Expert Baseball Techniques Used By The Pros

By Brian Derflinger

Anybody who plays or coaches baseball has to be knowledgeable about various tactics for different points of the game. Even though it is very crucial that team players are drilled on physical aspects of the game, it is also very important that they are prepared for all things. Also, it is a necessity that good teamwork and communication is used during the entirety of the game. The purpose of this article is to show baseball tactics that will help you be a winning team.

Most times the whole goal of the defensive team is to stop runs. This can be an important time, like when the possible winning run is on third or second base and this run would win the whole game. However, even if the whole game does not depend on that run, you still should have a way to stop them from occurring when you are in the field. One such strategy to try is to keep the infield in place when there is a run on third base. If a ground ball goes into the direction of the infield, the players there can throw the ball to the home plate to stop a runner there, instead of trying to get an out at first base. Quite naturally, you will see a lot of risk associated with this technique. This means that there is a large probability the balls will go over the heads of the infielders.

Even there are some batters that are more talented than others when hitting the ball, the best method for improving these skills is to practice. Almost anybody from a child to an adult will discover how practical a batting tee can be. This is a tool that can be utilized during the offseason just like the normal baseball season. So it can help hitters to practice and their swing for the entire year. Even when you practice swinging at the ball in air will help you if you really can visualize striking the ball. Coaches should also try monitor every batter very closely and see if there are things that need to be improved. This is because a few hitters should chance the way they stand or grip the bat.

Players communicating with one another can make a big difference during a game. This is really true when it comes to players in the outfield. This is when it is unclear as to who should catch the ball. If players do not talk to each other, there will be problems or run ins in the outfield. The center fielder commands the most attention. So, the left and right field players should not stampede into this territory. Players should always yell when they are going for the ball. When a player calls the ball, the other players should not get in his way.

As this article proves, being a pro baseball player means that you have to work together as team, along with other things. It is good to learn from both the good and bad things that have been. So coaches should speak about the games with errors as a way to teach and motivate players for the next time and not to punish them. Even though the main focus of baseball is to have plenty of fun, no will say that they like to lose more than win.

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Advanced Baseball Principles Every Player Should Be Familiar

By Richard Horowitz

As a player or coach in baseball, the more that you are knowledgeable about, the more control you will have in any situation that comes along. Physical skills and methodology are the two aspects of baseball. They are both just as important. The team has to practice how to hit an play each of their positions. But, they must always know what needs to done and how to prioritize at all times. Let us discuss a few advanced baseball principles that everybody on the team should be familiar with.

When a batter steps up to plate, what has to be done depends on that moment in time. The runner who is always trying to grandstand and hit a home run is not helping the team if the team's goal is just to get a particular player from one base to the other. This is why it is important for each team player to understand how to bunt and accept a called ball if only a walk is necessary. A lot of times there are players who have problems following this rule because they are more concerned with personal glory and not the well being of the team. It is important that coaches and managers make players understand that the team is the first priority and personal fame is an afterthought.

All players should be knowledgeable about the tagging up practice. If there are existing players on base and there are less than two outs, a runner can touch the base or run on to the next base when the ball is caught. It is imperative that you realize that the player cannot begin his run until the ball has actually been caught by the other team member. This tricky maneuver is many times attempted when the player is on third base and the ball is extremely deep in the outfield. This can bring about a winning run. Whereas the player in the outfield could have a good arm, which means the runner had better be very fast in order to get to home plate.

When a batter steps up to the plate he can think about where he is going to hit the ball so that it can help his teammates get base runs. For instance, if the is a runner on the first base, then the batter should hit the ball into the right side of the field. This means that the runner has a higher probability of getting to the third base. The player in the right field would have to throw the ball further than the player in the right field to reach third base if the ball was knocked into the left field. You might also know this play as hitting behind the runner. It is a situation that you should not forget when you are a batter at home plate.

There is more to being a baseball expert than just memorizing a few key plays. You must know how to utilize the strengths of each team member and be able to deal with any weaknesses. In addition to practice that builds upon skills, the players have to talk about the bad and good things of each game. These are just some of the suggestions for making a team or player better. The information that you have about baseball, the more you will understand it and get more satisfaction from it.

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Tips To Play Baseball Like A Professional

By Larry Oaks

It does not matter if you are a baseball player, coach or parent, there is so much to know about this sport. Baseball has numerous types of elements. There are plenty of varied ways to hit, pitch and field. Both physical and mental aspects exists for this game. In this article, we will discuss some more advanced baseball tips that will put you and your team ahead of the game.

One of the difficult parts of any sport that is played during a particular season is trying to stay fit for the year. If players start the baseball season out of shape, it will be very difficult for them to perform physically or mentally. This is why taking part in physical fitness programs and doing practice drills is very important for the whole year. Pitchers should do skills throwing the ball. Batters should practice their swing. This way, when the season first begins, players will be available to give their best performance and will not begin from scratch.

One of the most interesting facts about baseball is that when the batter comes to the plate he has to think about so many different things. In addition to the score, how many runners on base and how many outs, there are tons of numbers that batters have to take into consideration. When you first arrive at the plate, you have the option to select your pitches. If you become behind in scoring, your most important task is to focus on hitting the ball and not getting struck out. If you are winning the game, you can be selective and try to get the pitches that will get you a walk. The key item is that hitters always have to take the counts into consideration.

Players in the outfield have to be knowledgeable about what is taking place in the game and know priorities at all times. Simply put, your job is to catch the balls that come in your area. But it is also important that you know where to throw the ball once you get it. It is very common for players in the outfield to throw to the wrong base. This can be a very costly mistake. Basically, you must throw the ball to hinder a running score or to hinder a runner from getting into a good running position. This generally means to throw the ball to the base to get there before the runner does. So if the batter hits the ball and is on base, you should throw the ball to second base before he gets there.

In conclusion, baseball can be a complicated game. In order for the team to perform well, all players must be aware of what has to be accomplished at all points in the game. This means that team members should do the practice drills that will make them perform better and be more alert. The suggestions that we have given should help you and your team mates play like professional ball players.

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Get The Gear That Can Make Rather Than Break Your Baseball Game

By Edward French

Baseball gear comes in many forms, and what is needed varies a lot from one player to the next. It's first necessary to analyze the rules of your particular league or team and then the position to be played before you buy anything. There are however some generalizations you can make and we'll look at those here.

The whole game of baseball revolves around one object -the baseball itself. Baseballs don't have a very long lifespan. In a typical major league game, for example, a few dozen baseballs are used. It's always a good idea to have several extras on hand since they can be easily damaged by a hard swing or perhaps lost in a number of ways. Besides games and practices you'll want to have extra balls for practicing on your own. It's not important to have major league quality for practicing with but they should still be of good quality synthetic or leather materials.

You've probably heard that the catcher has the hardest job of all positions in baseball right? If you are the catcher you spend a good amount of time crouching behind the plate and risking getting hit with the bat or catching fast balls headed your way at high speeds. Catchers should have a shin guard, chest protector and cup, because you never know when you'll be hit by a wayward ball or even the tip of a bat. You will of course want your protective gear to fit properly since you'll be wearing it for long periods of time.

If you hold the position of pitcher you may need a pitching target for extra practice. This is a simple device that will improve your aim and style when you don't have a practice partner to work with. Rawlings, for example, makes a device called the Comeback, which is useful for practicing fielding as well as pitching. The angle can be adjusted to practice catching fly balls or grounders. This type of device is useful, then, for infielders, outfielders and pitchers alike. You will find that having the right equipment of your own will make increasing your skill set easier for you.

Baseball gear, as we've seen in this article, comes in many forms, and it's important that you find equipment that's right for you. Sometimes, as with gloves, you may have to experiment a little before you find the style that suits you best. Playing multiple positions will mean owning more than one type of gear. Use the above information as a guideline when shopping for baseball gear.

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Baseball Hitting Instruction on Staying Calm

By Jeff Wise

To be an excellent baseball player, you must be taught all the great baseball hitting instruction tips. One that is very important to learn and put into practice is to stay calm and focused while in the batter's box. This simple tip will really determine if you are a successful hitter or not.

Hitting is 50 percent mental, according to Ted Williams, the Hall of Fame legend. If you can't focus on the game mentally then you won't be able to get good hits and your batting average will suffer.

All players can understand the importance of being in the game mentally. Those who have experienced mental slumps know how they can affect a player's ability to hit. Even professionals experience this occasionally and it can lead to more strikeouts, ground outs or pop outs.

