The Latest News With MLB
The off-season move of power-hitting outfielder Bryce Harper from the Washington Nationals to the Philadelphia Phillies set the stage for the National League East to be a focal point when the Major League Baseball season opens on Thursday (notwithstanding the two games already played by the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics in Tokyo).
The Atlanta Braves, after years of rebuilding, won the NL East last year. The Nationals, missing Harper most of the early part of the season, barely topped .500 (82-80). And the Phillies, under micro-managing manager Gabe Kaper, fell apart in September to finish third at 80-82.
The Braves seem to have less quality pitching going forward and don’t appear in many of the experts’ picks as a likely repeater. The attention is being paid to the Phillies and Nationals.
The Phillies have missed the playoffs for seven straight years and loaded up their roster so as not to make it eight. Harper, outfielder Andrew McCutchen, catcher J.T. Realmuto, shortstop Jean Segura and reliever David Robertson give the team a new look and a much better chance to win consistently.
The Nationals can fill out their outfield with youngsters Victor Robles and Juan Soto, but their strength will likely be pitching – Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg will again anchor the starters.
The Braves can contend and the pitching-rich New York Mets should improve as well. The Miami Marlins, who redefine hopelessness with every move, had a very good spring but will find themselves in their familiar last-place home before long.
Rivalries are good for the sport and Phillies-Nationals should be a boost. The teams are a short drive or train ride away, meaning visiting fans can easily travel to see their team (and in Philly be abused horribly by the locals).
Play ball!
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman
-
Correa joined the Mets with a $315 million contract. Recently, baseball player Carlos Correa announced that he had cut...
-
Oklahoma and Texas will depart from the college sports conference at the end of the season. The Big 12...
-
Robert Kraft wants to re-sign Brady just long enough that he can retire as a Patriot. Earlier this week,...
-
The skilled third-baseman will be enshrined in Cooperstown. Scott Rolen is one of the most skilled and recognized third-basemen...
-
Brady’s 23rd football season has ended. On Monday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Dallas Cowboys went head-to-head for...
-
Smith has been fired after one season with the team. Over the weekend, the owners of the Houston Texans...
-
Pelé passed due to complications related to colon cancer. On Thursday night, the sporting world received unfortunate news: Pelé,...
-
His return heralded a victory over the Phoenix Suns. On Sunday, Houston Rockets coach Stephen Silas needed to take...
-
Mayfield will be available on waiver to other NFL teams. After an underwhelming performance in his current role as...
-
Mike White led the team to a decisive victory over the Bears over the weekend. On Saturday, the New...
-
The game has been moved out of New York due to an encroaching snowstorm. This weekend, the Buffalo Bills...
-
Negative pushback prompted the team to give the role to someone else. Recently, the Brooklyn Nets have been in...