2018 MLB Preview & Lineups:

American League Central: It is the Cleveland Indians’ division to lose since they have the best rotation and roster in this division but one of the best rotations in all of baseball. The only thing that will hold back this team is injuries since 2B Jason Kipnis, LF Michael Brantley, CF Bradley Zimmer and C Yan Gomes have each battled injuries these past year and so has Danny Salazar and Carlos Carrasco. They did lose Bryan Shaw in free agency but did pick up Matt Belisle to be that multi-inning reliever that Shaw was for awhile setting up Andrew Miller and Cody Allen. Anytime you have Corey Kluber leading your rotation, Francisco Lindor and Edwin Encarnacion leading your lineup you should be in the pennant game every year.  

Batting Lineup:

1.      CF Brady Zimmer

2.      SS Francisco Lindor

3.      3B Jose Ramirez

4.      DH Edwin Encarnacion

5.      2B Jason Kipnis

6.      1B Yonder Alonso

7.      RF Lonnie Chisnehall

8.      C Yan Gomes

9.      LF Tyler Naquin 

Pitching Staff:

Corey Kluber	Carlos Carrasco	Danny Salazar	Trevor Bauer	Josh Tomlin	CL-Cody Allen
SU-Andrew Miller	SU-Dan Oreto	MI-Zach McAllister	MI-Matt Belise	MI-Nick Goody	LHP-Tyler Olson

Bench:

OF-Rajai Davis

INF-ErikGonzalez

OF-Brandon Guyer

C-Roberto Perez 

LF-Michael Brantley-DL

Manger-Terry Francona

The Minnesota Twins roster is talented enough to be a wild card team again/finish second but also since the other three teams are rebuilding. They added Lance Lynn, Jake Odorizzi to help out Ervin Santana in the rotation and redid the back end of the bullpen by signing Zach Duke, Addison Reed and Fernando Rodney. The offense is what makes them a contender with Miguel Sano, Brian Dozier, Joe Mauer and Eddie Rosario but they added Logan Morrison to DH to make that lineup even deeper. Again the pitching will be the thing that holds them back.

Bating Lineup:

1.      CF Byron Buxton

2.      C Joe Mauer

3.      2B Brain Dozier

4.      3B Miguel Sano

    5.      DH Logan Morrison

6.      LF Eddie Rosario

7.      RF Max Kepler

8.      C Jason Castro

                      9.      SS Eduardo Escobar 

Pitching Staff:

Ervin Santana	Jake Odorizzi	Lance Lynn	Kyle Gibson	Jose Berrios	CL-Fernando Rodney
SU-Addison Reed	SU-Zach Duke	MI-Ryan Pressly	MI-Taylor Rodgers	MI-Trevor Hildenberger	LR-Phil Hughes

Bench:

OF-Robbie Grossman

INF-Ehire Adrianza

OF-Ryan LaMarre

C-Mitch Garver

INF-Jorge Polanco-Suspended

Manger-Paul Molitor

The White Sox will finish in third place based on the potential of their young rotation and good position players since they still have Jose Abreu, Avisail Garica and will have a full season out of 2B Yoan Moncada, Matt Davidson and Nick Delmonico. They even signed veteran catcher Wellington Castillo to mentor the young staff and deepen the lineup since the development for Carson Fulmer, Reynaldo Lopez and Lucas Giolito over a full season which will be key going forward. The bullpen on the other hand is going to be an experiment all season with six veterans they signed to minor league deals and two veteran relievers they got in a trade (IE Joakim Soria) to get the  ball to Nate Jones who is yet to be healthy over a course of a full season. Look for them to trade James Shields, Miguel Gonzalez, Wellington Castillo, Joakim Soria/other veteran relievers who make the team at the deadline to continue this rebuild. 

Batting Lineup:

1.      SS Tim Anderson

2.      2B Yoan Mancda

3.      1B Jose Abreu

4.      RF Aviasil Garcia

5.      3B Matt Davison

6.      DH Nicky Delamonico

7.      C Welling Castillo

8.      LF Ryan Cordell

9.      CF Adam Engel 

Pitching Staff:

James Shields	Miguel Gonzlaez	Renyondo Loepz	Lucas Gilito	Carson Fulmer	CL-Nate Jones
SU-Joakim Soria	SU-Luis Avilan	MI-Gregory Infante	MI-Danny Farquhar	LHP-Xavier Cedano	LR-Hector Santiago

Bench:

OF-Charlie Tilson

UTL-Carlos Sanchez

UTL-Leury Garcia

C-Kevan Smith –DL

C-Omar Navarez

SP-Carlos Rodon-DL

Manger-Rick Renteria 

The Kansas City Royals only lost two of their four free agents by resigning Alcides Escobar and Mike Moustakas which isn’t bad but it left a hole in CF and a hole in the middle of the lineup/leadership hole. They at-least brought in Jon Jay to play CF and Lucas Duda to play 1B but lost Jorge Bonifacio to a 80 game suspension who they were relying on/Duda to make up for the offense lost from Lorenzo Cain/Eric Hosmer. The bullpen which was their strength for years is no longer that good outside of Kelvin Herrera who can be traded and multiple questions in their rotation after Danny Duffy, Ian Kennedy and Jason Hammel. The positive is they didn’t purposely tank like other teams since they signed a few veterans here and there to major and minor league to make it look like they were trying plus they aren’t as bad as the Tigers. 

