10 MLB Fantasy Predictions

Predicting the Fantasy Baseball Season

1. Mike Trout will finish as the highest scoring hitter and Clayton Kershaw will be the highest scoring pitcher.

2. Paul Goldschmidt will finish second in hitters behind Mike Trout and will finish as the best first baseman.

3. Jose Altuve will have the most hits and stolen bases in the American League.

4. Joey Votto will finish as a top 7 first basemen.

5. Matt Harvey will win 16+ games , strike out 200+ batters , and have a 2.50 era or below.

6. Troy Tulowitzki will play 135+ games and hit 25+ home runs.

7. Joe Mauer will bounce back to hit 315 with 10 homers.

8. Max Scherzer will win 20 games , so will Stephen Strasburg , and Jordan Zimmerman.

9. Taijuan Walker will win 15 games while pitching to a sub 3 era.

10. Kris Bryant , Jorge Soler , and Javier Baez will combine for 65+ home runs.

By Peter Vitella
@realpete13

MLB Awards Prediction

MLB Awards and Standings

AL MVP - Robinson Cano
NL MVP - Andrew McCutchen
AL Cy Young - Felix Hernandez
NL Cy Young - Clayton Kershaw
AL Manager of the Year - Lloyd McClendon
NL Manager of the Year - Terry Collins
AL Rookie of the Year - Rusney Castillo
NL Rookie of the Year - Kris Bryant
AL Batting Champ - Jose Altuve
NL Batting Champ - Buster Posey

By Peter Vitella
@realpete13

MLB Predictions with Standings

MLB Predictions By Division

AL East

1. Yankees 88-74
2. Orioles 85-77
3. Blue Jays 82-80
4. Red Sox 80-82
5. Rays 78-84

AL West
1. Mariners 94-68
2. Athletics 86-76
3. Angels 84-78
4. Astros 79-83
5. Rangers 73-89

AL Central
1. Tigers 91-71
2.Indians 90-70
3. Royals 82-80
4. WhiteSox 80-82
5. Twins 68-94

NL East
1. Nationals 105-57
2. Mets 92-70
3. Marlins 89-73
4. Braves 68-94
5. Phillies 66-96

NL West
1. Dodgers 96-66
2. Padres 90-72
3. Giants 82 -80
4. Rockies 75-87
5. Diamondbacks 66-96

NL Central
1. Cardinals 95-67
2. Pirates 93-69
3. Cubs 84-78
4. Brewers 80-82
5. Reds 76-86

NL Wild Cards
Mets over Pirates

AL Wild Cards
Indians over Athletics

NL Pennant
Nationals over Dodgers

AL Pennant
Mariners over Indians

World Series
Nationals over Mariners

By Peter Vitella
@realpete13

How to Make this Years Fantasy Baseball Season a Success

The Guide to have a Successful Fantasy Baseball Draft Date

The Draft - If it's possible do the draft offline. Go to someone's house , or go to a place and do the draft together. There will be no auto draft which is awesome and your in the same room with your friends. You can rag on every pick even if it's a good one. The best part about fantasy baseball is the draft day and the best way to do draft day is live and off line. Get off your ipad or your laptop and do the draft in person. Buy the board and the stickers and go big.

The Format - Every body likes a different format. Personally I like head to head points. I like to see that I won or lost 450-364 to another team. I am used to this format. Some prefer categories or roto. If you do keepers keep as many or as little as you like. My keeper league we only keep five and we re draft 20. Everyone likes different things. When it comes to league size anywhere from 10-14 is the standard. However you can do eight if you have too , it's not ideal. Do a lot of positions. The more you draft the more fun the league is.


Should I Draft this Injury Risk ? - I love making sure my first hitter and pitcher I draft are guys who I trust to stay healthy. With that being said if I draft a guy who never misses games with my first pick I might be more comfortable drafting Troy Tulowitzki or Adrian Beltre with my second round pick.

