Baseball Bad Blood

With hockey season winding down and baseball season nearing its beginning, today is a slight shift towards that direction.  Fear not, for the hockey playoffs are around the corner, so there will be plenty of time to cover everything there.  Today's story comes from the conclusion of Spring Training, where Cleveland Indians pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez plunked Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.  That's only the beginning of the story, as the video shows (well, the best one, since the game was not televised):

As you can see, the hit by pitch caused a bench clearing.  Was the plunking intentional?  Rockies manager Jim Tracy seems to think so:

"Five days before opening day, you're going to take a pot shot like that? It's the worst I've ever seen. I've lost all respect for him, and that's a very difficult thing for me to say with all the players I've had to manage over the years," Tracy said. "I've lost all respect for him, every bit."

As for Jimenez, this year is clearly a make or break year, as he went from Cy Young candidate in 2010 to just plain stinking up the joint to the point of being traded to Cleveland prior to the trade deadline last year.  Obviously, he won't be winning any more friends in Denver, and there will be immense pressure for him to be the ace that he was and not the hot head that essentially pitched his way out of Denver.

2011 Baseball Preview (or Lack Thereof...)

Is it baseball season already?  It is, yet few would have known that even a week ago.  So, in an effort to get the MLB preview going, I will make one in haste, and say that it will be somewhat predictable, with either the Yankees or Red Sox (or both) making the playoffs.  World Series predictions?  (Homer alert) Rockies over the Red Sox 4-2 to avenge the 2007 meltdown.

Predictions for the MLB season ahead

Fresh from the Easter that saw the Vancouver Canucks claim the Northwest Division title and the Philadelphia Eagles trade away their star QB to their division rival Redskins (!), baseball season officially kicked off yesterday, but it begins in earnest today. Since I forgot to make predictions, I'll get into it now.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Cy Young: Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners

Just like last year, this year's Cy Young race will be close. I pick Hernandez this year because the Mariners are better this year, and most of the other candidates will likely have something going against them, whether it is a slow start (CC Sabathia) or bad team (Zack Grienke).

MVP: Evan Longoria, Tampa Ray Rays

This year has no clear cut leader going into the season, so it's really anyone's guess who will win the MVP in the American League. Longoria will win it, but put this prediction down in pencil.

Rookie of the Year: Carlos Santana, Cleveland Indians

Honestly, I have no idea who will even be on the opening day rosters that are rookies, so I'm basically picking a name out of a hat here. Santana looks like a sure bet to crack a major league roster by the time of this writing (I'll have to look at the rosters and edit this part), so I'll go with him.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Cy Young: Roy Halladay, Philadelphia Phillies

The consensus pick here seems to be Halladay. I would not argue with this one, as he has been a dominant pitcher the last few years while playing for a bad Blue Jays team in the toughest division. This year, he has a great team behind him, and he won't have to face the likes of Alex Rodriguez and Evan Longoria for at least three or four games a year.

MVP: Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado Rockies

Yes, I know it's a homer pick, and yes, I know Albert Pujols is the reigning MVP and a favorite to repeat...again. However, I refuse to pick any St. Louis Cardinal for this honor, and I think this is the year Tulo takes it to another level.

Rookie of the Year: Jason Heyward, Atlanta Braves

Stephen Strasburg may sound like a trendy pick here, but the fact that he's starting in the minors combined with a bad Nationals team will likely hurt his chances here. With Heyward, he's the opening day right fielder and he looks like a surer thing to put up the numbers.

WORLD SERIES: Philadelphia beats New York Yankees in seven

2010 MLB Preview: Part 3

It is now only six days away until the first regular season MLB game, and today is a look at the West Division of both the American and National Leagues. So, here we go...

AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: In addition to the most confusing team name ever, the Angels are also the favorite to repeat...barely. No clear cut ace in the rotation, and they don't have a real intimidating hitter in the middle of their lineup. However, these are the Angels, so don't count them out.

Oakland Athletics: Lots of youth, but not much experience. They will certainly be in games, but thinking that they will compete for a playoff spot would be foolish.

Seattle Mariners: The best threat to the Angels' throne, it will have to be all about pitching, something that they have in bunches. However, the walking time bomb that is Milton Bradley is also on the team, so anything can happen there.

Texas Rangers: Every year, it's the same story with this team: great hitting, not so good pitching. This year just might be the year that the pitching becomes decent, and that may be enough to at least, make the playoffs.

NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST

Arizona Diamondbacks: Young team that can hit, but strikes out way too much. Pitching that is trying to pick up the pieces, especially the bullpen, and of course, the health of Brandon Webb is something to keep an eye on.

Colorado Rockies: If they can avoid the traditional slow starts, they would be the favorites to take the division. Solid pitching staff that can pitch as well at home as they can on the road, and an exciting offense that isn't going to remind people of the Blake Street Bombers anytime soon, but it doesn't need to be that way...much.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Ownership drama will likely overshadow the on field product, which has its share of drama in the form of Manny Ramirez. Other than that, they still have a chance to win the division. In short, they are the Colorado Rockies with more drama surrounding it.

San Diego Padres: They are just now getting out of the rubble of the front office mess, and they don't have much going for it now. If the team could build itself to fit its home ball park, that would be a step in the right direction.

San Francisco Giants: Great pitching, but subpar offense. At least they have people that can be difference makers in Tim Lincecum and Pablo Sandoval.