Author: sabrskeptic

Wow.  What a trainwreck. Why did Gabe Kapler take Aaron Nola out of the game on Opening Day?  He had only thrown 68 pitches.  I didn't watch the game.  Just the highlights on MLB Network.  Looking at the box score, though, it looks like he was pitching pretty well. Was Gabe Kapler just trying to… Continue reading Warning! Warning! Analytics Disaster Underway! Fire Klentak and Kapler!

How will the postseason picture emerge? In the National League, The Cubs and Mets will clinch their divisions well in advance of the final weekend of the season. In the American League, The Royals will clinch their division well in advance of the the final weekend of the season. The Angels will just beat out… Continue reading Playoff Predictions 2018

The intelligentsia has made a habit of botching the awards every year in recent memory. Yoenis Cespedes should have won National League MVP in 2015.  Bryce Harper was given the award instead, despite his noted character flaws. Adrian Beltre should have won American League MVP in 2016.  The intelligentsia gave Mike Trout the award instead (again,… Continue reading Awards Predictions 2018

5.  Tampa Bay Rays - 67-95 The Rays are rebuilding.  Ok.  That's long overdue. Joe Maddon is long gone.  So is David Price.  Now, Evan Longoria is out as well. Who's Andrew Friedman? What's left? Not much. Wilson Ramos could be traded at the deadline, as could Alex Colome.  So could Chris Archer. Buyer Beware… Continue reading AL East Predictions 2018

5.  Atlanta Braves - 71-91 The Braves made a huge mistake trading away Matt Kemp. Kemp is the most underrated player in baseball.  Two things matter for position players.  One is slugging.  The other is personality type.  Matt Kemp crushes the ball, and he is an unambiguous alpha male. When the Braves traded for Kemp… Continue reading NL East Predictions 2018