Who do You not want to Draft ? - You will always run into injury risks however that doesn't mean you can avoid them all. Sometimes you have to take a risky player. Sometimes you have to take a bounce back player. For me the players I don't like to draft players who have regressed multiple seasons in a row , especially older players. Justin Verlander has been regressing each year and he just continues to look terrible. He is a guy I would avoid unless he goes really late. Do not just go early on players because of a big name. If you have a guy you think is a sleeper , a breakout , or a bounce back draft that player.

Your Mid-Late Round Picks - If you are going to win a title you need some of these picks to break out , bounce back , and just perform. These picks are extremely important. Make every pick count. Good luck this season!!

By Peter Vitella
@realpete13

The Plea To Red Bulls Fans

The Plea To Red Bulls Fans



The New York Red Bulls have hit a rather large fork in the road as the 2015 MLS Season begins. The other New York team (NYCFC) has moved into Yankee Stadium and the Red Bulls are loosing fans rapidly. The team has lost key players such as Thierry Henry (retired), Tim Cahill (China), but most importantly the link between supporters and the team, the manager and fan favorite, Mike Petke was fired after leading the Red Bulls to a Supporters shield (their first trophy in history) and to the Eastern Conference Finals in which they lost to the New England Revolution. Petke was seen as the link between fans and the team. Many supporters are calling for the team to be sold but the Red Bull brand refuses to sell New York’s original MLS team. 

Many fans including myself have questioned the leadership with the Red Bulls. The supporters have watched other teams win MLS Cups and US Open Cups while the Metros have only won one Supporters Shield. The Red Bull brand is at fault and we the fans need an answer. This fan base has suffered through the 20 years that they have been in the MLS. There are questions with the ownership but we the fans have one job and that is to support our troops, the players who bust their tails to represent this franchise. Yes we might not agree with the logo on the front of the jersey but the names on the back are the reason why we go to the games. The Red Bulls, the team, need our support. Players like Dax McCarty, Luis Robles, and Lloyd Sam need our support to win games and fend off the noisy neighbors.

The main goal this season has to be finishing above NYCFC. A playoff berth would be an added bonus but the Red Bulls are losing fans to the new team across the river. The more unrest that we the fans show the league and the world may get us press action but what are we really showing the league and the world? Many outsiders probably say “Wow that team won’t be around much longer the fans hate the team.” There are rumblings that supporters will stop attending games or that they wont renew their season tickets but this is crazy. I understand the frustration but think about what you are doing. If the fans don’t show up than what is this club. We have seen this with Chivas USA. The team couldn't draw fans and they too were fed up with ownership. Chivas USA is no longer a franchise and this can very well be the New York Red Bull/MetroStars franchise. We have worked so hard over the 20 seasons that the Metros have been a team and just to let it all go would be a travesty. Your frustration is shared but have faith. The popular adage “when the going gets tough, the tough gets going” speaks volumes here. Stick with this team because you never know with the Metros. They have shocked us once and they'll shock us again. But I have one request for you the fans: Please don't stop going to matches and love this team!!!! 

10 Bounce Back Candidates for your Fantasy Baseball Draft

10 Bounce Back Candidates for your Fantasy Baseball Draft

1B - Joey Votto - Votto has battled a ton of injuries the past couple of years but the question is will he be healthy this year. Votto can be a risk but just think of the season he is capable of having. Votto is a former MVP and is ranked down this year but can be a great mid range buy. Votto can absolutely be a guy you draft in the sixth round give or take that leads you to a title.

1B- Joe Mauer - Mauer had his worst pro season and it was his first season not catching. Many thought he would have a great season because he is not catching. That did not happen but this year he will not be worried about learning a new full time position. Mauer should bounce back , average wise but he usually hits 10-12 homers at most.

1B - Chris Davis - Davis battled a groin injury that killed him for most of the season. He also received a 25 game suspension and his average fell below 200. Davis had over 50 homers in 2013 and over 30 in 2012. Davis should get back to 30-35 homers and expect him to hit at least 235 at the least.

2B- Jason Kipnis - He broke out in 2013 but he regressed in 2014. Kipnis played in 20 less games and his averaged dropped 20 points. Kipnis also went from 17 homers to 6. He also stole eight less bases. Injuries hurt Kipnis but he clearly never found his stride and just had a poor year. However he still is young which is good.

