2020 brought us some incredible inductees into the Baseball Hall of Fame: Ted Simmons, Larry Walker, and Derek Jeter. However, others came close and it’s interesting to note that alleged steroid users are starting to gain a little bit of traction. The real question is, who will be elected in 2021?

Possibilities

Curt Schilling

I think this is Curt’s year. Although he is somewhat of a controversial figure because of his outspoken political views, there’s no denying the numbers. 216 career wins, a 3.46 ERA, 3116 Ks, and the list goes on. The 3-time World Series champion was an All-Star 6 times and finished 2nd in Cy Young Voting 3 times during the Steroid Era. After receiving 70% of the votes last year (an increase of almost 10%), Schilling’s 10th year on the ballot will likely land him immortality in baseball’s greatest individual achievement.

Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds

Considered to be two of the best players of all time, Clemens and Bonds have tainted reputations due to their alleged use of steroids. Both received just above 60% of the votes, but didn’t see much of an increase. Both of them will be on the ballot for the 10th time, but don’t expect either to increase much in percentage. They say is takes time to heal wounds, but I’m not sure even time will heal the reputation of either candidate. This also includes the likes of Manny Ramirez, Sammy Sosa, Andy Pettite, and Gary Sheffield.

Borderline Candidates

Omar Vizquel

Considered to be one of the greatest defensive shortstops of all time, Vizquel won 11 Gold Glove awards during his 24-year career. After receiving just over 52% of the votes last year, it will be his 4th year on the ballot. Don’t expect Vizquel to make it this year, but don’t be surprised if he’s enshrined in Cooperstown a few years down the road.

Scott Rolen

I think many are underestimating Rolen’s career numbers. The 7x All-Star and 8x Gold Glove winner has a career .281 batting average and 316 career home runs. He received 35.3% of the votes last year, and this year will also be his 5th on the ballot. Expect another increase, you never know what can happen.

The Newcomers

This year’s newbies include Shane Victorino, Grady Sizemore, Alex Rios, A.J. Burnett, Nick Swisher, and Dan Uggla. Oh, the nostalgia. These players bring back some great memories. However, they are all one-and-done candidates. At least they can tell their grand kids they were on the ballot. There is more on the list, but unfortunately none are legitimate possibilities for induction.

Who Deserves More Attention?

In my opinion, Todd Helton, Jeff Kent, and Billy Wagner do. Helton and Kent put up some incredible hitting numbers, and Wagner is one of the greatest closers of all time. At the end of the day, the Hall of Fame voters are just baseball writers that have their own views and opinions. The same goes for me. I don’t think steroid users should make it in. Honestly, if you take a look at the full voting list, there is no rhyme or reason to it. Manny Ramirez and Sammy Sosa should be up there in the voting with Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens if writers are willing to put steroid users in the Hall. Also, guys like Helton, Kent, and Wagner have numbers that don’t lie and I feel that the writers need to actually study up a bit more.

If nobody is inducted in 2021, it would be the first year that a player hasn’t been inducted since 2013.

I like doing rankings like these. It gives me the opportunity to research players’ stats in more depth and analyze which teams are looking good heading into the upcoming season. So without further ado, in my opinion, here are the top 5 rotations in baseball.

(1) Washington Nationals

It’s no secret why the Nationals as a Wild Card team were able to have so much success in the 2019 postseason and come out on top as World Series champs. Yeah their lineup was good, but their pitching was incredible.

1. Max Scherzer
   1. In my opinion, Max Scherzer has become the most consistent and dominant starting pitcher since 2013. The past 7 seasons, he’s finished top 5 in Cy Young Voting, including winning the award 3 times. The numbers speak for themselves, Mad-Max is a future hall of famer who is still putting up great numbers each year.
2. Stephen Straburg
   1. Stephen Strasburg has fought through many injuries and established himself among the game’s best. The reigning World Series MVP won a league-high 17 games last season and inked a luxurious contract that keeps him in D.C. until 2026, a great move for the Nats.
3. Patrick Corbin
   1. The 30-year-old southpaw is arguably one of the most underrated pitchers in baseball. In his first season with the Nats, Corbin found success on the mound tallying a 14-7 record with a 3.25 ERA. He has a large contract, but so far it is paying off. This is the type of guy that could easily be a #1 on most teams.
4. Anibal Sanchez
   1. I watched Anibal Sanchez pitch live at Comerica Park in 2017, and I thought his career was over. However, after reviving his career in Atlanta in 2018, Sanchez had another good year in 2019 with a 3.85 ERA. How much more can you ask from a 14-year veteran as a #4 starter?
5. Joe Ross/Eric Fedde
   1. At just 26 years old, Joe Ross still has potential. 27-year-old Eric Fedde started more games than Ross last year, and had more success, so the two will compete for the #5 spot in the rotation.

(2) New York Mets

Each of the past few season, the Mets seems to always enter the season with one of the top rotations. Consistency is key, but this group of pitchers has a ton of talent. Even with the loss of Zach Wheeler, this is a top-2 rotation.

