After the inspired victory by the Royals on day 1 of the postseason, knocking off Jon Lester and the A's in extras, and the Giants dominace of the Pirates, thanks to a lights out Madison Bumgarner, the stage is set for the Division series.
By way of my own personal bias, I will not breakdown the Giants vs. Nationals series because of the conflict of interest.
ALDS
DETROIT TIGERS vs. BALTIMORE ORIOLES
This is probably the most intriguing series of all, two heavyweight division winners with potent offenses and stellar pitching staffs going at it.
Starting Pitching: Detroit
Scherzer, Verlander, Price, Porcello, those 4 definitely have the battle tested resumes to give a real challenge to the Oriole Lineup. While no knock on tbe O's staff, I think the edge is with the Tigers.
Lineup: tie
While the O's may not have as big a names as Victor Martinez, Miguel Cabrera, Ian Kinsler and company, Adam Jones is a superstar in his own right and the emergence of Nelson Cruz has really made this O's lineup tough to pitch to. With good contributions from under the radar players like Detroit's J.D. Martinez, and the O's Steve Pierce, both teams are stacked top to bottom.
Bullpen: Orioles
When you got guys like Zach Britton, who emerged out of the dark as the bonified closer, Tommy Hunter, a converted starter to flamethrowing reliever and Andrew Miller, makes each game turn into a 6 inning game.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS vs LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHIEM
Speed verses power, that is the story of this series, both teams bring a totally different way of going about the game, but both have gotten the job done to get to where they are.
Starting Pitching: Angels
Since Big Game James Shields pitched in the Wild Card game, that means the Angels only have to face him once, which is huge in a best of 5 series, Weaver, Wilson, Shoemaker, solid 1-2-3.
Lineup: Angels
Star power. Period. If your lineup has Mike Trout in it, chances are it is pretty good. Pair that with Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton and the emergence of Kole Calhoun, it is tough to beat.
Bullpen: Royals
It is hard to put up better numbers than the Royals 3-headed Giant at the back end of their pen, Herrera, Davis and Holland all have sub 2 ERAs and throw absolute gas, pair that with the new lefty out of TCU Finnegan, the game gets shorter and shorter.
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS vs LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Aces wild will be the story in this one, both teams with two of the best pitchers in the game, and solid teams all around will make for an interesting 5 game series.
Starting Pitching: Dodgers
Two words, Clayton Kershaw. Having to face the leagues best pitcher twice in the same series just smells danger for the Cards. Paired with Zach Grienke make for a deadly 1-2 punch.
Lineup: Dodgers
Gordon with unreal speed helps set the table for Puig, Kemp, Ramirez, Gonzalez, Crawford, makes for a stacked lineup that will make it hard on the Cards starters.
Bullpen: tie
Both teams have a lockdown closer and good pieces surrounding them, neither is really all that special, but both do not lack any talent.
Baseball is an unpredictable game, anything can happen, and anyone can beat anyone on any given day. Perfect example, both underdogs won tbe Wild Card games.
Game 1's to keep an eye on:
In Baltimore, Max Scherzer 18-5 vs Chris Tillman 13-6
In LA, Adam Wainwright 20-9 vs Clayton Kershaw 21-3
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Interesting stats in baseball people do not know
When you look at the game of baseball as a whole, everybody knows how good Mike Trout is, or how unreal Clayton Kershaw is on the mound, but there is something to be said about the little things that people do not know about. There are some mind boggling stats that I just heard about that I could not believe.
Wade Davis, Kansas City Royals
Starting pitcher that has been converted into a reliever has shined in his new role. His ERA as a starter was 4.54 and as a reliever it is 1.54. A 3 run difference and a velocity jump to say the least, out of the pen he is throwing a 99 mph fastball with a 91 mph slider.
What people may not know is Davis has only given up 2 extra base hits this entire season, and has not given up a run since June 25.
Jared Cosart, Miami Marlins
Since being traded by the Astros to the Marlins at the deadline, (an under the radar move by the fish) Cosart has been a totally different pitcher. With Astros 9-7 with 4.41 ERA and with the Marlins 4-2 with 1.99 ERA, one of the better pitching moves that were made at the deadline.