Batting Lineup:

1.      2B Whit Merrifeld

2.      CF Jon Jay

3.      LF Alex Gordon

4.      3b Mike Moustakas

5.      1B Lucas Duda

6.      C Salvador Perez

7.      RF Jorge Soler

8.      DH Cheslor Cuthbert

9.      SS Alcides Escobar 

Pitching Staff:

Danny Duffy	Ian Kennedy	Jason Hammel	Nate Karns	Jakob Junis	CL-Kelvin Herrea
SU-Brandon Maurer	SU-Justin Grimm	MI-Blaine Boyer	MI-Brad Keller	MI-Brian Flynn	MI-Burch Smith

Bench: 

OF-Paulo Orlando

INF-Raul Mondesi JR

C-Drew Butera

INF-Ryan Goins

OF-Jorge Bonifacio-Suspended

Manger-Ned Yost

The Detroit Tigers are purposely trying to lose games despite having Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez and Nick Castellanos in their lineup still. They are stuck with Jordan Zimmermann’s contract but also signed Francisco Liriano and Mike Fiers which makes no sense when they have three young pitchers like Michael Fulmer, Daniel Norris and Michael Boyd plus they didn’t do anything to fix the bullpen what so ever. They are throwing Castellanos in the outfield even thought he isn’t one which will cost them games/causes a hole at 3B and already have one at 2B. Hello 100 lost season again for the Tigers like the pre Miguel Cabrera years as they will be seeing last place for awhile. 

Batting Lineup:

1.      CF Leonys Martin

2.      SS Jose Iglesias

3.      1B Miguel Cabrera

4.      DH Victor Martinez

5.      3B Nick Castellanos

6.      LF Jacoby Jones

7.      RF Mikie Mahtook

8.      C James McCann

9.      2B Dixon Machado

Pitching Staff:

Michael Fulmer	Jordan Zimmermann	Francisco Lirano	Mike Fiers	Michael Boyd	CL-Shane Greene
SU-Alex Wilson	SU-Daniel Stumpf	MI-Joe Jimenez	MI-Drew Verhagen	MI-Buck Farmer	MI-Warwick Saupold

Bench:

INF-Jeimer Candelario

OF-Victor Reyes

C-Jordan Hicks

INF-Niko Goodrum

Manager-Ron Gardenhire

American League East: This off season the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees were trying to outdo each other with acquisitions but not in areas of need but in areas of strength. Boston has the best outfield in baseball and New York had five outfields already before each acquired outfielders to DH in JD Martinez and Giancarlo Stanton respectively. With the Stanton trade the Yankees made a whole at 2B and 3B to clear space to take on his contract and Boston is now making Hanley Ramirez and Mitch Moreland split time at 1B. But they corrected the holes they made by getting Neil Walker and Brandon Dury respectively while Boston has the same rotation depth issues and no real bridge to closer Craig Kimbrel. The Yankees at least have one of the best bullpens because of the four headed monster they have in Aroldis Chapman, David Robertson, Dellin Betances and Tommy Kahnle. Boston has the better rotation on paper because of David Price, Chris Sale and Rick Porcello but each have an issue that is holding them back. Despite the injury history of the Yankees top 4 starters of Masahiro Tanaka, Luis Severino, Sonny Gray and CC Sabathia they each will start the year healthy unlike Boston who has spots wide open since the three options are out. Each team’s strength will be the offense and that is what will carry them for the season through tough times for each pitching staff’s issue but each will need to make some move for pitching since they are both behind the Astros and Indians.

Batting Lineup:

1.      2B Eduardo Nunez

2.      LF Andrew Benintendi

3.      RF Mookie Betts

4.      DH JD Martinez

5.      1B Hanley Ramirez

6.      SS Xander Bogarts

7.      3B Rafael Devers

8.      CF Jackie Bradley JR

9.      C Christian Vazquez 

Pitching Staff:

Chris Sale	David Price	Rick Porcello	Drew Pomeranz	Eduardo Rodriguez	CL: Craig Kimbrel
SU-Carson Smith	SU-Matt Barnes	MI-Heath Hembree	MI-Joe Kelly	MI-Tyler Thornberg	LR-Steven Wright

    Bench:

UTL-Brock Holt

UTL-Blake Swihart

INF-Mitch Moreland

C-Sandy Leon

2B-Dustin Pedroia-DL

Manager-Alex Cora 

Batting Lineup:

1.      LF Brett Gardner

2.      CF Aaron Hicks

3.      RF Aaron Judge

4.      DH Giancarlo Stanton

5.      C Gary Sanchez

6.      SSDidi Gregorius

7.      1B Neil Walker

8.      3B Brandon Dury

9.      2B Tyler Wade

Pitching Staff:

Luis Severino	Masahiro Tanaka	Sonny Gray	CC Sabathia	Jordan Montgomery	CL: Aroldis Chapman
SU-David Robertson	SU-Dellin Betances	MI-Tommy Kahnle	MI-Chad Green	MI-Adam Warren	MI-Chasen Sherve

Bench:

INF-Ronald Torreyes

INF-Tyler Austin

C-Andrew Romine

OF-Shane Robinson

OF-Jacoby Ellsbury-DL

OF-Clint Frazier-DL

1B-Greg Bird-DL

Manager-Aaron Boone

Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays will be competing for 3^rd place but could surprise people and snag a wild card spot if the Yankees and Red Sox beat each up other up. Each has a great lineup and a solid rotation 1-5 with no real big time starters but good reliable starters none the less. The only difference is that the Orioles will be without their closer Zach Britton to start the season while Toronto will have Roberto Osuna to start the year but outside of their closers they have no real good bullpens. Toronto still has Josh Donaldson, Kendrys Morales, Justin Smoak, Troy Tulowitzki, and Russell Martin plus they traded for Aledmys Diaz and Yangervis Solarte as insurance for the middle infield since health has been an issue there. While Baltimore has Manny Machado, Jonathan Schoop, Adam Jones, Mark Trumbo, Chris Davis and Trey Mancini but still have same issue from last year of who is lining up in the outfield alongside Jones. But at least they fixed their rotation but signing Alex Cobb, Andrew Cashner and resigning Chris Tillman to pair with Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman. Toronto signed Jaime Garcia to be their 5^th starter which means they probably have the best 5^th starter in baseball but if each team thinks they’re in the race will need to get bullpen help.

