High School Baseball: Pre-Season All-Area Team

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for The Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

Welcome to the wonderful world of spring sports.

High School Baseball, in my opinion, is at its best in the suburbs of Philadelphia. The teams that The Lansdale Reporter, The Mercury, The Times Herald, and Montgomery Media cover always seem to be in the mix for district and even state championships. There are always a handful of players that commit to Division-One schools and more that you can count that go on to play Division Two and Three.

So without further adieu...Here is one man's opinion on the best teams and the best players in a specific coverage area prior to the 2014 season.

Pre-Season All-Area Team

John Aiello - GA

P - John Aiello (Germantown Academy)
P - Dom Cuoci (LaSalle)
P - Charlie Hooker (Upper Moreland)
P - John Fitz (Central Bucks West)
P - David Brown (Hatboro-Horsham)

C - Nick Bein (Abington)
C - John Fischer (Plymouth-Whitemarsh)

IF - Dan Jacobson (Upper Dublin)
IF - Jared Melone (North Penn)
IF - Connor Klemman (Spring-Ford)
IF - David Tatoian (Pennridge)
IF - Nick Falso (Wissahickon)
IF - Brad Stoltzfus (Souderton)
IF - James Bleming (Pope John Paul II)
IF - Chris Kersey (North Penn)

Jared Melone - North Penn

OF - Jimmy Herron (LaSalle)
OF - Danny Shane (Pennridge)
OF - Vinny Case (William Tennent)
OF - Eric Lane (Hatboro-Horsham)
OF - Tim Carfrey (Methacton)
OF - Cameron Simmons (Spring-Ford)


JRC Philly Area's Top 10 Pre-Season Team

1.  LaSalle Explorers
2. Spring-Ford Rams
3. North Penn Knights
4. Germantown Academy Patriots
5. Pennridge Rams
6. Methacton Warrios
7. Upper Moreland Golden Bears
8. Archbishop Wood Vikings
9. Pope John Paul II
10. Central Bucks West Bucks

High School Softball: All-Area Preseason Team

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for The Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

Welcome to the wonderful world of spring sports.

High School Softball, in my opinion, is at its best in the suburbs of Philadelphia. The teams that The Lansdale Reporter, The Mercury, The Times Herald, and Montgomery Media cover always seem to be in the mix for district and even state championships. There are always a handful of players that commit to Division-One schools and more that you can count that go on to play Division Two and Three.

So without further adieu...Here is one man's opinion on the best teams and the best players in a specific coverage area prior to the 2014 season.

Pre-Season All-Area Team

Jackie Bilotti - North Penn

P - Jackie Bilotti (North Penn)
P - Lauren Weidler (Christopher Dock)
P - Nikki Alden (William Tennent)
P - Nikki Ross (Upper Merion)
P - Kim Machalette (Springfield Township)

C - Birdget Shaffer (Hatboro-Horsham)
C - Kelsey Impink (Perkiomen Valley)

1B - Haley DeLany (Souderton)
1B - Vicky Tumasz (North Penn)

2B - Amanda Kulp (Methacton)
2B - Bridie Harkins (Lansdale Catholic)

SS - Haley Taylor (Pennridge)

Haley Taylor - Pennridge

SS - Daria Edwards (Hatboro-Horsham)

3B - Paige Shelly (Souderton)
3B - Lexi Kehl (Pottsgrove)

OF - Erin Maher (North Penn)
OF - Dayna Shelly (Souderton)
OF - Amanda Wolfgang (Central Bucks West)
OF - Jess Nattle (Spring-Ford)
OF - Kaitlyn O'Toole (William Tennent)

JRC Philly Area's Top 10 Pre-Season Teams

1. Hatboro-Horsham Hatters
2. North Penn Maidens
3. Souderton Indians
4. Landale Catholic Crusaders
5. Spring-Ford Rams
6. Methacton Warriors
7. Christopher Dock Pioneers
8. William Tennent Panthers
9. Upper Merion Vikings
10. Pennridge Rams

Countdown to Opening Day: 2014 MLB Predictions

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for The Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

Now that I have analyzed every roster over  past month I am ready to make my 2014 predictions. In the past  I have been pretty good a picking 5-or-6 playoffs teams with always two horrendous missteps. If I could get anything right it would be my World Series winner, but I know a July trade or significant injury will shape the season in a way that I cannot calculate at this point.
In the past I backed off picking teams with a rookie manager, but Mike Matheny and the Cards changes my mind on that. There is enough talent in the Nation's Captial and or that reason...