3B - Ryan Zimmerman - Zimmerman was another guy who battled injuries all season. However this season he will move to first base and I think it will have a great impact on him. Zimmerman will not have to worry about his arm injury and problems as much. Zimmerman is primed for a monster season we are accustomed to seeing. He had 26 homers in 2013.

3B - Alex Rodriguez - A-Rod is back after a season long suspension. He has two spring homers and has looked fairly good. Rodriguez is an extremely late fantasy baseball option however if healthy A-Rod can be a cheap power option. We don't know what we will get from Rodriguez but he should be drafted late because he still can swing the bat.

SS - Xander Bogaerts - Bogaerts was set to have a break out season in 2014 but he just didn't. The Sox let him play despite struggling but it was a bad season. He hit just 240. Bogarets had some good flashes and he is still  maturing. This should be his year. Look for his power numbers to raise.

OF - Jay Bruce - We are so used to seeing Jay Bruce hit 30 homers and have 85-100 RBI. Bruce was just bad in 2014. He had a miserable start to the season and just was not able to recover. Bruce is another guy that has value and will go at least two rounds later than last year. Bruce is still young and should get back to form. Average is a concern but draft him for the power like Chris Davis because power continues to dip in the Majors.

SP - Justin Verlander - In 2013 Verlander's ERA was a very nice 3.46 ERA which rose to 4.54 In 2014. Verlander logged over 200 innings again last year. He was just simply ineffective. I think Verlander is worth another shot this year but this will be a telling year. Did he just have a ruff season , or is he headed down a road similar to CC Sabathia and Roy Halladay.

SP - Matt Cain - Cain has been a forgotten man of late. In 2013 Cain had a miserable first half but had a great second half. Many fantasy players and experts expected a big 2014. It did not happen for Cain. Cain was bad for most of the season and then had a season ending injury. The. Giants won the World Series despite not having Cain for the playoffs. Cain still has good stuff and I think he is a
good choice to take a shot on. Many people might forget about him and you can steal him.

By Peter Vitella
@realpete13

Sports Bros Podcast

Episode 46: Good For the Conference

On this week’s Sports Bros Podcast, Jordan, Shane, and Brad dive deep into the NCAA Tournament. From Cinderella to names to know, they have you covered as you fill out your bracket.

To play ESPN Bracket Mania versus the bros, click the link below.

http://games.espn.go.com/tournament-challenge-bracket/2015/en/group?groupID=659733

Listen to the podcast and fill out a bracket 

Five Players to Watch

Matt Harvey - Harvey looked great in his first appearance since Tommy John Surgery. Harvey had his fastball working and it was clocking at 99 mph throughout. Perhaps what was more impressive was how sharp his curve ball looked right out of the gate. The Mets appear to have Harvey off his leash.

Alex Rodriguez - Coming off the year long suspension everyone is watching to see if A-Rod has anything left at all. So far his bat has looked faster than most people expected. Rodriguez hit his first home run of the Spring on Wednesday. He hit a long single off the right field wall in Saturdays game. In his two third base appearances he has looked a little slow laterally but has had no problem fielding the baseball.

Kris Bryant - How about six spring homers already. Bryant has displayed power to all parts of the field. He has hit monster homers to both left and right center. Bryant looks like the real deal now we are just waiting to see when he will be up with the big club.

Masahiro Tanaka - Tanaka is pitching with the elbow injury this year and has decided not to get surgery. In his first appearance he looked fairly sharp. At first his fastball was only clocking at 89-90 mph however he was able to dial it up to 94. He pitched two scoreless innings. His off speed stuff looked sharp also. So far so good for Tanaka.

Joey Votto - We haven't heard much from or about the former MVP but the question is will Votto stay healthy and bounce back. Votto is one of baseballs best and most complete players however staying on the field has been the problem. Votto has flew under the radar so far but a return to the top can happen.

By Peter Vitella
@realpete13

Will Tim Tebow get Another NFL Shot ?

