2011 World Series

The 2011 World Series was one of the most entertaining I have ever watched. The Texas Rangers' powerful offense and the St. Louis Cardinals' devoted fans and star players battled it out in seven games, along the way there were walk off wins and key hits, but what will be the key for these teams in 2013?

The Texas Rangers lost most of their key players from the glory days of 2011, but the bad part is, they replaced them with sub par players. Josh Hamilton signed with the Angels, Mike Napoli signed with the Red Sox, and Michael Young was traded to the Phillies. The Rangers have Jurickson Profar, Lance Berkman, and AJ Pierzynski to replace those three sluggers. The Rangers were very reluctant to put Elvis Andrus in the deal for Justin Upton, so that is why they missed out on the big hitter they need. The main concern is where everyone will play, there has been talk about moving Kinsler to first.

1. R. Andrus SS    91 OPS+
2. S. Profar 2B     .820 OPS in AA
3. R. Beltre 3B      137 OPS+
4. R. Cruz RF        101 OPS+
5. S. Berkman DH 126 OPS+
6. R. Kinsler 1B     95 OPS+
7. L. Pierzynski C   118 OPS+
8. L. Murphy LF     124 OPS+
9. L. Borbon CF     73 OPS+

The Rangers are anchored by Yu Darvish who didn't do as well as expected, but still pretty well. The rotation in Texas is rough, but they will have to push through it.

1. R. Yu Darvish 3.90 ERA
2. R. Colby Lewis 3.43 ERA
3. L. Matt Harrison 3.29 ERA
4. L. Derek Holland  4.67 ERA
5. R. Alexi Ogando 3.27 ERA in bullpen

The bullpen for the Rangers lost super set up man Mike Adams to free agency and Koji Uehara also to free agency. They did sign Joakim Soria to either close or set up for Joe Nathan. Also I expect Neftali Feliz to go back to the bullpen where he has had success previously.

I project 76 wins for the Rangers in 2013.

Both Pujols and Hamilton departed for Anaheim 

The Cardinals made it to the NLCS in 2013 after winning the wild card game and defeating the Nationals in a five game NLDS. They did all of that without Albert Pujols, which shocked many, and they are looking to shock many again in 2013.

1. L. Jay CF         113 OPS+
2. L. Descalso 2B 72 OPS+
3. R. Holliday LF  138 OPS+
4. S. Beltran RF    128 OPS+
5. R. Molina C      137 OPS+
6. R. Craig 1B      137 OPS+
7. R. Freese 3B     129 OPS+
8. R. Kozma SS     no recent stats

Chris Carpenter is out for the entire year and very well could be at the end of his career. The rotation is led by Adam Wainwright, but is without Kyle Lohse. Nobody in the rotation really blows you away theoretically, but Trevor Rosenthal can blow you away with his fast ball.

1. R. Adam Wainwight 3.94 ERA
2. L. Jamie Garcia 3.92 ERA
3. R. Lance Lynn  3.78 ERA
4. R. Jake Westbrook 3.97 ERA
5. R. Trevor Rosenthal 2.78 ERA in bullpen

The Cardinals' have a pretty good bullpen. Jason Motte closes the door in the ninth inning. Lefies Marc Rzepczynski aka every announcers nightmare and Randy Choate are the lefties in the pen. Also in the pen is Shelby Miller and Mitchell Boggs, but expect Miller to compete for the fifth starter spot.

I project 83 wins for the cardinals in 2013.

2012 All-Star Game

As we get through the dog days of summer the temperature heats up and so do some hitters. I never understood why the All-Star Game is in the middle of the season, but what ever. The All-Star Break is fun to watch: with the Home Run Derby and the Actual All Star Game being the main events. The polls for the All-Star Game are going to close soon so this is who should make it in.

Catcher:

National League: Carlos Ruiz (.354 AVG, 9 HR, 38 RBI)
American League: A.J. Pierzynski (.286 AVG, 12 HR, 41 RBI)

First Base:

National League: Joey Votto (.367 AVG, 13 HR, 45 RBI)
American League: Prince Fielder (.306 AVG, 10 HR, 44 RBI)

Second Base:

National League: Brandon Phillips (.288 AVG, 9 HR, 42 RBI)
American League: Robinson Cano (.299 AVG, 14 HR, 33 RBI)

Third Base:

National League: David Wright (.358 AVG, 8 HR, 39 RBI)
American League: Miguel Cabrera ( .308 AVG, 14 HR, 55 RBI)

Shortstop:

National League: Starlin Castro (.302 AVG, 6 HR, 38 RBI)
American League: Derek Jeter (.313 AVG, 7 HR, 25 RBI) 


Outfield 1:


National League: Ryan Braun (.321 AVG, 20 HR, 51 RBI)
American League: Josh Hamilton (.331 AVG, 22 HR, 64 RBI) 


Outfield 2:


National League: Carlos Gonzalez (.337 AVG, 17 HR, 51 RBI)
American League: Curtis Granderson (.252 AVG, 21 HR, 41 RBI)


Outfield 3: 


National League: Melky Cabrera (.363 AVG, 6 HR, 35 RBI)
American League: Adam Jones (.302 AVG, 18 HR, 39 RBI)

Designated Hitter: 


American League: David Ortiz ( .313 AVG, 18 HR, 49 RBI) 


The All-Star Game is not a popularity contest. Some of the players that lead the ballot aren't the best at their positions. The winner of the All-Star Game gets home field advantage in the World Series. That means if your favorite team is in the World Series they can have the best chance to win. So pick the best players so your team can get home field advantage.