Joe Panik, San Francisco Giants
The young Giants second baseman has been a shot in the dark this season for the Giants, a team in desperate need for an everyday second baseman has found their man in Panik. On Tuesday night Panik became the first Giants second baseman under 23 to have 5 hits in a game since 1966.
Drew Smyly, Tampa Bay Rays
Smyly threw a complete game shutout on August 23rd, it was the first time in Rays history a lefty has thrown a shutout with two or less hits and no walks. He was traded to the Rays in the David Price deal. Since the deal at the deadline, Smyly is 3-1 with a 1.70 ERA and Price is 2-3 with a 4.10 ERA with Detroit.
Albert Pujols, Los Angeles Angels of Anahiem
The great slugger of this generation made some personal history on Thursday September 11. Not good history, but amazing nonetheless. For the first time in his career he struck out 4 times in one game. That is 7894 at bats and he has never struck out more than 3 times in one game. That is unreal.
Victor Martinez, Detroit Tigers
When people say that they think one of their favorite players does not stike out much, they have not seen the numbers on Victor Martinez, who is the king of putting the ball in play. Victor has struck out only 39 times this season, in 507 plate appearances. He also has 30 homers, so 30 homers and 39 strike outs, thats unbelievable.
Aroldis Chapman, Cincinnati Reds
This flamthrowing closer for the Reds has taken his arm and put it into the record books, earlier this season he broke the his own streak of 49 consecutive innings with a strikeout, which is a major league record for a reliever. The lefty has thrown 358 pitches this season that have been 100 mph, which is twice as many as anyone in the majors this season.
Stats recieved while watching MLB Network. Staggering statistics that many people do not know.
Wade Davis, Kansas City Royals
Starting pitcher that has been converted into a reliever has shined in his new role. His ERA as a starter was 4.54 and as a reliever it is 1.54. A 3 run difference and a velocity jump to say the least, out of the pen he is throwing a 99 mph fastball with a 91 mph slider.
What people may not know is Davis has only given up 2 extra base hits this entire season, and has not given up a run since June 25.
Jared Cosart, Miami Marlins
Since being traded by the Astros to the Marlins at the deadline, (an under the radar move by the fish) Cosart has been a totally different pitcher. With Astros 9-7 with 4.41 ERA and with the Marlins 4-2 with 1.99 ERA, one of the better pitching moves that were made at the deadline.
Joe Panik, San Francisco Giants
The young Giants second baseman has been a shot in the dark this season for the Giants, a team in desperate need for an everyday second baseman has found their man in Panik. On Tuesday night Panik became the first Giants second baseman under 23 to have 5 hits in a game since 1966.
Drew Smyly, Tampa Bay Rays
Smyly threw a complete game shutout on August 23rd, it was the first time in Rays history a lefty has thrown a shutout with two or less hits and no walks. He was traded to the Rays in the David Price deal. Since the deal at the deadline, Smyly is 3-1 with a 1.70 ERA and Price is 2-3 with a 4.10 ERA with Detroit.
Albert Pujols, Los Angeles Angels of Anahiem
The great slugger of this generation made some personal history on Thursday September 11. Not good history, but amazing nonetheless. For the first time in his career he struck out 4 times in one game. That is 7894 at bats and he has never struck out more than 3 times in one game. That is unreal.
Victor Martinez, Detroit Tigers
When people say that they think one of their favorite players does not stike out much, they have not seen the numbers on Victor Martinez, who is the king of putting the ball in play. Victor has struck out only 39 times this season, in 507 plate appearances. He also has 30 homers, so 30 homers and 39 strike outs, thats unbelievable.
Aroldis Chapman, Cincinnati Reds
This flamthrowing closer for the Reds has taken his arm and put it into the record books, earlier this season he broke the his own streak of 49 consecutive innings with a strikeout, which is a major league record for a reliever. The lefty has thrown 358 pitches this season that have been 100 mph, which is twice as many as anyone in the majors this season.
Stats recieved while watching MLB Network. Staggering statistics that many people do not know.