Tim Tebow is working with Tom Brady's throwing coach and may attend the veterans combine. Tebow last played a regular season game in 2012 in a limited role  with the Jets. He last started In 2011 when he won a playoff game. Tebow really was given no shot to play with the Jets. He then signed with the Patriots but was cut at the end of camp despite Bill Belichek saying how much he liked Tebow. Many reports are saying that Tebow is finally throwing a spiral and looks a lot better. The question now is will Tim Tebow get a shot to play in the NFL again. If he looks like he is playing better I think he will get a shot. People over blow distractions in sports. If you get distracted because Tebow is in your camp your probably not doing your job. Does anyone think Belicheck and Tom Brady were distracted when Tebow was their ? Yeah I don't think so. If Tebow has improved he may get his shot once again.

By Peter Vitella
@realpete13

Player Profile : Joc Pederson

Player Profile : Joc Pederson

Break out Player

Pederson appears to be ready to take over an outfield spot for the Dodgers. Pederson is thirteenth on the top prospect list and has gotten off to an excellent start this spring. He went 2-2 in his Spring Debut. Pederson hit 33 homers in 121 games in Triple A. Pederson should get a majority of the at bats over Andre Either who is fading in the lineup. Pederson wasn't on my sleeper list yesterday primarily because he isn't a sleeper to me. He is a guy to target and in keeper leagues he was on every ones radar last season.

By Peter Vitella
@realpete13

Fantasy Baseball Sleepers

Fantasy Baseball Sleepers

Kevin Gausman - Gausman had a 3.57 era in 113 innings. The big right handed struck out 88 batters. He went 7-7 in his 20 starts and was much better than in 2013. In 20 appearances he had a 5.66 era. Gausman should win a spot in the Orioles rotation.

Joe Mauer - He had his worst offensive season in 2014. He stopped catching and many people figured his numbers would jump. Mauer saw his average drop from 324 to 277. Mauer took some time getting used to first base but a bounce back season should be in order as we are always use to seeing that high average.

Cliff Lee - Lee battled injuries during the season and he won just 4 games. In 2013 he was healthy and his era was under 3. Lee has been a forgotten man in many drafts and he can go back to his ace form if healthy.

Ryan Zimmerman - Last year he was hurt most of the season. Zimmerman will leave third base this season and be the Nats first basemen. Zimmerman will not have to worry about his throwing problems as much and will hit in the middle of the lineup.

Taijuan Walker - Walker is one of the top prospects in baseball. We saw him pitch last year and he had some flashes of dominance. Expect him to get his shot for the full season. The Mariners need him if they want to win the division.

Xander Bogaerts - Bogaerts was supposed to break out last year but he struggled and did not have a good season at all. This year he will have the short stop job and will have to produce. This should be his first monster pro season.


Joey Votto - Votto had a brutal season filled with injuries and poor play. Votto only played in just 62 games. He batted just 255 with just 6 homers. Votto when healthy is one of baseballs best hitters. He will fall in a lot of drafts and can be an MVP guy again.

Gregory Polanco - Polanco was less than impressive. In 89 games he hit just 235. Polanco was still getting comfortable in the bigs and I expect him to fit in nicely in the Pirates lineup. He can give you both speed and power.

Jose Quintana - Jose had another season where he made at least 32 starts. Quintana had a solid 3.51 era in 2013 and he lowered it to 3.32 in 2014. He also added more strikeouts and lowered his walks. Quintana can continue this trend.

Prince Fielder - Fielder was hurt for really the first time in his career. We are so used to Fielder being
a 100 RBI guy and he can get back to those numbers in 2015. Fielder is still in his prime.

Nathan Eovaldi - Eovaldi was solid for a lot of the season last year but struggled towards the end. He has one of baseballs best fastball but he still hasn't mastered his strike out pitch. He has worked on his third pitch this offseason and despite moving to Yankee stadium he can still be extremely effective.

Travis d' Arnaud - He showed a lot of power in 2014 belting 14 homers in 385 at bats. d' Arnaud hit just 242 but he will get more at bats in 2015 and his numbers will see an ever bigger spike as he continues to improve.

