Toronto Blue Jays Pitching Preview For 2012

By Jack Jones

For the fifth time in the last six seasons, the Toronto Blue Jays finished with a.500 record or better by putting up an 81-81 record last season. Notwithstanding that, they finished just fourth in the AL East. They need to step up if they'd like to make a postseason push in the loaded AL East. They haven't made the postseason during the past 20 years, but they are not that far from saying and making a push before the top 3 in New York, Boston, and Tampa Bay. Here is the projected starting pitchers and closer situation for 2012. If you want more info on the team, check out our Toronto Blue Jays predictions.

Projected Rotation

Ricky Romero (LHP) - Another galvanizing year in 2011 solidified him as the top pitcher of this team. He went 15-11 with a 2.92 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 32 games. In just 3 big league seasons, Romero has racked up 42 career victories and is now just beginning the peak of his career.

Brandon Morrow (RHP) - With this high K number, Morrow definitely brings a large amount of attention on himself. He struck out 203 hitters in just 179.1 innings of work last year. Nonetheless the electrifying numbers haven't transitioned into the sort of year one would hope for. He went just 11-11 with a 4.72 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 30 games last year.

Brett Cecil (LHP) - A putrescent showing last year broke all of the potential hope Toronto had in him. After going 15-7 with a 4.22 in his first year as a full time starter, the 25-year-old went a disappointing 4-11 with a 4.73 ERA in 2011. Though the team does not share identical passion they once had, he is still young enough to have the chance to turn things round.

Henderson Alvarez (RHP) - The 21-year-old has gobs of potential waiting to be tapped. While he went just 1-3 in his first 10 career starts, his 3.53 ERA and 1.13 WHIP are clear signals of what he might be in future times.

Dustin McGowen (RHP) - It seems like McGowan will have a slight edge for the No. 5 before Kyle Drabek. Though McGowan's career has been bound by shoulder problems, he will hold down the five spot for a sound reason. His 6.43 ERA and 1.47 WHIP do not tell the whole story, but his 20 Ks in 21 innings of work are what the Blue Jays find interesting.

Projected Closer

Sergio Santos (RHP) - The Blue Jays brought back Sergio Santos to Toronto, where he began his career as a shortstop. He has since improved to be one of the top closers in the game. After taking over the closer role in May, Santos converted 30 of 36 save chances for the Chicago White Sox. What makes him stand out is his ability to rack up the Ks. He struck out 92 batters in just 63.1 innings of work last year.

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2012 San Diego Padres Lineup Overview

By Jack Jones

The San Diego Padres just about made the postseason in 2010, but slid off to finish the year. That terrible play progressed on to 2011 when they ended the year at 71-91. Let's take a look at the offense the Padres will bring to the table this year. If you'd like more information on the squad have a look at our San Diego Padres 2012 predictions article.

Projected Hitters

Nick Hundley (Catcher) - The Padres hope Hundley can play an entire year in 2012, as he has suffered through a bunch of wounds during the past. But the aptitude for this guy is amazing, as he batted .288 with 9 homers and 29 RBI in only 281 at-bats.

Yonder Alonso (First Base) - After being stuck behind Joey Votto in Cincinnati last season, he will finally have the chance to get consistent playing time in San Diego this season. He hit .330 with 5 home runs and 15 RBI in 45 games with the Reds last season, but he will be able to still need to fight for the top spot, as Jesus Guzman is also a player the Padres seem to like after posting a .312 average with 5 home runs and 44 RBI in just 247 at-bats.

Orlando Hudson (2nd Base) - In his first year in San Diego, Hudson was a big disappointment. He batted a career-worst .246 and had plenty of defensive lapses that you can not have at the major league level. He could be a career .277 hitter, so he can still bounce back in 2012, but as of now his spot is in danger.

Jason Bartlett (Shortstop) - Another guy who disappointed massively last year was Jason Bartlett. The 32-year-old batted just .245 with a.308 OBP. He has not managed to meet expectancies made when he batted .320 with 14 homers and 66 RBI with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2009. He can still get his opportunities at the start of the year, but if he doesn't show any improvement, then his job could be nearly as good as gone.

Chase Headley (Third Base) - Injuries limited his time in the field, as he just played 113 games due to an injury to his left pinkie. He still managed to hit for a career-best .289 average. Though he turns just 28 in May, his power stats have been on a steady decline since nailing 12 homers with 64 RBI in 2009.

Carlos Quentin (Left Field) - The Padres are in serious need for Quentin to be a contributor in the heart of the lineup. In just 118 games last year, he hit 24 homers with 77 RBI with the Chicago White Sox. He has hit at least 21 homers in every one of the past four years, including a career-high 36 in 2008. The burning question now is whether or not he will be able to keep up that pace now that he's playing lots of his games at pitcher-friendly Petco Park.

Cameron Maybin (Center Field) - Maybin was arguably the best player for the Padres last season. He showed an all around game last season, playing outstanding defense while also setting career highs with 82 runs, 136 hits, 24 doubles, 8 triples, 9 home runs, 40 RBI and 40 stolen bases. The 24-year-old certainly has his best years ahead of him and he is a player that will definitely grow to be a force in the approaching seasons.

Will Venable (Right Field) - Venable was so bad last season that he was sent down to the minors to attempt to fix his damaged swing. The 29-year-old ended up hitting just .246 with 9 home runs and 44 RBI. His job may be in peril if he doesn't show evidence of turning things around, as Guzman could easily move from first base and nick his starting spot.

