of the AL East with a 36-46 record. It doesn't look like the second half of the Orioles season will be even better.

Matt Wieters will be an all star soon enough.

Mid Season Report:Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves, the injury prone team of '08, have had a decent season so far. The injury bug hasn't hit them just yet but Chipper Jones hasn't been such a star like last year. They have many bright spots, Tommy Hanson and Yunel Escobar. There record: 39-43, fourth in the NL East. But, I think that the Braves can have a pretty good second half, maybe for 85 wins.

Tommy Hanson, pitcher

Mid Season Report:Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona D-Backs are having a pretty disappointing season. Most of the time the elite of the NL West, the D-Backs have lost many confidence. They are 33-49, entering July 6th, and last in the NL West. There only big star this year is Mark Reynolds, the young third basemen. My report: the D-Backs need a miracle to make the playoffs.

New Rookie Continues To Shine

Tommy Hansen, pitcher for the Atlanta Braves have been surprisingly great this year in his rookie season. Entering July 4th he had 20 scoreless innings. That streak was broken by Adam Dunn, who hit his 300th homerun the fourth fastest to get to that margain. Unfortunately, for Hansen and the Braves, the Nats won 5-4.

Opening Day is Here

Today starts opening day for baseball. Last night started baseball as the Atanta Braves played the Philedelphia Phillies in NL East action last night on Sunday April 5th, 2009. The Braves won 4-1 over the former champs Phillies. Tonight the Minnesota Twins will play the Seattle Mariners in their last home opener. Francisco Liriano will pitch for the Twins as Felix Hernendez will pitch for the Mariners.

AL East:Toronto Blue Jays

Travis Snider could be an all star someday.

5. Toronto Blue Jays

SS Marco Scutaro

PVR 253

HR 7

AVG .267

2B Aaron Hill

PVR 116

HR 2

AVG .263

RF Alex Rios

PVR 50

HR 15

AVG .291

CF Vernon Wells

PVR 98

HR 20

AVG .300

DH Adam Lind

PVR 193

HR 9

AVG .282

3B Scott Rolen

PVR 186

HR 11

AVG .262

1B Lyle Overbay

PVR 222

HR 15

AVG .270

C Rod Barajas

PVR 264

HR 11

AVG .249

LF Travis Snider

PVR 181

HR 2

AVG .301

Projected Record:70-92

PVR=Player Value Ranking

AL East:Baltimore Orioles

4. Baltimore Orioles

2B Brian Roberts
PVR 34
HR 9
AVG .296

CF Adam Jones
PVR 129
HR 9

Matt Wieters will be a contestant for the

catcher job.

AVG .270

RF Nick Markakis
PVR 83
HR 20
AVG .306

1B Aubrey Huff
PVR 57
HR 32
AVG .304

3B Melvin Mora
PVR 97
HR 23
AVG .285

DH Luke Scott
PVR 166
HR 23
AVG .257

C Gregg Zaun
PVR 302
HR 6
AVG .237

LF Felix Pie
PVR 202
HR 1
AVG .241

SS Cesar Izturis
PVR 268
HR 1
AVG .263

Projected Record:74-88

PVR=Player Value Ranking

AL East:Boston Red Sox

" Big Papi" David Ortiz will need to be better this season.

3. Boston Red Sox

CF Jacoby Ellsbury
PVR 51
HR 9
AVG .280

2B Dustin Pedroia
PVR 10
HR 17
AVG .326

DH David Ortiz
PVR 29
HR 23
AVG .264

1B Kevin Youkilis
PVR 22
HR 29
AVG .312

RF J.D. Drew
PVR 102
HR 19
AVG .280

LF Jason Bay
PVR 53
HR 31
AVG .286

3B Mike Lowell
PVR 155
HR 17
AVG .274

SS Jed Lowrie
PVR 181
HR 2
AVG .258

C Jason Varitek
PVR 239
HR 13
AVG .220

Projected Record:88-74

PVR=Player Value Ranking

AL East:Tampa Bay Rays

Evan Longoria is a canidate for AL MVP

2. Tampa Bay Rays

CF B.J. Upton

PVR 64

HR 9

AVG .273

LF Carl Crawford

PVR 88

HR 8

AVG .273

3B Evan Longoria

PVR 14

HR 27

AVG .272

1B Carlos Pena

PVR 58

HR 31

AVG .247

DH Pat Burrell

PVR 108

HR 33

AVG .250

RF Gabe Gross

PVR 220

HR 13

AVG .238

C Dioner Navarro

PVR 198

HR 7

AVG .295

2B Akinori Iwamura

PVR 197

HR 6

AVG .274

SS Jason Bartlett

PVR 214

HR 1

AVG .286

Projected Record:90-72, Wild Card

PVR=Player Value Ranking

Fantasy Picks

Here are some of my fantasy picks:

Pitchers:

Who to draft:Johan Santana,Mets
The only reason Santana wasn't great was because of a weak bullpen. Now with J.J. Putz and Francisco Rodriguez he will get much needed help.

Who not to draft:Kelvim Escobar,Angels
Escobar may not be healthy plus he has a history of injuries.

Outfield:
Who to draft:Josh Hamilton, Rangers
Hamilton had a break out year last year and he'll continue that in '09. Hamilton is a steal in the later rounds.

Who not to draft:Nate McClouth, Pirates
Although McClouth had a great start to '08 he isn't a full time starter with the Pirates. Plus McClouth has no help from the weak Pirate lineup.

Infield:
Who to draft:Ian Kinsler, Rangers
Kinsler can field, hit and play great ball. Again, he'll be a steal in the later rounds just like Josh Hamilton.

Who not to draft:Jason Bartlett, Rays
Bartlett is a decent hitter but this weak spot is his many errors. That many errors will effect his confidence and it will hurt his hitting.

AL East:New York Yankees

CF Brett Gardner.

1. New York Yankees
Lineup:

SS Derek Jeter
PVR 47
HR 11
AVG .300

LF Johnny Damon
PVR 121
HR 17
AVG .303

1B Mark Teixeira
PVR 22
HR 33
AVG .308

3B Alex Rodriguez
PVR 4
HR 35
AVG .302

DH Hideki Matsui
PVR 112
HR 9
AVG .294

C Jorge Posada (injured)
PVR 125
HR 3
AVG .268

2B Robinson Cano
PVR 131
HR 14
AVG .271

RF Xavier Nady
PVR 133
HR 25
AVG .305

CF Brett Gardner
PVR 199
HR 0
AVG .228

Projected Record:97-65

PVR=Player Value Ranking