1. Jacob deGrom
   1. Although his win and loss record might not show it, the back-to-back Cy Young winner has been dominant throughout his 6-year career. In 2018, he posted an incredible 1.70 ERA and last year had a 2.43 ERA. If he could just get some run support, deGrom would be among the top win-getters in baseball. This guy is the real deal and one of the best to pitch in our lifetime.
2. Noah Syndergaard
   1. When you have a nickname like Thor, you’re doing something right. At 6’6 240 lbs, his mound presence is frightening for hitters. His 100+ MPH fastball is lethal. Although he had a down year in 2019, expect Syndergaard to bounce back this season.
3. Marcus Stroman
   1. Stro-Show hasn’t been the most consistent of pitchers over his career, but he has a good season with both the Blue Jays and Mets. Kudos to New York for going out and getting a solid, young starting pitcher at the trade deadline. I’m excited to see how he continues to perform in the blue and orange.
4. Steven Matz
   1. The left-hander posted an 11-10 record with a 4.21 ERA last season, not bad for a guy that was used a the #4 and #5. I still think there might be more in the 28-year-old. He still has potential.
5. Rick Porcello/Michael Wacha
   1. Rick Porcello is the likely candidate for the #5 spot. He was 14-12 last year with Boston, but his ERA was 5.52. Former Cardinals starter Michael Wacha was 6-7 with a 4.76 ERA in 2019. Expect both to even compete with Matz for the #4 spot, you just never know.

(3) Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds are looking like the real deal this year, which is especially due to their pitching rotation. Did I rank them too high? I guess that’s your call. Again, these are all just opinions.

1. Luis Castillo
   1. The Dominican born Castillo had a break-out year in 2019. His all-star season was backed by a 15-8 record and a 3.40 ERA. Another plus, Castillo is a strikeout pitcher with a plus-arm. 226 strikeouts over 190 2/3 innings is solid. The Reds have arguably found their first ace since fellow Dominican, Johnny Cueto.
2. Sonny Gray
   1. When Sonny Gray joined the Reds last season, nobody knew what he would provide. However, Gray was a pleasant surprise. He delivered an all-star season with a 2.87 ERA and finished 7th in the N.L. Cy Young voting. Sonny may have struggled in the Bronx, but he’s found a new home in Cincy and returned to his Oakland form.
3. Trevor Bauer
   1. Like him or not, Trevor Bauer is a very solid number 3 starter. Although he struggled in Cincinnati at the end of last season, Bauer has enjoyed a lot of success over the past few years. Expect a bounce back year, I have a good feeling about it.
4. Wade Miley
   1. Miley had a pretty good year last year in Houston. He put up a 14-6 record and a sub-4 ERA. I think the move of acquiring Miley was big for the Reds. They lost Alex Wood, and they got a a reliable, cheaper option as a replacement.
5. Anthony DeSclafani
   1. DeSclafani’s numbers last year surprised me, and they might surprise you. He threw 166 2/3 with a 3.89 ERA. Don’t forget, Great American Ballpark is a top-3 hitter’s ballpark in all of baseball. This would be a great #5 starting pitcher on any ball club.

(4) Los Angeles Dodgers

A rotation with 4 leftys? Yeah, it’s a little crazy. But it’s also crazy good. Even with the loss of Hyun-Jin Ryu and Kenta Maeda, this is a great rotation.

1. Clayton Kershaw
   1. The best left-hander of our generation is also a future hall of famer. 8 out of the last 9 seasons, he’s been an all-star. Last season, he was 16-5 with a 3.03 ERA, which was good enough for 8th in N.L. Cy Young voting. He may not put up sub-2 ERAs anymore, but he is clearly still among the game’s best.
2. Walker Buehler
   1. Arguably the best young pitcher in baseball, the 25-year old had his first all-star season in 2019 with a 14-4 record with a 3.26 ERA. Buehler is a rare talent these days; he can pitch deep into ballgames. Some believe that he’s the #1 in LA.
3. David Price
   1. Mookie Betts was a big acquisition for the Dodgers, but so is David Price. Although he had sort of a down year and only threw 107 1/3 innings, Price is moving over to the National League for the first time in his career which can only help. Price has been there and done that, and showed in 2017, that he can pitch at the highest stage in the postseason. Hopefully the Price is right, and he can stay healthy enough to help the Dodgers make their 3rd straight World Series run.
4. Alex Wood
   1. Wood was injured for a majority of the 2019 campaign in Cincinnati. However, if he can return to his Dodger-caliber seasons, he is a great option at the back end of the rotation. Remember his 2017 all-star year? 16-3 and a 2.72 ERA. And Wood is already comfortable pitching in the Dodgers blue.
5. Julio Urias
   1. The 23-year-old left-hander started 15 games as a rookie, was injured for most of 2017 and 2018, and pitched primarily out of relief last season. However, heading into this year, it looks like he’ll be the number 4 or 5. Last season, opponents hit just .201 against him and he struck out 85 batters in just over 80 innings. It’ll be interesting to see how he fairs against as a full-time starter.