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The history of the up to date game of Baseball

By Bruce Lewis

Here we shall find out more about some of the initial background of our beloved game of Baseball. The present time sport of baseball is quite analogous to an ancient activity described as Stoolball and is assumed to have got its origins from the eleventh century.

Stoolball is said to be an activity where somebody throws a ball toward a target and the other player guards this goal. Exactly what the goal was is simply not certain, it could have been a tree stump, given that in old Sussex dialect the meaning associated with the word stool means stump.

There are a few stories about the game of stoolball; at first it was played by milkmaids while they waited for their partners to come back home after their working day within the fields. They might place their milking stool and turn it upside down and that had been the target. Then one participator would toss a ball towards the stool as the other player would guard it, when the thrower might hit a stool leg the defensive player was out, if the defensive player hit the ball and it is caught they'd also be out.

A different story is that it was an activity played by church folk after attending a church service. They might grab a church stool and invert it and use it as the goal and then a person would protect the goal, initially with their bare hands and later on with a paddle very similar to a heavy Ping Pong paddle. It really differed by area according to what was available to use.

An extra for runner for the modern game of baseball can be a few of the people games of Great Britain that progressed into the modern day games of cricket and Rounders. These essentially were games that a single player threw a ball at a goal and another participant guards that target by batting a ball away from the target. Occasionally they could try and score points by running to bases while other players try to put the runner out by some technique.

In another article we shall explore further how the current day sport of baseball developed over time. So be sure to return again.

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Batting Overview For The 2012 Toronto Blue Jays

By Jack Jones

The Toronto Blue Jays just can not catch a break. They managed another pretty good year last year, but since they are in the American League East they are stuck behind the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and Tampa Bay Rays and so did not make the postseason. If they are going to get over the hump this year, their offense is going to need to come through. Let's check out the batting order they're going to be sending out to the field this year. For more team previews have a look at our 2012 MLB season preview.

Projected Lineup

J.P. Arencibia (Catcher) - In his first full year as the catcher for Toronto, Arencibia played comparatively well notwithstanding batting a below average .219 at the plate. He hit 23 homers and 78 RBI, and so long as he improves his average, he might be a nice starter for the Blue Jays for several years to come.

Adam Lind (First Base) - After having a massive 2009 season when he hit .305 to go along with 35 home runs and 114 RBI, Lind hasn't been able to measure up to the great expectancies and has struggled ever since. He batted just .251 last season but did hit 26 home runs with 87 RBI in just 125 games. The Blue Jays are not giving up on him just yet and they are hoping that he can go back to his old self.

Kelly Johnson (Second Base) -Toronto purchased Johnson from the Diamondbacks late last year and the change in scenery actually did help his game. After batting just .208 in 114 games with Arizona, he hit a respectable .270 over 33 games in Toronto.

Yunel Escobar (Shortstop) - After a unpleasant 2010 year, he appeared to have rebounded back and put up a respectable .290 last year. The 29-year-old however , does not have the power or speed necessary to be anything greater than a nice contact batter.

Brett Lawrie (3rd Base) -The Blue Jays are elated about what the future holds for their 22-year-old baseman in Brett Lawrie. In just 43 games, Lawrie batted .293 with 9 homers, 25 RBI, and 7 steals. He has so much ability moving forward, but he has to keep up those stats during the course of a full year.

Eric Thames (Left Field) - Another player Toronto is happy about it Eric Thames. Thames batted .262 with 12 homers and 37 RBI in just 95 games. The most important thing about Thames ' game was that it gradually improved during the course of the year.

Colby Rasmus (Center Field) - The Blue Jays need Rasmus to perform better for them after dealing for him in a midseason trade last year. In 35 games with the Blue Jays, Rasmus hit just .173 with 3 homers and 13 RBI over that stretch. He's still relatively young at the age of 25, so there is still the potential for a breakout year.

Jose Bautista (Right Field) - Folks were still doubtful when Bautista had a career year in 2010, but he showed all the doubters wrong when he played another solid year last year. In 2010, Bautista hit .260 with an astonishing 54 homers and 124 RBI. Last year, he continued his fantastic play batting .302 with 43 homers and 103 RBI, despite being walked a big league leading 132 times.

Edwin Encarnacion (Designated Hitter) - Encarnacion has shown flashes of brilliancy which has the Blue Jays thinking about a breakout season, but so far he hasn't put it together for a full season in Toronto. A stint after the All-Star break, he hit .289 with 12 home runs and 40 RBI, but he hit just .272 overall.

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Tampa Bay 2012 Hitting Preview

By Jack Jones

The Rays have a good squad due to a combination of one of the greatest pitching staffs in the AL and a good offense. Let's take a look at their group of batters and what to expect out of them in 2012. Check out our MLB baseball predictions for more franchise overviews.

Projected Batting Order

Jose Molina (Catcher) - By bringing on the 36-year-old Molina the Rays think they have upgraded at the catcher position. His best asset is defensively, as he is one of the tops in baseball at throwing out base stealers. He won't be well placed to give a lot offensively as he has just 29 homers and 163 RBI in his career, but he probably did bat a career-best .281 in 55 games with Toronto last season. So he could be a serviceable offensive threat in that regard.

Carlos Pena (First Base) - After spending the 2011 season with the Cubs, Pena returned to the Rays in the off-season. He hit just .225 with Chicago, but he has stayed a long ball threat with 28 home runs and 80 RBI. In his first three seasons with the Rays, he hit 116 home runs from 2007-2009.

Ben Zobrist (Second Base) - After an awful season in 2010, the 2009 All-Star got back on track with a good showing last season. He batted just .238 with 10 homers and 75 RBI, but managed to bat .269 with 20 homers and 91 RBI. If he manages to stay on course in 2012, he's got the potential to bat around .270 with 100 runs, 20 homers, 90 RBI and 20 stolen bases.