Jay Bruce - Bruce wasn't good In 2014. He had some injuries and hit just 18 home runs after hitting 30 in the previous three seasons. Bruce is another forgotten man from the Reds who can easily bounce back with 30 homers.


Zack Wheeler - Wheeler made 32 starts and pitched to a solid 3.54 era. Wheeler had some ruff
patches but overall had a very good second season. Wheeler will have another solid season. He can improve even more in the solid Mets rotation.

By Peter Vitella
@realpete13

Sports Bros Podcast

Episode 45: I Love Fashion

This week on the Sports Bros Podcast, Jordan, Shane, Walter, and Brad talk Russell Westbrook, Kevin Stallings killing someone, Bill Self’s sour grapes, the suspension of the Greek soccer league, and why trolls no longer live beneath bridges.

To vote for the winner of this week’s opening question, be sure to head over to www.jordanrhall.com/vote

Don’t forget to follow the Bros on Twitter

@jordanhall23

@w_lehmann22

@bfly_ordie

@SportsBrosPod

www.jordanrhall.com

www.facebook.com/sportsbrospodcast

The Top 300 (176-300)

176-300

176. B. Zobrist
177. J. Verlander
178. C. Beltran
179. M. Prado
180. Z. Britton
181. Z. Britton
182. A. Laroche
183. E. Aybar
184. R. Dickey
185. D. Span
186. H. Kendrick
187. J. Odorizzi
188. R. Porcello
189. R. Martin
190. C. McHugh
191. M. Wieters
192. W. Ramos
193. M. Napoli
194. N. Walker
195. K. Gausman
196. D. Salazar
197. I. Kennedy
198. S. Pearce
199. J. Lackey
200. C. Tillman
201. M. Cuddyer
202. L. Cain
203. C. Granderson
204. T. d' Arnaud
205. A. Jackson
206. Y. Gallardo
207. M. Minor
208. C. Crisp
209. N. Eovaldi
210. J. Peralta
211. F. Rodriguez
212. J. Benoit
213. J. Nathan
214. S. Miller
215. O. Arcia
216. Y. Grandal
217. W. Rosario
218. A. Eaton
219. Y. Tomas
220. A. Alcantra
221. C. Sabathia
222. D. Holland
223. D. Duffy
224. J. Segura
225. S. Doolittle
226. A. Reed
227. A. Miller
228. A. Rios
229. B. McCarthy
230. T. Hunter
231. J. Pederson
232. C. Headley
233. J. Gyorko
234. S. Casilla
235. B. Belt
236. M. Garza
237. M. Fiers
238. H. Rondon
239. L. Gregerson
240. N. Castellanos
241. T. Clippard
242. J. Hardy
243. M. Shoemaker
244. B. Phillips
245. J. Hammel
246. D. Jennings
247. K. Davis
248. C. Crawford
249. J. Mejia
250. N. Feliz
251. M. Zunino
252. M. Teixeira
253. A. Garcia
254. E. Santana
255. T. Roark
256. J. Niese
257. A. Rodriguez
258. R. Howard
259. A. Simmons
260. J. Lowrie
261. A. Cabrera
262. T. Walker
263. M. Byrd
264. C. Bucholtz
265. D. Pomeranz
266. K. Janseen
267. S. Gennett
268. M. Montero
269. L. Chisenhall
270. S. Souza
271. R. Odor
272. D. Norris
273. S. Vogt
274. B. Lawrie
275. D. Brown
276. J. Saltalamacchia
277. T. Bauer
278. J. Peavy
279. T. Cingrani
280. W. Flores
281. J. Reddick
282. M. Moustakas
283. N. Swisher
284. A. Lind
285. C. Owings
286. K. Medlen
287. J. Jaso
288. A. Burnett
289. J. Kelly
290. P. Alvarez
291. J. Singelton
292. M. Morse
293. D. Fowler
294. I. Nova
295. C. Cron
296. J. Hamilton
297. D. Gregorius
298. D. Freese
299. C. McGehee
300. M. Joyce