But if you get in one of these slumps, all hope is not lost. You will come out of the slump and make some great hits. If you find yourself in a slump, evaluate what has happened. Did the umpire make a bad call? Is the crowd a distraction? Are you thinking about personal things instead?

Whatever the case may be, you must regain focus as soon as possible. Do your best to ignore everything around you. Concentrate on the pitcher and the ball. Relax at the plate because tension can hurt your ability to hit. At the same time, be aggressive and confident in your abilities.

To be a good baseball hitter, you have to be calm and patient. Wait for a good pitch and don't get too anxious. Even if you have two strikes, you still have a chance to get on base. And if you strike out, just shake it off and hustle back to the dugout. You'll have another chance to make a hit soon.

The times I hit the best were when I was able to get in a mental zone. Once I stepped up the batter's box and glanced at the third base coach for signs, my focus was on nothing but the pitcher. It was just he and I and nothing else mattered. This intense focus always helped during games.

If you want to be a great player, take this baseball hitting instruction tip to heart. It will most definitely make you a better hitter. Your batting averages will improve and you'll have more fun playing. The most important aspect about baseball is to have fun and not let things bother you.

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Teaching Baseball Hitting Hoping to discover ways to get better at baseball hitting? Then take a look at www.BaseballHittingTipsOnline.com to learn more and download lots of FREE baseball bat resources. Baseball Hitting Fundamentals

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Suggestions to Play Baseball Like an Expert

By Jim Freeman

Anyone who plays or coaches baseball has to know different techniques that can be used at different times of the game. Although it is very important for players to practice the physical skills to improve performance, it is also imperative that they know how to handle different situations. Also it is important that good teamwork and communication are used throughout the game. The focus of this article will be to talk about baseball tactics that will make you a winner.

A great deal of posts that I've lately written have already been about sports. This report another and a nice follow-up to the article about how to increase vertical.

The double play is always an exciting possibility, and while major leaguers can make it look easy, it can be quite difficult for less experienced players to master. To prepare for the double play, which means a runner is on first, the first and third basemen remain where they normally are. The second baseman and shortstop, on the other hand, both move closer to the second base than normally. This is because if a ground ball comes to either of them, the other one can handle second base and then throw to the first base to finish the double play. This is a play that should be done all of the time during practice. One practice everyone should be familiar with is tagging up. If there are players on the base and less than two outs, a runner can tag up or run on to the next base once a ball is caught. It's important to remember that you can't start running until the ball is actually caught. This tricky maneuver is many times attempted when the player is on third base and the ball is extremely deep in the outfield. This can score a run. But then again, the player in the outfield could be a good thrower, which means the man on third base had be a pretty fast runner if he wants to get to the home plate.

Players in the outfield have to be knowledgeable about what is taking place in the game and know priorities at all times. Simply put, your job is to catch all balls that come in your section of the outfield. But it is also essential that you know where the ball should be thrown once it comes to you. It is very normal for players in the outfield to throw the ball to the incorrect base. This can be an error that costs the game.

When a batter steps up to the plate he can think about where he is going to hit the ball so that it can help his teammates get base runs. For example, if there is a runner on the first base, the batter can attempt to hit the ball into the right field, which is on the other side. This means that the runner has a higher probability of getting to the third base. The right fielder has a longer throw to third base than the left fielder would have if the ball was hit into left field. Others might recognize this scenario as hitting behind the runner. It is a situation that you should not forget when you are a batter at home plate. To be an expert baseball player, you have to do more than memorize some strategies. You must be able to leverage the strengths of each team member and compensate for any problems. In addition to practice that builds upon skills, the players have to talk about the bad and good things of each game. These are just a few tips for improving a team or player. The more you know about baseball, the better you will get and enjoy it more.

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Baseball Hitting Tips and the Mission

By Jeff Wise

Each time a baseball player steps into the batter's box, they should know their mission. Just like all other baseball hitting tips, this one is really important to be a successful hitter and to help your team win more games.

The mission varies with the situation. If there are no players on base, then it's a free for all. You can hit whatever you want and strive to get on a base. But, if a fellow teammate is on a base, you will have a specific mission to accomplish. The mission should always be geared to help the team. Make sure you're thinking of the team instead of just what's best for you.

Ask yourself several questions before stepping up to the plate. Do you need to hit a sacrifice bunt? Do you need to bring a runner home? How about just move a runner from first to second base? If you can't answer these questions, seek your coach's advice.

To become good at knowing the mission requires lots of practice and experience. In addition to personal practice, watch your teammates to see what they do in certain situations. You can always learn from more experienced players.

By studying you will also have an edge on the pitcher. You'll be able to recognize the pitches that are thrown and act accordingly. To be able to recognize the difference between a strike and a ball is a great advantage. The pitcher will know that he can only throw good pitches or else you will walk.

More practice will also help you make more contact with the ball. And more contact means fewer outs and better stats. That doesn't mean you'll never strike out. Everyone strikes out and when it happens try not to let it bother you. Just do your best and brush off any mistakes. You will always have another chance to accomplish your mission.

While at the plate, don't get tempted to just get a good hit. Sometimes that's fine, but if you have a mission you need to try to accomplish it. Do what's in the best interest of your team, not yourself. With this mindset your team will most likely win more games.

Knowing your mission is one of the baseball hitting tips that may not seem as glamorous, but is just as important. When you have a mission in mind and you accomplish that mission, you truly will be a better hitter and your teammates will thank you for it.

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Baseball Hitting Drills Hoping to be able to get better at baseball hitting? Then take a look at www.BaseballHittingTipsOnline.com for more info and download loads of FREE baseball bat resources. Baseball Hitting Techniques

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Sports Gifts That Keep On Giving

By Cijaye DePradine

A personalized collection of keepsakes (such as ornaments) is a wonderful way to chronicle the lives of your family and loved ones. From the smallest child to the oldest adult, the ornaments on the Christmas tree can tell a wonderful story about your life and the lives of your closest family.

When we think of our sports men / sports women and their sporting gifts, we don't usually think of Christmas Ornaments sites to provide the gifts we need (outside of Christmas) do we?

Not usually. We think about jersey stores, ball stores, player shoes, player shirts and so on. But think about this, if your sports gifts are for players themselves or men who already have the sports items they want, your men are going to be incredibly hard to shop for! Your sports fan, friend or family member usually has a favorite sport of favorite team that only supplies certain "authentic" memorabilia - and it's seen everywhere. Everyone has it.

Sure there are rare sporting gift stores that will supply your sports fan with the sports memorabilia he/she needs. However, if you are looking for a sports gift for a man and he is one of those guys who wants that unique gift that absolutely no-one else has - you have to be more selective. That's why we think Personalized Christmas Ornaments are such a great gift idea!

Personalized sports ornaments come in many shapes, sizes, sports themes and more. They are really cool gift ideas. And they are perfect for the "hard to shop for".

For example, there are sport specific ornaments, but also licensed sports ornaments. Such as:

Personalized MLB Gift Ornaments Personalizable NFL Gift Ornaments Custom NHL Gift Ornaments

Custom NHL Gift Ornaments

You can also find a true spirited selection of Collegiate Team Ornaments on the right websites too.

From little leagues to minors there is an ornament for everyone! Personalized sports ornaments are also a wonderful way to commemorate the achievements of your children over the years.

For active, thoughtful parents who are always in support of their childrens activities it easy to capture the essence of ALL their interests and hobbies, but with sports - and especially sports ornaments, this is not only easy, its actually fun!

PLUS when Christmas time does come and those ornaments go on the Christmas Tree - we are all reminded that it really is one of the most nostalgic times of the year. It is for many the only time when families come together from all over the world.

Instead of simply sitting around and telling stories from the past year and previous years, personalized sports gifts, allow you to play show and tell. Children love the idea of showing off their achievements and presenting them with a token of your pride in what they have achieved over the year is likely to make them burst with pride. Imagine the look on their face when the whole family sees what they have managed to achieve and they are given the opportunity to hang up their unique ornaments with the others on the family tree.

Ornaments And More (the nets first Ornaments Shop) has a wide range of sports ornaments for you to choose from so there is likely to be something for almost any sports your sports fan might choose. Whether their interest lies in gymnastics, cheerleading, baseball, ballet, karate, volleyball, football or other sports, you can find a fun ornament to suit you.