2014 MLB Predicted Standings (playoff teams in red)

AL East (predicted win total)

Clay Buchholz - AL Cy Young

Red Sox (94-68)
Orioles (89-73)
Yankees (88-74)
Rays (86-76)
Blue Jays (73-89)

AL Central
Tigers (98-64)
Royals (90-72)
Indians (80-82)
Twins (71-91)
White Sox (68-94)

AL West

Hanley Ramirez - NL MVP

Rangers (93-69)
Athletics (84-78)
Mariners (80-82)
Angels (77-85)
Astros (61-101)

NL West
Dodgers (96-66)

Giants (90-72)
Padres (85-77)
Diamondbacks (84-78)
Rockies (70-92)

NL Central

Stephen Strasburg - NL Cy Young

Cardinals (93-69)
Reds (92-70)
Pirates (82-80)
Brewers (80-82)
Cubs (72-90)

NL East
Nationals (101-61)
Braves (88-74)
Mets (78-84)
Phillies (77-85)
Marlins (67-95)

2014 MLB Playoff Predictions

NLWC: Giants over Reds
NLDS: Dodgers over Cardinals
NLDS: Nationals over Giants
ALWC: Orioles over Royals
ALDS: Tigers over Orioles
ALDS: Red Sox over Rangers
NLCS: Nationals over Dodgers
ALCS: Tigers over Red Sox

World Series: Nationals over Tigers

2014 Award Winners Predictions

AL MVP: Prince Fielder (Rangers)
NL MVP: Hanley Ramirez (Dodgers)

Prince Fielder - AL MVP

AL Cy Young: Clay Buchholz (Red Sox)
NL Cy Young: Stephen Strasburg (Nationals)

AL Rookie of the Year: Yordano Ventura (Royals)
NL Rookie of the Year: Billy Hamilton (Reds)

AL Manager of the Year: Ned Yost (Royals)
NL Manager of the Year: Matt Williams (Nationals)

AL Comeback Player of the Year: Joakim Soria (Rangers)
NL Comeback Player of the Year: Tim Hudson (Giants)

Countdown to Opening Day #1 Washington Nationals

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#1 Washington Nationals: Happy to be the Hunted

PROJECTED LINEUP
CF Denard Span
SS Ian Desmond
LF Bryce Harper
3B Ryan Zimmerman
RF Jayson Werth
1B Adam LaRoche
2B Anthony Rendon
C Wilson Ramos

PROJECTED ROTATION
Stephen Strasburg
Gio Gonzalez
Jordan Zimmermann
Doug Fister
Tanner Roark

PROJECTED BULLPEN

Closer: Rafael Soriano

Set-up: Drew Storen

Top Prospect: Lucas Giolito (SP)

You have to like the Washington front office in recent years if you are a Nationals fan. They have made some creative signings, using out of the box thinking. Just when I thought they had a solid closer in Drew

Stephen Strasburg

Storen they signed Rafael Soriano to sure up the bullpen even more.
Just when it looked like they had three quality outfielders they traded for Denard Span. Now while some of the trades and moves did not make a giant impact on the team last year, in fact they struggled out of the gate with a new found target on their back. But the Nationals picked up steam as the year went on, won 86 games, and come into this season with a new manager (Matt Williams) and a new found motivation.
They continued the creative moves and added Doug Fister to an already loaded starting rotation. I bet 28 team other teams would have been in the mix for the former Tiger if they knew he would be available for as cheap as the Nats got him for.
The foursome of Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister is deadly. They won't need to score many runs to win ballgames. And that being their said their offense is no slouch.