Batting Lineup:

1.      LF Craig Gentry

2.      3B Tim Beckham

3.      CF Adam Jones

4.      1B Chris Davis

5.      SS Manny Machado

6.      2B Jonathan Schoop

7.      DH Trey Mancini

8.      RFColby Rasmus

9.      C Caleb Joseph

Pitching Staff:

Dylan Bundy	Alex Cobb	Andrew Cashner	Kevin Gausman	Chris Tillman	CL-Zach Britton
SU-Brad Brach	SU-Darren O’Day	MI-Mychal Givens	MI-Miguel Castro	MI-Richard Bleier	LR-Michael Wright Jr

Bench:

OF-Andrew Santander

C-Chance Sisco

INF-Danny Valencia

INF-Ruben Tejeda

DH-Mark Trumbo-DL

Manager-Buck Showalter

 Batting Lineup:

1.      LF Curtis Granderson

2.      2B Devon Travis

3.      3B Josh Donaldson

4.      DH Kendrys Morales

5.      1B Justin Smoak

6.      C Russell Martin

7.      RF Randal Grichuk

8.      CF Kevin Pillar

9.      SS Aledmys Diaz 

Pitching Staff:

JA Happ	Aaron Sanchez	Marco Estrada	Marcus Stroman	Jaime Garcia	CL-Roberto Osuna
SU-John Axford	SU-Tyler Clippard	MI-Seung-Hawn Oh	MI-Aaron Loup	MI-Ryan Tepera	MI-Danny Barnes

Bench:

UTL-Yangervis Solarte

UTL-Steve Pearce

C-Luke Malie

OF-Teoscar Hernandez

SS-Troy Tulowitzki-DL

Manager-John Gibbons 

The Tampa Bay Rays are following suit with the other Florida team in a full scale rebuild-trade away players since they finally traded Evan Longoria while also trading Jake Odorizzi for one marginal prospect and letting All-Star DH Corey Dickerson go on waivers. Chris Archer, Alex Colome, Sergio Romo, Denard Span, Carlos Gomez, Brad Miller and Wilson Ramos are all possible trade pieces to even further this rebuild and what will be a continued stay back in the cellar like the days of the Devil Rays. Plus they are going with a four man rotation all season which is another head scratching move they have made. 

Batting Lineup:

1.      LF Denard Span

2.      3B Matt Duffy

3.      1B CJ Cron

4.      C Wilson Ramos

5.      DH Brad Miller

6.      RF Carlos Gomez

7.      CF Kevin Kiermaier

8.      2B Joe Wendle

9.      SS Adieny Hechavarria

Pitching Staff:

Chris Archer	Blake Snell	Nathan Evoaldi	Jacob Faria	Matt Andriese	CL-Alex Colome
SU-Sergio Romo	SU-Chaz Roe	MI-Jose Alvarado	MI-Andrew Kittredge	MI-Austin Pruitt	MI-Ryan Yarbrough

Bench:

OF-Mallex Smith

UTL-Daniel Robertson

INF-Rob Refsnyder

C-Jesus Sucre

Manager-Kevin Cash

American League West: The reigning World Series champions Houston Astros are again the favorites to win it all and that is because they improved their rotation by getting Gerrit Cole since they already have Dallas Keuchel, Justin Verlander and Lance McCullers Jr as this makes their rotation even better. But now have two extra starters depending on who is their fifth starter between Charlie Morton, Brad Peacock and Colin McHugh. Their biggest weakness will be their bullpen and LF and the hope is they trade one of those starters for a LF or some bullpen help if they really want to have no weakness as its World Series or bust. They still have one of the best lineups in baseball anchored by MVP Jose Altuve, World Series MVP George Springer and Carlos Corrrea to name some of it. 

Batting Lineup:

1.      RF George Springer

2.      3BAlex Bregman

3.      2B Jose Altuve

4.      SS Carlos Correa

5.      DH Evan Gattis

6.      C Brian McCann

7.      LFJosh Reddick

8.      1B Marwin Gonzalez

9.      CF Derek Fisher 

Pitching Staff:

Dallas Keuchel	Justin Verlander	Lance McCullers JR	Gerrit Cole	Charlie Morton	CL-Ken Giles
SU-Will Harris	SU-Chris Devenski	MI-Hector Rondon	LHP-Tony Sipp	MI-Joe Smith	LR-Brad Peacock

Bench:

OF-Jake Marisnick

INF-JD Davis

C-Max Stassi

LR-Colin McHugh

1B-Yuli Gurriel-DL-Suspended

Manger-AJ Hinch

There are three teams fighting for 2^nd place, the Rangers, Mariners and Angels but all three have major flaws. The Texas Rangers have a chance due to their lineup since they still have 3B Adrian Beltre, Joey Gallo, RF Nomar Mazara, Shin-SooChoo, 2B Rougned Odor and SS Elvis Andrus. But they have a whole in LF and at catcher which means they might actually trade Jurikson Profar to a team needing an infielder so they can fill one of those holes or fix the real holes that are in the pitching staff as a whole. After Cole Hamles it’s a patch work rotation of Doug Fister, Mike Minor, Matt Moore and an injured Martin Perez with a chance of Bartolo Colon or Jesse Chavez. The bullpen is also patchwork with Tim Lincecum trying to be the closer since they don’t have a real good bullpen. 