Boy or girl, OrnamentsAndMore.com has that covered as well. In fact, you can look for different poses, different hair color for many ornaments including different belt colors for your Martial Arts ornaments.

At Ornaments And More, all of your sports ornaments can be personalized for free with more letters and in more creative ways that you might find at other sites. We offer endless ideas and are always open to more. With us, you to add the recipients name, nickname and the year so that each year you can look back to remember the story of all members of your family over the years. These ornaments can be passed on to the child in question when they move out and have their own family Christmas tree, making the ornaments a gift that can be passed along for generations.

Simply visit OrnamentsAndMore.com and browse through the many pages of personalized sports gifts that are available. You may even find some categories that you were not expecting, such as hunting ornaments, camping ornaments, equestrian ornaments, bicycle and motor cycle ornaments, bowling, baton twirling and even coaches ornament gifts. There are plenty more to choose from too.

Just remember: Awards are not everything and these personalized sports gifts are a great way to let your little athlete know that you value their effort and participation as well. While you are celebrating the milestones of the older members of the family, don't forget to include the little guys and what they, no doubt, view as their own special achievements for the year.

OrnamentsAndMore.com allows you to choose just the right ornaments to make every member of the family - big or small - feel special over the Christmas holidays.

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Houston Astros Starting Pitcher & Bullpen Prophecies

By Jack Jones

The Houston Astros were completely awful last year and things aren't going to enhance any time soon. This is the year the franchise will play in the NL and they most likely won't get anywhere near to the postseason. Let's take a look at how the offense is going to perform this year. If you're going to bet on baseball read as many previews as possible to get ready for the year.

Beginning Lineup

Chris Snyder (Catcher) - The Astros signed Snyder away from the Pittsburgh Pirates this winter and he may at least start at the year opener. Snyder has been troubled with injuries, but he has played well when at full strength. He batted .271 in limited action, but his career average of .231 isn't very promising. Snyder will probably be in the batting order until prospect Jason Castro is prepared.

Carlos Lee (First Base) - Although the vet is definitely getting up there in years, he's still very capable of putting up nice production for Houston. The 35-year-old batted .275 with 18 homers and 94 RBI with Houston last year. Expect him to be dealt to a possibility at some specific point during the year , however , as he's entering the final year of his deal with the Astros.

Jose Altuve (2nd Base) - At only 21 years old, Altuve has demonstrated that he's got a lot of talent for the Astros in future times. In limited action last year, he batted .276 with 2 homers and 7 steals in just 57 games. The player definitely has talent and range, but it is hard to predict if he is ready to be a common player just yet.

Jed Lowrie (Shortstop) - Houston dealt for Lowrie in a deal with the Boston Red Sox, and he will finally have a chance to show what he will do in a full time role. In just 55 games in 2010, Lowrie hit .287 with 9 homers and 24 RBI, but he struggled last year with just a .252 average in 88 games.

Jimmy Paredes (3rd Base) - The 23-year-old is still pretty raw on defense, but he has shown some potential at the plate. In just 46 games last year, he batted .286 with 2 homers and 18 RBI. He's still young, so he has a lot of time to figure things out and be a decent producer for the Astros.

J.D. Martinez (Left Field) - After a late-year call-up, Martinez made use of his opportunity by batting .274 with 6 homers and 35 RBI in just 53 games. It will be interesting to see what he can produce during the course of a full year.

Jason Bourgeois (Center Field) - When given time, Bourgeois basically played well last year. He doesn't have a large amount of power, but he hit .294 with 31 stolen bases in just 93 games. Houston did obtain Jordan Schafer from Atlanta so there's a possibility that he'd be unable to keep his job in center field.

Brian Bogusevic (Right Field) - Bogusevic did a complete 180 from what he had done in 2010, hitting for a.287 average in 87 games in 2011. He only hit.179 in 19 games in 2010, so it's hard to expect a lot out of a man that is already 28 years old.

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2012 Pitching Preview For The Milwaukee Brewers

By Jack Jones

The Milwaukee Brewers are coming off one of the best years the organization has seen in a very long time. With a formidable 96-66 mark, Milwaukee won the NL Central in 2011. However , they were never able to translate their success into a World Series appearance like they hoped. The Brewers defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks in the opening round, but subsequently were beaten by the resultant champion St. Louis Cardinals in the NLCS. Prince Fielder left the Brewers over the winter, but Milwaukee was given a pass when Ryan Braun's 50-game suspension was cancelled. Milwaukee still has enough talent to protect its division title, but whether that interprets to a chance at the World Series is up in the air. Here are Milwaukee's projected starting pitchers and bullpen role. Check out what else we think about the squad with our 2012 Milwaukee Brewers predictions.

Projected Starting Pitchers

Yovani Gallardo (RHP) - The 25-year-old Gallardo is coming off a career year in 2011. He notched a career-high 17 victories and recorded a career-low 3.52 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. He also set a team record for the third uninterrupted year with 200-plus K's. As young as he is he has what is required to be even more outstanding in the approaching seasons.

Zack Greinke (RHP) - Greinke had the inspiring debut the Brewers had hoped for. After trading for him in the offseason of 2011, he didn't displease, going 16-6 with a 3.83 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 28 starts. He was also a dominant 9-3 with a 2.61 ERA over his final 16 starts.

Shaun Marcum (RHP) - Shaun Marcum is another guy who joined Milwaukee in a deal last season. Marcum had a good regular season, but he was horrible in the postseason. Marcum went 13-7 with a 3.54 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in his first season with Milwaukee.

Randy Wolf (LHP) - One of the more trustworthy and steady players in Milwaukee is Randy Wolf. He has made at least 33 starts and thrown at least 212 innings in each one of the past three years. Last season, he went 13-10 with a 3.69 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. It was his 4th consecutive year in which he reached the double-digit mark in victories.

Chris Narveson (LHP) - Narveson battled with consistency last season. He would come out with unhittable stuff one night and then struggle to get a man out the next time he threw. He finished going 11-8 with a 4.45 ERA, which is decent for the base of the staff.

Projected Closer

John Axford (RHP) - In his first full year as Milwaukee closer, Axford shined and showed clearly that he belonged. He converted 46 of 48 save opportunities with an impressive 1.95 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. Now that Francisco Rodriguez is back as the main setup man, Milwaukee has one of the best 1-2 punches to complete a game in all of baseball.

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San Fran Giants Offensive Overview

By Jack Jones

The San Francisco Giants won the World Series in 2010, but couldn't reach the playoffs last year. Their record was 86-76, so they weren't far off the mark and with the additions of outfielders Melky Cabrera and Angel Pagan this lineup should get just about enough of a push for San Fran to be in contention once more. If you want to know lots more about this team check out our 2012 San Francisco Giants preview.

Projected Lineup

Buster Posey (Catcher) - Posey played just 45 games last year due to a devastating ankle injury. San Francisco truly missed his bat in the middle of the lineup after he got hurt. In 160 major league games, Posey has hit .294 with 22 home runs and 88 RBI. The Giants expect similar numbers from him when he gets back in 2012.

Aubrey Huff (First Base) - After batting .290 with 26 homers and 86 RBI in 2010, Huff actually disappointed last season, with just a .246 average to go along with 12 homers and 59 RBI in 150 games. At the age of 36, it is hard to expect him to spring back after a bad showing, but with his past history, you never know.

Freddy Sanchez (Second Base) - Sanchez has been out of and into the lineup thanks to injuries since coming over from the Pirates in 2009. He has the power to hit around .300 with 10 home runs and 75 RBI if healthy, but that is a giant if, as he has played in just 111 games in 2010 and 60 games last year. At the age of 34, he does not get any younger, either.

Brandon Crawford (Shortstop) - The Giants hope Crawford's defensive talent can offset his offensive inadequacies. He batted just .204 in 66 games last year, and the 25-year-old hasn't shown any progress towards be anything greater than an OK hitter at the very best.

Pablo Sandoval (Third Base) - A horrid 2010 year had some people doubting him, but after dropping 40 pounds in the winter, he demonstrated the doubters wrong by posting All-Star stats last season. He batted .315 with 23 homers and 70 RBI in just 117 games. As long as he stays in shape and motivated, Sandoval has what's required to be even more interesting in 2012.

Melky Cabrera (Left Field) - Cabrera is coming of a career season in which he had career highs with a .305 average, 18 homers, 87 RBI and 20 steals with the Kansas City Royals. It is safe to say that last season may not be just a outlier for Cabrera, as he is only turning 27 in Aug.