(5) Cleveland Indians

Do I understand why the Indians got rid of Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer? Absolutely not. Do I still think the Indians have one of the best rotations in baseball, yeah. We’ll see if their offense is goof enough to back their starters.

1. Shane Bieber
   1. 2019 was the first that I ever heard of Shane Beiber. Remember when he won the 2019 MLB All-Star Game MVP award as a replacement player in front of the hometown crowd? That was awesome. Anyway, Bieber was 4th in Cy Young voting in the A.L. with a 15-8 record, a 3.28 ERA, and 259 strikeouts. There’s a new ace in Cleveland everyone, and his name is not Corey Kluber.
2. Mike Clevinger
   1. If I had to make a sleeper pick for the 2020 A.L. Cy Young, it would be this man. I saw him pitch in Detroit a few seasons ago, and this guy has swagger. It’s too bad he was injured at the start of the season, because Clevinger had a great year. He put up a 13-4 record with a 2.71 ERA and had 169 Ks in 126 innings. He has been so consistent these past 3 season, and it looks like he’s right in his prime at 29 years old.
3. Carlos Carrasco
   1. Cookie Carrasco has been through a lot; he had leukemia last year and still returned to pitch at the end of the season. This was definitely the most incredible story line in 2019. From 2015 to 2018, his highest ERA in a season was 3.63. He pitched out of the pen and as a starter last season and struggled, but hopefully he’ll be able to bounce back and have a good year.
4. Zach Plesac
   1. I had never heard of Zach until looking at the Indians roster, but he is actually the nephew of reliever legend Dan Plesac, who now works as a sportscaster. Plesac started 21 games last year and tallied an 8-6 record with a 3.81 ERA. I think the Indians can justify cutting their payroll by trading Bauer and Kluber because of guys like this.
5. Aaron Civale
   1. Another guy I had never heard of is Aaron Civale. This guy started 10 games at the Major League level last season and posted a 2.34 ERA, not too shabby. It’s a small sample size, but it looks like the Tribe has some young talent at the back at of their rotation.

Honorable Mentions: Tampa Bay Rays, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Houston Astros

For being only 20 years old, I’d say I’m pretty well-traveled as far as MLB stadiums. I have traveled to 19 Major League Baseball ballparks in 16 cities. Today, I rank those stadiums starting with my favorite, and ending with my least favorite. Take it with a grain of salt, these are opinions that include my bias and my personal experiences. No hard feelings, enjoy!

(1) Wrigley Field – Chicago, Illinois

I have been to 3 games at Wrigley Field and there’s no place on earth where I would rather watch baseball. This isn’t even a tough choice. From the ivy wall, to historic Wrigleyville, to the organ bouncing off the seats during a ballgame, the home of the Chicago Cubs is the best Major League experience. Opened in 1914, Wrigley is the 2nd oldest ballpark in the majors. Although there have been many renovations throughout the years, it still has that historic charm and a feeling that is hard to put into words. If you haven’t been to Wrigley, its a must at some point in your lifetime.

(2) Fenway Park – Boston, Massachusetts

The oldest ballpark in the majors, the home of the Boston Red Sox was born in 1912. Why is Fenway so great? For one, the “Green Monster” gives Boston the most interesting park as far as the dimensions. I love historic ballparks, and the area surrounding the stadium gives it charm. Although it’s pricey to sit on the Green Monster, I’d say it’s even better to enjoy the view from a far, it still feels like you’re close to it in any seat.

(3) Oriole Park at Camden Yards – Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore is a baseball town and their ballpark shows it. The coolest feature at Camden Yards is without a doubt the warehouse in right field, which the stadium was built around. This stadium is also a ball-hawk’s dream. The short park dimensions in right field makes for a ton of home runs during BP, so bring your glove and get there early! Also, due to the current state of the franchise, attendance is pretty low so your chances of a foul ball or home run ball have increased. I had my first MLB foul ball bounce right into my hand in the summer of 2019 off the bat of none other than Chris Davis.

(4) PNC Park – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

If you love a good backdrop, nothing beats PNC Park. The city skyline and Clemente Bridge combined with a beautiful ballpark go together like eggs and bacon. Honestly, this is the absolute perfect placement for a ballpark. Go see it for yourself, because my words can’t do it justice. Also, a bonus for any ballhawks out there: PNC Park is one of the best spots to get a ball during batting practice. Grab that glove and head out to right-center field or left-field. I like right-center because there is usually a lot of open space in the walkway right up against the back wall of the stadium, which overlooks the Allegheny River.

(5) Busch Stadium – St. Louis, Missouri

The home of the St. Louis Cardinals also has one of the prettiest backdrops in the bigs. The Gateway Arch and rest of the scenic skyline are breathtaking. Busch Stadium does everything right. It’s a top-notch facility and although it might not have that old-time feel, you’ll feel right at home. I really like the open space in the area beyond the outfield seats. Also, this was the first stadium that I toured. I got to see the press-box, walk on the field, and sit in the home dugout!