Batting Lineup:

1.      CF Delino DeShields Jr

2.      DH Shin-Soo Choo

3.      3B Adrian Beltre

4.      1B Joey Gallo

5.      RF Nomar Mazara

6.      2B Rougned Odor

7.      LF Ryan Rua

8.      SS Elvis Andrus

9.      C Robinson Chirinos

Pitching Staff:

Cole Hamels	Doug Fister	Matt Moore	Mike Minor	Martin Perez	CL-Tim Lincecum
SU-Jake Diekman	SU-Matt Bush	MI-Keone Kela	MI-Alex Claudio	MI-Tony Barnette	MI-Jose Leclerc

Bench:

UTL-Jurickson Profar

UTL-Daniel Robertson

OF-Carlos Tocci

C-Juan Centeno

Manager-Jeff Banister 

The Anaheim Angels made some splashy moves by reigning LF Justin Upton, trading for 2B Ian Kinsler, signing SS Zach Cozart to play 3b, and signing the “Babe Ruth of Japan” to pitch and DH. None of these moves really matter since it’s all about their pitching staff since the top three pitchers have yet to ever be consistently healthy and have to make a six man rotation to accommodate Shohei Otani meaning someone who shouldn’t be starting will be starting. Plus their bullpen isn’t any good despite them trading for Jim Johnson since a bullpen is more than just one guy. The only chance they have is having the best player in baseball in CF Mike Trout and the former best player in baseball Albert Pujols despite them asking him to play 1B more often in his advanced age. 

Batting Lineup:

1.      2B Ian Kinsler

2.      3B Zach Costart

3.      CF Mike Trout

4.      1B Albert Pujols

5.      LF Justin Upton

6.      RF Kole Calhoun

7.      DH Shohei Otani

8.      SS Andrelton Simmons

9.      C Martin Maldonado 

Pitching Staff:

Garret Richards	Andrew Heaney	Tyler Skaggs	Matt Shoemaker	JC Ramirez	CL-Jim Johnson
SU-Cam Bedrosian	SU-Blake Wood	MI-Blake Parker	MI-Keynan Middelton	MI-Jose Alvarez	MI-Noe Ramirez

Bench:

OF-Chris Young

INF-Luis Valbuena

INF-Jefry Marte

C-Rene Rivera

Manager-Mike Scioscia  

The Seattle Mariners still have Nelson Cruz, 2B Robinson Cano and 3B Kyle Seager to anchor their lineup while still having Felix Hernandez to lead a rotation which is weaker than most years but they traded for Dee Gordon to leadoff. The twist is he is now a CF learning on the fly, his second position change and their starting LF Ben Gamel is stating the year hurt so an Ichiro Suzuki reunion is also on hand. Outside of James Paxton the rest of the rotation is patchwork with Mike Leake and others but they also resigned Hisahi Iwakuma to a minor league deal to see if he still has it if healthy. They have a good closer in Edwin Diaz but outside of that their bullpen is weak and it got even weaker with David Phelps having to go under for Tommy John Surgery. The strength of their lineup will be key for them if they don’t make moves to fix the pitching staff as a whole if they want to break their playoff-less drought of 16 years the most in any professional sport. 

Batting Lineup:

1.      CF Dee Gordon

2.      SS Jean Segura

3.      2B Robinson Cano

4.      DH Nelson Cruz

5.      3B Kyle Seager

6.      1B  Ryon Healy

7.      LF Ichiro Suzuki

8.      RF Mitch Haniger

9.      C Mike Zunino

Pitching Staff:

Felix Hernandez	James Paxton	Mike Leake	Erasmo Ramirez	Marco Gonzalez	CL-Edwin Diaz
SU-Mark Rzepczynski	SU-Juan Nicasio	MI-Nick Vincent	MI-Dan Atavilla	MI-James Pazos	LR-Wade LeBlanc

Bench:

OF-Guillermo Heredia

UTL-Andrew Romine 

1B-Dan Vogelbach

C-Mike Marjama

OF-Ben Gamel-DL

Manager-Scott Servais

The Oakland Athletics will be one of the worst teams but they are still trying in one way since they upgraded their outfield and catching situation with the trade for OF Stephen Piscoctty which pushes Kris Davis to DH role where he is better suited and signed Jonathan Lucroy who can be used as a trade piece. Plus they can also trade INF Jed Lowrie, OF Matt Joyce, RP Santiago Casilla and SP Trevor Cahill to teams looking for upgrades the deadline since they have a prospect waiting to play. Like Franklin Barreto in the infield and already have 3B Matt Chapman, 1B Matt Olson and OFs Dustin Fowler/Boog Powell in place to start the year. The rotation on the other hand has promising pitchers slated to start this year led by Kendall Gravaman and Sean Manaea.  

 Batting Lineup:

1.      CF Boog Powell

2.      2B Jed Lowrie

3.      RF Stephen Piscotty

4.      DH Kris Davis

5.      C Jonathan Lucroy

6.      LF Matt Joyce

7.      1B Matt Olson

8.      3B Matt Chapman

9.      SS Marcus Semien

Pitching Staff:

Kendal Graveman	Sean Manaea	Trevor Cahill	Daniel Mengden	Daniel Gossett	CL-Santiago Casilla
SU-Blake Treinen	SU-Chris Hatcher	MI-Ryan Butcher	MI-Liam Hendricks	MI-Emilio Pagan	LR-Yusmeiro Petit

Bench:

OF-Jake Smolinski

INF-Chad Pinder

INF-Mark Canha

C-Bruce Maxwell

Manager-Bob Melvin 

National League Central: It is the Chicago Cubs division to lose since they have the best roster but it will not be so easy since the Cardinals and Brewers have gotten better with their off season moves. Gone are pitchers SPs Jake Arietta, John Lackey and relievers Wade Davis, Justin Grimm and Hector Rendon. While SPs Yu Darvish, Tyler Chatwood, Drew Smyly and relievers Brandon Morrow, Steve Cishek and Shae Simmons are in. We all know the Cubs strength is their lineup since they have 3B Kris Bryant, 1B Anthony Rizzo, C Wilson Contreras, SS Addison Russell, 2B Javy Baez and LF Kyle Schwarberbut don’t even have any room for Ben Zobrist and Ian Happ to play every day. They will need to make moves at the deadline to get a better bullpen and a deeper rotation which they can do since they have too many position players and no way to play them all every day. 