Angel Pagan (Center Field) - Pagan will be looking to erase a sub-par 2011, as the outfielder hit just .262 with an OBP of .322 after posting a .290 average and .340 OBP in 2010. He was able to steal 32 bases in just 123 games, which gives him an overall total of 69 steals over the last 2 seasons.

Nate Schierholtz (Right Field) - The expectations for Schierholtz in 2012 are comparatively tame, as he hit just .278 with 9 home runs and 41 RBI in 335 at-bats last year. The Giants hope he can hold his very own in the right field this season, but they are not looking for a breakout season from the fellow.

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2012 Cleveland Indians Lineup Overview

By Jack Jones

The Cleveland Indians bounced back from a rotten 2010 year to win 80 games last year. The Indians are dreaming they can build off that improvement and move in the correct direction. Let's have a look at this lineup to see if they have what is needed to power the team to the top of the division. If you want to know what we think about the pitchers have a look at our 2012 Cleveland Indians predictions article.

Projected Lineup

Carlos Santana (Catcher) - Santana showed a glimpse of his talent last year. Notwithstanding batting only .239 in his first full year, the 25-year-old definitely made up for it by hitting 27 homers with 79 RBI. His best seasons are no doubt in front of him, and look for him to build upon his average with similar, or even better power stats in 2012.

Casey Kotchman (First Base) - After another upsetting year from Matt LaPorta at first base, the Indians went out and brought in Kotchman to man the position. Coming off one of his best years in the major leagues, Kotchman hit a career-high .306 with 10 homers and 48 RBI in 146 games with the Tampa Bay Rays last year. It seems like Kotchman is the ultimate fit in Cleveland.

Jason Kipnis (Second Base) - In just 36 games in 2011, Kipnis did good enough to get the nod for the starting job in 2012. The 24-year-old batted .272 with 7 homers and 19 RBI. If his is able to keep up that pace over a full year, he will straight away become one of the top 2nd baseman in the American League.

Asdrubal Cabrera (Shortstop) - Cabrera surprised the entire league when he belted 25 homers in 2011. Before last year, he had hit a mixed 18 homers in his previous 1,415 at-bats. He also set a job high with 92 RBI and tied his career high of 17 steals. The future looks promising for the 26-year-old, but he could need to duplicate his 2011 stats in 2012 if he wants everybody to buy in.

Lonnie Chisenhall (Third Base) - Out of utmost requirement, Chisenhall is predicted to open the year at 3rd base, regardless of if he might not be ready. The 23-year-old hit just .255 with 7 homers and 22 RBI in 212 at-bats last year. He had just 8 walks over stretch, signaling that he might be a couple more seasons from a breakout year.

Shelley Duncan (Left Field) - It's as if Duncan will get an opportunity to start in left, with Sizemore out of the order and Michael Brantley moving to center field. Duncan is somebody to really look into; even though he batted just .260 in 76 games last year, his 11 homers and 47 RBI are worth pointing out. Given a full year, he might just surprise and hit 20-plus homers with 90-plus RBI.

Michael Brantley (Center Field) - A broken bone in his hand stopped his 2011 year early. He ended up batting just .266 with 7 homers, 46 RBI and 13 steals in just 114 games. The 24-year-old still has plenty of time to take that next step - Cleveland is just hoping it comes sooner rather than later.

Shin-Soo Choo (Right Field) - After back-to-back years with at least .300 average to go with 20 homers and 20 steals in 2009 and 2010, Choo unhappy with a sub-par performance while limited to 85 games last year. Choo wishes to revisit form in 2012 because the Indians are relying on him.

Travis Hafner (Designated Hitter) - After signing a massive contract in 2007, Hafner has been pretty average, to say the least. Coming into the season of his big contract, he owes it to Cleveland fans to do something advantageous in 2012. Last season, he played in just 94 games. This was the player who hit .308 with 42 home runs and 117 RBI in 2006? He may turn 35 in June, but the hope in Cleveland is that he has another good run in him.

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2012 Miami Marlins Starter & Bullpen Predictions

By Jack Jones

Previously known as the Florida Marlins, the Miami Marlins made quite a splash during the 2011-2012 winter months. After ending the 2011 season with a displeasing 72-90 mark, the franchise retooled and hired Ozzie Guillen as its new manager from the Chicago White Sox. It also brought on shortstop Jose Reyes, starting pitcher Mark Buehrle and reliever Heath Bell. The Marlins are also going to play in a brand-new ballpark, Sun Life Stadium. Here's a look at the Marlin's projected starting rotation and bullpen players. For more team overviews check out our MLB 2012 predictions.

Projected Staff

Josh Johnson (RHP) - Johnson suffered an injury and was capable of making only 9 starts last season, which is a gigantic reason he didn't live up to the Marlins ' lofty expectations. The 28-season-old has what's needed to win the Cy Young, but he should stay healthy over an entire season. In his 9 starts last season, he went 3-1 with an imaginary 1.64 ERA and 0.98 WHIP.

Mark Buehrle (LHP) - Buehrle has been a consistent threat for the last 11 seasons. He has built 11 straight seasons of double-digit wins in which he pitched at least 200 innings. He went just 13-9 last year with the White Sox, but his 3.59 ERA was his lowest since posting a 3.12 ERA in 2005.

Ricky Nolasco (RHP) -After going 15-8 with a 3.52 ERA way back in 2008, Nolasco hasn't returned back to that form and has pitched poorly the past couple of years. His 4.57 ERA and 1.40 WHIP from last season are making Miami wonder if Nolasco will ever get back to his glory days. If he will be able to just get his ERA around 4.00 this season, he has got the potential to win 15-plus games.

Carlos Zambrano (RHP) - After being incapable of making things work with the Chicago Cubs, the unpredictable Zambrano has a new team after the Marlins decided to take a chance on him. The previous three-time All-Star still has what is required to be a unparalleled pitcher, but he must keep his feelings under control. Zambrano's highest ERA before last season was 3.95, so he can finally improve on 2011's 4.82 ERA.

Anibal Sanchez (RHP) - Regardless of having a record of 8-9 in 2011, he had a respectable 3.67 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. He also threw three complete games and 2 shutouts. He has certainly thrown better that what his record shows.

Projected Closer

Heath Bell (RHP) - Of the closers who've been in a position to record 40 saves in a single season over the last one or two years, only Bell has accomplished the attainment in each one of the last 3 years. With an offense that figures to score on lots of runs, Bell will have plenty of opportunities to shut the door on the opposition with his new team.

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2012 Chicago Cubs Batting Predictions

By Jack Jones

After another terrible finish in the NL Central the Chicago Cubs cleaned house and brought in Theo Epstein and Dale Sveum. This isn't a one season rebuilding process though, it will take a little time to turn the Cubs around into a contender. Let's have a look at the lineup they'll be sending out to the field this season. You can see where we think they will finish the season in our Chicago Cubs prophecies.

Projected Hitters

Geovany Soto (Catcher) - After winning the National League Rookie of the Season award in 2008, Soto has regressed and had a very poor season last season. He hit .285 with 23 home runs and 86 RBI in his rookie season, but last season he hit just .228 with 17 home runs and 54 RBI. His numbers need to boost big time if he would like to help the Cubs contend in the Central.

Bryan LaHair (First Base) - For the majority of his career, LaHair has lit it up basically in the minors. Now he is going to be given the opportunity to showcase his talent in the Major Leagues this year. Last year, LaHair had a minor league-best 38 homers and the Cubs are hoping that those power stats translate to the big leagues. Power-hitting prospect Anthony Rizzo is also in the running, should LaHair struggle.

Darwin Barney (Second Base) - Barney showed some of his potential as a rookie last season. He hit .276 with 23 doubles and 43 RBI. Barney needs to stake his claim as the future at 2nd base as the only other option is vet Jeff Baker.

Starlin Castro (Shortstop) - Starlin Castro is among the most promising guys in the organization. The young star will turn just 22 in March and already he has turned in 2 stellar years of play. He backed up his superb rookie year by batting .307 with 10 homers, 36 doubles, 9 triples and 66 RBI. As he continues to age, he has got the chance to actually be a great player.

Ian Stewart (Third Base) -Long time third baseman Aramis Ramirez left through free agency, so the Cubs were compelled to bring in Stewart to take over at third. Stewart is coming off a nasty 2011 year for the Colorado Rockies in which he batted just .156 in 48 games then was taken down to the minors, but he has put up solid numbers in the past. He hit 43 homers and drove in 131 runs combined in 2009 and 2010.

