High School Girls Basketball Power Rankings & Pre-Season All-Area Team

By Andrew Marcus

Sportswriter for GametimePA.com

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

Here is a link to The Lansdale Reporter/ Montgomery Media's Preview Capsules

PRESEASON POWER RANKINGS

Aubree Brown (Wood)

1. Archbishop Wood VIKINGS
2. Central Bucks West BUCKS
3. Germantown Academy PATRIOTS
4. North Penn MAIDENS
5. Mount Saint Joseph's MAGIC
6. Abington GALLOPING GHOSTS
7. Upper Dublin FLYING CARDINALS
8. Abington Friends ROOS
9. Saint Basil Academy  PANTHERS
10. Cheltenham PANTHERS






11. Gwynedd-Mercy
12. Plymouth-Whitemarsh
13. Jenkintown
14. Lower Moreland
15. William Tennent

Sarah Derstein (Soudy)

16.  Methacton
17. Lansdale Catholic
18. Wissahickon
19. Souderton
20. Christopher Dock
21. Phil-Mont Christian
22. Upper Moreland
23. Academy of the New Church
24. Pennridge
25. Hatboro-Horsham
26. Bishop McDevitt
27. Calvary Baptist
28. Springfield Township
29. Faith Christian

PRE-SEASON ALL-AREA TEAM

First Team

Nicole Munger (CBW)

1. Nicole Munger (Central Bucks West)
2. Ashley Jones (Cheltenham)
3. Deja Rawls (Abington)
4. Bailey Greenberg (Archbishop Wood)
5. Sam Carangi (North Penn)

Olivia Gorman (GA)

Second Team

1. Aubree Brown (Archbishop Wood)
2. Mackenzie Carroll (Central Bucks West)
3. Lauren Killion (Lower Moreland)
4. Olivia Gorman (Germantown Academy)
5. Alynna Williams (Plymouth-Whitemarsh)

HIGH SCHOOL: Boys Basketball Power Rankings & PreSeason All-Area Team

By Andrew Marcus

Sportswriter for GametimePA.com

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

Here is a link to The Lansdale Reporter/ Montgomery Media's Preview Capsules

PRESEASON POWER RANKINGS

Tim Guers (GA)

1. Germantown Academy PATRIOTS 

2. Plymouth-Whitemarsh COLONIALS

3. Abington GALLOPING GHOSTS - READ MY STORY

4. LaSalle.EXPLORERS

5. Academy  of the New Church LIONS

6. Pennridge RAMS - READ MY STORY

7. Abington Friends ROOS

8. Archbishop Wood VIKINGS

9. Souderton INDIANS

10. Upper Dublin FLYING CARDINALS

11. Central Bucks West

12. Methacton

13. Bishop McDevitt

14. Cheltenham

Cordell Lord (North Penn)

15. Wissahickon

16. Lower Moreland

17. North Penn

18. Faith Christian 

19. Phil-Mont Christian

20. Upper Moreland

21. Hatboro-Horsham

22. William Tennent

23. Jenkintown

24. Christopher Dock READ ANDREW ROBINSON'S STORY

25. Lansdale Catholic

26. Springfield Township

27. Calvary Baptist

PRE-SEASON ALL-AREA TEAM

Andre Mitchell (P-W)

First Team

1. Andre Mitchell (Plymouth-Whitemarsh)

2. Matt Penecale (Abington)

3. Tim Guers (Germantown Academy)

4. David Krmpotich (LaSalle)

5. Sam Lindgren (Germantown Academy)

Simeon Fyer (UD)

Second Team

1. Simeon Fryer (Upper Dublin)

2. Amir Hinton (Abington)

3. Zack Murreda (Pennridge)

4. Evan Sloan (Souderton)

5. Carnell Harley (Academy New Church)

FOOTBALL: The Mont-Co Reporter All-League Teams

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for GametimePA.com

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

The MontCo-Reporter All-League Team is picked by me and based on what I have seen and read. This is NOT an official team, rather it is given that title based on the requirement of needing to play in the coverage area of The Lansdale Reporter or Montgomery Media.

I am aware Pennsbury, Saint Joseph's Prep, and Coatesville have had some stellar seasons from stellar athletes, but there is no Charles Snorweah, John Reid or Jordan Young on these teams.

Without further adieu....