Reid Brignac (Shortstop) - Brignac has a lot to give defensively, but his offensive defenciencies are limiting his potential to get to a higher level as a player. He batted an abysmal .193 with only 1 home run and 15 RBI in 249 at-bats.

Evan Longoria (3rd Base) - After a bad start, Longoria ended the year with 31 homers and 99 RBI in 133 games. But his batting average ended up at a lowly .244. At the tender age of 26 though, I would not worry too much about his average, as it should climb back around .285 this year. As he hit his prime, we are likely to see the best of what he needs to offer over the next 5+ years.

Desmond Jennings (Left Field) - Regardless of a rough stretch at the end of the year, Jennings showed some solid potential in the 63 games he played last year. His .259 batting average should improve as the 25-year-old matures and get more experience. The thing that has a lot of people thrilled with this guy's potential is the undeniable fact that he hit 10 homers with 25 RBI and 20 stolen bases in a short time period. Jennings will eventually get a chance to showcase what he can do during the course of a full year.

B.J. Upton (Center Field) - Rumours have been bobbing around the Rays are looking to trade Upton at some point this season, but a lot of this will rely upon where the team sits around at the trade deadline. Upton's .243 batting average is an obvious result of his absence of discipline at the plate, His 161 strikeouts are really stressful, but his 23 home runs, 81 RBI and 36 steals from last year is tricky to ignore. He is just 27, so he still has a chance to breakout and be an elite player,

Matt Joyce (Right Field) - In his first full year with extended playing time, Joyce has be bullish with a good showing. He batted .277 with 19 homers and 75 RBI over 141 games. He has got a great opportunity to be one of the big surprises in 2012 if he will improve his game against lefties. (He has merely a .196 lifetime average against lefties.)

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Tampa Bay Pitching Preview For 2012

By Jack Jones

After the Red Sox's historical meltdown in the last month of the year, the Tampa Bay Rays came in and returned to the playoffs with an impressive 91-71 mark. Nevertheless they'd afterwards lose to the Texas Rangers in the first round, crushing their search to return to the World Series. No one predicted them to be a threat last season after losing their top batters in Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena, so it was still a moral win for Tampa Bay. Having one of the very finest starting pitchers in the MLB, you can't count out Tampa Bay in the American League East. Here are the projected starters and closer situation for the Rays in 2012. Get more information on the franchise in our 2012 Tampa Bay Rays predictions.

Projected Rotation

David Price (LHP) - After a brilliant 2010 campaign, where he went 19-6 with a 2.72 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. The 26-year-old had a below average season in 2011 thanks largely to his team's poor offense. He went just 12-13 with a 3.49 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 34 games. Price was just the ninth starter in MLB history to finish with a losing record regardless of striking out at least 200 batters and ERA under 3.50.

James Shields (RHP) - After going 13-15 with a 5.18 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in 33 starts in 2010, Shields completely turned it around and had a superb 2011 campaign. He came out and went 16-12 with a 2.82 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 33 starts last year. Aside from that, he also led the league with 11 complete games and 4 shutouts.

Jeremy Hellickson (RHP) - Hellickson's rookie campaign was nothing to scoff at, going 13-10 with a 2.95 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 29 starts. The 24-year-old certainly has what is required to be a No.1 starter, but he needs to lower his walk rate before he can earn that title.

Wade Davis (RHP) - The Rays are hoping Davis can build off his 2011 season and truly fulfill the ambitious expectations given to him. He went 11-10 with a 4.45 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 29 starts, like what he probably did in 2010. At twenty six, he's still entering the prime of his career and will be in just his third year as a fulltime starter.

Matt Moore (LHP) - Moore definitely impressed a lot of people in his first season with Tampa Bay. The 22-year-old pitching phenom struck out 11 batters in 5 scoreless innings against the Yankees and followed that up by shutting out the Rangers over 7 innings in their only win of the postseason. Tampa Bay is definitely euphoric over their young star.

Projected Closer

Kyle Farnsworth (RHP) - In his first full year as the Rays first closer, he converted 25 of 31 save chances while posting a 2.18 ERA and 0.99 WHIP. He certainly held his own and if it was not for the starters throwing so many complete games, he would have saved nearer to 35 last season. His elbow is a worry, but he has got the potential to save plenty of games in 2012.

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Starting Rotation And Closer Situation For The 2012 St. Louis Cardinals

By Jack Jones

The St. Louis Cardinals had a surprise year last year to go on one of the most improbable World Series victories in the history of the sport. If it wasn't for the Atlanta epic collapse to end the year, St. Louis wouldn't have been able to make the postseason. In do or die games throughout the postseason, they were able to put out tough wins particularly in game 6 and 7 in the World Series against the tough Texas Rangers to take home the title.

In could be a higher climb this season, but St. Louis needs to adapt to life without manager Tony La Russa, who opted to step down, and Albert Pujols, debatably the top batter in the game, who confirmed a free agent contract with the Angels. The Cardinals were able to welcome back ace Adam Wainwright who missed all of last year. That should be a big boost to the starting rotation. Let's have a quick look at who the best pitchers are for the Cardinals in 2012. Take a look at our entire St. Louis Cardinals predictions to find out how we think this team finishes out in 2012.

Projected Rotation

Chris Carpenter (RHP) - The 36-year-old ended the year by going 11-9 with a 2.45 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 34 games. He has what's needed to be an ace, but there are some fears that age has finally swept up to the veteran. The man has pitched 508.1 innings during the last 2 seasons.

