2019 Predictions; AL East

After growing increasingly impatient while waiting for the last few big-name free agents to sign contracts, I realized I cannot wait any longer on my 2019 MLB predictions. 

This year's Opening Day for all 30 teams is in just over 2 weeks, and I intend to go about my predictions the same way as last year; division by division.

In order to avoid becoming repetitive with my posting, I'll be forming my MLB predictions, by division, on-and-off up until a few days before Opening Day. Then, I'll make my picks for the awards and the playoffs before the 2019 MLB regular season officially begins on March 28th.

Last year's divisional predictions, although entertaining to write, were quite far off from the actual results. I have merely one hope for my picks this time around; to be more accurate than I was in 2018. Then again, Baseball's unpredictability may come back to haunt me for the 2nd year in a row.

First up in a series of divisional predictions is the AL East, home to the 2018 World Champions, the Boston Red Sox. For over a decade, this division has vigorous in terms of competition, with all 5 teams posing as a threat at some point or another. 

Last year, there were 3 90-win teams in the AL East with 2 teams reaching the 100-win mark as well. The race for the #1 spot in this division, like 2018, is likely going to be a nail-biter.

I wasn't correct in my predictions last year, so let's hope I have more success with my 2019 picks for the AL East division.

1st Place; Boston Red Sox

Coming off of a historic season in which the Sox won 108 games, all eyes will be on Boston in 2019 with many teams hoping that they crash and burn. However, the Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros have taught us that, in recent years, World Series Champions can go on to take the division crown 2 years in a row.

Other than the departure of Joe Kelly and the unlikeliness for Craig Kimbrel to return, the Red Sox will be bringing back virtually everyone on their roster from 2018. A notable addition will also be Dustin Pedroia, a dependable option at 2nd base when healthy. 

Additionally, Betts, Benintendi, and Bogaerts are all coming off their best season yet, and the Sox's rotation is the best its been in years. Repeating as World Series Champions will be a challenge, but I have confidence that the Sox will be able to repeat as winners of the AL East.

2nd Place; New York Yankees

The Yankees took multiple steps last offseason to improve going into the 2019 season. The 100-win team traded for James Paxton, signed Adam Ottovino, and extended 2 of its stars, Aaron Hicks and Luis Severino. Clearly, the Yankees are coming for the Red Sox with a vengeance and eyes on recapturing the AL East crown.

New York has a balance of hitting and pitching going for them in 2019, something they lacked last season. Injuries aside, batting average was a notable concern for the Yankees who finished 16th in Baseball with a team batting average of .249. 

I don't expect sluggers like Hicks and Stanton to make vast strides to improve their batting average which could prove to be the sole thing holding the Yankees back in 2019. 

3rd Place; Tampa Bay Rays

The most surprising team of 2018, the Tampa Bay Rays won 90 games almost in spite of themselves. They designated Corey Dickerson, a 2018 All-Star, for assignment before the season started and traded away Chris Archer and Alex Colome at the deadline. 

Somehow, this club was a top-6 American League team last season. It's just a shame that management doesn't work with the talented players that the Rays have. Instead, Dickerson's replacement, C.J. Cron, fell victim to the same fate this offseason. After hitting .253 with 30 homers, he too was designated for assignment.

Unfortunately for the talented players in Tampa, including Cy Young award winner Blake Snell, the Rays don't have the money or the market that heavyweights Boston and New York do. To compensate, smarter moves have to be made, or the Rays will be a 3rd place team forever.

4th Place; Toronto Blue Jays

Franchise player and 2015 AL MVP award winner, Josh Donaldson, is gone. Troy Tulowitzki was released after an injury-plagued few seasons north of the border. Roberto Osuna is now a member of the Houston Astros. 

Clearly, the Blue Jays team that made the ALCS 2 years in a row is no more. Therefore, it's time to completely start over and rebuild. The only problem is, that rebuild won't be ready until at least 2020 when Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. are playing full-time. 

Until then, Canada's only Baseball team will have to struggle through 2019 with hopes of rising to the top of the AL East in years to come.

5th Place; Baltimore Orioles

I can't foresee it getting much worse for the Baltimore Orioles team that lost 115 games in 2018, but I also can't imagine things getting all that much better. With a first-year manager at the helm and their starting lineup being weaker than its been in over a decade, I wouldn't expect the Orioles to rise out of the cellar of the AL East.

Trey Mancini, a finalist for 2017 AL Rookie of the Year, provides some hope for an Orioles team that has seen Manny Machado, Zach Britton, Jonathan Schoop traded. They're grossly overpaying Chris Davis and Alex Cobb while still not having that 1 franchise player they so desperately need.

