2016 Base Knock Season Preview
Mar 24, 2016 10:46:32 GMT -5
Rockies GM (Alex), Angels GM (Derrick), and 2 more like this
Post by Ken Rosenthal on Mar 24, 2016 10:46:32 GMT -5
2016 Base Knock Dynasty Baseball Season Preview
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Ken Rosenthal reporting here on the beginning of something great: the 2016 Base Knock Dynasty Baseball season. It's been a long wait through the winter of the off-season, and the league has emerged to the sunshine of spring. And what comes with spring? Baseball.
There are many dynamic storylines for this upcoming season. Will the defending champion Rangers be anywhere to close to the level they played at last season? Can the Padres regular season dominance finally translate into a championship? Was Tampa Bay's break out season be more than a one-hit wonder? Can the Blue Jays actually win a game with the roster they've created?
Without any further words, let's take a look at this season.
2016 Games of the Week
Here they are: the unveiling of the top matchup of each week in the 2016 Base Knock Season. Apologies if your team isn't mentioned... it might mean the Committee of One thinks your team may be in for a somewhat disappointing season.
Week 1: Angels vs. Athletics
What a better way to start off the season than two teams who should be fighting for an AL West Crown until perhaps the end of the season.
Week 2: Marlins vs. Nationals
We get one of the first looks here at the vastly different Washington Nationals in a key matchup against division rival Miami, who's sure to be among the league's elite this season.
Week 3: Reds vs. Cubs
The Cubs will look to have a better start this season than their pitiful start last year, while the Reds need to hit the ground running in a competitive NL Central.
Week 4: D'backs vs. Phillies/Rays vs. Angels
I simply couldn't decide which matchup deserved more attention, these are potential NLCS and ALCS matches come September.
Week 5: Padres vs. D'backs
The elite of the National League go head-to-head in a game which could determine the NL West leader for much of the season.
Week 6: Athletics vs. Royals
Not saying that Oakland WILL drop off, but the numbers from last season could show that. Regardless, this could be a matchup between two teams on the bubble.
Week 7: Orioles vs. Rays
I think it's fair to say these are the best two teams in the AL Central. Both will be looking to build an impressive resume of wins early on.
Week 8: Nationals vs. Giants
Why do I think this is a key game? Because both of these teams were pretty bad last season, and both have a chance to make great strides this year. This game could be telling of that for both teams.
Week 9: Pirates vs. Cubs
Huge NL Central matchup. The Pirates and Cubs may not be the first choices for NL Central winners, but both could certainly be.
Week 10: Pirates vs. Reds
The Pirates get featured back to back weeks in another important game between NL Central rivals.
Week 11: Rays vs. Rangers
Apologies from the Committee of One that it took all the way until Week 11 to get the defending champs a game of the week. A matchup with Tampa is fitting for such.
Week 12: Angels vs. Tigers
This could be a big game for Detroit especially, the Committee is suspicious of their impressive 13-6 record last season, due to their 14th ranked point totals.
Week 13: Twins vs. Mariners
Why is this the game of Week 13? Because both of these teams could be making decisions around this time of the year to either blow it up or make moves to make a run.
Week 14: Marlins vs. Cubs
If things happen like last season, the Cubs will be a really good team by this point of the season, and the Marlins will have been an elite team all year.
Week 15: Angels vs. Rangers
These are two very decorated franchises. Both teams may be vying for a first-round playoff bye, so this is a key matchup to watch.
Week 16: D'backs vs. Padres/Angels vs. Rangers
While the Angels and Rangers get an immediate rematch, the D'backs and Padres will be in the same boat, and there's an argument that later pair of teams is even better.
Week 17: Twins vs. Orioles
Two long-time Base Knock General Managers go at it in what should be a key game, just three weeks away from the end of the regular season.
Week 18: Cubs vs. Padres
The Cubs have a chance to possibly play spoiler if the D'backs are close behind San Diego. Arizona will be watching this one.
Week 19: Twins vs. Royals
Lots of good games to choose from in the final week of the 2016 season, but I'm going with a historic rivalry with only the Tigers to potentially interfere from this being a game that decides the AL Central champion.