Alfonso Soriano (Left Field) - The Cubs were supposed to part tactics with Soriano this offseason, but as of now he's the Opening Day left fielder. Soriano still has decent power, as he belted 26 home runs and drove 88 runs last season, but he has been struggling to make contact on a regular basis. He is just averaging a measly .248 during the past 3 seasons.

Marlon Byrd (Center Field) - An unlucky accident forced him to miss a good bit of the year. He was hit in the face by a pitch, which resulted in him batting .276 with just 9 homers and 35 RBI. The previous All-Star is on a decrease, but he has 1 or 2 solid years left in the tank.

David DeJesus (Right Field) - Prior to last year, the right fielder has hit at or near .300 for the majority of his career, but DeJesus hit just .240 in 131 games with the Oakland A's in 2011. He will probably get a shot at opening the year as the leadoff hitter, but he doesn't precisely have The speed teams look for at the very top.

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Milwaukee Brewers Batting Predictions

By Jack Jones

The Milwaukee Brewers had an impressive 2011 season when they took home the National League Central. However , they could not translate that success into a World Series showing as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated them in the National League Championship Series. This team lost Prince Fielder in the winter, but with Ryan Braun not being made to serve a 50 game suspension the Brewers caught a little break for this season. Check to verify how we think that they end up in the division with our MLB projections for 2012.

Projected Batters

Jonathan Lucroy (Catcher) - There are lots of reasons for the Brewers to be pumped up about their 25-year-old catcher. Lucroy hit .265 with 12 home runs and 59 RBI in 136 games last year. The power numbers are only going to improve with time, and his defense is shaping up. Overall, the kid has a large amount of potential going forward.

Mat Gamel (First Base) - Gamel was unable to interpret his minor league numbers to the big leagues in 2011. While he hit 28 homers and drove in 98 RBI in the minors last season, he completely unhappy with Milwaukee, batting just 3 for 26 in 10 games. He probably did belt 2 homers, and if he will be able to step in and hit 20 homers this season, it would surpass Milwaukee's expectations for him.

Rickie Weeks (Second Base) - Rickie Weeks is among the rising stars at second base, and he will be counted on to step up with the exit of Fielder. An ankle injury bound his 2011 season, but he was still able to provide solid numbers of 20 home runs and 49 RBI in 113 games. If he will keep healthy, the All-Star has the opportunity to put up big numbers in 2012.

Alex Gonzalez (Shortstop) - Gonzalez's main role in the order is to enhance one of baseballs worst defense. He won't be depended upon to do much on offense, as he batted just .241 in 149 games with the Atlanta Braves last season. He has hit 38 homers during the last 2 years, so he isn't actually that big a responsibility on offense.

Aramis Ramirez (3rd Base) - The Brewers are hoping the addition of Ramirez can help ease the loss of Fielder in the middle of the lineup. A good Ramirez is still one of the game's best-hitting 3rd basemen. In 149 games last year, he hit .306 with 26 home runs and 93 RBI with the Chicago Cubs. He could be in for a massive season hitting cleanup behind Braun.

Ryan Braun (Left Field) - Coupled with the departure of Fielder, the Brewers would've been in trouble if Braun's 50-game suspension wasn't lifted. But now they're prepared to stay one of the top offensive groups in the National League. Braun is coming off a spectacular year in which he hit .332 with 33 home runs, 111 RBI and 33 steals. The Brewers forecast him to have a slight dropoff, but he is still good for around .310 average with 30 homers and 100 RBI.

Nyjer Morgan (Center Field) - Morgan put up a pretty amazing season last year. He batted .304, which was 2nd on the team only to Braun, and is precisely what the Brewers want from their No. 2 hitter.

Corey Hart (Right Field) - In 130 games for the Brewers last season, Hart hit .285 with 26 homers and 63 RBI, which means he has hit 58 homers over the last two seasons. His speed is on the decline, as he had just 7 stolen bases in every one of the last two years, but his power is rare for a leadoff hitter.

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San Fran Giants Starter & Closer Predictions

By Jack Jones

Last year, the San Francisco Giants were unable to protect their 2010 World Series title. Though they ended up with a winning mark of 86-76, that was not good enough to take their division as they were 8 wins back of 1st place behind the Arizona Diamondbacks. This year, the Giants have signed outfielders Melky Cabrera and Angel Pagan, which gives them enough production on offense to have a chance at returning to the playoffs in 2012. Here are the predicted starting pitchers and bullpen situation. If you would like to find out more about more groups check out our MLB predictions for 2012.

Projected Rotation

Tim Lincecum (RHP) - A poor record of 13-14 last season does not hide the season he had, as he registered a 2.74 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. In Lincecum's starts, the Giants scored a whopping 2.8 runs. He's still one of the top-notch starters in the game today and he is ready to put up a much better record in 2012.

Matt Cain (RHP) - A lack of run support also trashed Cain's record last season. He finished just 12-11 last season, but he posted a solid 2.88 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. Cain has been as consistent as they come early in his career. He has now thrown at least 200 innings in each of the last 5 seasons.

Madison Bumgarner (LHP) - In 18 games in 2010, Bumgarner went 8-8 with a 3.00 ERA. He then followed it up with a pretty electrifying full year as a starter, going 13-13 with a 3.21 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 33 starts last year. The 22-year-old has loads of talent and actually gives San Francisco a potent 1-2-3 punch at the top of the rotation.

Ryan Vogelsong (RHP) - Vogelsong was one of the enormous surprises in 2011. The 34-year-old posted a pretty electrifying 13-7 record with a 2.71 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 28 starts after spending the last three years in Japan. The burning question now is whether or not the veteran can replicate that fulfillment in 2012.

Barry Zito (LHP) - After going 16-10 with a 3.86 ERA in 2006 with the Oakland A's, Zito has absolutely bombed in his reign in San Francisco. In 5 years with San Franicsco, he hasn't ended with an Age below 4.00 and is just 43-61 over that stretch. There are times where it seems as if he can go back to his 2006 self, but at this point in his career, you cannot expect anything greater than an average year from Zito.

Projected Closer

Brian Wilson (RHP) - Although Wilson was not quite as useful as he was in prior years, he was still able to save 36 of 41 opportunities last year. He's ERA was just 3.11 last year, the highest it's been since 2008, but I wouldn't worry too much. With the starting staff capable of going deep into games and an offense that should improve from a year ago, Wilson could save 45-plus games in 2012.

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Miami Marlins Batting Preview

By Jack Jones

The Miami Marlins modified their name from the Florida Marlins this season and modified rather a lot about their team to finish the refresh. Shortstop Jose Reyes was the star player brought in to bolster the lineup so let's have a look to who will be rouding in the lineup with him. If you'd like to know a lot more about this team check our 2012 Miami Marlins predictions article.

Projected Batters

John Buck (Catcher) - In his first season with the Marlins, Buck's production took a huge nosedive, on offense. He batted just .227 with 16 homers and 57 RBI last season, after batting .281 with 20 homers and 66 RBI in 2010 with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Gaby Sanchez (First Base) - In the initial half of the season, Sanchez showed his talent when he made the All-Star team. However , his stats plummeted after the All-Star game and he ended up batting just .266 with 19 homers and 78 RBI. At 28, he is just entering his prime, so he might be going back in the correct direction in 2012.

Omar Infante (Second Base) - Infante isn't an offensive-minded guy, as his defensive acumen has become his speciality in the previous few seasons. He batted just .275 with 7 homers and 49 RBI, but he should form a deadly tandem on defense with Reyes. He's already 30 years in age , so I think he has reached a level on offense.

Jose Reyes (Shortstop) - When at full strength, Reyes is one of the most flexible players in all of the big leagues. In just 126 games last season with the New York Mets, Reyes took home the NL batting title with .337 average, batted a Major League Baseball-best 16 triples (tied with Shane Victorino), scored 101 runs and stole 39 bases.

Hanley Ramirez (Third Base) - The Marlins ' 2011 starter at the shortstop spot, Ramirez was moved to 3rd base upon the appearance of Reyes. Ramirez underwhelmed last season, batting just .243 with 10 homers and 43 RBI in just 92 games. Multiple injuries to his spine and shoulder slowed Ramirez's game down. If he will be able to get back to full strength, he'll doubtless re-establish himself as one of the greatest hitters in the game.