(6) Target Field – Minneapolis, Minnesota

What comes to mind when I think of the home of the Minnesota Twins? Two words: hidden gem. Target Field is an absolute beauty on the inside and out. The limestone is incorporated on both the exterior and interior, which helps make this stadium an architectural masterpiece. I’d argue that some new stadiums lose that “baseball feel” but this one definitely doesn’t.

(7) Comerica Park – Detroit, Michigan

Being a die-hard Tigers fan from Detroit, I might have a slight bias. However, Comerica Park is awesome. From the brick wall that enshrines the retired numbers, to the statues of legends out in left field, to probably the most underrated skyline in baseball, this ballpark brings together many features that blend together nicely. For the kids, this is the only ballpark in the majors that has a carousel and ferris wheel, a nice cherry on top.

(8) Kauffman Stadium – Kansas City, Missouri (No they don’t play in the state of Kansas)

I hate to put this masterpiece so low on my list. I’ve only been here once, but it is one of the most memorable baseball experiences I’ve ever had. When you see Kauffman from the outside, it makes you think of a futuristic spaceship from a movie. When you walk inside, you’re pleasantly overwhelmed by the humongous crown-shaped scoreboard and probably shocked that this park was built in 1973. Also a nice touch is the Hall of Fame located in left-field. The Royals have a lot of history and do a great job of telling the stories of past legends.

(9) Yankee Stadium – New York, New York

The home of the Bronx Bombers is no longer “the house that Ruth built.” However, Yankee Stadium still has that iconic classic look with the white facade/fence surrounding most of the park. The Yankees are the most storied franchise in baseball, and they pay tribute to their all-time greats with Memorial Park in center-field and Hall of Fame, which is hidden in one of the upper-levels behind home plate.

(10) Progressive Field – Cleveland, Ohio

Yes, something good comes out of Ohio! Progressive Field may not look that great from the outside, but it is really nice inside. My favorite features are the large scoreboard and tall stands in left-field, the many dining options, and the underrated city skyline. I also found Progressive to be a great spot for batting practice. It is so cool to go up in the left-field bleachers and see power hitters launch balls over the tall wall from a truly unique perspective.

(11) Citi Field – New York, New York

Another New York ballpark, Citi Field had housed the Mets since 2009, replacing Shea Stadium. This ballpark is really nice, including a classic yet modern look on the outside. Citi Field has a great Hall of Fame area with many baseball artifacts. Another unique feature is the Home Run Apple, which is housed in the batters-eye in center-field. It’s fun waiting for a Mets home run and seeing the apple pop up, hopefully it makes people be more attentive during games!

(12) Great American Ballpark – Cincinnati, Ohio

The Reds are my second favorite team, so I might have a little bias here. Great American is a cookie-cutter ballpark in many ways, but still a great spot to watch baseball. Being a hitters-friendly park, it’s another great spot for batting practice. I also think that red seats make a stadium look awesome, but I’d rather see fans wearing red occupying those seats. Hopefully the Reds can compete this year because Cincinnati is a definite baseball town.

(13) Truist Park – Atlanta, Georgia

Formerly known as Suntrust Park, the new home of the Braves is placed amidst a suburb in Atlanta. Although the ballpark doesn’t have the downtown feel, the park was planned out extremely well and the business model is awesome. The Braves have built a district surrounding the park that houses local businesses, restaurants, and shops that fund the cost of the entire stadium. Although I haven’t been to a game here, I toured the stadium and it really is a great park. If I attend a game here, I will consider bumping up the ranking.

(14) Citizens Bank Park – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Phillies have played at Citizens Bank since 2004. Honestly, it seems like the ballpark is a little bit older. The only game I went to here was Ryan Howard Retirement Day, so the park was packed and it was a great atmosphere. The light-up Liberty Bell in right-center is pretty cool, but there really isn’t a ton that makes the ballpark unique.

(15) Turner Field – Atlanta, Georgia (RIP)

The former home of the Atlanta Braves is the only MLB ballpark I’ve been to that is now closed, and it saddens me. It’s one of the first ballparks I visited, way back as a 9-year-old in 2009. This facility was initially built for the 1996 Summer Olympics and had a lot of history.

(16) T-Mobile Park – Seattle, Washington

You may know this park as Safeco Field, but the now T-Mobile Park is one of 6 MLB stadiums with a retractable roof. When I went to a game here in 2018, I saw it with the roof on and off which was pretty neat. There is a pretty cool Hall of Fame area that contains history from great Mariners legends like Ichiro, Edgar Martinez, Ken Griffey Jr., and Randy Johnson. However, this ballpark is placed in a weird spot in Seattle and there isn’t much that makes it stand out.

(17) Nationals Park – Washington D.C.