Considering that their farm system doesn't appear to have that impact player either, expect the Orioles to struggle for years to come, not just in 2019.

My World Series Set Has Arrived

After nearly 2 months of waiting, my Red Sox World Series set from Topps NOW finally arrived in the mail today, providing me with a belated holiday gift that I've been anticipating since the Sox took home the World Series title 2 months ago to this day.

The day after the Fall Classic was won, I claimed one of the exclusive 20-card sets from Topps that includes a bonus autograph of 1 player out of a list of about 10. In addition to the base form of the autographs, there are parallels as well, though I'm not sure what colors or numberings they have.

Considering it took Topps 2 months to deliver the set, I expected top-quality cards with the same cardstock that we've become accustomed to in the Topps NOW brand. That includes the smooth and spotless front with the Topps holo logo on the back in addition to the higher-quality cardstock used for the online-exclusive set. 

When I opened up the set, I'm pleased to say that the quality of cards lived up to my standards. What I found in the box was an impressive stack of cards made to look just like regular Topps NOW cards. Only this time, it's a full set commemorating the 2018 World Champion Boston Red Sox.

The 1st card of the set is at the top of the post, featuring the now iconic image of Chris Sale and Christian Vazquez celebrating the World Series win with David Price being the next one to the mound. This card serves to commence the rest of the set which includes individual cards for the major contributors to the historic team.

It makes sense for Mookie Betts to be the first player included in the set after the team card at spot #1. Even before the playoffs began, it seemed fairly certain that Mookie would take home the AL MVP award. Immediately, I took notice that every picture included in the set was taken at one of the World Series games, a detail I certainly appreciate.

Another Rafael Devers rookie card is now mine thanks to the exclusive World Series set. He may have dealt with injuries and not been as consistent in 2018 as he would've liked, but Devers remained a key member of the championship-winning team from start to finish. At the age of 21, he's already a World Series champion.

Though I've purchased a couple Topps NOW cards in 2018, I have yet to comment on the set design since the product is less about design and more about the event or moment it's commemorating. The set is fairly basic with nothing too special going on. I would like a bit more of an interesting set for 2019 Topps NOW, but the issue is far from pressing.

One of the things that excited me the most about this set when I ordered it was knowing that each card would have a little blurb of information about each player and his role on the World Series team. I was eager to see what Topps has to say about key performers in the series such as David Price and Steve Pearce.

However, I quickly learned that this was not the case but, in fact, every card had the same exact text on the card back, a quick recap of the World Series in just 3 sentences. I won't lie, I was very disappointed by Topps' decision not to go more in-depth with the product. 

While it's not a big enough reason for me to dislike the set, you'd think there would be unique writing on each card because of the price of this set and other Topps NOW products.

With that being said, I can't be too upset about Topps decision, for there's nothing I can do now anyway. As soon as I noticed the repetition on the card backs, I glanced at this Chris Sale card taken right when the Red Sox sealed their Fall Classic victory. 

Suddenly, I have zero room to complain about card backs.

The trade deadline acquisition of Ian Kinsler back in late July didn't really make much sense given the plethora of utility infielders like Brock Holt and Eduardo Nunez. It seemed a given that Kinsler would go elsewhere in the offseason, and that's exactly what he did when he signed with the San Diego Padres for 2 years and $8 million dollars.

30-year old Rick Porcello will be entering the final season of his contract in 2019, and Boston will have to decide whether or not to bring him back. It's uncertain what he'll be asking for, but despite his inconsistencies, he's been a solid starter in the rotation and even a Cy Young award winner with the Red Sox. It would be wise to resign Porcello after the 2019 season.

Brock Holt, unbelievably, hit the 1st ever postseason cycle in MLB history in the ALDS against the Yankees, certifying him as a postseason hero for the Red Sox on route to their World Series title. Even with Dustin Pedroia expected to be healthy and Eduardo Nunez returning in 2019, I expect "Brockstar" to retain his role as the super utility player that he is.

After the Red Sox took home the World Series title, it became clear that maintaining their championship-winning roster for years to come would be difficult with players like Chris Sale and Mookie Betts hitting free agency in the coming years. 

Another key talent who the Sox will have to lock up sooner rather than later is their Gold Glove centerfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. who has 2 years of arbitration before becoming an unrestricted free agent after the 2020 season.

After setting career highs in doubles, home runs, and RBI in the 2018 season, Xander Bogaerts proved that he can be an All-Star caliber shortstop for years to come. I've always thought of him as an underrated defensive player, and I wouldn't be shocked to see him win a Gold Glove or 2 at some point in his career.