Monday, August 18, 2014
Change leads to success for the Giants
Giants fans have waiting a long time to see their team win the world series, 52 years to be exact before the torture team of 2010 finay broke the streak and brought home their first title in San Francisco. It was a crazy season that ended in a way that nobody could have predicted before the season began. The key to that season was getting the most of players that had amazing seasons. Pat Burell and Cody Ross, who were both rejected by their teams halfway through the season shined bright when the Giants acquired them. When we look back at the lineup that was handed to the umpire in game 1 of the world series, it is interesting to see where those players are today, just 4 years later.
In 2010. In 2011
1. Andres Torres .268AVG. .221AVG
2. Freddy Sanchez .292AVG. .289AVG
3. Buster Posey .305AVG. INJURED
4. Pat Burell .266AVG. .230AVG
5. Cody Ross .288AVG. .240AVG
6. Aubrey Huff .290AVG. .246AVG
7. Juan Uribe .248AVG. DODGERS
8. Edgar Renteria .276AVG. REDS
9. Tim Lincecum 16-10. 13-14
Giants found every last ounce of star power from all these players (besides Posey) and would never see that kind of production again. In 2011, Brian Sabean understood that the Giants were not going to win with the same team they had in 2010 because they all had career years. In the offseason after a dismal 2011 campaign Sabean made changes and boy did they pay off, the Giants won their second title in 3 years, but again it was because he made a change that they were able to get it done.
In 2012. In 2013
1. Angel Pagan .288AVG. .282AVG
2. Marco Scutaro. .362AVG. .297AVG
3. Pablo Sandoval. .283AVG. .278AVG
4. Buster Posey. .336AVG. .294AVG
5. Hunter Pence. .219AVG. .283AVG
6. Brandon Belt. .275AVG. .289AVG
7. Gregor Blanco. .244AVG. .265AVG
8. Brandon Crawford. .248AVG. .248AVG
9. Barry Zito 15-8. 5-11
Sabean made the same mistake in the 2013 season, he was content with the team he has to put on the field, even though these players are younger than the ones in 2010, change makes a difference for the Giants team. Although the batting averages were decent, the Giants just were not scoring runs and their pitching staff struggled throughout the year.
In 2014 the Giants have run into the same problem, people keep asking why are they stuggling, what is happening, well, history speaks for itself. Change needs to happen. The Giants are a team that have thrived off having a fresh new group of players working well around their core player, Buster Posey. Sabean made the mistake of doing nothing at the trade deadline which I cannot understand. In 2010 they got Cody Ross and Pat Burell. 2012 they got Hunter Pence and Marco Scutaro. He needs to understand that a change is needed.
In 2010. In 2011
1. Andres Torres .268AVG. .221AVG
2. Freddy Sanchez .292AVG. .289AVG
3. Buster Posey .305AVG. INJURED
4. Pat Burell .266AVG. .230AVG
5. Cody Ross .288AVG. .240AVG
6. Aubrey Huff .290AVG. .246AVG
7. Juan Uribe .248AVG. DODGERS
8. Edgar Renteria .276AVG. REDS
9. Tim Lincecum 16-10. 13-14
Giants found every last ounce of star power from all these players (besides Posey) and would never see that kind of production again. In 2011, Brian Sabean understood that the Giants were not going to win with the same team they had in 2010 because they all had career years. In the offseason after a dismal 2011 campaign Sabean made changes and boy did they pay off, the Giants won their second title in 3 years, but again it was because he made a change that they were able to get it done.
In 2012. In 2013
1. Angel Pagan .288AVG. .282AVG
2. Marco Scutaro. .362AVG. .297AVG
3. Pablo Sandoval. .283AVG. .278AVG
4. Buster Posey. .336AVG. .294AVG
5. Hunter Pence. .219AVG. .283AVG
6. Brandon Belt. .275AVG. .289AVG
7. Gregor Blanco. .244AVG. .265AVG
8. Brandon Crawford. .248AVG. .248AVG
9. Barry Zito 15-8. 5-11
Sabean made the same mistake in the 2013 season, he was content with the team he has to put on the field, even though these players are younger than the ones in 2010, change makes a difference for the Giants team. Although the batting averages were decent, the Giants just were not scoring runs and their pitching staff struggled throughout the year.