Adam Wainwright (RHP) - Wainwright missed all of 2011 after receiving the Tommy John surgery. He ought to be back on form for the Cardinals in 2012, and they are banking on him to have similar numbers of a 20-11 record with a 2.42 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 33 starts like he did in the 2010 season.

Jaime Garcia (LHP) - Garcia disappointed a bit last season as he was not able to match what he did in his first year as a starter 2 seasons back. The 25-year-old lefty has a lot of potential to tap right into though, so I wouldn't worry too much about his future. His ERA jumped from 2.70 in 2010 to 3.56 last season, but he was able to match his 1.32 WHIP and 13 win mark. He definitely have what it takes to be the ace of this staff and be a 15 game winner as soon as this year.

Kyle Lohse (RHP) - Lohse surprise lots of people when he led St. Louis with 14 victories last year, particularly since he posted just 4-8 with a 6.55 ERA in 18 starts during the 2010 year. His 3.39 ERA and 1.17 WHIP were both career lows. At the age of 33 though, it's hard to predict if he'll build off that performance in 2012.

Jake Westbrook (RHP) - Westbrook finished the year with a respectable 12-9 record in 33 starts. But he's at the bottom of the revolution for a sound reason, as his 4.55 ERA and 1.53 WHIP from last season can swear to. When he's got control of his sinking fastball he will be able to be incredibly tough to hit, so another double-digit win year is definitely practicable.

Projected Closer

Jason Motte (RHP) - Motte's emergence in the closer's role might have been the reason why the Cardinals won the World Series last season. Without him, they wouldn't have even made the postseason. Motte converted 18 of 22 save opportunities while posting a 2.25 ERA and 0.96 WHIP. The other pitchers who attempted to close the ninth for St. Louis blew a mixed 22 save opportunities.

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2012 St. Louis Cardinals Batting Order Predictions

By Jack Jones

St. Louis needs to adjust to life without coach Tony La Russa, who opted to step down, and Albert Pujols, arguably the best batter in the sport, who agreed to a free agent contract with the LA Angels. The Cardinals managed to sign veteran outfielder Carlos Beltran though. Here is the projected batting order for St. Louis in 2012. Check out our other MLB predictions to find more previews of teams.

Projected Lineup

Yadier Molina (Catcher) - Molina's been recognized defensively for years , but it feels like he can also be depended upon to be a threat on offense also. Molina's .305 batting average, 32 doubles, 14 HRs, and 65 RBI in 2011 were all career highs.

Lance Berkman (First Base) - The Cardinals signed Berkman to a contract after an unpleasant year where he hit just .248 with 14 home runs and 58 RBI in 2010. Well, he blew away all expectancies by hitting .301 with 31 home runs and 94 RBI in 145 games, putting him seventh in NL MVP voting. With Berkman panning out for the Cardinals, he has turned into a good fill in for the Pujols at first base.

Skip Schumaker (2nd Base) - Schumaker has not got a lot of power as he hit just 22 home runs in 703 career games, his .290 career average is what the Cardinals will depend on. With the arrival of 25-year-old Daniel Descalso though, he could see himself lose some valuable playing time.

Rafael Furcal (Shortstop) - Furcal has plenty of potential to be big contributor for St. Louis this season, but he must remain healthy in order to do it. He has played in 100 games just once in the past four years. He has batted .231 with seven HRs and 16 RBI in 50 games with St. Louis, but his solid stats would be for naught if he is unable to remain in the lineup for over 1/2 the year.

David Freese (Third Base) - Freese came up huge in the playoffs putting up huge numbers of .397 with 5 homers and 21 RBI, but it is hard to work out if he will be able to maintain that production over the course of a full year. He batted .297 with 10 homers and 55 RBI during the regular year, but once more wounds limited him to play in just 97 starts.

Matt Holliday (Left Field) - One of the more consistent players in the Cardinals lineup is Matt Holliday. He is still just 32-years of age, so he has lots left in the tank. He played in just 124 games last year, but he managed to hit .296 with 22 home runs and 75 RBI. If he stays healthy, look for him to extend his production to around .315 with 25 home runs and 100 RBI in 2012.

Jon Jay (Center Field) - He has shown enough in his first two years in the league to warrant a full-time job. He batted .297 with 22 homers and 37 RBI in 455 at-bats last season. The 27-years-old is still young enough to improve , but don't expect him to have a massive jump in production.

Carlos Beltran (Right Field) - After an injury plagued season in both 2009 and 2010, the 34-year-old vet bounced back to hit .300 with 22 home runs and 84 RBI with the Mets and Giants last year. While he might no longer be a threat on the bases, there is still some juice left in his game.

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Proper Head Placement In Your Baseball Hitting Stance

By Simon Gentry

Like we talked about in the previous segment, a lot happens up here in our head, a large amount of things that may screw us up at the plate. We are not going to speak about that in this segment. We are going to talk about the particular placement of our head, where our head is in our hitting stance. The spot where our head is can affect plenty of things. If our head's tilted, that is going to lead directly to Problems. If we're closed off too far and I am only using one eye, that is going to cause issues.

So use this as a guide. You want to have your head turned all the way around so we have 2 eyes level on the pitcher. My head is square in this position. It isn't tilted over. It isn't turned this way. We would like to use two eyes. Have two eyes facing that pitcher out there. My jaw is up. I'm nice and square in this position. This is going to give me the best opportunity to read that pitch coming into me. When I am getting turned sideways, this leads on to other Problems.