To be fair, I only went to Nationals Park once back in 2009. What do I remember? The President’s Mascot Race and a lot of empty seats. The franchise looks a lot different today and more fans have flocked to watch the reigning World Series champs, but the ballpark is still the same. There really isn’t anything unique or memorable about the ballpark itself, so if you go here, hopefully you get to see some of the game’s greats like Juan Soto, Stephen Strasburg, and Max Scherzer.

(18) Miller Park – Milwaukee, Wisconsin

This may be slightly controversial, but Miller Park doesn’t feel like it should be the home to a baseball team. To be fair, the roof was closed the entire time I was there during a cold April night in 2018, but it didn’t feel like baseball to me. A few cool features are the sausage race and home run fireworks. But this stadium is difficult to navigate and feels like an industrial maze.

(19) Guaranteed Rate Field – Chicago, Illinois

Oh where to begin? First off, the only time I was here, it was difficult to get into the park. I had an upper deck ticket, which required me entering a certain part of the stadium. I then proceeded to walk up a long walk-way. This ballpark is boring, there’s no other way to put it. There’s not much to see in the concourse and I feel like they missed an opportunity with the Chicago skyline, which you can in the upper deck from afar.

Generally, people don’t like change. They like consistency, a routine, and something to count on. For a lot of people, baseball has been just that, as the rules of the game haven’t drastically changed in a long time. However this season, the MLB is implementing several new rules, including the 3-batter minimum.

What is the 3 batter minimum?

The new rule states that a pitcher must face at least three batters or end the half-inning, unless he gets injured. According to MLB, the change will cause a decline in lefty specialists who are brought in for lefty-on-lefty match-ups.

Potential Positives:

• The game speeds up
  • This is the most obvious reason why the rule is being put in place. Pitching changes take a ton of time, especially in the middle of an inning. Commissioner Rob Manfred is making a big push to speed up baseball and this seems to be a step forward in that process, whether you like it or not.
• Relief pitchers become more valuable
  • Relievers are going to have taller tasks this year. Gone are the days of the lefty specialist (at least we think) and relief pitchers are going to rack up more innings. There will be less pitching changes, there’s no doubt about that, which means extended outings.
• There’s more incentive for teams to spend money on relievers
  • Yeah, starting pitchers are always going to make more money on average than relievers. But hey, generally, they are the most underpaid players in the game. However, with relievers being such an important part of the game, there will be more incentive for teams to dish out a little bit more cash to get some better arms to bolster their bullpen.

Potential Negatives:

• It won’t speed up the game much
  • Obviously games will speed up a little bit. There won’t be as many pitching changes. But how much time can it possibly save? The biggest question in all this is: Is it really worth it? Is a few less minutes worth a reliever possibly blowing a game in a certain situation?
• Lefty specialists are out of a job
  • Not that there are a ton of lefty specialists anyway, but some relievers are either going to be out of jobs or have to adjust their game accordingly. This honestly could turn into a positive.
• Teams could try to fake injuries to get their pitcher out
  • This is hypothetical. I don’t see this being a problem in the regular season, but it could be in the regular season. I guess faking an injury isn’t as bad as banging trash cans, @Astros.

My take:

As you can see, I just laid out the potential positives and negative of the 3-batter minimum. So what is my take? Right now, it is too early for me to tell. I think it’s going to be crazy to see a guy come in and have to face 3 batters (unless they end the inning). This could bring some excitement to the game; it adds a whole different element to baseball.

To gain another perspective on the rule change, I talked to my friend Steven, who is a BIG Chicago Cubs fan. Steven says that as of now, he doesn’t like the rule change. He wonders if it will really speed up the game and like I mentioned before, he sees it as a big game changer. And he’s right, it is a big game changer. Think, when’s the last time that the rules of baseball have changed this drastically? Sure, we’ve seen playoff formats change with divisions, wild card spots, etc. But now we’re talking about actual rules. Because baseball is so complex compared to other sports, it’s hard to make a comparison to another sport of something that would be similar.

Overall, I’m excited to see how this changes the game of baseball. I am going in with no expectations; I don’t have any control over the situation. I am going to have an open mind about it and not make my final judgment call until I see how the rule adjusts the best game on the planet; baseball.

The National League is shaping up to have some very close races in 2020. With several trades, many free-agent signings, and a shuffling around of players the N.L. has a new look heading into the 2020 season. Today, I present the second-half of my predictions for the upcoming season. Here is my best guess at the N.L. standings, enjoy!

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National League East

1. Atlanta Braves
2. Washington Nationals (WC)
3. New York Mets
4. Philadelphia Phillies
5. Miami Marlins

Atlanta: Without a doubt, the N.L. East is the most stacked division in baseball. In my opinion, the top 4 teams could theoretically finish in any of the top 4 spots. However, I believe the Braves are the most competitive team heading into the season. With the additions of Cole Hamels, Will Smith, Travis d’Arnaud, and Marcell Ozuna, the Braves have a great chance to repeat as N.L. East champs.