Batting Lineup:

1.      CF Ian Happ

2.      SS Addison Russell

3.      3B Kris Bryant

4.      Anthony Rizzo

5.      LF Kyle Schwarber

6.      C Wilson Contreras

7.      2B Javy Baez

8.      RF Jason Hayward 

Pitching Staff:

Jon Lester	Yu Darvish	Jose Quintna	Kyle Hendricks	Tyler Chatwood	CL-Steve Cishek
SU-Justin Wilson	SU-Pedro Strop	MI-Brandon Morrow	MI-Brian Duensing	MI-Carl Edwards Jr	LR-Mike Montgomery

Bench:

CF-Albert Almora Jr

UTL-Ben Zobrist

INF-Tommy LaStella

C-Victor Caratini

UTL-Mike Freeman

Manager-Joe Maddon

The St Louis Cardinals traded away two thirds of their outfield in Stepehn Piscotty and Randal Grichuck but got one of the best outfielders in Marcell Ozuna and they are stating Tommy Pham who was a starter before fell behind the other outfielders to pair with Dexter Fowler. The strength for this team will be its offense due to its outfield but also since they still haveYadier Molina and Matt Carpenter leading the offense but also also hope SS Paul DeJong isn’t a one hit wonder like the previous SS Aldemis Diaz. Their rotation isn’t weak but after Carlos Martinez, Adam Wainwright and Michael Wacha but they have questions marks for the youngsters in the backend of the rotation along with the bullpen as a whole but they did signed Luke Gregerson to close which is a good star. The rest of the bullpen outside of Brett Cecil is all question marks that will only be solved via the trade deadline if not they will miss the playoffs for a second straight year.

Batting Lineup:

1.      CF Dexter Fowler

2.      2B Kolten Wong

3.      1B Matt Carpenter

4.      RF Marcell Ozuna

5.      C Yadier Molina

6.      3B Jed Gyroko

7.      LF Tommy Pham

8.      SS Paul DeJong

Pitching Staff:

Carlos Martinez	Michal Wacha	Adam Wainright	Luke Weaver	Miles Mikolas	CL-Luke Gregerson
SU-Brett Cecil	SU-Dominic Leone	MI-Tyler Lyons	MI-Matt Bowman	MI-Bud Norris	MI-Sam Tuivaiala

Bench:

OF-Jose Martinez

INF-Greg Garcia

C-Francisco Pena

INF-Yairo Munoz

INF-Luke Voigt

Manager-Mike Matheny  

After barely missing the playoffs last year the Milwaukee  Brewers decided to not play around since they traded for Christian Yelich and signed CF Lorenzo Cain who they originally drafted to play with Ryan Braun in the outfield but this team has too many outfielders since the still have RF Domingo Santana and Eric Thames which is a good problem since they have one of the best lineups in baseball that also has 3B Travis Shaw and C Stephen Vogt. The key will be how good their rotation since its relying on Zach Davies, Chase Anderson and Jimmy Nelson who have all shown promise but they will need them to pitch to their talents while hoping the veterans they brought in will help like Wade Miley and Jhoulys Chacin. They also brought in Boone Logan, Matt Albers to set up Corey Knebel and Jeremy Jeffress but they will made need to trade one of their position players for a starting pitcher upgrade if they want to make the playoffs. 

Batting Lineup:

1.      2B Jonathan Villar

2.      CF Lorenzo Cain

3.      LF Christian Yelich

4.      RF Ryan Braun

5.      1B Eric Thames

6.      3B Travis Shaw

7.      SS Orlando Arcia

8.      C Manny Pina

Pitching Staff:

Zach Davies	Chase Anderson	Jimmy Nelson	Jhoulys Chacin	Brent Suter	CL-Corey Knebel
SU-Jeremy Jeffress	SU-Matt Albers	MI-Oliver Drake	LP-Boone Logan	MI-Josh Hader	MI-Jacob Barnes

Bench:

OF-Domingo Santana

UTL-Hernan Perez

INF-Eric Sogard

INF-Jesus Aguliar

C-Jett Bandy

C-Stephen Vogt-DL

Manager-Craig Counsell

Well the Pittsburgh Pirates finally traded away Andrew McCutchen and Gerrit Cole and turned the team over to Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco as Marte will play CF which he was going to do before his PED suspension last year. Ivan Nova is the last man standing in a rotation full of potential but inexperience even if some of them like Jameson Taillon and Chad Kuhl pitched year for them/Joe Musgrove pitching for Houston. Their lineup will actually be good since they got All-Star DHCorey Dickerson for nothing to play LF they still have 2B Josh Harrison, SS Jordy Mercer, C Francisco Cervelli, 1B Josh Bell and 3B David Freese. They quietly have one of the best closers in the game in Felipe Rivero, bet the Nationals wish they didn’t trade him for a half season Mark Melancon. Since they are the 4^th best team in the division and have already traded away two key players look for them to trade some of their infielders and Ivan Nova at the deadline to help them rebuild quicker around the young staff and Marte/Polanco/Bell. 