Bryce Harper

CALL ME MR. SUNSHINE - This is one of the rare teams that has a chance to have the trifecta of awards. I can easily see Strasburg taking home the Cy Young, Bryce Harper grabbing a MVP, and first year manager Matt Williams winning the Manager of the Year award. Not living up to expectations in 2013 lifts this team to a World Series title in 2014.

REAL TALK - I struggle to find reasons why this won't be the best team in baseball. Strong everyhwere. Up the middle - in the bullpen - and star power to boot. Bryce Harper does need to learn how to channel his energy so he can avoid outfield walls and injury. He is too important to the middle of that order. The threat of him makes men such as Ryan Zimmerman and Jayson Werth that much better. Look for the Nationals to navigate the National League with ease.

Breakout: Stephen Strasburg (RHP)

Bust: Ryan Zimmerman (3B)

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper: Jayson Werth (OF)

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 86-76 (2nd in NL East)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 101-61(1st in NL East)

**Check back tomorrow for the 2014 PREDICTIONS*

Countdown to Opening Day #2 Detroit Tigers

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#2 Detroit Tigers: Can anyone touch the Tigers?

PROJECTED LINEUP
2B Ian Kinsler
RF Torii Hunter
1B Miguel Cabrera
DH Victor Martinez
CF Austin Jackson
3B Nick Castellanos
LF Don Kelly
C Alex Avila
SS Danny Worth

PROJECTED ROTATION
Justin Verlander
Max Scherzer
Anibal Sanchez
Rick Porcello
Drew Smyly

PROJECTED BULLPEN

Closer: Joe Nathan

Set-up: Al Albequerque

Top Prospect: Nick Castellanos (3B)

It's not really a pat on my own back, but I did say in last year's COUNTDOWN that if they did not put a

Max Scherzer

reliable closer in the ninth inning they would miss out on the World Series. Boom, look what happen. No parade in Detroit.
Now the front office has listened and this off-season signed Joe Nathan to close out ball games for the likes of Justin Verlander, Cy Young Max Scherzer, and ERA title winner Anibal Sanchez. Nathan is just your active leader in saves.
I almost thought no one would touch the Tigers this season, but already injuries are piling up on first year manager Brad Ausmus. They lost their shortstop Jose Iglesias for six months and Andy Dirks to a back injury. It's not like they lost Miguel Cabrera or newly acquired Ian Kinsler, but they are blows to the defense.
If the injury bug keeps biting the Tigers, maybe they will not roll into the October, but at least for now in the American League, they are the team to beat.

CALL ME MR. SUNSHINE - They have three bonafide candidates to win Cy Young and Miguel Cabrera is easily the favorite to win his third consecutive MVP. Just when you thought the Tigers could not get any better Nick Castellanos steps in at third base and wins Rookie of the Year. They are a complete team and ready to win it all.

Miguel Cabrera

REAL TALK - Iglesias was not going put up great numbers offensively this season, but he is solid with the glove and his absence leaves something left to be desired for this group. That being said the Tigers are too talented to not reach the postseason and they posses a chance to win a World Series. No team should have better odds in my opinion.








Breakout: Austin Jackson (OF)

Bust: Alex Avila (C)

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper: Victor Martinez (DH)

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 93-69 (1st in AL Central)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 98-64(1st in AL Central)

**Check back tomorrow for the Washington Nationals*

Countdown to Opening Day #3 Los Angeles Dodgers

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#3 Los Angeles Dodgers:Hollywood stars aligning

PROJECTED LINEUP
RF Yasiel Puig
LF Carl Crawford
CF Matt Kemp
SS Hanley Ramirez
1B Adrian Gonzalez
3B Juan Uribe
C AJ Ellis
2B Dee Gordon

PROJECTED ROTATION
Clayton Kershaw
Zack Greinke
Hyun-Jin Ryu
Dan Haren
Josh Beckett

PROJECTED BULLPEN

Closer: Kenley Jansen

Set-up: Chris Perez

Top Prospect: Joc Pederson (OF)