The catching situation for the Red Sox is my only major concern going into the 2019 season. A trade for Blake Swihart seems inevitable and frankly should've happened years ago when his stock was higher and they could've gotten more for him. Both Sandy Leon and Christian Vazquez struggled in 2018, but I have slightly more hope in the latter if he can stay healthy and solid defensively.

Don't be too shocked to see Craig Kimbrel return to the Boston Red Sox if the 2 sides are willing to compromise on the contract length and of course, the money that the 7-time All-Star will receive. Kimbrel had a legendary 2017 season with the Red Sox and has proven to be formidable. Even if he has his share of struggles, he's easily one of the best relievers in all of Baseball and someone who Boston needs to return.

He may have already signed with the Dodgers, but Joe Kelly will forever be a Red Sox fan favorite, especially after his fight with Yankees infielder Tyler Austin. I fondly remember being at that memorable game when Austin and Kelly began a benches-clearing brawl between the 2 clubs. In addition to his presence in the clubhouse, Kelly's departure leaves a major void in the bullpen.

With 1 player and a couple other cards yet to come in the set, I'd like to point out how well Topps did in terms of choosing the right players to be included in the set. Each player included in the set contributed heavily, in the World Series especially, to the success and World Series title that the Red Sox obtained this year. Seriously, hats off to Topps for the job that they did.

Eovaldi was quickly resigned to a 4-year deal worth just north of $65 million dollars, and I could not be more stoked about it. The trade that Dombrowski made for him at the deadline was one of the smartest trade deadlines trades in Baseball over the last decade along with Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs in 2016. 

The final 3 cards of the set are celebrating cards taken a short time after the World Series came to an end. The cards include a nice variety of images, from Mookie Betts celebrating with champagne showering over him to rookie manager Alex Cora holding up the Commissioner's trophy after the Red Sox were officially crowned the champions of Baseball for 2018.

Wow, that sure is a lot, but I'm not quite done yet. I previously mentioned that 1 autograph from a member of the World Series team would be included with this purchase. Without any further adieu, here's who I pulled.

I have to say, Ian Kinsler would've been my last choice out of everyone on the checklist simply because he wasn't as much of a key contributor to the teams' success as opposed to everyone else. With that being said, I'm a big fan of the way the card is presented, incased with the Topps NOW sticker at the top. Similar to the card backs, it's not something that's going to ruin the whole set for me.

Plus, the card is a blue parallel numbered 3/49, a nice surprise because of how little I know about the set and all the parallels within it. Kinsler may not have been my first choice, but the low numbering and the way the card is packaged makes up for it in some way or another.

Now that I have this set in-hand, it's about time to look ahead to the 2019 season and what that will bring. It's incredibly difficult to win a World Series, but repeating hasn't even happened since the Yankees 3-peated from 1998-2000. 

With the entire 2018 calendar year almost done, it's about time to see what 2019 will bring, for Baseball and beyond.

2018 Card of the Year

As if I could go with any other card but this one for my entry on Waiting 'til Next Year's annual card of the year contest. I mean, the Red Sox won the World Series, something that still seems so incredibly surreal. How could I go with any other option?

To be fair, I thought long and hard about what else I could do for my 2nd ever entry in this contest. Last year, the card of choice was a 2017 Topps Stadium Club Brooks Robinson, likely the greatest Stadium Club card I have ever seen in my life. 

This time around, Stadium Club didn't deliver quite as memorable cards, and while I certainly had other options, I went for the Topps Now card commemorating the Red Sox's World Series win instead.

Even as I write this post, I become increasingly skeptical about if I made the right choice or not. I hit some amazing cards out of 2018 Topps Chrome that I could've gone with, this years' Archives was loaded with options, and I still have yet to open any of Topps Gallery.

But what I've come to realize is that those sets will be back again next year. Stadium Club, Allen & Ginter, Archives, Gallery, and all the other sets that have become my favorites over the last few years will return in 2019 barring any unforeseen circumstances. 

Unlike all those products, we don't know when the next Red Sox World Series championship will come. It could be as soon as next year or Red Sox fans could end up suffering through another 86 year drought before a title is brought back to Boston.

That's what makes this card so special. It symbolizes an accomplishment that doesn't come along too often. No matter what happens this offseason or next year or even 50 years into the future, the Boston Red Sox won the 2018 World Series.

A card commemorating that feat is certainly one deserving of the title; card of the year.

I May Have a New Favorite Card in my Collection

The day after the Boston Red Sox won the 2018 World Series, I scanned the Topps website, specifically the Topps Now section, to take a look at what particular special cards they had made available to commemorate that event.