Allow me to show you. Our head is basically like the top of the axis. Whatever our head does, the body's going to follow around it. My head begins to turn. I am now going to follow around this way. You can see how I've now lost the angle of my bat. When I only have one eye on the pitcher, it's usually likely to be harder. If my eyes are sideways looking out at the pitch, it will be more troublesome. This game's tough. We all know how difficult it is. We need to be in a position where we have the best opportunity to succeed.

So we want to really use our eyes, and both. So from here, my head's square, I am looking immediately out at the pitcher. My chin's up. It's nice and level right there, not tilted. Remember, this head starts to tilt, It's going to affect how everything revolves around it. There isn't any way we can come down on a ball when our head's turned sideways. It's always going to be in this motion. You can see the difference when my head's turned square, how I am able to instantly revolve down through the ball.

So the next time you get in the box, this is such a simple fix. Test your head, ensure it's up. Confirm your looking square at the pitcher. Yes, ensure you can see that ball. That way we are able to confirm we drive it, and have a great game.

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2012 Minnesota Twins Starter & Closer Overview

By Jack Jones

The Minnesota Twins had a horrible year in 2011 and slipped to the bottom of AL Central with a 63-99 record. It looks as though they do not go anywhere in 2012, as they lost more than they have gained in the offseason. The Twins lost Joe Nathan, Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel, who all signed somewhere else as free agents, leaving them with big holes to fill all over the field. Though the Twins have surprised folks during the past, they will likely need lots of things to go right if they are to contend in 2012. Here are the projected starting rotation and closer situation for the approaching year. For more information check out our complete Twins predictions.

Projected Rotation

Carl Pavano (RHP) - Pavano didn't reach expectations, as he went just 9-13 with a 4.30 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 2010. Pavano is an imperative piece in Minnesota's rotation and he needs to get back on track if Minnesota is going to spin things round in 2012.

Francisco Liriano (LHP) - Liriano also struggled last year. The 28-year-old lefty went just 9-10 with a 5.09 ERA and 1.49 WHIP in 24 starts. With Minnesota not having a clean-cut No. 1, the Twins desperately need him to figure things out and pitch like an ace this year.

Scott Baker (RHP) - Baker was on his way to a solid season last season when an elbow injury stopped his season prematurely in early August. He posted a career-low 3.14 ERA and 1.17 WHIP, but finished up just 8-6 in 21 games. If the elbow difficulty is gone for ever, we could see Baker become the best thrower the Twins send to the hill in 2012.

Nick Blackburn (RHP) -Blackburn had a streak of 3 consecutive double-digit victory years broken in 2011. The 30-year-old just went 7-10 with a 4.49 ERA and 1.60 WHIP. He will still post a 10-win season in 2012, but he desires his offense to step up if he wants to do it.

Jason Marquis (RHP) - Minnesota added Marquis in the offseason with the hopes that he'll eat lots of innings, but he hasn't thrown 200-plus innings since 2009. Marquis has two 15-win years to his credit, and he might be able to benefit from pitching in the spacious Target Field. But if he wants to be a big helper for Minnesota this season, he must keep on the field.

Projected Closer

Matt Capps (RHP) - After a marvelous season in 2010 when he came in for the wounded Nathan late in the season to close 16 games while posting a 2.00 ERA, his hype backed down when he had a below average performance in 2011. He must do better in 2012 if he wants to stay the Twins closer. Capps was frequently booed off the diamond last season due to his inability to close games, but in his defense, he was afflicted by a forearm injury. He should get back to his old self, when he managed to save 42 games between the Nationals and Twins mixed.

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2012 Seattle Mariners Hitting Preview

By Jack Jones

The Seattle Mariners started playing well last year but faded down fast. This franchise plays in a pitcher friendly ballpark, so their batters don't get plenty of due. Let's check out the hitting lineup to see what it will be like in 2012. For more information on this franchise have a look at our 2012 Seattle Mariners preview.

Miguel Olivo (Catcher) - Coming over from the Colorado Rockies, Olivo hit 19 homers with 62 RBI in his first year with the Mariners. But he had a poor .224 batting average, which will keep him from starting every night. Not only were the Mariners able to trade for Jesus Montero this winter, they also acquired John Jaso from Tampa Bay last year.

Justin Smoak (First Base) - Smoak started off the year powerful, but a thumb injury and the demise of his pop caused his 2011 year to end on a bad note. The 25-year-old finished up batting just .224 with 15 homers and 55 RBI. He can still have a better year in 2012, but he has to keep healthy and properly incentivized to have any opportunity at a breakout year in this years' year.

Dustin Ackley (2nd Base) - After a midseason call-up in 2011, the Mariners are counting on Dustin Ackley to provide a spark offensively. The previous No. 2 pick of the 2009 draft showed everybody a glimpse of his potential when he hit .273 alongside seven triples, 6 home runs, 36 RBI, and 6 stolen bases in just 90 games. Although he ought to be more of a threat for the team this season, it is likely that his best days are a few brief years away.

Brendan Ryan (Shortstop) -Ryan's price lies on the defensive end of the field, as he just batted .248 with only 3 HRs and 39 RBI. He was able to add 13 steals, but he simply is not much of a threat on offense.

Kyle Seager (3rd Base) - Fellow youngster Alex Liddi is predicted to fight Seager for the starting spot. Either way, it does not look like the Mariners will get a lot out of this position. Seager batted just .258 with 3 homers and 13 RBI in 53 games, while his counterpart Liddi finished up just batting .225 with 3 homers and 6 RBI in 15 games.

Mike Carp (Left Field) - While getting an extended look in the big leagues, Carp showed a lot of talent. He hit a respectable .276 with 12 homers and 46 RBI in just 290 at-bats. Seattle needs him to continue to develop, as he's projected to hit in the middle of the order this year.