Batting Lineup:

1.      2B Josh Harrison

2.      SS Jordy Mercer

3.      CF Starling Marte

4.      3B  David Freese

5.      1B Josh Bell

6.      LF Corey Dickerson

7.      RF Gregory Polanco

8.      C Francisco Cervelli 

Pitching Staff:

Ivan Nova	Jameson Tallion	Trevor Williams	Chad Kuhl	Jose Musgrove	CL-Felipe Rivero
SU-George Kontos	SU-Michael Feliz	MI-Josh Smoker	MI-Dovydas Neverauskas	MI-Edgar Santana	MI-Steven Brault

Bench:

UTL-Adam Frazier

UTL-Sean Rodriguez

INF-Collin Moran

C-Elias Diaz

OF-Jose Ozuna

Manager-Clint Hurdle

Last place again and for awhile in Cincinnati despite having a talented team led by Joey Votto.  Gone from the Reds is Jay Bruce, Brandon Phillips, Todd Fraizer, Jhonny Cueto and now Zach Cosart leaving Votto and Homer Bailey as the old guard for the new look young/in rebuild mode Reds. They have a promising team since they have one of the best outfields with Billy Hamilton, Scott Schebler and Adam Duvall plus their 3B isn’t too shabby in Eugenio Suarez. Catcher Tucker Barnheart was the backup to start the year and still won the gold glove so of course he is the starter and they have a promising pitching staff if they stay healthy in Anthony DeSclafini, Brandon Finnegan with Bailey in the rotation. Raisel Iglesias and Michael Lorenzen lead a good bullpen that also brought in Jared Hughes and David Hernandez. The future is bright but not enough for this year or the next few years based on whose head of them in the division IE Cubs-Cards-Brewers.

Batting Lineup:

1.      CF Billy Hamilton

2.      2B Scooter Gennett

3.      1B Joey Votto

4.      3B Adam Duvall

5.      RF Scott Schebler

6.      3B Eugenio Suarez

7.      SS Jose Pereza

8.      C Tucker Barnheart

Pitching Staff:

Homer Bailey	Anthony DeSclafani	Brandon Finnegan	Luis Castillo	Sal Romano	CL-Raisel Iglesias
SU-Michael Lorenzen	SU-Jared Hughes	MI-David Hernandez	MI-Wandy Peralta	MI-Kevin Quackenbush	MI-Austin Price

Bench:

OF-Jesse Winkler

OF-Phillip Ervin

INF-Phil Gosselin

INF-Cliff Pennington

C-Devin Mesoraco

Manager- Bryan Price  

National League East:This is the make or break year for the Washington Nationals since it is RF Bryce Harper’s last year under contract before he eventually leaves for green pastures. It will help if both outfielders Adam Eaton, Michael Taylor and SS Trea Turner are healthy for most of the year. It will also help having an improved bullpen all year then having no closer for most of the season. They will probably need to make a move for another starting pitcher but are hoping the late spring training signing of Jeremy Hellickson will help them out but regardless it’s their division.

Batting Lineup:

1.      CF Adam Eaton

2.      SS Trea Tuner

3.      RF Bryce Harper

4.      1B Ryan Zimmerman

5.      3B Anthony Rendon

6.      C Matt Wieters

7.      2B Howie Kendrick

8.      LF Michael A Taylor 

Pitching Staff:

Max Scherzer	Stephen Strasburg	Gio Gonzalez	Tanner Roark	Jeremy Hellickson	CL-Sean Doolittle
SU-Ryan Madson	SU-Bradon Kintzler	MI-Shawn Kelly	MI-Enny Romero	MI-Joaquin Benoit	MI-Koda Glover

Bench:

OF-Brian Goodwin

INF-Wilmer Difo

INF-Matt Adams

C-Miguel Montero
INF-Matt Reynolds 

2B-Daniel Murphy-DL

Manager-Dave Martinez

If the New York Mets starting rotation of Jacob DeGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Matt Harvey, Stephen Matz, Zach Wheeler, and closer Jeurys Famila stay healthy they will compete for the division or a wild card. They got contingency plans by signing Jason Vargas, Anthony Swarzak and last year trading for AJ Ramos as closer protection. To relive stress off the pitching they brought in Todd Fraizer, Adrian Gonzalez and even brought back Jay Bruce to bolster the lineup around Yonesis Cespedes, Asdrubal Cabrera and Michael Conforto when he comes back from surgery.

Batting Lineup:

1.      2B Asdrubal Cabrera

2.      CF Juan Lagares

3.      RF Jay Bruce

4.      LF Yoenis Cespedes

5.      3B Todd Frazier

6.      1B Adrian Gonzalez

7.      C Travs d’Arnaud

SS Ahmed Rosario

Pitching Staff:

Noah Syndergaard	Jacob DeGrom	Matt Harvey	Stephen Matz	Jason Vargas	CL-Jeurys Familia
SU-AJ Ramos	SU-Jeremy Blevins	MI-Anthony Swarzak	MI-Paul Sewald	MI-Jacob Rhame	LR-Robert Gsellman

Bench:

OF-Brandon Nimmo

UTL-Jose Reyes

UTL-Wilmer Flores

C-Kevin Plawecki

INF-Dominic Smith

OF-Michael Conforto-DL

Manager-Mickey Callaway

Of the reaming three teams in this division, only one is trying to compete this year and it’s the Philadelphia Phillies. It’s about the future and the present with this team as the top prospects will get a chance to play like SS JP Crawford, CJorge Alfaro and OF Nick Williams. They also signed 1B Carlos Santana to anchor the lineup with rising star Rhys Hopkins who will be in LF and they signed Jake Arrieta to finally give Aaron Nola help in the rotation. As well as signing veterans Pet Neskek and Tommy Hunter. It is a nice attempt at trying to be competitive but they will not make the playoffs but they will finish 3^rd in their division.

