Preview/Prediction

The Los Angeles Angels have dominated the American League West recently, winning five of the last six division titles. Last year their 97-65 mark netted manager Mike Scioscia his second AL Manager of the Year award.

There has been a lot of turnover for this team heading into 2010, so can he keep the Angels winning? Let's take a look at the team and their season win total projections.

Pitching

Last year the Kansas City Royals were the surprise of April. The team jumped out to an 18-11 start and led the American League Central by 3 games. The Royals then had some injury problems and faltered for the rest of the way, never contending after June 1st.

Kansas City hasn't been to the post-season since 1985 and has lost at least 93 games in seven of their last nine seasons. Let's take a look at who they have this year and what their win total is projected to be.

Pitching

If you are looking for a top heavy division in sports, this is it. The NL Central is the exact opposite of its counterpart in the American League. This year, you have got two great teams in the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs, while you have four clubs that will be irrelevant by early May.

St. Louis Cardinals:

A baseball season is a marathon, not a sprint.

Seven months from now, the Boston Red Sox will realize the truth in that cliché as they watch the MLB postseason from home.

At times, the Sox will look unstoppable this season—just like they did last year. But in the end, Boston will not make the playoffs.

Justin Upton has the all the makings of the next great baseball star. He plays right field for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He's only 22 years old, but plays the game like a 30-year-old.

Upton, my early pick for 2010 National League Most Valuable Player, has baseball in his genes. His brother, B.J., currently plays for the Tampa Bay Rays. The Upton brothers were both first-round picks (B.J. 2nd overall in 2002, and Justin 1st overall in 2005).  And since his major league debut in 2007, Justin has appeared to overshadow his older brother.

Every year as a Phillies fan, I’ve grown accustomed to saying “wait until next year.”

Next year we’ll pick up a big-name player in free agency. We’ll overtake the Braves or Mets in the division race. We’ll get a couple of good breaks, stay healthy all season, and win it all.

Guess what?

It happened.

The greatest time of the year is upon us. As the weather warms up, so does that spot in our heart for baseball. Spring training is underway!

30 MLB teams now play their preseason games knowing that in under two weeks, it finally counts again.

So if your favorite team's dreams were crushed last season, you once again have reason to hope. Embrace this chance because, come October, you may just have to wait another year.

Coming into this evening, Jason Heyward was leading all players in walks (nine) along with car damaging home runs (two) during batting practice. 

At 6'5" and 250 lbs, it is clear that Heyward would pack a great deal of power in his swing. What is not so clear, is that he has the ability to wait and his game plan at the plate is similar to that of a ten-year veteran's.

The talk of the mammoth blasts are just starting, but as a Braves blogger what you have to be most impressed with is his knack for letting pitches go. 

Just two years ago Corey Hart was an All-Star and the most popular Brewer player behind Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun.

Hart has proven how quickly things can change in baseball.

Entering the 2010 season, Hart is coming off an injury filled season that saw a significant dip in most offensive categories. He's also had his battles in the media, criticizing the fan base several times.

Hart made the All-Star game in 2008 as the final member thanks to the fan vote.

Jason Gentile is like many high school students in the United States. He plays video games, religiously follows the Mets, and enjoys spending time with his family.

But unlike most kids, Jason can launch 500-foot-plus home runs.

The 5’10” shortstop from Stamford, Connecticut is a hidden gem in high school baseball prospects.