Franklin Gutierrez (Center Field) - After a gloomy offensive performance in 2011, he needs to bounce back in 2012 if he would like to keep his job. He batted just .224 with one homer and 19 RBI in 92 games. He was troubled by wounds, but is a stellar defender. He just wishes to bounce back to keep his standing with the franchise.

Ichiro Suzuki (Right Field) - After 10 great years with at least 200 hits and a .300-plus average, it finally appears like Ichiro is on the fall. He hit just.272 with 184 hits in 161 games. He is just one year removed from hitting .315 with 214 hits, but at 38, Father Time suggests that we will continue to see a decrease more than anything.

Jesus Montero (Designated Hitter) - Eventually, Montero will become the team's everyday catcher, but for the time being he figures to get the majority of his at-bats as the DH. The 22-year-old hit.328 with four home runs and 12 RBI in just 61 at-bats with the Yankees in 2011. The bigger query is if Montero can hold up during a full season.

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Professional Baseball Strategies You Can Use Today

By Michael Bastadio Xavier

Baseball is a sport that combines physical skills with many complex strategies that differ from one game to the next. How the game is played will depend on a lot of things such as the score, who is on a base or up to bat and even whether the pitcher is left or right handed. No matter what position you want to play, when playing baseball it requires paying attention to all details. The following are a few items that will aid you or other players to perform at their best.

We'll be exploring some useful baseball strategies in this article, which can help your team score some victories if you apply them.

The double play is generally fun to achieve and even though experienced players seem to do it with ease, it is very difficult for inexperienced players to accomplish. To get ready for the double play, this means that a runner is put on first and both the first and third basemen stay in the normal position. The second baseman and shortstop should both get closer to the second base than they normally do. 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 regular during practice drills.

While a few hitters have a greater ability to make contact with the ball than others, the best method for improving hitting skills is to practice. Almost anyone from children to adults will find the batting tee a very helpful resource. This is a resource that can be used during the off season just as much as the regular baseball season. So it aids batters from practicing their skills year round. Even practicing your swing in the air can be helpful, especially if you visualize hitting the ball. Coaches should watch all hitters with a close eye and figure out if certain areas need improving. This is because some hitters need to change their stance or their grip on 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 happens when they are confused about who should get the ball. If players do not correspond with one another in the right way, there will be confusion or issues in the outfield. The center field player gets the most attention. So, the left and right field players should not go into this area. Players should always tell other players when they are going to catch the ball. Once a player says this, the other players should get out of the way. To be good at baseball, you have to do more than just remember a few techniques. 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 a few of the tips that are good for making a team or player get better performance. The more you know about baseball, the better you'll get and the more pleasure you'll get out of it.

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2012 Texas Rangers Hitter Preview

By Jack Jones

There is no doubt the 2012 Texas Rangers will be well placed to score runs. They've a great lineup and no real weak spot in the batting order. If you would like more details on how we think this team will end up, have a look at our complete 2012 Texas Rangers predictions.

Projected Lineup

Mike Napoli (Catcher) - Napoli put together a fantastic 2011 season on each side of the ball. His was top quality on defense and he had a career season offensively. He ended up batting a solid .320 with 30 HRs and 75 RBI in just 113 games. It'll be tough for him to replicate those stats in 2012, but he figures to make a big impact for Texas and be one of the best all round catchers in the MLB.

Mitch Moreland (First Base) - Early in the year, Moreland was looking like he was on his way to a breakthrough year after batting .300 with seven HRs in his first 160 ABs, but he was not in a position to keep up his hitting and struggled at the end of the year. He ended the season with a .259 average to go along with 16 HRs and 51 RBI. He's still pretty young, as he just turned 27, so some people predict a breakout season to finally occur for him in 2012.

Ian Kinsler (Second Base) - After a below average performance in 2010, he rebounded back in 2011 to have a similar season to the one during his breakout season in 2009. The 29-year-old batted just .255, but made up for it with 32 HRs, 77 RBI, and 30 robbed bases. He is still in the prime phase of his career, so expect similar if not better production in 2012.

Elvis Andrus (Shortstop) - Andrus put together a career year in his 3rd season in the majors. The Rangers are hoping this ultra-talented 23-year-old can continue his solid play in 2012. His average of .279, 96 runs, 60 RBI and 37 steals were all career bests for this gifted youngster coming along on his very own.

Adrian Beltre (3rd Base) - Although Beltre is clearly getting up there in age (he's 32), he has a few good seasons left in him. He played in 124 games in his first season with Texas, posting excellent stats when he was on the diamond. He helped strengthen the squad on the defensive end, and his offense didn't take a massive dip, as he batted .296 with 32 HRs and 105 RBI.

Josh Hamilton (Left Field) - Injuries kept Hamilton from duplicating his MVP numbers from 2010, but he was still a force on offense when he was in the lineup. He batted .298 with 25 HRs and 94 RBI in just 121 games. Texas will make an effort to keep him healthy by moving him to left field. If it is working, expect that he will be in the thick of it in the AL MVP race in 2012.

Craig Gentry (Center Field) - Despite not being excellent on the offensive end, Gentry is a defensive maestro on the field, so it is like he will have the edge in the battle for the field job this spring. His value lies on defense, as he just hit .271 with one home run and 13 RBI in 133 at-bats last year. But with all the offensive firepower this team has, as long as Gentry plays well defensively, he may be able to keep his job in center field.