Batting Lineup:

1.      CFOdubel Herrera

2.      2B Cesar Hernandez

3.      LF Rhys Hoskins

4.      1B Carlos Santana

5.      3B Makiel Franco

6.      RF Nick Williams

7.      C Jorge Alfaro

8.      SS JP Crawford 

Pitching Staff:

Aaron Nola	Jake Arrieta	Jerad Eickhoff	Vincent Velasquez	Nick Pivetta	CL-Hector Neris
SU-Tommy Hunter	SU-Pat Neshek	MI-Luis Garcia	MI-Adam Morgan	MI-Edubray Ramos	MI-Jake Thompson

Bench:

OF-Aaron Altherr

UTL-Scott Kingrey

INF-Pedro Florimon

C-Andrew Knapp

OF-Roman Quinn

Manager-Gabe Kapler 

In a salary-dump trade the Atlanta Braves took on the salaries of Scott Kazmir, Brandon McCarthy and 1B Adrian Gonzalez by sending out LF Matt Kemp which means they have a hole in LF and trying to plug it with one of the 8 guys. They also shipped out their closer to save money which means it will be all on Aroldis Vizciano to close games. The lineup will still have 1B Freddie Freeman, RF Nick Markakis, and leadoff hitter CF Ender Inciarte but will have three youngsters handling the infield with Freeman. Their rotation still has Julio Teheran and Mike Foltynewicz but also has a plan with veterans occupying spots instead of letting their pitching prospects take all the punches off a rebuilding team this year by getting McCarthy and Anibal Sanchez which they didn’t do previously.

Batting Lineup:

1.      CF Ender Inciarte

2.      2B Ozzie Albers

3.      RF Nick Markakis

4.      1B Freddie Freeman

5.      LF Preston Tucker

6.      C Kurt Suzuki

7.      3B Johan Camargo

SS Dansby Swanson

Pitching Staff:

Julio Teheran	Mike Foltynewicz	Brandon McCarthy	Anibal Sanchez	Sean Newcomb	CL-Arodys Vizcaino
SU-Rex Brothers	SU-Peter Moylan	MI-Jose Ramirez	MI-Chase Whitley	MI-Sam Freeman	MI-AJ Minter

Bench:

OF-Peter Bourjos

OF-Lane Adams

INF-Ryan Flaherty

UTL-Charlie Culberson  

C-Tyler Flowers

Manager-Brian Snitker

The Miami Marlins will be bad for awhile since they are in a full scale rebuild after their fire sale of the best outfield in baseball and traded one of the premier leadoff hitters in baseball as well. Gone are Giancarlo Stanton, Dee Gordon, Marcell Ozuna and Christian Yelich. The only salvage players will be traded like JT Realmuto, Justin Bour, Starlin Castro, Martin Prado and SP Dan Straily. The whole pitching staff is a patchwork while the outfield is a mess since they brought back Camron Maybin to play CF with Derek Dietrich in LF when he is a 2b. Once they trade their good players it will be a complete mess of a team that will lose 100 games. 

Batting Lineup:

1.      CF Lewis Brinson

2.      SS Miguel Rojas

3.      2B Starling Castro

4.      1B Justin Bour

5.      RF Cameron Maybin

6.      C Tomas Tellis

7.      LF Derek Dietrich

8.      3B Brian Anderson

Pitching Staff:

Dan Straily	Jose Urena	Wei-Yin Chen	Odrisamer Despaigne	Justin Turner	CL-Brad Ziegler
SU-Junichi Tazawa	SU-Kyle Barraclough	MI-Drew Steckenrider	MI-Brian Ellington	MI-Chris O’Grady	MI-Tayron Guerrero

Bench:

INF-Garrett Cooper

C-Chad Wallach

C-Bryan Holiday

INF-ScottV an Slyke

INF-Eric Campbell

3B-Martin Prado-DL

C-JT Realmuto-DL

SS-JT Riddle-DL

Manager-Don Mattingly

National League West: The reigning NL Champs came out of this division and so did the two wild cards. It will be the same story like it is always is for the Los Angeles Dodgers; they will need more starting pitching at the deadline due to injuries and same goes for bullpen except that it’s a combination of both health and ineffectiveness. Their offense will always be their strength centered around their young stars SS Corey Seager & 1B Cody Bellinger. But are anchored by veterans 3B Justin Turner, C Yasmani Grandal, 2B Logan Forsythe, the ever confusing RF Yasiel Puig/CF Joc Pederson and now don’t have a black hole in LF since they required LF Matt Kemp. SP Clayton Kershaw and CL Kenley Jensen will be their dominate self but will need help to win a World Series via trades or the rest of the staff will have to step up. They will win the division no doubt about it but their goal is a World Series.  

Batting Lineup:

1.      3B Logan Forsythe

2.      SS Corey Seager

3.      1B Cody Bellinger

4.      LF Matt Kemp

5.      C Yasmani Grandal

6.      RF Yasiel Puig

7.      CF Joc Pederson

8.      2B Chase Utley

Pitching Staff:

Clayton Kershaw	Alex Wood	Rich Hill	Kenta Maeda	Hyun-Jin Ryu	CL-Kenley Jensen
SU-Tony Cingrani	SU-Josh Fields	MI-Pedro Beaz	MI-Yimi Garcia	MI-Scott Alexander	MI-JT Chargois

Bench:

UTL-Chris Taylor

UTL-Kike Hernandez

OF-Andrew Toles

C-Austin Barnes

UTL-Kyle Farmer

3B-Justin Turner-DL

Manager-Dave Roberts

They have fixed their bullpen/3B-LF holes by signing Tony Watson to pair with closer Mark Melancon/LHP Will Smith who they hope both to be healthy with Sam Dyson and Hunter Strickland.  Plus they traded for 3B  Evan Longoria & CF Andrew McCutchen to play RF which shifts Hunter Pence to LF to add to their good lineup anchored by the best catcher in Buster Posey. They have a great 1-2 punch of Madison Bumgarner and Johnny Cueto but they traded away their leadoff hitter and CF Denard Span. They did however replace him with CF Austin Jackson, but he has failed at being a leadoff hitter in his career plus to clear space to take on those two’s contract they traded away their #3 starter Matt Moore which makes two holes in the rotation. They will need to acquire an SP at the deadline to go further then the wild card game which isn’t certain since the two wild cards from last year were the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks. 