Somehow the Dodgers have  become the nation's darling, the team to take home this year's World Series title. Maybe it's because they have Clayton Kershaw at the front of the rotation or sophomore Yasiel Puig

Clayton Hershaw

playing in the outfield. But questions surround this team more than any other favorite I can remember.
There are four outfielders for three spots with Puig, Carl Crawford, Matt Kemp, and Andre Ethier. Luckily there is no way all four are healthy at one time. Kemp already proving that be true. Their infield is made up of Juan Uribe and Dee Gordon, which is not exactly names that call out championship.
Even behind Kershaw and Zack Greinke are a pair of veterans in Dan Haren and Josh Beckett, both with their best days behind them. With allf that negativity being said, Kershaw is a stopper and guys like Adrian Gonzalez and Hanley Ramirez come to play everyday. The Dodgers will undoubtedly be in the mix, but will they have enough depth on the 25 man roster to compete with the St. Louis and Washingtons of the world?

CALL ME MR. SUNSHINE - When Matt Kemp gets back on the field once the Dodgers are done in Australia he never stops swinging the hot stick. But his production just helps Hanley Ramirez realize his potential and the former Miami Marlin manages to win the MVP award. Kershaw adds a third cy-young and is well on his way to the Hall of Fame. A World Series ring certainly helps his credentials.

Hanley Ramirez

REAL TALK - There is a party being heard from that is shying away from the Dodgers winning anything becuase of their bench and infielders. There top-line talent is so good that the Uribe and Gordon types just cannot do anything to hurt them and they will be fine. Just hit a clutch homer or steal a bag or two every now and then. I think they might be the best bet to win their division this season, but I also think there are teams in NL playoffs that will not back down from boys in blue.




Breakout: Hanley Ramirez (SS)

Bust: Dan Haren (SP)

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper: Dee Gordon (2B)

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 92-70 (1st in NL West)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 96-66 (1st in NL West)

**Check back tomorrow for the Detroit Tigers*

Countdown to Opening Day #4 Boston Red Sox

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#4 Boston Red Sox: Fighting for four in the Decade

PROJECTED LINEUP
CF Grady Sizemore
RF Shane Victorino
2B Dustin Pedroia
DH David Ortiz
1B Mike Napoli
SS Xander Bogaerts
3B Will Middlebrooks
C AJ Piersynski
LF Jackie Bradley Jr.

PROJECTED ROTATION
Jon Lester
Clay Buchholz
John Lackey
Jake Peavy
Felix Doubront

PROJECTED BULLPEN

Closer: Koji Uehara

Set-up: Junichi Tazawa

Top Prospect: Xander Bogaerts

The Red Sox are good. That's the obvious statement of the season considering they are coming off 97 wins

Koji Uehara

and a World Series title. But how good are they? This is not 1927, or 1977 for that matter. This is not Murderer's Row or the Big Red Machine. Chances of repeating in my mind are slim to none.
Everything has to fall into place to raise the trophy high and parade down Lansdowne Avenue. Koji Uehara cannot be perfect again, he can be good, but not 101 strikeouts-to-9 walks good. They are trying to replace leadoff man Jacoby Ellsbury with some combination of unproven or recclamation stories. Grady Sizemore is having one hell of a spring, but that is a small sample size. I'm not sure the once face of the Indians can stay healthy for a long summer.
Jackie Bradley Jr. is going to get another crack at the major leagues. His OBP was 100 points higher than his batting average, but .189 is just not going to cut it for an everyday player. The Red Sox may have a few tricks up their sleeve in rookie Xander Bogaerts, Brandon Workman, and Allan Webster. The Red Sox are not going to pull a "Bobby V" and finish in last place, but winning their fourth title in the decade? Good luck. 

CALL ME MR. SUNSHINE - Whenever you have a clubhouse full of hard-nosed leaders like Dustin

Dustin Pedroia

Pedroia, David Ortiz, Mike Napoli, and Jonny Gomes you are going to play hard every night. That group gets their teammates to play to their full potential because they don't allow anything else. John Farrell is more of a quiet leader, letting the players control themselves, and resurrecting a pitching staff in need of a ressurecction. This year a healthy Clay Buchholz wins Cy Young.