Nelson Cruz (Right Field) - It is quite displeasing that Cruz cannot stay fit for a full year, because the guy is a beast on the plate. He was restricted to just 124 games last season, but still managed to hit 29 HRs with 87 RBI. The Rangers hope this is the season Cruz can enjoy health, so they can eventually appraise what they have in the man over the course of a full year.

Michael Young (Designated Hitter) - In spite of not especially liking the situation he was put in after being moved to DH, he didn't appeared fazed and had another impressive performance last year. He finished the year with a career-high .338 average with 11 home runs and 106 RBI. He'll likely not return to his power form from 2 years ago, when he was a 20-plus home run hitter, but he's still one of the greatest hitters in the game.

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2012 Minnesota Twins Lineup Preview

By Jack Jones

The Minnesota Twins ultimately were too worked over to fight for the division title last season, but with their top guys healthy you can't really count them out in 2012. Let's take a look at their starting lineup with our 2012 Minnesota Twins preview article.

Projected Lineup

Joe Mauer (Catcher) - Injuries limited Mauer to just 82 games played last season. He suffered through pneumonia and a leg injury at different times but did play well when healthy, posting a respectable .287 average with a .360 OBP; still, he was only capable of making 47 starts behind the plate. He finished with just 3 home runs, though, and for the Twins to come back, they are going to need Mauer to remain healthy and put up akin numbers to his career season of 2009.

Justin Morneau (First Base) -After he suffered a career-threatening concussion in 2010, Morneau has not been the same and his numbers clearly dipped from his top seasons from 2006 to 2009. He hit just .227 with 4 home runs and 30 RBI in 69 games in 2011; it is growing more likely that he'll not be able to get back to his former self. But he has shown some encouraging signs this spring.

Alexi Casilla (2nd Base) -This is another Twins player who was dealing with the injury bug and had his year cut short last year. He was nonetheless , ready to show some guarantee when he took the field. He has notable speed that makes him a robust candidate for a high triple count and 30-plus steals if he'll enjoy health.

Jamey Carroll (Shortstop) -The 38-year-old will provide some stability at the shortstop spot after Tsuyoshi Nishioka failed to measure up to his potential in his first year. Carroll posted a .290 batting average in 146 starts with the Los Angeles Dodgers last year, but he's best used defensively at 2nd base and he has little to no power left.

Danny Valencia (3rd Base) -The Twins are hoping that Valencia can continue to develop and break out offensively in 2012. Even though he hit just .246 with 15 home runs and 72 RBI in his first full season, he probably did post a respectable .275 average after July 1. If he continues to develop, he has the potential to hit 25 homers and drive in close to 90 runs in 2012.

Ben Revere (Left Field) -After leading all American League beginners with 34 steals in just 117 games last year, Revere is proving to be a big-time threat when he gets on the basepads. Nevertheless he must show that he will be able to do more with the bat if he wants to keep his starting gig. He batted just .267 with a paltry 14 extra-base hits in 450 at-bats in 2011.

Denard Span (Center Field) - Span is another player who had his season cut short because of an injury. He played just 70 games because of a concussion in 2011, but he does put up solid numbers when healthy. He hit .311 with 97 runs, 10 triples, 68 RBI and 23 steals in 2009. He is widely considered to be the leadoff hitter for Minnesota, but his main worth depends on the fitness of Mauer and Morneau, as he could be a security-net lower in the lineup if one of the two players get hurt.

Josh Willingham (Right Field) - Willingham is being heavily relied on to give Minnesota some pop in the middle of the order. He had respectable power numbers with 29 homers and 98 RBI in 136 games with the Oakland Athletics last year. It'd be a huge plus if he could improve on his low .248 average from last year, but Minnesota needs him more for his power rather than his average.

Ryan Doumit (Designated Hitter) - Another player who the Twins will rely on heavily in 2012 is Ryan Doumit. He'll be used primarily as the DH, but he'll also provide some games as a catcher when Mauer requires a break. He could be a new purchase from the Pittsburgh Pirates who hit .303 with 8 home runs and 30 RBI in 77 games for the Pirates last season. A large amount of his production will depend on if he is ready to stay healthy.

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Expert Baseball Techniques You Should Know

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 very important that the team communicates and works together during the whole game. The point of this article is to discuss different strategies that win games.

A great deal of reports that I've lately come up with have already been sports related. This article yet another one and a good follow-up to the article about how to be a better basketball player.

The double play is usually fun to handle and even though professional ball players can make it look simple, it can actually be very difficult for the average ball player to master. To get ready for the double play, this means that a runner is put on first and both the first and third basemen stay in the normal position. The second baseman and shortstop, however, should both position themselves closer to second base than usual. 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 practice drill play that should be done constantly.

Hitters should practice their swing. Everyone should maintain a high standard of conditioning. This way, when the season starts, players will be ready to do their best and will not start from the beginning.

One of the most demanding positions on the field is pitching, and there is little reason to wonder why. Keeping control over so many throws during a game is extremely difficult. Most hitters will not have a high percentage against the pitcher who throws a lot of strikes. That is the key to keep the runs scored by the other team to an absolute minimum. However, it is possible to improve one's control in pitching through specific drills. One of the most powerful drills you can do is visualizing, and the best way to do it is see everything being perfectly executed.

Communication between players can make a big difference during a game. This is especially important in the outfield. This is where there can sometimes be uncertainty about which player is going to go after the ball. If players do not correspond with one another in the right way, there will be confusion or issues in the outfield. The center fielder commands the most attention. So, the left and right fielders shouldn't intrude into his territory. Players should always says when they are getting the ball. Once one player indicates this, the other players should stay out of that area. To summarize, baseball is a complex game because there are numerous tactics to learn, which means that no two games are exactly the same. All players must be able to make specific decisions very quickly. The more that these players are trained and know about baseball, the chances are greater that they will make the right decisions. In this article, we have talked about important things that you should not forget. The more practice player get, the more they will be able to use this knowledge when needed.

