I cannot wait for the season to start. I am too giddy to see all my predictions come true, prove everyone my word should be law. The dream. I had my RCL draft last night and man was it fun; I was hoping for a little more banter in the draft room but only one of my league mates was in on the fun. Now I’ve got a controversial story for you this week. Doctor Bob is working in his clinic and his long time patient Patty walks in. She’s pregnant! Congrats? Well she is still shy of her 20th birthday and has already had an abortion the year before, so congratulations might not be in order. Doctor Bob continues his appointment with Patty and lo-and-behold, her younger sister is pregnant as well and due within the month. That is quite the adventure for this family at this point. Also, I may be wrong here, but it seems as if these girls do not want to be pregnant teenagers as one of them already had an abortion. This kind of thing makes me wonder how people make certain decisions in life. I’m often baffled. If I were either of these girls friends I would gift them condoms and birth control for their next five birthdays. If they wanted the babies though, congratulations!
Texas Rangers
Starting Pitchers: Nick Martinez vs Chi Chi Gonzalez vs AJ Griffin vs Jeremy Guthrie vs Cesar Ramos vs Phil Klein.
You get the point here, there is a large amount of garbo for this last spot and no one knows what’s gonna happen. Chi Chi doesn’t know what a strikeout is, Guthrie is washed up, I had no clue who Ramos and Klein were before I wrote this article and Griffin is coming off an injury. I think Griffin has the most talent and I would hope they give him the shot but this is really a toss up. They are also talking about having these guys as long relievers or some shizz that has to do with actual game strategy. Avoid.
Houston Astros
Starting Pitchers: Doug Fister vs Scott Feldman.
With the injury to McCullers both of these guys will start the season in the rotation. When McCullers comes back I would expect Fister to be the first one out, but one of them could be playing so poorly they won’t have to make a decision.
First Base: Jon Singleton vs Tyler White.
Tyler White has played much better than Singleton and I am torn at who gets the first crack at the opening day gig. I would only roster either of them in AL only leagues. My bet is White.
Los Angeles Angels
Outfielders: Daniel Nava vs Craig Gentry.
This is a platoon with Nava getting more run at this point. I wouldn’t touch either of them unless you were in a really deep AL only league and you needed every last AB. If Nava gets the majority of the plate appearances I could see a potential steal, especially if he hits near Mike Trout in the lineup.
Starting Pitchers: Matt Shoemaker vs CJ Wilson.
C.J. Wilson won’t start the season in the rotation as he is injured, but Shoemaker will be giving up his spot once Wilson is healthy.
Seattle Mariners
Outfielders: Leonys Martin vs Fanklin Gutierrez vs Seth Smith.
Each game will be different as they play matchups and go with combos based off needs of speed vs power vs hit tool. Gutierrez is the best player here and his only knock is health. If he stays healthy I would expect him to start each game. Martin provides speed with a minus hit tool while Smith provides some power and a better hit tool. One injury gives any of these guys full playing time.
Starting Pitchers: James Paxton vs Nathan Karns.
Nathan Karns was just given the 5th spot. I expect Paxton to get the first look on injury or when management realizes Wade Miley is trash.
Oakland Athletics
First Base: Yonder Alonso vs Mark Canha.
Alonso will play against righties and Canha against lefties. It’s a simple platoon that doesn’t mean a whole lot to standard leagues. Canha could provide a bit of added value if some more playing time opens up. Alonso reminds me of how Howie Kendrick’s career has gone: A guy who has a really good bat but never lived up to his prospect status.
Closer: Sean Doolittle vs Ryan Madson.
This is only here because Doolittle’s health is fickle and Madson has pitched extraordinarily well last season and could be in line to be one of the top setup men in the league. Doolittle has the job until his health kicks him in the behind, and it does that a lot. If you draft Doolittle I would recommend a handcuff.
On a side note, how amazing has the March Madness Tournament been?