REAL TALK - No doubt the Red Sox will be in the mix for another division crown in another AL East chalked full of contenders. They will be the best of the best for the regular season. The playoffs are another question. I'm not sure they will be as hungry as other teams looking for the first championship. But I would not be shocked to see them back in the Fall Classic.

Breakout: Clay Buchholz (RHP)

Bust: Grady Sizemore (OF)

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper: Xander Bogaerts (SS)

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 97-65 (1st in AL East)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 94-68 (1st in AL East)

**Check back tomorrow for the Los Angeles Dodgers*

Countdown to Opening Day #5 St. Louis Cardinals

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#5 St. Louis Cardinals: Home grown Cards to capture crown 

PROJECTED LINEUP
3B Matt Carpenter
C Yadier Molina
LF Matt Holliday
RF Allen Craig
SS Jhonny Perlata
1B Matt Adams
2B Kolten Wong
CF Peter Bourjos

PROJECTED ROTATION
Adam Wainwright
Lance Lynn
Shelby Miller
Michael Wacha
Joe Kelly

PROJECTED BULLPEN

Closer: Trevor Rosenthal

Set-up: Carlos Martinez

Top Prospect: Oscar Tavares (OF)

There has to be some luck involved, but the Cardinals can't miss these days when it comes to home grown talent. When a player gets the call to St. Louis I just assume they are going to immediately contribute. I cannot even remember that last failed prospect. Maybe you can count David Freese, who never put together

Matt Holliday

a full regular season, but he had a pretty good postseason. If you recall he won World Series and NLCS MVP. So, that is as close they have come in recent years to a miss - a World Series MVP they shipped out of town this season.
Up and down the lineup this season are players, young players, ready to help the Cards capture another division title. Their closer, all five projected starters, and five of the eight every day players. Matt Holliday is the one big free agent and he is as solid as they come producing year in and year out now for almost a decade.
Of course Oscar Taveras still waits for his turn in Triple-A. If he can get healthy everyone, as do I, full expects him to crush major league pitching right away. Never count out the Cardinals - they have hidden gems waiting in the wings at all times.

Yadier Molina

CALL ME MR. SUNSHINE - The lineup is full of professional hitters. They get on base and drive runners in when they have the chance. The Cardinals finish with four 100 runs guys in Carpenter, Molina, Holliday, Craig. Molina also does a hell of a job with a pitching staff that is learning as they go and the combination of offense and defense by the backstop is why he is a perennial MVP candidate now.

REAL TALK - Nobody handles an injury like the Cardinals organization. When other teams hopes and dreams go down the drain because of big injuries, the Redbirds always seem to have an answer. My days of doubting this team are long gone. They are eight or nine deep in starting pitchers and while they may not win the World Series every season, they are always giving themselves the best chance to do so.

Breakout: Allen Craig (1B/OF)

Bust: Matt Carpenter (3B)

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper: Joe Kelly (SP)

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 97-65 (1st in NL Central)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 93-69 (1st in NL Central)

**Check back tomorrow for the Boston Red Sox*

Countdown to Opening Day #6 Texas Rangers

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#6 Texas Rangers: Prince and Choo added to the Mix

PROJECTED LINEUP
LF Shin Soo-Choo
SS Elvis Andrus
1B Prince Fielder
3B Adrian Beltre
RF Alex Rios
DH Mitch Moreland
2B Jurickson Profar
C Geovany Soto
CF Leonys Martin

PROJECTED ROTATION
Yu Darvish
Matt Harrison
Martin Perez
Colby Lewis
Alexi Ogando

PROJECTED BULLPEN

Closer: Neftali Feliz

Set-up: Tanner Scheppers

Top Prospect: Rougned Odor (2B)

The Rangers are at the point where it is all about making the right tweaks to a championship caliber club. After back-to-back losses in the World Series, Ron Washington's group has been in the mix every season, but has not found the perfect mix.