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2012 Seattle Mariners Starters & Closer Predictions

By Jack Jones

At the start of the 2011 year, the Seattle Mariners were playing well enough to contend in the American League West till a crushing 17-game losing run in July shattered their hopes for a shock run at a division title. Seattle would go on to post a subpar record of 67-95, and finish last in its division. The Mariners had plenty of problems offensively last year, which led them to trade away second-year starter Michael Pineda for promising young catcher Jesus Montero. It appears like the team will have a difficult time catching up to the likes of the LA Angels and Texas Rangers, however it might be able to finish ahead of a rebuilding A's squad in Oakland. Here is the projected beginning rotation and closer situation for the Mariners. Check our Seattle Mariners preview for more information on the team.

Projected Starters

Felix Hernandez (RHP) - After 2 spectacular years in 2009 and 2010, Hernandez returned to fact last season. He finished up going 14-14 with a 3.47 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 33 games, solid stats for most pitchers but nothing out of the ordinary for "King Felix." In both 2009 and 2010, Hernandez ended up with an ERA of under 2.50, so last season was not quite up to his usual. He probably did just turn 26 in April, so there's reason to think he is going to get back on track in 2012.

Jason Vargas (LHP) - After going 9-12 with a 3.78 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP in 2010, the 29-season-old took a step in the wrong direction last season. He went just 10-13 with a 4.23 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 32 games last year. Unless the Seattle offense completely turns it around in 2012, he will be able to certainly struggle to reach double-digit victories in the new season.

Hisashi Iwakuma (RHP) - After signing Iwakuma from Japan, the hope around Seattle is that he can carry over his success overseas to the big leagues. He went 21-4 with a 1.87 ERA in Japan in 2008, but the fear is that he's going to be unable to control Major League hitters on a regular basis.

Blake Beavan (RHP) - In spite of a formidable frame of 6'7" and 240 lbs, he does not strike out lots of batters and is still a work in progress so far in his young career. He had a small taste of the big leagues in 2011, starting 15 games with a 4.27 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. He's still pretty raw and he will not be all that useful in 2012.

Hector Noesi (RHP) - After coming over from the Yankees in the Montero deal, he's predicted to get a chance at the fifth and final spot in the rotation. He was used usually as a reliever by the Yankees last season, with just two starts, and posted 4.47 ERA and 1.51 WHIP. Those are certainly not good figures for a starter, and if he continues to struggle in the present year, expect Charlie Furbush to take his place at the rear of the rotation.

Projected Closer

Brandon League (RHP) - League actually emerged as a real closer in 2011. He saved 37 games in first real stint as the go-to-guy in the ninth, earning him an All-Star spot. There is no question that he will be able to build on his performance from last year.

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2012 Texas Rangers Rotation Predictions

By Jack Jones

The Texas Rangers were the top of the AL for the second consecutive year, leading the West with a 96-66 mark. The Rangers went back to the World Series after a disheartening showing in 2010, but eventually fell short for the 2nd consecutive year. They lost to the Giants in 5 games in the 2010 World Series, and were prepared to reign supreme in 2011 against St. Louis, although it was not to be. The Rangers were not able to benefit from the chance and lost the Championship again. Texas is quite capable of going back to the World Series for a 3rd consecutive year, but it is looking like it may be a dogfight for the division this year as the LA Angels signed key players C.J. Wilson and Albert Pujols. Here is the projected starting pitchers and closer situation for this season. If you want more details on the team check our Texas Rangers predictions.

Projected Rotation

Colby Lewis (RHP) - Now that Wilson is a member of LA, Lewis will be the Opening Day pitcher for Texas this year. He won a career-high 14 games last year, but his ERA leaped from 3.72 in 2010 to 4.40 last year. His ERA should fall back to under 4.00 this year and it is likely that he could set another career high in victories with the offense he has backing him in Arlington.

Derek Holland (RHP) -In his 1st full year as a pitcher for Texas, Holland truly impressed by his showing, and if he continues his solid work at the beginning of 2012, he might become the top of the rotation as soon as this year. He went 16-5 with a 3.95 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 2011, and his strong finish at the end of the year carried over to the postseason. A consistent performance for him in 2012 is all he should be a vital part of the Rangers' plans.

Yu Darvish (RHP) - After losing Wilson to LA, the Rangers somewhat eased the loss with the signing of Darvish, who has been a sensation in Japan for the past five years. Although typically Japanese players take a bit before adjusting to the major leagues, it seems like Darvish is ready to shine in his first year.

Matt Harrison (LHP) - Harrison actually came on powerful last year for Texas, regardless of just having 32 starts in the prior 3 years. The 26-year-old went 14-9 with a 3.39 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in 30 games.

Neftali Feliz (RHP) - The last few years, Feliz was employed as the Rangers closer, and he probably did the role quite well. He saved 72 games with just nine blown saves, while posting an ERA of about 2.70. It's going to be complicated for him to transition from reliever to starter, but he was brought to the Rangers to finally become a starter.

Projected Closer

Joe Nathan (RHP) - Texas went out and added Nathan to take over the ninth inning role, which is a gigantic reason why Feliz is being moved to the rotation. Nathan is one the elite closers in the game when healthy, but injuries plagued his 2011 year. He finished with just 14 saves, which was miles away from the 41-save average he assembled over his previous six years.

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