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
FIRST TEAM RUNNING BACK: Jarrett McClenton (Archbishop Wood) - You have to credit his blockers a little bit, and you will see a few Vikings on this list, but you cannot deny the output of the school's all-time leading rusher. He has 30 plus touchdowns and without McClenton I can honestly say coach Steve Devlin's bunch is not set for another trip to Hershey Park Stadium. McClenton was not only a offense standout, bu defense and special teams. Villanova is getting a stud in the so-called undersized stud.
READ THE FULL STORY ON MCCLENTON

SECOND TEAM RUNNING BACK: Joe Unangst (Pennridge)
READ THE FULL STORY ON UNANGST 
THIRD TEAM RUNNING BACK: Tyler Whitmore (Upper Moreland)
HONORABLE MENTION RUNNING BACK: Juawine Sowell (Abington)

FIRST TEAM QUARTERBACK: Kyle Shurmur (LaSalle) - When other kids were learning their ABCs, Shurmur was helping his Dad install game plans for NFL quarterbacks. Shurmur, a Vanderbilt commit, was a offensive coordinator on the field for the Explorers and nobody was more accurate through the air this season than Shurmur. His arms single-handedly helped them rally to beat Archbishop Wood this season, handing the Vikings their only loss.

SECOND TEAM QUARTERBACK: Ryan Stover (Upper Dublin)
THIRD TEAM QUARTERBACK: Conner Derrickson (Methacton)
HONORABLE MENTION QUARTERBACK:  Chris Stone (Springfield Township)

FIRST TEAM FULLBACK:  Alex Arcangeli (Archbishop Wood) - It was nearly a no-brainer to transfer from Bensalem to Wood this season. He was the thunder to McClenton's lightning and while the Owls did not win a game, Arcangeli was a force for one of the best team's in the state.

SECOND TEAM FULLBACK: Luke Durkin (Central Bucks West)
THIRD TEAM FULLBACK: Nick Isabella (North Penn)
HONORABLE MENTION FULLBACK: Blake Gular (Souderton)

FIRST TEAM OFFENSIVE LINE: Ryan Bates (Archbishop Wood) - The Penn State commit could not be stop. There is a reason runs always went in the direction of Bates, a beast of a teenager at 6-5, 275 pounds. A tip of the cap to Ryan Neher and the other lineman, the entire unit was incredible.

SECOND TEAM OFFENSIVE LINE: Matt McDermott (LaSalle)
THIRD TEAM OFFENSIVE LINE:  Ryan Bischoff (Plymouth-Whitemarsh)
HONORABLE MENTION OFFENSIVE LINE:  Andrew Thomas (North Penn)

FIRST TEAM WIDE RECEIVER  Jimmy Herron (LaSalle) - When you break all the recieving records at a prestigious school like LaSalle you know it's a big deal. Herron and Shurmur was a deadly combination and the Duke baseball commit could not be stopped.

SECOND TEAM WIDE RECEIVER: Carnell Harley (Academy of the New Church)
THIRD TEAM WIDE RECEIVER: Jordan Neely (Abington)
HONORABLE MENTION WIDE RECEIVER: Charlie Obrecht (Hatboro-Horsham)

FIRST TEAM TIGHT END: Charlie Hemcher (LaSalle) - Another one of Shurmur's favorite targets, Hemcher was a defensive nightmare. His reliable hands were good for quick passes and when you combine that with the no-huddle offense, Hemcher wore out defenses.

SECOND TEAM TIGHT END:  Christian Lohin (Archbishop Wood)
THIRD TEAM TIGHT END: John Ryan (William Tennent)
HONORABLE MENTION TIGHT END: Matt Thompson (Upper Dublin)

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
FIRST TEAM DEFENSIVE LINEBACKER: Jack Rapine (Upper Dublin) - While the junior will eventually go to John Hopkins to play lacrosse as a defense man, his team leading seven sacks helped lead the Flying Cardinals into the District One AAAA semifinals for the first time in school history.

SECOND TEAM LINEBACKER:  Jake Cooper (Archbishop Wood)
THIRD TEAM LINEBACKER:  Ryan Brady (LaSalle)
HONORABLE MENTION LINEBACKER:  Zack Hockman (Pennridge)

FIRST TEAM LINEMAN: Ezra Outlaw (Pennridge) - The only way the Rams were able to stay in games this season without a passing game was because of the pass rush they received on the defensive end. D-Coordinator Dave Heying has done a great job there since leaving Upper Moreland and Outlaw shined coming off the end this season.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: Devon Cobb (Archbishop Wood)
THIRD TEAM DEFENSIVE LINEMAN:  Evan Sweet (Souderton)
HONORABLE MENTION DEFENSIVE LINEMAN:  Louis Haas (Springfield Township)

FIRST TEAM DEFENSIVE BACK: Mike Liddy (North Penn) - Time and time again Liddy seemed to be in the right spot for the Knights. He had timely interceptions, big tackles, and even chipped in offense when needed.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSIVE BACK: Ryan Quigley (Lansdale Catholic)
THIRD TEAM DEFENSIVE BACK: Matt Kilkenny (Central Bucks West)
HONORABLE MENTION DEFENSIVE BACK: Gianni Cruel (Archbishop Wood)

2014 District One Football Playoff Predictions

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter
GametimePa.com

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

In the first round I am looking forward to, of course, (13) Pennridge at (4) Quakertown. I have been at nearly every Ram football game, including the heated Turkey Day rivalry in the last six seasons.
I'd also like to see if small (8) West Chester Henderson can knock off big ol' (9) North Penn. Nobody expects it and I don't either.
In the quarters we will see if the Knights can pull off the same trick as years past and play road warriors. There is no tougher task than (1) Coatesville in the second round. I think a Cinderella story could be (12) Perkiomen Valley.
I think a NP-PV rematch from last year's semifinals would be fun. I would love to see (3) W.C. Rustin's Terry Loper face off against (10) C.B. South's Josh Adams, but that would come in the semifinals. The Titans would have to turn things around.