Prince Fielder

So Rangers went out and made the bold move to trade beloved Ian Kinsler to the Tigers for Prince Fielder and sign Shin-Soo Choo out of free agency. They let Joe Nathan walk.
Leaving the closer role open is dangerous but I actually think they are stocked with three guys (Feliz, Scheppers, Soria) that all can do it. Neftali Feliz and Joakim Soria before injury were elite closers. Somebody is going to lock down the ninth inning. Felix will get the first crack at it.
The real question comck s to the rotation that has been decimated by injury to Derek Holland and before that Matt Harrison, Colby Lewis and others. If the starting five can be serviceable, and we know Yu Darvish is one of the best in the game, than the Rangers could make another run at a championship. If they don't? Time to try another mix.

CALL ME MR. SUNSHINE - The years of being the protector to Ryan Braun and Miguel Cabrera are over. This is Prince's team and Washington stamped it by announcing he will hit in the three-hole and not the

Yu Darvish

four hole. There's a message there. And with the weather in Texas Prince is going to lose a few pounds this summer. He also is going feast on the right field fence and mash 50 homers on his way to a MVP.

REAL TALK - Thew new look Rangers are going to give that offense some life and they could run away with that division with any kind of decent pitching behind Yu Darvish. Jurickson Profar's breakout season could make them untouchable offensively. They have a lot of options, but no one they truly know what they are going to get out of. I'll just say now if Joe Saunders is pitching things are not going well.

Breakout: Prince Fielder (1B)

Bust: Leonys Martin (OF)

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper: Neftali Feliz (CL)

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 91-72 (2nd in AL West)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 93-69 (1st in AL West)

**Check back tomorrow for the St. Louis Cardinals*

Countdown to Opening Day #7: Cincinnati Reds

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#7 Cincinnati Reds: Big Red run producing Machine

PROJECTED LINEUP
CF Billy Hamilton
SS Zack Cozart
1B Joey Votto
2B Brandon Phillips
RF Jay Bruce
3B Todd Frazier
LF Ryan Ludwick
C Devin Mesoraco

PROJECTED ROTATION
Homer Bailey
Mat Latos
Johnny Cueto
Tony Cingrani
Mike Leake

PROJECTED BULLPEN

Closer: Aroldis Chapman

Set-up: JJ Hoover

Top Prospect: Billy Hamilton (OF)

We saw how unimpressed people were with Joey Votto's 2013 season, that ended with a .435 on base percentage, his fourth consecutive season with the best mark in the category. And while Votto does not care

Joey Votto

what others think about his approach, the Reds were not winning. It may be time for an adjustment at the dish.
The Reds hope men like Brandon Phillips and speedster Billy Hamilton can get on base enough so the face of the franchise can let it rip. Votto should have more than the 73 RBIs had last season. He is paid for his power, not his trot to first base and free passes.
What could help the Reds take the next step and allow Votto to do what he does is Jay Bruce taking his abilities another step further. The one-time top prospect in all of baseball still has a chance to be more than the just a 35 home run hitter if he can up the batting average. from .250, closer to a .285 clip. He could put his own name in the MVP race.
The bullpen is still strong with the Cuban Missile Aroldis Chapman and the rotation is rock solid when healthy. The Reds, even with new manager Brian Price, are bound to be in the playoff mix again. But will they ever get over that hump and have their day in the World Series sun? I am starting to think that chance could be slipping away.

CALL ME MR. SUNSHINE - Votto puts it all together and leads the N.L. in RBIs as well as winning a

Johnny Cueto

batting title. Billy Hamilton finds a way on base, scores 125 run, steals 80 bags and wins Rookie of Year. The rotation finally stays healthy when it counts. Johnny Cueto has come up small at the end of the years when the Reds have really needed him. Not this year.