Washington: The reigning World Series champion Nationals lost their best hitter in Anthony Rendon. However, they locked up their franchise player Stephen Strasburg for the next 7 years and still have a great rotation with Max Scherzer and Patrick Corbin. The Nats might not be strong enough to win the division, but don’t be surprised if they secure a wild card spot again.

New York: I hate to do this, but the Mets, who will be in the wild card hunt all season, are in my 3rd spot. Reigning N.L. Cy Young winner Jacob DeGrom, Noah Syndergaard, and Marcus Stroman are all top of the rotation-type pitchers. The Mets have improved their bullpen with Dellin Betances, who missed almost all of 2019. The burning question is whether the lineup, headlined by 2019 A.L. Rookie of the Year and HR leader Pete Alonso, can perform well enough against some of the league’s top pitchers.

Philadelphia: It is hard to put the Phillies in the 4th spot, it really is. Adding Didi Gregorious and Zach Wheeler are solid moves, but will it be enough to compete? The rotation and lineup look better this year, with both Jake Arrieta and Andrew McCutchen coming off injuries. Still, the Nationals, Phillies, and Braves have arguably top-5 rotations in baseball. Put the Phillies in almost any other division and they would at least get 2nd.

Miami: The Miami Marlins are the easy selection for the final spot. Although they added a few bat, everyone is still waiting for Derek Jeter to turn this franchise around.

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National League Central

1. St. Louis Cardinals
2. Cincinnati Reds (WC)
3. Chicago Cubs
4. Milwaukee Brewers
5. Pittsburgh Pirates

St. Louis: The St. Louis Cardinals are my choice for the number 1 spot in the N.L. Central. The young rotation is headlined by Jack Flaherty, Dakota Hudson, and Miles Mikolas who aren’t big names yet, but have a ton of potential and have already proven success at the Major League level. Their only big loss was Marcell Ozuna, and their lineup definitely takes a hit as a result. I worry about their bats, but still see them as a contender in the N.L. Central.

Cincinnati: The Reds might be the real deal this year. FA acquisitions Mike Moustakas and Nick Castellanos tremendously strengthen their lineup, which struggled to perform last season. With Luis Castillo, Sonny Gray, and Trevor Bauer at the top of the rotation, the Reds are a well-balanced team. After a 4th place finish in the division last year, Queen City’s beloved Red Legs have a shot at competing for the N.L. Division title.

Chicago: Hey Chicago what do you say? I say their are many unknowns with this team. The rotation looks okay with Jon Lester, Yu Darvish, Kyle Hendricks, and Jose Quintana, but you can’t count on any of them 100%. The bullpen isn’t strong enough, there’s no other way to put it. The lineup remains solid with the bats of Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, Anthony Rizzo, and Wilson Contreras. But if the Cubbies are struggling approaching the trade deadline, they might have to move past their 2016 World Series team by trading Kris Bryant, who lost his grievance case and won’t become a free agent until 2021. Bryant could bring in a great haul of young prospects to help the Cubs build for the future.

Milwaukee: The Brewers won the 2nd wild card spot in 2019, but have lost two big bats in Mike Moustakas and Yasmani Grandal. Expect Christian Yelich to have another MVP-like season, but the Brew Crew doesn’t have a true ace in their rotation. N.L. Reliever of the Year Josh Hader headlines a solid bullpen, but when the bullpen is arguably the best part of your team, you really don’t know what you’re going to get.

Pittsburgh: Remember last year when analysts said the Pittsburgh Pirates had the best rotation in the N.L Central? Well, they finished 5th, and will most likely finish there again this season. The Bucs have moved past Starling Marte and will have a tough time competing in a solid division.

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National League West

1. Los Angeles Dodgers
2. Arizona Diamondbacks
3. San Diego Padres
4. Colorado Rockies
5. San Francisco Giants

Los Angeles: Without a doubt, the Dodgers are the early favorite to win the N.L. West. After two straight World Series losses, the Boys in Blue have added former MVP Mookie Betts, reliever Blake Treinen, and LHP David Price to replace Hyun-Jin Ryu. The Dodgers are the real deal this year; they’re stacked from top to bottom. Anything but their 8th straight division title would be a disappointment, as they look for their first World Series since 1988.

Arizona: The Diamondbacks surprised everyone last year as they fell short of a wild card spot. On paper, they have improved by adding speedy OF Starling Marte and 3-time World Series winner Madison Bumgarner.

San Diego: The Padres could surprise you this year. Don’t forget, they still have Manny Machado, who had a relatively quiet 2019 campaign. Chris Paddack and Fernando Tatis Jr. both had impressive rookie campaigns, and adding Tommy Pham to the outfield mix helps both offensively and defensively.

Colorado: The Rockies are headed down a dead-end road. 3B Nolan Arenado has been a Gold-Glover all 7 of his years, top 10 in MVP voting his last 5, and wants out of Colorado. It has been disappointing to see how the Rockies have fallen off the table after making it to the NLDS in 2018.