In 2014 the Giants have run into the same problem, people keep asking why are they stuggling, what is happening, well, history speaks for itself. Change needs to happen. The Giants are a team that have thrived off having a fresh new group of players working well around their core player, Buster Posey. Sabean made the mistake of doing nothing at the trade deadline which I cannot understand. In 2010 they got Cody Ross and Pat Burell. 2012 they got Hunter Pence and Marco Scutaro. He needs to understand that a change is needed.
Monday, August 4, 2014
Top 5 most underrated pitchers in baseball
Everybody knows about Clayton Kershaw, King Felix, Adam Wainwright and others that have been under the pitching spotlight for the past several years and for good reason. They are unbelievably good. But I have devised a list of the 5 pitchers that I believe get overlooked and people should pay attention to down the stretch run and beyond.
5. Wily Peralta. Milwakee Brewers.
This is a pitcher that not many people have ever heard of, but this season he has opened the eyes of many scouts and fans alike. He has only been in the big leagues for a couple years and had a less than pomising 11-15 record with a 4.37 ERA last season. This year he has burst through in a big way for the Brewers, giving them something they have needed for a long time, good pitching. The Brew Crew can hit and most people have known that for years now, but what has seperated them from teams like the Reds and Cardinals has been their starting rotation. Going into his next start on Thursday against the Giants, Peralta is 13-6 with a 3.52 ERA and is tied for the league lead in wins. He has helped the Brewers maintain the top spot in the NL Central for most of 2014 and will be a key in their future success should they make the playoffs.
4. Tyson Ross. San Diego Padres.
Tyson Ross is a great pitcher, he is so often overlooked because his record is not sparkling and he plays on the Padres, a team that is only talked about for their horrible offense. But that is where a players win/loss record means nothing about the potential of the pitcher. Ross is 10-10 with a 2.62 ERA, 157 strikeouts, .227 BAA, 1.18 WHIP in 154.2 innings this season for the Padres. Even though the Padres are going nowhere this season, Ross should not be overlooked, I have seen him a couple times when he faced the Giants and he is sneaky pitcher that hides the ball well and has a nasty slider that makes hitters look foolish. If he was on a contender, he would be looked at more highly than he is right now.
3. Garrett Richard. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
This guy has become a stud starter in the American league this year. He has always had electric stuff but this year he has finally been able to keep up the consistancy that the Angels have been looking for out of him. He was my biggest All-Star snub and was unfortunately stuck behind Chris Sale on the final ballot. He has been a mainstake in the Angels 2014 resurgence, a team that had high hopes a couple years ago when the acquired Albert Pujols, C.J. Wilson and last year Josh Hamilton has not lived up to what they should be. This year they are one of the best teams in baseball and are in a dogfight with the A's for the top spot in the AL West. Richards has written his own story, he is 11-4 with a 2.74 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, .197 BAA and 143 strikeouts. He is top 10 in BAA and WHIP on the league. He has only allowed 5 HRs all season and opponents have been baffled by his electic fastball and sharp breaking ball. Keep him on your radar.
2. Scott Kazmir. Oakland Athletics.
Kazmir has fallen off the radar of many people ever since his excellent 2008 campaign with the Tampa Bay Rays, as if he almost disappeared entirely. The A's saw this differently and picked him up from the Cleveland Indians, looks like they knew something nobody else did. Kazmir has been unbelieveably good this year for the first place A's, posting a record of 12-4 with a 2.53 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and a .224 BAA. He is been a vital part of the Billy Beane's vision for this team and he has rewarded the GM tremendously. He doesn't come at you with unbelieveable stuff but he gets the job done every 5th day by getting outs using all his pitches and escaping from jams. He was a pickup that nobody saw coming, and everyone wished they had made. He is apart of a superstar rotation of Sunny Gray, Jon Lester, Jason Hammel and Jeff Samardzija.