REAL TALK - My loyal blog readers might be aware that I picked the Reds to win the World Series in the last two seasons. While they have not let me down completely I am starting to lose faith. The Reds have too much talent on the mound and in the batter's box to not win 85 game blindfolded, barring injuries, but I start to question leadership when they flounder in the postseason. Maybe Votto is not the guy to charge this club into the Fall Classic. Maybe this core group will always just be above average.

Breakout: Tony Cingrani (LHP)

Bust: Billy Hamilton (OF)

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper: Brandon Phillips (2B)

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 90-72 (3rd in AL Central)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 92-70 (2nd in AL Central) 

**Check back tomorrow for the Texas Rangers* 

Countdown to Opening Day: #8 Kansas City Royals

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#8 Kansas City Royals: Starters need to Pitch in for KC

PROJECTED LINEUP
LF Alex Gordon
RF Nori Aoki
1B Eric Hosmer
DH Billy Butler
C Salvador Perez
3B Mike Moustakas
SS Alicedes Escobar
2B Omar Infante
CF Lorenzo Cain

PROJECTED ROTATION
James Shields
Jeremy Guthrie
Jason Vargas
Danny Duffy
Yordano Ventura

PROJECTED BULLPEN

Closer: Greg Holland

Set-up: Aaron Crow

Top Prospect: Yordano Ventura

Did anyone realize the Royals won 86 games last year? I certainly knew they had a solid year, but not to
an extent of four games off a 90-win season. Is the loss of Ervin Santana to free agency going to make them worse off?

James Shields

Granted, the rotation behind workhorse James Shields is very questionable, but prospects such as Yordano Ventura and Kyle Zimmer could be very good very soon. If the starters could supply some work load, the back end of the bullpen, led by Greg Holland, should be brilliant.
Everybody fully expects the offense to produce and young, peaking players to perform like all-stars. So what should everyone fully expect? It all rest on the starting five shoulders in my opinion. Their output will be the difference between 86 and out of the playoffs and real contender for the first time since 1980.

CALL ME MR. SUNSHINE - Not only does Ventura emerge as a Rookie of the Year candidate Jason Vargas and Jeremy Guthrie have their best major league seasons to date. Surrounded by some of the best hitters at their position in the American League (Alex Gordon, Salvador Perez) Eric Hosmer runs away with the Most Valuable Player Award.

REAL TALK - The rotation really does scare me and make me second guess from playoff prediction, but

Eric Hosmer

the Royals have a ton of talent and more in minors chomping at the bit to make an impact. They are probably one starter away from being a World Series contender, but that is something they could shop for in July. But with all that being said, I would not be shocked if it fell through and Shields was the one on his way out at the trade deadline.

Breakout: Eric Hosmer (1B)

Bust: Jason Vargas (LHP)

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper: Billy Butler (DH)

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 86-76 (3rd in AL Central)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 90-72 (2nd in AL Central) 

**Check back tomorrow for the Cincinnati Reds* 

Countdown to Opening Day: #9 San Francisco Giants

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#9: San Francisco Giants: The every other year treat

PROJECTED LINEUP
CF Angel Pagan
2B Marco Scutaro
C Buster Posey
1B Brandon Belt
RF Hunter Pence
3B Pablo Sandoval
LF Mike Morse
SS Brandon Crawford

PROJECTED ROTATION
Matt Cain
Madison Bumgarner
Tim Lincecum
Tim Hudson
Ryan Vogelsong

PROJECTED BULLPEN

Closer: Sergio Romo

Set-up: Santiago Casilla

Top Prospect: Kyle Crick (RHP)

There is nothing that really separates last year's Giants team from the team they bring to Spring Training this season, but going on a gut feeling I am calling San Fran out as a team not to sleep on. Let's bank on bounce

Matt Cain

back seasons from Matt Cain and Pablo Sandoval. Let's bank on breakout seasons from Brandon Belt and Hunter Pence producing more of the same. And I am always willing to bank on GM Brian Sabean. The savvy front office face always seems to tweak and turn his team around.
It would pretty remarkable to win three World Series championships in five years, but I am not going to count the Bay boys out. It';s been a trend since 2008. Wins over those years? 72, 88, 92, 86, 94, 76 - I believe my projection of 90 wins, while it is completely arbitrary and a mere guess, would probably be the number baseball prospectus should come up with for this group with other calculations.
Plus upgrading Gregor Blanco with the run producing potential of Mike Morse and replacing home/road split nightmare Barry Zito with a savvy sinker baller in Tim Hudson will only help them scare the Dodgers and the rest of this improving division.