What I didn't expect was the sheer number of Topps Now cards, autographs, relics, and parallels available of World Series heroes such as David Price and Steve Pearce. However, most of them including a $3,000 dual 1/1 autograph of Chris Sale and David Price, were way out of my price range.

What wasn't unreasonable to spend was the standard cost of a Topps Now card to commemorate one of the greatest moments in Red Sox history. Though there were actually multiple cards made for this game, I made the decision to simply go for one of them. You'll see why in a couple of days. As for the card of choice, that wasn't a decision I had to think about for very long.

Sure, Game 5 heroes were represented with their own cards by Topps the day the Sox won it all, but there's not a single card I'd rather have besides the one that commemorates, well, the actual World Series win. Plus, I'll probably pick up some other Game 5 cards, possibly of Mookie Betts' homer and the clinching moment with Chris Sale and Christian Vazquez.

The front is all about the celebration that we get to see just 1 team have each and every year. The celebration photo was taken right after they clinched the World Series title as players begin running from the dugout and bullpens for quite possibly the greatest moment in some of their careers.

On the flip side, the actual World Series trophy makes an appearance on the back of the card. Swarming around the trophy are members of the team, already wearing 2018 World Champions hats and shirts. Most every hand in the photo is touching the trophy except for one on the right, likely Rafael Devers, making a "#1" with his left hand.

And with this moment, the season came to an end, history was made, and another banner rose (not yet but soon) for another fabulous city. Each year, one team gets this privilege above all the others, and when you truly think about the magic behind championships, you uncover the beauty of sports.

I Still Have No Words

The Boston Red Sox just won the World Series. I don't think I've ever been happier to write a sentence before in my life than I was just now. I have no words, truly none.

By the time the game ended last night, it was far too late for my brain to work and write up a post, but I went to bed with the best feeling in the world other than the fact that my neighbors probably heard my screams of joy as Chris Sale struck out the always classy Manny Machado for the final out of the game.

I've spent the whole entire day pondering these feelings. Remembering the events of this historic fan, I finally realized how dedicated of a fan I was, watching countless games unfold. However, I wasn't quite as dedicated as a couple people I talked to today who said they made the journey to the Red Sox team store in Boston at 12:00 am for Red Sox World Series apparel. 

Now that's dedication.

I knew this team was special ever since Eduardo Nunez (who wasted no time in picking up his player option today) hit an inside-the-park home run on Opening Day in Tampa Bay. Ever since each and every member of this team has impressed me on numerous occasions with 2 of them being frontrunners for AL MVP. 

It was either Dave Dombrowski or Alex Cora who called this team the best Red Sox team ever. Truly a bold statement, but one that's very hard to disagree with. As a fan, it's been a long time since I've seen a team this good, and I'm honestly still in shock about the whole thing.

Due to Craig Kimbrel's struggles with his pitch count in the playoffs this far, I can't say it shocked me to see Chris Sale on the mound in the bottom of the 9th. A last minute decision to switch the starters proved to be a genius move as David Price was nothing short of magnificent and Chris Sale was lights out for those last 3 Dodgers hitters.

However, it's important for me to give recognition to the Dodgers for another outstanding season. From what I've seen from this team throughout 2018, they were truly the best out of the National League with an excellent balance of veterans and stars. With Corey Seager set to return in 2019 after missing nearly all of this year and Walker Buehler being the phenom he is, it wouldn't shock me to see the Dodgers back in the Fall Classic in 2019.

Seriously, if you haven't seen Walker Buehler pitch yet, you're missing out. He is an absolute flamethrower on the mound at the age of just 24. He's definitely a huge part of LA's future.

Don't let this shiny new trophy distract, the Red Sox are about to embark on an offseason that could change up their team, big time. For starters, their closer Craig Kimbrel is a free agent and although he wasn't as sharp in 2018, he's fundamental for their team. Next up is Joe Kelly, also a free agent, and his 100 mph fastball out of the bullpen has been very underappreciated all season.

Our midseason acquisitions, Nathan Eovaldi and World Series MVP Steve Pearce are also free agents, and the postseason helped give them more recognition for their respective abilities. I'm praying that Boston is able to re-sign both of them back given what they've done for the team since joining in July.

Oh, and last night's hero, David Price, has an opt-out after this year. Although he stated a month or so ago that he has no intentions of leaving, you never know when it comes to baseball.

But for now, I have no worries. There's nothing that can distract me from the pure joy I'm feeling right now.

The Red Sox are World Champions, and that's all that needs to be said right now.