Logan Morrison (Left Field) - Regardless of having a down season last season with regards to his average, batting only .247, Morrison provided nice power stats with 23 homers and 72 RBI. He is still just 24 years old , and if he will build off his performance from last season and improve his eye at the plate, he might be a massive surprise this season.

Emilio Bonifacio (Center Field) - Bonifacio is one of the more trustworthy players for Miami. He has played almost every spot for Miami excepting catcher and first base. He will be given a shot at the center field position in 2012, but he's a valuable backup to Reyes and Ramirez in the infield. He batted .296 with 40 swiped bases in 152 games last season.

Giancarlo Stanton (Right Field) - The player who formerly went by Mike Stanton improved his numbers from 2010, when he was a rookie. Already posting solid numbers in 2010 when he hit .259 with 22 home runs and 59 RBI, Stanton raised his numbers last year to .262 with 34 home runs and 87 RBI. With the kid turning just 23 years old in Nov, he has all the time in the world to boost and be a big player for the Marlins for many years to come.

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2012 Houston Astros Batting Predictions

By Jack Jones

The Houston Astros were the worst franchise in the majors last season, ending up with a ferociously atrocious 56-106 mark. It was the most defeats the team had in its history, and it does not look like the Astros will get any better in the future. The Astros were acquired by a grouping of businessmen who will try to spin it round as it readies for its final season in the NL Central. Houston will then move to the AL, where they'll very likely join the American League West. The team modified its managing director, replacing Ed Wade with Jeff Luhnow, nonetheless it hasn't actually made any player improvements from a year back. Here are the starting rotation and bullpen situations for the team in 2012. If you're going to wager this season make sure you read our sportsbook reviews to find the best places to do so.

Projected Starters

Wandy Rodriguez (LHP) - Due to the Astro's poor play, Rodriguez did not garner the status that his game merited. He won 11 times with a respectable 3.49 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 30 starts last season. It was the third consecutive season Rodriguez posted a double-digit victory total.

Brett Myers (RHP) - Myers had a huge drop in production last year. After going 14-8 with a 3.14 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 2010, the veteran finished 7-14 with a 4.46 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. Hard telling which pitcher will show up in 2012.

Bud Norris (RHP) - Norris took a massive step in the correct direction last season. While he went just 6-11, his 3.77 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 176 K's were all career highs. The soon to be 27-year-old has the ability to be the ace of this staff for the following 5 seasons.

J.A. Happ (LHP) - The Astros are hoping that Happ's ghastly 2011 year was a fluke, as he posted a 5.35 ERA and 1.54 WHIP last year. He did go 2-1 with a 2.43 ERA in his last 6 starts. The Astros need him to go back to his 2009 form, when he went 12-4 with a 2.93 ERA with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Jordan Lyles (RHP) - In his first season in the bigs, the 21-year-old posted poor stats that had the Astros scratching their heads. He went just 2-8 with a 5.36 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 15 starts. The kid is still quite young, but he has the talent to be a big part of the rotation going forward.

Projected Closer

Brandon Lyon (RHP) - Major arm surgery cost him to miss the last four months of the year. As a consequence, he was restricted to just 15 appearances. He did save 20 of 22 appearances in 2010, but in no way is he one of the elite closers in the league.

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2012 Detroit Tigers Pitching Projections

By Jack Jones

Detroit earned their first-ever AL Central title last year thanks to an impressive 95-67 record. They fell short of the World Series, losing to the Rangers in the ALCS, but the addition of Prince Fielder in the offeseason makes this team one of the favorites to contend for a championship run in 2012. Here are our MLB predictions for Detroit's projected starting rotation and closer situation.

Projected Rotation

Justin Verlander (RHP) - In 2011 Verlander became just the 10th player in MLB history to win both the Cy Young and MVP in the same season. He earned both awards by going 24-5 with a 2.40 ERA and 0.92 WHIP. He is the undisputed Ace of this staff and is again one of the favorites to win the Cy Young in 2012.

Doug Fister (RHP) -At the trade deadline last year, the Tigers landed Fister from the Seattle Mariners and they simply can't wait to see what he can do in a full season in Detroit. In just 10 starts with the Tigers, he went 8-1 with a 1.79 ERA and 0.84 WHIP.

Max Scherzer (RHP) -Scherzer's numbers dipped a bit last year, as he saw his ERA jump from 3.50 in 2010 to 4.43 in 2011. But despite that, he was still able to win 15 games for the Tigers. What hurt him the most was that he gave up 29 home runs, but that seems to be more of a fluke instead of a trend moving forward. Expect him to go back to his usual self and improve his ERA this season.

Rick Porcello (RHP) - Despite posting a 4.75 ERA and 1.41 WHIP, he still managed to win 14 games last season. Even if his numbers are a little unconventional, he has come up with 38 wins in just three big league seasons. And with Porcello turning just 23 in December, it is safe to assume that the kid is only getting started.

Jacob Turner (RHP) - The Tigers are expecting Turner to nab the last spot in the rotation. The team is extremely high on its most heralded prospect. Although the 20-year-old posted a high 8.53 ERA in three starts last season, many still believe that he was what it takes to the AL Rookie of the Year in 2012.

Projected Closer

Jose Valverde (RHP)-Valverde was one of the most dominant closers in the game last year and one of the primary reasons the Tigers had so much success. He convered 49 of 49 save opportunities while posting a 2.24 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. There is no reason to expect he won't save at least 40 games again in 2012.

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2012 Cincinnati Reds Batting Preview

By Jack Jones

The Reds followed up their NL Central Championship run in 2010 with a disappointing 79-83 record last season. The good news is that the rest of the teams in the division lost some key pieces, meaning the Central is wide open for the Reds to make another run at a title in 2012. Here are our MLB predictions for Cincy's starting lineup for the upcoming season.

Projected Lineup

Ryan Hanigan (Catcher) - After the Reds decided not to bring back veteran Ramon Hernandez, Hanigan will likely open the 2012 season as the everyday catcher. He isn't a real threat offensively, as he hit just.267 with 6 home runs and 31 RBI in 266 at-bats last year. If things don't work out, we could see a lot of Devin Mesoraco this year.

Joey Votto (First Base) - Votto didn't repeat his MVP numbers from 2010, but if a .309 average, 29 home runs and 103 RBI are a down year, the Reds will take it. With Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder making the jump to the American League, Votto is now the premier first baseman in the National League and I think his best years are still to come.

Brandon Phillips (Second Base) - Another phenomenal season last year has vaulted Phillips into the class of elite second basemen. His career-high.300 average topped all NL second basemen last year, and he also had 18 home runs and 82 RBI. If you include his exceptional defense, it is no wonder that the three-time Gold Glove winner is considered one of the best at his position.

Zack Cozart (Shortstop) - The Reds are excited about their young shortstop, and not without reason. He is considered one of the top prospects in the game and showed some of his potential over 11 games last season, hitting .324 with two home runs before being sidelined with an elbow injury..

Scott Rolen (Third Base) - Staying healthy will be the name of the game for Rolen in 2012. He showed he still has something to offer, hitting 20 home runs and driving in 83 runs in 2010, but injuries limited him to just 65 games last year. The veteran could provide some consistency near the bottom half of the lineup if his body holds up.

Chris Heisey (Left Field) - Heisey is expected to get a chance to start every day in left field after a couple of seasons in which he was used primarily as a backup. He has hit just.254 in 480 career at-bats, but he has some power worth keeping an eye on. After hitting just 8 home runs in 201 at-bats in 2010, Heisey belted 18 home runs in just 279 at-bats in 2011.

Drew Stubbs (Center Field) - Stubbs stole 40 bases and slugged 15 home runs, but also set the franchise record with 205 strikeouts last season. With a little more patience at the plate, Stubbs could be a difference-maker in this lineup.

Jay Bruce (Right Field) - Despite coming off an All-Star season in 2011, he was wildly inconsistent down the stretch. He finished up the year with an impressive 32 home runs and 97 RBI, but 12 of his home runs and 33 of his RBI came in the month of May. He hit just.228 in April and.217 in June, with just 6 homers in those two months combined.