The Top 300

Fantasy Baseball Ranks 1-175

The Top 300 Fantasy Baseball

1. M. Trout
2. P. Goldschmidt
3. Mig. Cabrera
4. C. Kershaw
5. G. Stanton
6. A. McCutchen
7. E. Encarnacion
8. J. Bautista
9. R. Cano
10. F. Hernandez
11. A. Beltre
12. J. Abreu
13. T. Tulowitzki
14. A. Jones
15. C. Gomez
16. A. Rizzo
17. Y. Puig
18. J. Altuve
19. C. Sale
20. J. Ellsbury
21. M. Scherzer
22. M. Bumgarner
23. B. Posey
24. R. Braun
25. F. Freeman
26. B. Harper
27. A. Rendon
28. M. Brantley
29. D. Price
30. S. Strasburg
31. I. Desmond
32. J. Donaldson
33. H. Ramirez
34. E. Longoria
35. J. Upton
36. C. Kluber
37. J. Cueto
38. Z. Greinke
39. C. Dickerson
40. Y. Darvish
41. A. Wainwright
42. V. Martinez
43. J. Reyes
44. C. Gonzalez
45. H. Pence
46. J. Zimmerman
47. A. Pujols
48. Y. Cespedes
49. M. Kemp
50. C. Hamels
51. J. Lester
52. D. Ortiz
53. Adr. Gonzalez
54. A. Cobb
55. I. Kinsler
56. K. Seager
57. G. Springer
58. J. Kipnis
59. C. Kimbrel
60. A. Chapman
61. N. Cruz
62. B. Dozier
63. G. Holland
64. J. Teheran
65. J. Votto
66. P. Fielder
67. C. Davis
68. J. Bruce
69. M. Harvey
70. S. Gray
71. T. Frazier
72. D. Pedroia
73. M. Holliday
74. C. Santana
75. C. Kalhoun
76. B. Hamilton
77. M. Carpenter
78. D. Fister
79. J. Heyward
80. S. Castro
81. S. Marte
82. N. Arenado
83. C. Lee
84. G. Cole
85. J. Samardzija
86. J. Lucroy
87. J. deGrom
88. D. Wright
89. A. Gordon
90. C. Yelich
91. C. Carter
92. E. Gattis
93. J. Shields
94. M. Machado
95. D. Gordon
96. K. Wong
97. M. Trumbo
98. H. Iwakuma
99. H. Ryu
100. G. Gonzalez
101. J. Arrieta
102. D. Mesoraco
103. B. Gardner
104. M. Ozuna
105. H. Bailey
106. D. Murphy
107. M. Tanaka
108. J. Harrison
109. S. Perez
110. T. Ross
111. P. Sandoval
112. M. Melancon
113. M. Latos
114. D. Robertson
115. D. Bettances
116. M. Wacha
117. K. Uehera
118. M. Betts
119. T. Rosenthal
120. J. Mauer
121. J. Fernandez
122. A. Sanchez
123. Y. Molina
124. A. Cashner
125. E. Andrus
126. M. Adams
127. J. Soler
128. J. Weaver
129. Z. Wheeler
130. L. Duda
131. Al. Ramirez
132. C. Blackmon
133. Y. Gomes
134. R. Zimmerman
135. C. Carrasco
136. F. Rodney
137. J. Werth
138. Mel. Cabrera
139. C. Utley
140. J. Baez
141. G. Perkins
142. G. Richards
143. S. Cishek
144. E. Hosmer
145. M. Stroman
146. R. Castillo
147. C. Archer
148. A. Wood
149. H. Street
150. L. Lynn
151. L. Martin
152. B. Moss
153. J. Morneau
154. W. Myers
155. B. Revere
156. M. Pineda
157. P. Hughes
158. J. Papelbon
159. B. McCann
160. J. Rollins
161. M. Cain
162. Y. Ventura
163. D. Smyly
164. S. Choo
165. J. Quintana
166. X. Bogaerts
167. F. Liriano
168. S. Kazmir
169. D. Storen
170. K. Bryant
171. A. Ramirez
172. J. Martinez
173. A. Pollock
174. C. Allen
175. D. Keuchel