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in game one of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 9, 2015 in Los Angeles, California.

Three 2015 Postseason teams that might not make it back in 2016

Looking ahead to the approaching season, the National League is filled with teams that should compete for a Postseason spot. Problem is, they won’t all make it. As a result, a few teams that made it to October a season ago have a decent chance of winding up on the outside looking in. Here are two National League teams […]

BOSTON, MA – AUGUST 18: Michael Brantley #23 of the Cleveland Indians rounds the bases after he hit a home run against the Boston Red Sox running in the seventh inning at Fenway Park on August 18, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Michael Brantley’s potential early return could benefit the Indians

Michael Brantley played most of the 2015 with a sore back and after injuring it further on a dive late in the season, he ultimately had to have arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder. Because he played through the end of the season, then tried to rehab the injury for a month after, he didn’t have […]

2016 season preview: Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves were not good in 2015. In fact, they were awful. The Braves unloaded plenty of star players last offseason, a trend that continued into the season and once again during this offseason. But with the team’s young talent getting closer and closer to the majors, will 2016 result in more misery or […]

during a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona.

Biggest injuries to keep an eye on this season

Every offseason, rosters are tweaked and projected lineups and pitching staffs are set by clubs in hopes of having enough ‘depth’. Depth is what leads teams deep into October (see: Giants of 2010, 2012, and 2014 and Royals of 2014 and 2015), as the ability to overcome injuries to key players is key. Heading into […]

PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 04: Maikel Franco #7 of the Philadelphia Phillies is congratulated by teammates and coaches after hitting a grand slam in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park on August 4, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)

2016 season preview: Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies didn’t pretend they were contenders going into the 2015 season, and while that led them to the worst record in baseball, it also led them to dealing away pretty much every veteran asset they had left, barring Ryan Howard and Carlos Ruiz. Out from the burden of nearly every large contract that […]

TORONTO, CANADA – OCTOBER 8: Troy Tulowitzki #2 of the Toronto Blue Jays and Edwin Encarnacion #10 and Jose Bautista #19 and Josh Donaldson #20 stand for the playing of the Canadian anthem during lineup introductions before the start of action against the Texas Rangers in Game One of the American League Division Series during the 2015 MLB Playoffs at Rogers Centre on October 8, 2015 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

2016 season preview: Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays had a season to remember in 2015. The club went on a post-trade deadline hot streak and rode it all the way to 93 wins and the ALCS. Despite front office turnover in the offseason, the club, which featured the most fearsome lineup in baseball largely remains intact. Toronto is not only […]

2016 season preview: New York Yankees

The New York Yankees are baseball’s big spenders no more. Or at least they haven’t been in recent years. A lot of people think they’re saving their money for what should be a ridiculously loaded 2018 free agent class. Even if that’s the case, it does nothing to help them in 2016. For this season, […]

TAMPA FL- MARCH 2: Detroit Tigers Bryan Holaday #50 hits a second inning grand slam during the Spring Training Game against the New York Yankees at George Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

Spring Training heroes and zeroes

There are few things repeated more often during March than that the stats don’t matter. You need go no further than to look at the future Hall of Famer Kendall Graveman and the illustrius superstar Taijuan Walker’s numbers from last year. The two Cactus League pitchers allowed a total of three runs combined while throwing […]

BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 15: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates with Adam Jones after hitting a home run in the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 15, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

2016 season preview: Baltimore Orioles

I don’t think anyone would suggest the Baltimore Orioles “won” the offseason, but they certainly spent money like that was their goal. The only problem is the majority of that money went to keeping last year’s 81-81 team intact. They brought back reliever Darren O’Day, catcher Matt Wieters, and first baseman Chris Davis. But they […]

HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 20: Chris Archer #22 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates with his catcher Rene Rivera #44 after his one-hit complete game shutout as the Rays defeated the Houston Astros 1-0 at Minute Maid Park on August 20, 2015 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

2016 season preview: Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays just couldn’t put it together in 2015. The team scuffled their way to an 80-82 record, just six games out of a playoff berth, but they were part of a quagmire in the middle of the American League standings. Injuries also played a huge role in Tampa Bay’s struggles – only […]

CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 2: Xander Bogaerts #2 celebrates with David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox after Ortiz hit a two run home run during the fourth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on October 2, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

2016 season preview: Boston Red Sox

A last-place finish in the AL East is not what was expected from the Boston Red Sox. Not after signing Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval to provide a free-agent jolt to the offense and trading for Rick Porcello to fortify the starting rotation. But an underwhelming pitching staff, in addition to subpar production from those […]

ST. LOUIS, MO – MAY 20: Pitcher Adam Wainwright #50 of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrates with catcher Yadier Molina #4 after throwing a one-hit complete game shutout against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Busch Stadium on May 20, 2014 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Cardinals won 5-0. (Photo by Jeff Curry/Getty Images)

2016 season preview: St. Louis Cardinals

As many of their fans would be the first to tell you, the St. Louis Cardinals have been the toast of the National League Central over the past three years. They’ve taken three consecutive division titles and have appeared in the Postseason in five straight seasons. But with the Pittsburgh Pirates continuing to nip at […]

DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 22: Outfielders Andrew McCutchen #22, Starling Marte #6 and Gregory Polanco #25 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrate their victory over the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on September 22, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. The Pirates defeated the Rockies 6-3. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

2016 season preview: Pittsburgh Pirates

For a team that went 20 years without a winning record, you would think the last couple years would have been very rewarding for the Pittsburgh Pirates. However, the novelty of winning baseball games (98 wins in ’15) can only take you so far and eventually you have to make it happen in the playoffs. The […]

MESA, AZ – MARCH 4: Jason Heyward #22 of the Chicago Cubs bats looks on a spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Sloan Park on March 4, 2016 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Images)

2016 season preview: Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs finally saw returns on their rebuild in a big way last season, as the club won 97 games and made it to the NLCS, only to get swept by the New York Mets. The progress the Cubs made over the last three seasons has been outstanding, and it must feel great to […]

CLEVELAND, OH – AUGUST 26: Catcher Jonathan Lucroy #20 of the Milwaukee Brewers talks with starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson #52 of the Milwaukee Brewers during the third inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on August 26, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

2016 season preview: Milwaukee Brewers

The bottom fell out for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2015 after they surprisingly contended in the NL Central in 2014. Having to contend with the Cardinals, Cubs, and Pirates in their division is a tough enough task, but doing it with one of the worst farm systems in baseball *and* an aging, mediocre roster? Please. […]

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