Batting Lineup:

1.      CF Austin Jackson

2.      2B Joe Panik

3.      3B Evan Longoria

4.      C Buster Posey

5.      RF Andrew McCutchen

6.      1B Brandon Belt

7.      LF Hunter  Pence

8.      SS Brandon Crawford

Pitching Staff:

Madison Bumgarner	Johnny Cueto	Jeff Samardzija	Derek Holland	Chris Stratton	CL-Mark Melancon
SU-Sam Dyson	SU-Tony Watson	MI-Hunter Strickland	LP-Will Smith	MI-Cody Gearrin	MI-Josh Osich

Bench:

OF-Gregor Blanco

OF-GorkysHernandez

INF-KelbyTomlinson

INF-Pablo Sandoval

C-Nick Hundley

Manager-Bruce Bochy

 The Arizona Diamondbacks will have a hard time with three playoff contending teams to deal with since they have one of the worst bullpens in baseball which they didn’t really do anything to address besides acquire Brad Boxberger and make former starter Archie Bradley the closer since they have a surplus of position players they have that they could have traded for relievers. They had too many outfielders(8) before they acquired OF Steven Souza for INF Brandon Dury in three way trade, are also going with three catchers and have too many infielders(11) despite that trade. They signed OF Jarrod Dyson to backup Souza, AJ Pollack and David Peralta which means Yasmany Tomas is being paid to be in AAA and they are making INF Chris Owings a backup despite having one in Daniel Descalso. When you have Zach Grienke and Paul Goldschmidt leading your team you always have a chance but they will need to fix their bullpen.

Batting Lineup:

1.      RF Jarrod Dyson

2.      2B Ketel Marte

3.      1B Paul Goldschmidt

4.      3B Jake Lamb

5.      CF AJ Pollack

6.      LF David Peralta

7.      C Alex Avila

8.      SS Nick Ahmed

Pitching Staff:

Zach Greinke	Robbie Ray	Patrick Corbin	Taijuan Walker	Zach Goodey	CL-Archie Bradley
SU-Brad Boxberger	SU-Randal Delgado	MI-Fernando Salas	MI-TJ McFarland	MI-Andrew Chafin	LR-Jorge De La Rosa

Bench:
UTL-Chris Owings

INF-Daniel Descalso

C-Jeff Mathis

INF-Devin Marrero

C-John Ryan Murphy

OF-Steven Souza-DL

SP-Shelby Miller-DL

Manager-Torey Lovullo

The Colorado Rockies will again have a great offensive lineup anchored by CF Charlie Blackman and 3B Nolan Arenado plus they resigned OF Carlos Gonzalez. The pitching will be an issue which is history for them but their bullpen is the opposite of Arizona since they signed Wade Davis, Bryan Shaw and brought back Jake McGee too pair with Adam Ottivano and Mike Dunn. If your rotation is shakey and inexperienced it might as well beef up your pen to help the youngsters get through the year.  The only question is why they don’t let their own young catchers play a full year? Last year they used Ryan Hanigan and Jonathan Lucroy instead of their three young catchers this year they traded one and but brought back Chris Iannetta who has not been good since he left them years ago instead of seeing what they have. It could have been the rare young catching group catching a fleet of young starters to grow into success with each other but I guess not. 

Batting Lineup:

1.      CF Charlie Blackmon

2.      2B DJ LeMahieu

3.      LF Carlos Gonzalez

4.      3B Nolan Arenado

5.      1B Ian Desmond

6.      LF Gerardo Parra

7.      SS Trevor Story

8.      C Chris Iannetta

Pitching Staff:

Jon Gray	Tyler Anderson	German Marquez	Chad Bettis	Kyle Freeland	CL-Wade Davis
SU-Jake McGee	SU-Bryan Shaw	MI-Mike Dunn	MI-Adam Ottavino	MI-Chris Rusin	MI-Scott Oberg

Bench:

OF-Raimel Tapia

INF-Pat Valaika

C-Tony Walters

INF-Ryan McMahon

OF-Mike Tauchman

Manager-Bud Black

This is a four team race for this division which leaves the San Diego Padres who will be in last place but not for 3^rd straight season since the Giants and D-Backs were in last place last two seasons. They signed the best position player on the market in 1B Eric Hosmer despite having Wil Myers at 1B who was only there to avoid injury in the outfield but will go back there despite it being crowded with six other guys. They brought back 3B Chase Hedley and traded for Freddy Galvis to solve the SS hole but again will have a patchwork pitching staff full of unknowns and guys trying to rebound after poor or injury plagued seasons. 

Batting Lineup:

1.      CF Manuel Margot

2.      SS Freddy Galvis

3.      RF Wil Myers

4.      1B Eric Hosmer

5.      LF Hunter Renfroe

6.      3B Chase Headley

7.      C Austin Hedges

8.      2B Carlos Asuaje

Pitching Staff:

Clayton Richard	Bryan Mitchell	Luis Perdomo	Jordan Lyles	Colin Rea	CL-Brad Hand
SU-Kirby Yates	SU-Craig Stammen	MI-Buddy Baumann	MI-Matt Strahm	MI-Paul Maton	LR-Robbie Erlin

Bench:

OF-Matt Szczur

OF-Travis Jankowski

UTL-Jose Pirela

INF-Christian Villanueva

C-AJ Ellis

OF-Alex Dickerson-DL

Manager-Andy Green