San Francisco: Reality has set it; the most accomplished team of the 2010s is far from the team they used to be. After World Series titles in 2010, 2012, and 2014, the Giants have now moved past Madison Bumgarner and will have another tough season in the Golden State.

There were many headlines in the American League this past off-season: the Astros’ cheating scandal, Gerrit Cole to the Yankees, and Anthony Rendon to the Angels are just a few. With a new look in the American League, we are in for another exciting season. Today, I present my 2020 American League Standings Predictions.

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American League East

1. New York Yankees
2. Tampa Bay Rays (WC)
3. Boston Red Sox
4. Toronto Blue Jays
5. Baltimore Orioles

New York: The 2010s became the first decade where the Yankees didn’t win a World Series in 100 years, and it’s clear that the Bronx Bombers aren’t messing around this season. Gerrit Cole brings their pitching rotation to another level and the bullpen is still one of the best in baseball. Although SPs Luis Severino and James Paxton could miss some time, 2018 A.L. ROY runner-up Miguel Andujar returns form injury and enters back into perhaps the best lineup in baseball.

Tampa Bay: The Rays had an interesting off-season, making some questionable moves. But clearly something has been working in Tampa Bay, as the team has the 4th lowest payroll and still has competed at a high level over the past few seasons. Expect them to compete for a wild card spot again.

Boston: The Boston Red Sox have decided to cut their payroll by trading away 2018 MVP winner Mookie Betts and LHP David Price. They still have J.D. Martinez, Rafael Devers, and Xander Bogaerts in their lineup, their bullpen remains a question mark, and they don’t have a 5th starter.

Toronto: Don’t be surprised if the Toronto Blue Jays finish above Boston, as they have added Hyun-Jin Ryu and Tanner Roark to their rotation and have some great young bats with Vladdy Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, and Cavin Biggio.

Baltimore: The Orioles haven’t done much to improve this season, so don’t expect much from the boys out in Baltimore.

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American League Central

1. Minnesota Twins
2. Chicago White Sox (WC)
3. Cleveland Indians
4. Detroit Tigers
5. Cleveland Indians

Minnesota: Perhaps the weakest division in baseball last year, the A.L. Central has been restocked and could show us one of the closest battles up until the season finale on September 29th. With the off-season signings of acquisitions of Josh Donaldson and Kenta Maeda, the 2019 division winners have bolstered both their powerful lineup and rotation.

Chicago: The Chicago White Sox can’t be taken lightly this season. After acquiring Yasmani Grandal, Dallas Keuchel, Nomar Mazara, and Edwin Encarnacion, the Sox are the most improved team on paper. Combine them with the likes of young studs Tim Anderson, Yoan Moancada, and Lucas Giolito, and the White Sox could prove to be contenders in the Central by competing closely with Minnesota.

Cleveland: The Cleveland Indians are in a limbo phase for the time being after trading their ace, Corey Kluber. The Tribe has a young lineup, and still a ton of talent in their rotation, led by Mike Clevinger, Shane Bieber, and Carlos Carrasco. However, this still may not be enough to compete against the Twins and White Sox.

Detroit: The young Detroit Tigers had the worst record of any MLB team last year, but have added Jonathan Schoop and C.J. Cron for a much-needed power upgrade. Expect them to be slightly better in 2020.

Kansas City: The Royals get Salvador Perez back this season, but K.C. is clearly in a rebuilding phase. 2B Whit Merrifield could even become a potential trade chip at the deadline.

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American League West

1. Houston Astros
2. Los Angeles Angels
3. Oakland Athletics
4. Texas Rangers
5. Seattle Mariners

Houston: Yeah I know. The Astros cheated, and you may think their reputation will kill them this year. But they’re still one of the best teams in baseball. The ‘Stros lose Gerrit Cole, but get back Lance McCullers Jr., who missed all of 2019. New manager Dusty Baker and Houston will have a tall task this season, we’ll see if showers of “boos” and taunts will fuel them.

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Angels added the best bat in free-agency, Anthony Rendon. Their pitching staff and bullpen remains a big question mark, but they still have 3-time MVP Mike Trout and 2-way Japanese sensation Shohei Ohtani. Also, with new manager Joe Maddon at the helm, the Halos have a man who has been there and done that when it comes to the postseason.

Oakland: The Oakland Athletics have won 97 games each of the last two seasons, and were helped tremendously in 2019 by a breakout season from SS Marcus Semien. Matt Chapman, Matt Olson, and Khris Davis are all big bats, but the biggest question is whether the A’s pitching staff and bullpen will be good enough to compete in the West.

Texas: The Rangers made a big move, trading for 2-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber, who was injured for most of the 2019 campaign. Despite securing an ace, the Rangers’ biggest headline this year will be their new stadium, Globe Life Park.

Seattle: The Mariners are still young and inexperienced. Don’t expect Seattle to do much this year.

This MLB off season has been quite adventurous. Today, I take a look at the 5 best free agent signings that have lead us up to a brand new season. Although it was tough to create a list of just 5, these are in my opinion the best signings based on the fit for the team and player statistics.