HERE IS A LINK TO A BIGGER BREAKDOWN OF EACH GAME

District One AAAA

(1) Coatesville
(16) Haverford
                             (1) Coatesville
                             (9) North Penn
(8) W.C. Hendy
(9) North Penn                               (9) North Penn
                                                         (12) Perk Valley
(4) Quakertown
(13) Pennridge
                            (13) Pennridge
                            (12) Perk Valley
(5) D-Town East
(12) Perk Valley
                                                    West Chester Rustin over North Penn
(2)Pennsbury
(15) D-Town West
                             (15) D-Town West
                             (7) Garnet Valley
(7) Garnet Valley
(10) C.B. South                                (7) Garnet Valley
                                                          (3) W.C. Rustin
(3) W.C Rustin
(14) Conestoga
                              (3) W.C. Rustin
                              (6) Upper Dublin
(6) Upper Dublin
(11) C.R. North
                   

District One AAA
(1) Springfield Delco over (8) Interboro
(5) Academy Park over (4) Pottsgrove
(2) Great Valley over (7) Octorara
(6) Upper Moreland over (3) Bishop Shanahan

(1) Springfield Delco over (5) Academy Park
(2) Great Valley over (6) Upper Moreland

Great Valley over Springfield Delco

District One AA
(1) Bristol over (4) Valley Forge
(2) Springfield Twp. over (3) New Hope-Solebury

Bristol over Springfield Twp.

District One A
(1) Delco Christian over (4) Jenkintown
(3) Kipp-DuBois over (2) Calvary Christian

Kipp-DuBois over Delco Christian

PCL Championships
AA - West Catholic over Neumann-Goretti
AAA - Archbishop Wood over Archbishop Ryan
AAAA - LaSalle over St. Joseph's Prep

High School Softball: Predictions: District One 4A Playoffs

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for The Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

                         
(16 ) Methacton
(17) Unionville
                                  (1) William Tennent
                                  Methacton
(9) North Penn                                               William Tennent
(24) C.R. South                                             North Penn
                                  (8) C.B. East 
                                  North Penn              
(12) Perk Vallet                                                                                     North Penn
(21) Hatboro-Horsham                                                                            Pennsbury
                                 (5) Pennsbury
                                 Hatboro-Horsham
(13) C.R. North                                            Pennsbury
(20) Haverford                                               Spring-Ford
                                 (4) Spring-Ford
                                 C.R. North
(15) C.B. South                                                                     Pennsbury over Souderton
(18) Owen J. Roberts
                                 (2) Avon Grove
                                 Owen J. Roberts
(10) Kennett                                              Avon Grove
(23) Boyertown                                          Neshaminy
                                  (7) Neshaminy                                          
                                  Kennett                                                           Avon Grove
(14) W.C. East                                                                                  Souderton
(19) Cheltenham
                                 (3) Souderton                                                  
                                 W.C. East
(11) Downingtown East                              Souderton
(22) W.C. Rustin                                      W.C. Henderson
                                  (6) W.C. Henderson
                                  W.C. Rustin                               
              

High School Baseball: Predictions: District One 4A Playoffs

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for The Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

                         
(8) Great Valley
(9) Council Rock North 
                                  (1) Cheltenham
                                  CR North
(5) North Penn                                               Cheltenham
(12 Unionville                                               Conestoga
                                  (4) Conestoga 
                                  North Penn              
(7) Methacton                                                                                      Conestoga
(10) Penncrest                                                                                      C.R. South
                                 (2) Garnet Valley
                                  Methacton
(6) Downingtown West                                    Methacton
(11) Hatboro-Horsham                                      C.R. South
                                 (3) Council Rock South
                                 Hatboro-Horsham
(8) Pennsbury                                                                                Conestoga over C.B. East
(9) Coatesville
                                 (1) Downingtown East
                                 Coatesville
(5) Avon Grove                                               Downingtown East
(12) Plymouth-Whitemarsh                               Spring-Ford
                                  (4) Spring-Ford                                           
                                  Avon Grove
(7) Radnor                                                                                         Downingtown East
(10) Central Bucks East                                                                       Central Bucks East
                                 (2) Boyertown                                                   
                                 Central Bucks East
(6) Pennridge                                                  Central Bucks East
(11) W.C. East                                               Strath Haven
                                  (3) Strath Haven
                                  Pennridge                               
              

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*