1. Corey Kluber. Cleveland Indians.
This man can flat out pitch. Coming off a good season last year, Kluber has quickly turned himself into a bonified ace in the league and an important part of the Indians rotation. His numbers are staggering and his strikeout rate is unbelieveable. It only makes me wonder why more people do not talk about this man, but now they will. He is 12-6 with a 2.55 ERA, 177 strikeouts, 1.08 WHIP, in 165.2 innings pitched this season. He has really been a shot in the dark for the Indians who are fighting their hardest to try and gain a playoff spot. He is doing his part to keep them in the mix. His slider puts hitters to shame along with his elecric fastball. This is a pitcher that will definitely be heard of in the coming years. He is coming off a start where he outdueled King Felix who is the American League leader in ERA.
5. Wily Peralta. Milwakee Brewers.
This is a pitcher that not many people have ever heard of, but this season he has opened the eyes of many scouts and fans alike. He has only been in the big leagues for a couple years and had a less than pomising 11-15 record with a 4.37 ERA last season. This year he has burst through in a big way for the Brewers, giving them something they have needed for a long time, good pitching. The Brew Crew can hit and most people have known that for years now, but what has seperated them from teams like the Reds and Cardinals has been their starting rotation. Going into his next start on Thursday against the Giants, Peralta is 13-6 with a 3.52 ERA and is tied for the league lead in wins. He has helped the Brewers maintain the top spot in the NL Central for most of 2014 and will be a key in their future success should they make the playoffs.
4. Tyson Ross. San Diego Padres.
Tyson Ross is a great pitcher, he is so often overlooked because his record is not sparkling and he plays on the Padres, a team that is only talked about for their horrible offense. But that is where a players win/loss record means nothing about the potential of the pitcher. Ross is 10-10 with a 2.62 ERA, 157 strikeouts, .227 BAA, 1.18 WHIP in 154.2 innings this season for the Padres. Even though the Padres are going nowhere this season, Ross should not be overlooked, I have seen him a couple times when he faced the Giants and he is sneaky pitcher that hides the ball well and has a nasty slider that makes hitters look foolish. If he was on a contender, he would be looked at more highly than he is right now.
3. Garrett Richard. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
This guy has become a stud starter in the American league this year. He has always had electric stuff but this year he has finally been able to keep up the consistancy that the Angels have been looking for out of him. He was my biggest All-Star snub and was unfortunately stuck behind Chris Sale on the final ballot. He has been a mainstake in the Angels 2014 resurgence, a team that had high hopes a couple years ago when the acquired Albert Pujols, C.J. Wilson and last year Josh Hamilton has not lived up to what they should be. This year they are one of the best teams in baseball and are in a dogfight with the A's for the top spot in the AL West. Richards has written his own story, he is 11-4 with a 2.74 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, .197 BAA and 143 strikeouts. He is top 10 in BAA and WHIP on the league. He has only allowed 5 HRs all season and opponents have been baffled by his electic fastball and sharp breaking ball. Keep him on your radar.
2. Scott Kazmir. Oakland Athletics.
Kazmir has fallen off the radar of many people ever since his excellent 2008 campaign with the Tampa Bay Rays, as if he almost disappeared entirely. The A's saw this differently and picked him up from the Cleveland Indians, looks like they knew something nobody else did. Kazmir has been unbelieveably good this year for the first place A's, posting a record of 12-4 with a 2.53 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and a .224 BAA. He is been a vital part of the Billy Beane's vision for this team and he has rewarded the GM tremendously. He doesn't come at you with unbelieveable stuff but he gets the job done every 5th day by getting outs using all his pitches and escaping from jams. He was a pickup that nobody saw coming, and everyone wished they had made. He is apart of a superstar rotation of Sunny Gray, Jon Lester, Jason Hammel and Jeff Samardzija.
1. Corey Kluber. Cleveland Indians.
This man can flat out pitch. Coming off a good season last year, Kluber has quickly turned himself into a bonified ace in the league and an important part of the Indians rotation. His numbers are staggering and his strikeout rate is unbelieveable. It only makes me wonder why more people do not talk about this man, but now they will. He is 12-6 with a 2.55 ERA, 177 strikeouts, 1.08 WHIP, in 165.2 innings pitched this season. He has really been a shot in the dark for the Indians who are fighting their hardest to try and gain a playoff spot. He is doing his part to keep them in the mix. His slider puts hitters to shame along with his elecric fastball. This is a pitcher that will definitely be heard of in the coming years. He is coming off a start where he outdueled King Felix who is the American League leader in ERA.