(1) Gerrit Cole – New York Yankees – 9 years, $324 million

Arguably the best pitcher in baseball, Gerrit Cole was just a few votes away from taking home the 2019 Cy Young Award, which was won by his former Houston Astros teammate Justin Verlander. Cole tallied a 20-5 win and loss record over 212 1/3 innings of work and led the American League with a 2.50 ERA and 326 strikeouts. Although he came at a hefty price tag, the Bronx Bombers are no strangers to shelling out the big dough for the big time stars. Gerrit Cole was the best pitcher available on the free agent market, and the Yankees saw a need to bolster their starting rotation. Pairing an ace like Cole with the rest of the Yankees starters, their lethal bullpen, and dangerous lineup, the Yankees have become the favorite to take home the American League Pennant in 2020.

(2) Anthony Rendon– Los Angeles Angels – 7 years, $245 million

The best hitter on the free agent market this season was without a doubt the 2019 World Series Champion Anthony Rendon. Last season, Rendon hit .319 with 34 home runs and a National League-high 134 RBIs. Coming off his best season, Rendon is just beginning to show what he can do on the ball field at the prime age of 29. The Angels have spent big in the past on Albert Pujols and Justin Upton, who haven’t panned out that well based on their cost. Although Gerrit Cole was the prime target of the Angels headed into the off-season, adding Rendon’s bat into a lineup with Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani should prove to be deadly in the American League West.

(3) Stephen Strasburg – Washington Nationals – 7 years, $245 million

Coming off another stellar season, Stephen Strasburg was a key component in helping the Nationals win their first ever World Series title last season. The #1 overall draft pick in 2009 has played his entire career with the Washington Nationals, and it’s only fitting that he will finish out his career in the capital of the United States. Stragsburg has dealt with his fair share of injuries over his 10 year career, but last season pitched a league-high 209 innings. Strasburg fits in nicely with Max Scherzer and Patrick Corbin at the top of the Nationals rotation, which is one of the best in all of baseball.

(4) Hyun-Jin Ryu – Toronto Blue Jays – 4 years, $80 million

Perhaps the most underrated player on this list, Hyun-Jin Ryu became one of the top starters in the MLB last year, as he had a breakout season with the Dodgers. Ryu tallied a 14-5 win and loss record over 182 2/3 innings and had a league best 2.32 ERA. The Cy-Young runner up also recorded 163 strikeout while walking just 24 batters. No stranger to international travel, Ryu will fly north and spend his next 4 seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, who desperately needed an ace. After dealing Marcus Stroman to the Mets at the 2019 trade deadline, the Blue Jays were left with a young core, headlined by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, and Cavan Biggio, who’s blood runs deep in baseball. Ryu bolsters a young rotation that needed a veteran leader.

(5) Josh Donaldson – Minnesota Twins – 4 years, $92 million

Former-MVP Josh Donaldson cracks the top 5, as the Minnesota Twins added yet another bat to their power-filled lineup. Although it comes with a tall price tag, last season Donaldson hit 32 home runs, drove in 94 runs, and walked 100 times. At age 34, the “Bringer of Rain” isn’t quite the same player he was with the Blue Jays, but he proved last season that he could move past his injuries and still receive votes in the MVP balloting. With the signing of Donaldson, the Twins have made themselves the clear favorite in the American League Central.

The Sticky Principles are six principles that show why a message “sticks around,” or is memorable. The six principles are simple, unexpected, concrete, credible, emotion, and story.

Former New York Yankees outfielder Lou Gehrig was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in 1939, during his 17th season in Major League Baseball. The disease, which Lou Gehrig made famous, prevented him from playing baseball towards the end of his life.

On July 4th, 1939, Gehrig gave his famous farewell speech at Yankee Stadium in front of the faithful New York fans. In the intro, he addresses the “bad break” that he got, and famously stated, “Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth.” In the middle of his speech, he talks about the people that have impacted his life, including fellow players, coaches, family, and his wife. To close it out, Gehrig said, “So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for.”

Gehrig’s speech incorporated several of the sticky principles, including being simple. The speech was very short, as it lasted just over a minute. However, the message was very simple and straight to the point as well.

In the speech, Gehrig also unexpectedly said that he is the luckiest man on the face of the earth, which I am sure threw some people off guard in the crowd that day.

Gehrig had also established his credibility, as someone that people loved, respected, and looked up to. His 17-year Hall of Fame career with one of the most storied franchises in baseball, the New York Yankees, made Gehrig an icon in New York and across the baseball community.

Gehrig’s speech also encompassed emotion. This was a very emotional time, as Gehrig and the fans knew both his baseball career and life were coming to an end. He even started crying during the speech.

Finally, Gehrig told a story during his farewell speech. In just a few minutes, he gave fans a small glimpse into the overview of his life.

Although Gehrig most likely didn’t use the sticky principles intentionally, they were still prominent in his farewell speech.

To learn more about the sticky principles, check out this book: Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die, which is written by Chip Heath and Dan Heath.