Time is Now for Baseball Teams Looking to Get Hot and Win the World Series

As we enter the late days of summer and the month of August, Major League Baseball is just starting to really heat up.  Most of the divisions throughout the sport have neck and neck races, meaning that each game from here on out will be critically important as to postseason hopes and successes, especially with all the wild card teams staring down the barrel of a 1-game playoff at season’s end.  The teams that are likely to come out on top of their divisions (and who have the most realistic shot at the World Series) will be the ones that get hot from this point onwards.

Despite great seasons so far by teams like the Oakland Athletics, the San Francisco Giants, and the Milwaukee Brewers, if they cannot hit full stride at this juncture, they will likely be headed for early postseason exits, if they can qualify.  Fortunately for the Giants, they have been the hot team several times in recent history, giving the city two championships.  But to me several other talented squads seem the most likely to make the trip through October and into the 2014 World Series…

The first team that intrigues me is the St. Louis Cardinals.  In the National League Central Division, them, the Brewers, the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Cincinnati Reds are all within a realistic shot of claiming the division.  But the Cardinals have the most winning experience and were the most active in recent trades, reeling in star pitchers Justin Masterson and John Lackey, while also gambling on the attitude of veteran catcher A.J. Pierzynski.  Already a strong contender year in and year out with guys like Matt Carpenter, Matt Holliday, and Adam Wainwright, the Cardinals have put themselves in prime position to not only get hot, but to make a serious World Series push.

Another team in the NL that intrigues me is the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Simply stated, they have more talent than anybody else in the league, including 3 ace pitchers in Zack Greinke, Hyun-Jin Ryu, and baseball’s best pitcher, Clayton Kershaw.  Offensively, the power of Yasiel Puig, Adrian Gonzalez, Matt Kemp, and Hanley Ramirez will keep the Dodgers in any game or playoff series.  While they haven’t reached a streak like they managed mid-summer last year, they are certainly a team capable of doing just that in the months ahead to claim the World Series.

In the American League, I have my faith in the Detroit Tigers, who just added David Price to an already strong pitching lineup of Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander.  Another team with solid hitting from Victor Martinez and Miguel Cabrera, this could finally be the Tigers’ year should they be the lucky team destined to get hot.

But to get everything clicking into place right at the time for the playoffs is no easy feat.  It could be anyone from the Los Angeles Angels to the New York Yankees, or even the Kansas City Royals who could go on a tear and take the title.  However it ends up going, we can be certain that for whatever club (or clubs) that get hot, the next few months will certainly provide some exciting baseball!

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Spring Training Brings a Re-Arranged MLB Back to Baseball

It is no surprise that some serious movement has occurred throughout the MLB this off-season. Baseball is a sport always geared around trades and what missing puzzle pieces can bring a World Series to a specific team. The owners and general managers sure were busy this offseason, and as spring training is set to begin in under a week, baseball fans will get a new look at how their teams will operate in the upcoming 2013 baseball season. Here are some of the more important questions facing several teams that may be partially answered in spring training.

Are the Dodgers ready to contend? With the Los Angeles Dodgers securing a high paying television deal recently that will provide them a revenue of around $250 million per year, they have continued their spending spree. Pitcher Zack Greinke joins a lineup that already boasts Clayton Kershaw, Josh Beckett, and new Korean pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu. Solid hitters Carl Crawford, Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, and Hanley Ramirez look great on paper too. The question is will this team actually click and produce a World Series or will they simply put up some big numbers and fail to make the playoffs like they did last year?

Will the New York Yankees be able to hit? With the departure of Nick Swisher and the serious injury to Alex Rodriguez, the Yankees signed several veteran hitters to try and reproduce some lost offensive production. However, these players come with loads of questions that will need to be answered. Kevin Youkilis, Matt Diaz, and Travis Hafner all bring along a storied past of big hits and runs, but have struggled recently to dips of form and injuries. None of these guys hit over .240 last year, and they are all in their mid 30’s. Will any of these guys spark a career comeback with the Yankees, or will they disappoint?

Are the Cincinnati Reds ready to take the next step? Last season’s playoffs ended in misery for the Reds as they let a 2 game lead slip to the eventual World Series Champions San Francisco Giants in the NLDS. They have brought back every major piece of the team including outfielder Ryan Ludwick whom they re-signed. They also brought in Shin-Soo Choo, a solid hitter with decent power. Lining up with Joey Votto and Jay Bruce the Reds will have a solid offense. Their pitching staff was also spectacular last year with Johnny Cueto, Bronson Arroyo, and Mat Latos. Was last year’s division championship just a fluke or are the Reds set to take the next step and win a pennant?

Will the Washington Nationals lead the Major Leagues in wins again? The Nationals came out of nowhere last year to lead the entire MLB in win with 98. Although they fell in a disastrous manner to the St. Louis Cardinals in the playoffs, the Nationals should be improved. They re-signed Adam LaRoche, traded for Denard Span, and signed free agent premier closer Rafael Soriano. With a slate of starting pitchers including Stephen Strasburg, Dan Haren, Gio Gonzalez, and Jordan Zimmerman, the Nationals could be the best team in baseball again, but will definitely want to see an improved playoffs should they get there.

So with spring training taking shape and the regular season beckoning in the not too distant future, let’s see if some of these questions get resolved over the next few weeks as these teams take shape in the spring.

Baseball is almost back!

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