CALL ME MR. SUNSHINE - Not only does Matt Cain bring his ERA back down, Tim Lincecum regains his Cy Young stuff. Originally it looked like the Dodgers were run aways in the division and clearly the best rotation. But by season's end, Cain, Lincecum, Bumgarner and Hudson is untouchable. The offense does not even need to be gigantic for the Gigantes to succeed.

Tim Lincecum

REAL TALK - The Giants are not going to be anything different than they have been over the last five years, but just being healthier overall and a little bit luckier puts them back into the playoff picture. I am not going to pick them any postseason series or claim their third title with this core group, but just because they finish fourth last year does not mean they are going to do it again.

Breakout: Brandon Belt (1B)

Bust: Tim Lincecum (RHP)

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper: Matt Cain (RHP)

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 76-86 (4th in NL West)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 90-72 (2nd in NL West) 

**Check back tomorrow for the Kansas City Royals* 

Countdown to Opening Day: #10 Baltimore Orioles

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#10 Baltimore Orioles: O's going for it all

PROJECTED LINEUP
RF Nick Markakis
3B Manny Machado
CF Adam Jones
1B Chris Davis
DH Nelson Cruz
C Matt Wieters
SS JJ Hardy
LF David Lough

PROJECTED ROTATION
Ubaldo Jimenez
Chris Tillman
Bud Norris
Miguel Gonzalez
Wei Yin Chen

PROJECTED BULLPEN

Closer: Tommy Hunter

Set-up: Darren O'Day

Top Prospect: Dylan Bundy (RHP)

When you look at the current contracts on the Baltimore Orioles only Adam Jones and recently signed
Ubaldo Jimenez are signed past this season. That means after this year free agency awaits Chris Davis, Nick Markakis, JJ Hardy, Matt Wieters, and Nelson Cruz. It also means Chris Tillman and Manny Machado will be due a pay increase.

Adam Jones

It also means the Orioles better go for it this season because while they may resign one or two players, keeping the entire club together is unlikely. The additions of Jimenez and Cruz reiterate they are giving all they have this season.
Ubaldo is not your bonafide ace but he does round out the starting five nicely and give the O's some starting depth in the minors. Kevin Guasman and Zack Britton are both likely to start the year in Triple-A. The Orioles have let Jim Johnson depart and flirted with Grant Balfour before they did not like see the injury report. They go into April leaving the closer role alone. They either trust Tommy Hunter or are making a big mistake. It was be awful for the Orioles to shell out big bucks and forget about the ninth inning.

Tommy Hunter

CALL ME MR. SUNSHINE - What a dangerous lineup. The Orioles take pitches, drive in runs, and win baseball games. Adam Jones' name is in the running for MVP and Nick Markakis has his best full season as the everyday lead-off hitter. The rotation is solid and Gausman and Dylan Bundy are dynamite out of the bullpen in the postseason. Almost like last year's Carlos Martinez and Trevor Rosenthal for the Cardinals. The Orioles stay in fist from start to finish line.

REAL TALK - They are playing to Camden Yard's strengths by building the squad around its lineup, but they still need the pitchers to perform. Tommy Hunter needs to make sure if he enters with a lead the O's keep that lead.  The starters do not have to win Cy Yong for Baltimore to battle for first either. I'm not sure the Orioles are going to win the World Series, or a playoff series for that matter, but they are more likely a playoff team than not in my mind.                    

Breakout: Kevin Gausman (RHP)

Bust: Miguel Gonzalez (LHP)

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper: Nick Markakis (OF)

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 85-77 (3rd in AL East)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 89-73 (2nd in AL East)

**Check back tomorrow for the San Francisco Giants*