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2012 Boston Red Sox Pitching Preview

By Jack Jones

The Boston Red Sox were massively favored to take home the World Series last year, and they went into September with the top record in the majors. However , the Red Sox blew their chance when they went through the worst collapse in league history. Boston went just 7-20 in the last month of the year, missing the American League Wild Card spot by a single game. Though they ended up with the fourth-best win total in the American League at 90-72, it was insignificant, because their year was spoiled by controversy thanks to rumors that floated around the starting pitchers were drinking beer and mowing down fried chicken in the clubhouse during games. The traditionally terrible finish resulted in the exit of coach Terry Francona, who has been replaced by Bobby Valentine. It's currently up to the guys and Valentine to make up for the embarrassment that occurred to the franchise last year. Here are the projected starting pitchers and bullpen situation for Boston in 2012. Read our Boston Red Sox projections to find out how we believe this squad will fare in 2012.

Projected Staff

Jon Lester (LHP) - Lester turned in another decent showing last year, where he went 15-9 with a 3.47 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 31 starts. He is heading into 2012 with back-to-back All-Star showings and as the anchor of one of the very best groups in the league. The 28-year-old ought to have a similar number line in 2012, with a probability of a couple more victories this year.

Josh Beckett (RHP) - The 2011 argument per all of the clubhouse drinking targeted on Beckett, so he should start strong this season in the hope of saving face with the Boston fans. Last season, the vet went 13-7 with a career-best 2.89 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 30 starts. He has , however , tried hard to string powerful seasons together late in his career. In 2010, he went just 6-6 with a 5.78 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in 21 starts.

Clay Buchholz (RHP) - A stress fracture in his lower back limited Buchholz to just 18 games in 2011. He was able to win 6 games with a respectable 3.48 ERA last year. Though definitely not better than his 2009 season, in which he went 17-7 with a 2.33 ERA, his stats were still decent, given his situation. The Red Sox hope that the 27-year-old can return to form and win over 15 games this year.

Daniel Bard (RHP) - The Red Sox are hoping Bard can transition seamlessly from reliever to starter this year. For a couple of years now, he's been one of the best set up blokes in the majors, with 66 holds. But starting is a completely different game. If he will be able to come close to his career 2.88 ERA and 1.06 WHIP, Bard may be one of the larger surprises in this year.

Alfredo Aceves (RHP) - Another reliever the Red Sox are attempting to groom to be the starter this season is Alfredo Aceves. He posted a 2.61 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 55 appearances last season, including 4 starts. If he is unable to make an acceptable transition, look for Andrew Miller to get another shot at holding the No. 5 spot in the rotation.

Projected Closer

Andrew Bailey (RHP) - After watching closer Jonathan Papelbon go off with the Phillies, the Red Sox counteracted by dealing with the Oakland A's for Bailey this past winter. Bailey saved 75 games in three years with the A's, posting a career 2.07 ERA and 0.95 WHIP. He has converted 89 percent of his save opportunities, but he has struggled with injuries the past two years.

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Philadelphia Phillies Offensive Predictions

By Jack Jones

The Philadelphia Philies have been owning the National League East the previous 5 seasons and last year they picked up 102 victories during the regular year. That went for naught though when Philly was beaten in the first round of the postseason versus St. Louis. Let's take a look at their lineup to work out if they have enough ability to score runs to win another division title. If you'd like more information on the team have a look at our Philadelphia Phillies 2012 preview.

Projected Lineup

Carlos Ruiz (Catcher) - Carlos Ruiz is among the more underrated backstops in the league today. The veteran has done an amazing job managing the Philadelphia pitching staff, and gave excellent offensive stats in the process. Last year he batted .283 with.371 OBP. Ruiz infrequently swings at an awful pitch. In fact , the guy struck out just 48 times in 410 at-bats last year.

Ryan Howard (First Base) - The All-Star first baseman Ryan Howard is expected to miss a couple of months while recovering from an Achilles ' injury he went through in the last game of the NLDS versus St. Louis. He is not expected back in the order until early May and veteran Ty Wigginton is anticipated to start in his spot in the meantime. The giant concern the Phillies have coming into the 2012 year is whether the injury will affect Howard's power stats after he returns in May.

Chase Utley (2nd Base) - Chronic knee tendinitis forced Utley to sit out the 1st 46 games of the year last year and injuries are keeping him out of the order at the beginning of 2012 too. The injury took its toll on his offensive production in 2011, as he batted for a career-worst .259 average to go along with 11 homers and 44 RBI in 103 games. Now that Utley has had a full winter to recover and is making the effort to get into game shape, the Phillies hope that the Utley who will show up in 2012 will be the Utley who batted .282 with 31 homers and 92 RBI in 2009.

Jimmy Rollins (Shortstop) - Another Philadelphia player who has been constrained by injury is Jimmy Rollins. In spite of this, I believe we continue to haven't seen the last of what Rollins can do. Rollins managed to bat .268 with 16 homers, 63 RBI and 30 steals in just 142 games last year. And I believe that he has what is required to have similar if not better stats in 2012.

Placido Polanco (3rd Base) - The 36-year-old vet is still as good defensively as anybody, but his offensive numbers are beginning to regress. Polanco's .277 average last season was a career low for a season in which he played at least 100 games.

John Mayberry Jr. (Left Field) - The Phillies are truly excited about what Mayberry Jr. Can do on offense. The 28-year-old is coming off a year in which he hit .273 with 15 homers and 49 RBI in just 267 at-bats. The Phillies are hoping for more of the same in 2012.

Shane Victorino (Center Field) - Victorino is another player who was held down by the injury bug last year. He played a great 2011 year before a thumb and hamstring injury finished it prematurely. In 132 games, Victorino hit .279 with 17 homers, 16 triples and 61 RBI.

Hunter Pence (Right Field) - After a midseason deal that landed him in Philly from the Houston Astros, Pence actually caught on fire and was a major help in the Phillies ' search for playoff contention. In 100 games with Houston, Pence hit .308 with 11 homers and 62 RBI; in just 54 games with the Phillies, he hit .324 with 11 homers and 35 RBI.

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Starters & Bullpen Overview For The Cleveland Indians

By Jack Jones

After a displeasing year in 2010 when they just won 69 games, the Cleveland Indians stunned a lot of people when they won 80 games last year. The belief is that the Indians can build off of their massive turnaround last year and take a step at the right path. They want a corresponding bump in wins to truly challenge the heavily favored Detroit Tigers in the American League Central, and to do so they need to discover a way for their key players to remain healthy. They also need starter Ubaldo Jimenez to re-bounce from an abysmal 2011 year. They're off to a horrible start to 2012 after losing Grady Sizemore till at least June. Here are the projected starting rotation and closer situation. Check out more team previews with our 2012 MLB preview.

Projected Starting Pitchers

Justin Masterson (RHP) - After taking a step in the right direction last year, he should back it up with another robust year in 2012. After going just 6-13 with a 4.70 ERA in 29 starts in 2010, Masterson went 12-10 with an impressive 3.21 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in 2011. He's still just 27 years of age , so he has an excellent chance to get better.

Ubaldo Jimenez (RHP) - The Indians are hopelessly praying that the player who shows up on the field this year will be the 2010 version of Jimenez, who pitched like an ace and went 19-8 with a 2.88 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 33 starts with the Colorado Rockies. Last year, Jimenez pitched himself out of Colorado, and was not any better after joining the Indians. If he'll go back to his old self, the team will have a powerful 1-2 punch at the top of the staff.

Josh Tomlin (RHP) - The 27-year-old Tomlin seems to be going in the correct direction after a fairly decent showing last season. In his first full season as a starter, he went 12-7 with a 4.25 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. That low WHIP is has Cleveland worked up about what he can bring to the team in 2012.

Derek Lowe (RHP) - Lowe had an awful year last year, after winning 31 games in his first two seasons in Atlanta. Last year with the Braves, he went just 9-17 with a 5.05 ERA and 1.51 WHIP in 34 starts. He has bounced back from bad seasons before, but at the age of 39, things may just get harder for him this time around.

Kevin Slowey (RHP) - Coming over from the Minnesota Twins, Slowey might actually have a chance at breaking into the rotation this season. Slowey had 3 consecutive years with double-digit victories from 2008-2010, but was shockingly demoted to the bullpen last season and did not win a game.

Projected Closer

Chris Perez (RHP) - One of the most compelling reasons for the Indians ' gigantic turnaround last season was Perez's excellent performance. He converted 36 of 40 save opportunities while posting a respectable 3.32 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. His low K total, 39 in 59.2 innings of work, leaves some people concerned that he could struggle to match last season's performance.