Thursday, June 26, 2014
National League All Star Starter Opinions
I have decided to give my own opinion on how the starting lineups should shape up for the National league in the 2014 All-Star Game in Minnesota.
National league starters:
C- Johnathan Lucroy.
He has been the most consistant hitting catcher so far in 2014. He may not have the catching skill set that Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, but he has vastly improved the past few years. Many people make the argument that Molina should be the starter because he has so many gold gloves, world series rings, and so on, but that has nothing to do with the All-Star game. The game is supposed to show the best players at each position from both leagues so far that year. It boggles my mind why what Molina has done the past few years has anything to do with his All-Star appearance this year. I do appreciate what Molina does daily, he is the best fielding catcher in baseball. Lucroy however is hitting .330 8HRs 39RBIs .403 OBP. Molina is batting .284 6HRs 27RBIs .334 OBP. Evan Gattis should be considered heavily for backing up these two as he has had an amazing June.
1B- Paul Goldschmidt
This one was easy, Goldschmidt has been a consistant hitting machine as he has done for most of his young career. Being a Giants fan I have gotten a few looks at him and he has impressed me greatly. He leads all of baseball with 28 doubles already this year and is hitting .301 15HRs 53RBIs .381 OBP, on a team that at the moment is going nowhere, but he that has not stopped him from continuing to produce. The sneaky choice that should be also considered is Justin Morneau of the Colorado Rockies who has turned it on of late and is driving in a ton of runs 57RBIs this season.
2B- Chase Utley
After having a super fast start for the seemingly ageless Utley, he has come back to earth in the past couple months, but he has continued to gather hits which convinces me he is deserving of the start at 2nd base. He is batting .293 5HRs 34RBIs 41Rs .354OBP. I also believe that Dee Gordon should get a strong consideration because he is stealing bases at an unbelievable pace, he has 40 steals through 74 games this season.
SS- Troy Tulowitzki
This was by far the easiest choice of any of the NL starters, Tulo has been the best hitter in all of baseball to start the 2014 season and just does not stop hitting. He is hitting .351 18HRs 45RBIs 60Rs .443 OBP. He has been producing steadily for the Rockies who were in the thick of the NL West race before hitting a wall a month and a half ago.
3B- David Wright
He is the easy option in the NL for third base, he has been consistant for the Mets and despite the Mets woes of not making the playoffs, that has not stopped Wright from taking that role as the face of the franchise. He is batting .278 6HRs 40RBIs .334 OBP.
OF- Yasiel Puig
The Dodgers young star has been just continuing to hit and drive in runs ever since he got called up last year almost mid season. He has had fantastic offense and defensive help for the Dodgers. Batting average has been the name of the game for Puig ever since he broke into the big leagues, and has been a hitting machine. He is batting .313 11HRs 45RBIs 40Rs .402 OBP.
OF- Andrew McCutchen
The NL MVP only a year ago has just picked up where he left off last year for the Bucs, hitting for average and power, drving in runs and then saving them with his stellar CF defense. Arguments can be made for Carlos Gomez, who has had a great year in CF for the Brewers, but Cutch has been pushing the envelope and producing a little more. McCutchen is batting .315 12HRs 48RBIs 41Rs .420 OBP.
OF- Giancarlo Stanton
This man has unreal power, he can hit balls farther and harder that you will ever see, but he is not just power, he has been hitting for average and has locked in that 3 spot in the lineup for the Marlins and keeping them in the race in the NL East. He is hitting .307 20HRs 58RBIs 54Rs .399 OBP.
Sleeper pick for All-Star game:
Casey McGehee- newly acquired third baseman for the Marlins who spent all of last season in Japan trying to get his swing and production back has done so. He has the chance to be the first player since 1944 to have 50RBIs by the All-Star break with only 1HR.