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Boston Red Sox Batting Overview

By Jack Jones

The Boston Red Sox were one of the favorites to take home the World Series last year, but fell apart in Sep and didn't even make the playoffs. Heads began to roll and now they begin the 2012 year with a new manager. Let's check out the orders they are going to be using this year. If you're intending to do any baseball gambling this year then read our overviews to get off to a quick start.

Projected Hitters

Jarred Saltalamacchia (Catcher) - Saltalamacchia's career high of 16 homers and 56 RBI were all for zilch, as he hit a sub-par .230 last year. His lack of an eye will always obstruct his expansion as a player, but his power production will always be there. If he doesn't improve his terrible average, then he will have a tough time reaching his potential for Boston.

Adrian Gonzalez (First Base) - In his first year with Boston, Gonzalez turned in a pretty fascinating year. Although he hit for a solid .338 average with 117 RBI, his 27 homers were a unhappiness. The All-Star first baseman had just 10 homers in Fenway Park last year, which is a giant reason explaining why he had his lowest total since 2006. It's not difficult to believe nevertheless the 29-year-old can bounce back with 30-plus homers in 2012.

Dustin Pedroia (2nd Base) - After an injury-riddled year in 2010 of just 75 games. Pedroia rebounded back in a big style last year when he set career records in homers, with 21; RBI, with 91; and steals, with 26. He also batted .307 and won his second Gold Glove award. He's just 28 years of age and the 2008 AL MVP still has the potential to be even more outstanding over the next two to three years.

Nick Punto (Shortstop) - Punto has the opportunity to be the permanent starter at SS after Boston dealt Marco Scutaro to the Colorado Rockies. Punto hit .278 in 63 games with St. Louis last year. He doesn't have plenty of power, hitting just 14 homers during the course of his career, but he is a proven leader in the clubhouse and also he is solid on defense.

Kevin Youkilis (3rd Base) - When healthy, Youkilis is one of the best hitters in the game. The vet nevertheless , has not played more than 136 games since 2008. Different injuries have forced him to miss serious time and limited him to just 120 games last season. He ended the season with a career-worst.258 average to go with 17 home runs and 80 RBI. Notwithstanding this, if he is able to play 150 games, he has what is needed to hit .300 with close to 30 home runs and 100 RBI.

Carl Crawford (Left Field) - Crawford was a huge disappointment for Boston in his first year. After hitting .305 with 19 homers, 90 RBI and 47 stolen bases with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2010, he hit an abysmal .255 with just 11 homers, 56 RBI and 18 steals with the Red Sox. He also had a horrible .289 OBP. He has to get back on course in 2012, and though he will be missing some time to get over a knee injury, the team is expecting him to have better stats when he returns to the lineup.

Jacoby Ellsbury (Center Field) - Ellsbury stunned a lot of people with the season that he had last season. He hit.321 with 32 home runs, 105 RBI and 39 stolen bases to complete 2nd in the AL MVP voting. What surprised people the most was his power numbers because, before last season, Ellsbury only had 20 home runs and 130 RBI in 349 career games. A drop in homers and RBI should be expected this season, but he can still hit over .300 with some steals.

Cody Ross (Right Field) - The Red Sox are looking forward to see what Ross, a scandalous right-handed pull hitter, can bring to the table with the Green Monster looming in left field. He hit.240 with 14 homers and 52 RBI with the San Francisco Giants last year, and it seems like he'll get the first shot at the opening in right field.

David Ortiz (Elected Hitter) - The 36-year-old Ortiz is obviously well past his prime, but notwithstanding that, he put up some pretty impressive numbers last year, hitting .309 with 29 homers and 96 RBI. The Red Sox hope that he will provide. Similar numbers at the DH position this year.

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How To Find Your Rhythm In Baseball

By Joe Wiser

So I am not much of a dancer. I don't know maybe you are but I am not, because you have to have a little hitting stance rhythm. But rhythm and dancing is dissimilar than rhythm and hitting. Rhythm and hitting is obligatory. Absence of rhythm at the plate causes stiffness, causes strain. We need to be comfortable and loose at the plate. May I explain.

In this segment we're going to talk of rhythm. There's a large amount of different rhythms. If you concentrate on my hands at the moment, you can see how there just a little moving around. Some fellows like to have rhythm with they're legs swaying backwards and forwards just softly. We don't desire gigantic movements. Here is where we want to avoid extremes. There's a lot of alternative ways. Some hitters like to shake their fingers. Some hitters like to tap their front toe. They get in this position. This is their rhythm. The rhythm is the way in which the hitter relaxes his body. He wants to remain loose. If he just stands there like this, yup just standing there just totally still, strain comes into his position, strain comes into his swing. He is not as snug. He's not as loose and his body can't function the way that it needs to.

So when you get in the box, you want to have something that keeps you loose. This is your rhythm. I'm nice and loose. Now avoid having too many types of rhythms going on simultaneously. That can lead to issues also. You get too much of a sway going backwards and forwards, your hands start going up and down, now I have too many things that can go bad. Remember that pitcher's trying to get you out. You're not sure always how he's going to deliver the ball. Whether he'll slide step and be fast to you or go with a high leg kick and take his time. So this is just a way to relax ourselves. Nice and smooth. We need to be comfy. We need to be loose. This is how we keep ourselves loose is with our rhythm.

Now rhythm also takes place in our load and thru our swing. You have a look at this and see which one makes better sense, this, or nice and rhythmical as I get prepared? When we do it nice and smooth, we are extraordinarily rhythmical. We give our self a chance to be under control. When we rush things and we lose our rhythm, we run into trouble as a hitter. Rhythm is a significant part of hitting. It's often over looked, so regularly mechanics are just taught. We really need to have rhythm. We need to be loose.

So next time you get in the box, go ahead find your rhythm, figure out what it is you do. Maybe you're a booty shaker. Whatever it is, find your rhythm, just not too many of them. Relax, that way your body can work, and have a great game.

About the Author:

Joe Wiser is a baseball coach who concentrates on catcher instruction and hitting drills.

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2012 Cincinnati Reds Pitching Projections

By Jack Jones

A disappointing 79-83 record last year ended the Cincinnati Reds' chances to defend their National League Central championship from 2010. But general manager Walt Jockety didn't make many moves to improve them, resulting in a disappointing 2011. The GM feels like he has added in the right pieces to contend in 2012, however. He has acquired a proven starter in Mat Latos and a shutdown closer in Ryan Madson. With the St. Louis Cardinals losing Albert Pujols, and Prince Fielder not returning to the Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinnati believes it is the team to beat in the Central. Here are my MLB predictions for the Reds' starting rotation and closer in 2012.

Projected Rotation

Johnny Cueto (RHP) - Cueto put it all together in 2011, posting a 2.31 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. He managed just a 9-5 record, but received five no-decisions due to a blown save.

Mat Latos (RHP) - Latos is the Reds' big offseason signing and they are hoping he will provide some much-needed help at the top of the rotation. He went 9-14 last season, despite posting a 3.47 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. The only concern with Latos is how he will adjust to moving from the pitcher-friendly Petco Park to a more hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.

Bronson Arroyo (RHP) - Arroyo had a down year last season, thanks to a mono infection that affected his performance. He started 32 games for the Reds, but he finished just 9-12 with a horrible 5.07 ERA for the year. Now that he seems to have regained his health, look for him to bounce back with numbers more similar to his 3.88 ERA and 17 wins of 2010.

Mike Leake (RHP) - In just his second season with the club, Leake led Cincinnati with 12 wins and posted a 3.86 ERA and 1.17 WHIP, all improvements over his rookie season. If his control from last year returns in 2012 he's a great asset at the back of this rotation.

Homer Bailey (RHP) - Bailey has shown flashes of brillance in his career, but he needs to start producing on a more consistent basis if he wants to keep his job. He went 9-7 last year with a 4.43 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in a career-high 22 starts. If he doesn't improve soon, he might just lose his position in the rotation, should the team decide to make Aroldis Chapman a starter this season.

Projected Closer

Ryan Madson (RHP) - Francisco Cordero saved 37 games for the Reds last year, but he is certainly on the decline and Cincinnati opted not to retain him. Cincinnati is excited about having Madson close the ninth, as he converted 32 of 34 save opportunities with the Philadelphia Phillies last year. Madson could save upwards of 40 games this year, especially with the new look of their starting staff, but an arm injury may cost him the 2012 season.

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