As far as the Giants are concerned, it looks like it may be Michael Morse who has the best shot at the All-Star game, especially with Pagan bitten by the injury bug. For pitchers it should be Madison Bumgarner and Tim Hudson, maybe Sergio Romo and hopefully Jean Machi who has had an unbelievable year in the Giants pen.
National league starters:
C- Johnathan Lucroy.
He has been the most consistant hitting catcher so far in 2014. He may not have the catching skill set that Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, but he has vastly improved the past few years. Many people make the argument that Molina should be the starter because he has so many gold gloves, world series rings, and so on, but that has nothing to do with the All-Star game. The game is supposed to show the best players at each position from both leagues so far that year. It boggles my mind why what Molina has done the past few years has anything to do with his All-Star appearance this year. I do appreciate what Molina does daily, he is the best fielding catcher in baseball. Lucroy however is hitting .330 8HRs 39RBIs .403 OBP. Molina is batting .284 6HRs 27RBIs .334 OBP. Evan Gattis should be considered heavily for backing up these two as he has had an amazing June.
1B- Paul Goldschmidt
This one was easy, Goldschmidt has been a consistant hitting machine as he has done for most of his young career. Being a Giants fan I have gotten a few looks at him and he has impressed me greatly. He leads all of baseball with 28 doubles already this year and is hitting .301 15HRs 53RBIs .381 OBP, on a team that at the moment is going nowhere, but he that has not stopped him from continuing to produce. The sneaky choice that should be also considered is Justin Morneau of the Colorado Rockies who has turned it on of late and is driving in a ton of runs 57RBIs this season.
2B- Chase Utley
After having a super fast start for the seemingly ageless Utley, he has come back to earth in the past couple months, but he has continued to gather hits which convinces me he is deserving of the start at 2nd base. He is batting .293 5HRs 34RBIs 41Rs .354OBP. I also believe that Dee Gordon should get a strong consideration because he is stealing bases at an unbelievable pace, he has 40 steals through 74 games this season.
SS- Troy Tulowitzki
This was by far the easiest choice of any of the NL starters, Tulo has been the best hitter in all of baseball to start the 2014 season and just does not stop hitting. He is hitting .351 18HRs 45RBIs 60Rs .443 OBP. He has been producing steadily for the Rockies who were in the thick of the NL West race before hitting a wall a month and a half ago.
3B- David Wright
He is the easy option in the NL for third base, he has been consistant for the Mets and despite the Mets woes of not making the playoffs, that has not stopped Wright from taking that role as the face of the franchise. He is batting .278 6HRs 40RBIs .334 OBP.
OF- Yasiel Puig
The Dodgers young star has been just continuing to hit and drive in runs ever since he got called up last year almost mid season. He has had fantastic offense and defensive help for the Dodgers. Batting average has been the name of the game for Puig ever since he broke into the big leagues, and has been a hitting machine. He is batting .313 11HRs 45RBIs 40Rs .402 OBP.
OF- Andrew McCutchen
The NL MVP only a year ago has just picked up where he left off last year for the Bucs, hitting for average and power, drving in runs and then saving them with his stellar CF defense. Arguments can be made for Carlos Gomez, who has had a great year in CF for the Brewers, but Cutch has been pushing the envelope and producing a little more. McCutchen is batting .315 12HRs 48RBIs 41Rs .420 OBP.
OF- Giancarlo Stanton
This man has unreal power, he can hit balls farther and harder that you will ever see, but he is not just power, he has been hitting for average and has locked in that 3 spot in the lineup for the Marlins and keeping them in the race in the NL East. He is hitting .307 20HRs 58RBIs 54Rs .399 OBP.
Sleeper pick for All-Star game:
Casey McGehee- newly acquired third baseman for the Marlins who spent all of last season in Japan trying to get his swing and production back has done so. He has the chance to be the first player since 1944 to have 50RBIs by the All-Star break with only 1HR.
As far as the Giants are concerned, it looks like it may be Michael Morse who has the best shot at the All-Star game, especially with Pagan bitten by the injury bug. For pitchers it should be Madison Bumgarner and Tim Hudson, maybe Sergio Romo and hopefully Jean Machi who has had an unbelievable year in the Giants pen.
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