MVP, Cy Young, Breakout... Player Predictions
Last season (2015):
MVP
- Bryce Harper (BAL) - 731.5
- Josh Donaldson (LAA) - 730.5
- Paul Goldschimdt (MIA) - 721.5
- Jose Bautista (TEX) - 683
- Mike Trout (LAA) - 674
Cy Young
- Jake Arrieta (HOU) - 678.4
- Clayton Kershaw (STL) - 656.2
- Zack Greinke (STL) - 639.9
- Dallas Keuchel (DET) - 631.4
- David Price (OAK) - 612.8
This Season (ESPN Projected):
MVP
- Mike Trout (LAA) - 701
- Paul Goldschmidt (MIA) - 679
- Bryce Harper (BAL) - 657
- Josh Donaldson (LAA) - 653
- Jose Bautista (TEX) - 650
Cy Young
- Clayton Kershaw (STL) - 679.4
- Max Scherzer (LAA) - 614
- Jake Arrieta (HOU) - 596
- David Price (OAK) - 587
- Madison Bumgarner (CIN) - 586.6
This Season (Committee Projected)
MVP
- Bryce Harper (BAL) - 720 - He was incredible last season; I think he's going to keep it up.
- Mike Trout (LAA) - 710 - Trout has seemingly been a MVP candidate forever; LAA's got a good one.
- Paul Goldschmidt (MIA) - 680 - The fact that this first baseman also steals bases amazes me.
- Nolan Arenado (TB) - 675 - A breakout player last season; he's among the elite this year.
- Miguel Sano (KC) - 660 - Sleeper pick, who knows how many home runs the Abominable Sano-man could hit?
Cy Young
- Clayton Kershaw (STL) - 690 - He could realistically hit 700 as a pitcher, he's that good.
- Max Scherzer (LAA) - 670 - Trout, Donaldson, and Scherzer... man L.A..
- Zack Greinke (STL) - 640 - People think he'll drop off, I don't think so. So good last year.
- Jacob DeGrom (CHC) - 610 - The young ace is a key for Chicago's success this season.
- Chris Archer (TB) - 600 - Archer is a Cy Young candidate... that still might be under the radar.
2016 Breakout Players
- Carlos Correa (BOS) - An obvious choice for breakout player of the year. He's going to be terrific.
- Luis Severino (COL) - He's pitching against some great hitters, but I think he's up to the challenge.
- Andrew Heaney (PHI) - Another breakout starter, Heaney will be a great asset to the Phillies this season.
- Miguel Sano (KC) - Is an MVP candidate able to also be a breakout candidate? Yes.
- Yordano Ventura (LAA) - I don't think it's fair that Los Angeles has a breakout candidate along with MVP and Cy Young possibilities. So I will say no more.
Season Predictions (Best/Worst Case)
AL Central
1. Detroit Tigers: 14-5/9-10
2. Minnesota Twins: 12-7/7-12
3. Kansas City Royals: 12-7/6-13
4. Cleveland Indians: 8-11/3-16
5. Chicago White Sox: 3-16/1-18
Best Player: Miguel Sano, Kanas City
AL East
1. Tampa Bay Rays: 17-2/13-6
2. Baltimore Orioles: 14-5/10-9
3. New York Yankees: 11-8/7-12
4. Boston Red Sox: 9-10/6-13
5. Toronto Blue Jays: 1-18/0-19
Best Player: Bryce Harper, Baltimore
AL West
1. Los Angeles Angels: 18-1/14-5
2. Oakland Athletics: 14-5/12-7
3. Texas Rangers: 13-6/10-9
4. Seattle Mariners: 12-7/6-13
Best Player: Mike Trout, Los Angeles
NL Central
1. Chicago Cubs: 16-3/11-8
2. Cincinnati Reds: 15-4/11-8
3. Houston Astros: 13-6/8-11
4. Pittsburgh Pirates: 12-7/8-11
5. Milwaukee Brewers: 12-7/7-12
6. St. Louis Cardinals: 10-9/5-14
Best Player: Jake Arrieta, Houston
NL East
1. Philadelphia Phillies: 16-3/13-6
2. Miami Marlins: 16-3/13-6
3. Washington Nationals: 13-6/7-12
4. Atlanta Braves: 8-11/5-14
5. New York Mets: 1-18/0-19
Best Player: Paul Goldschimdt, Miami
NL West
1. San Diego Padres: 18-1/16-3
2. Arizona D'backs: 17-2/15-4
3. Los Angeles Dodgers: 13-6/8-11
4. Colorado Rockies: 8-11/3-16
5. San Francisco Giants: 7-12/2-17
Best Player: Joey Votto, San Francisco
(The Committee's) Projected Playoff Finishes:
American League
1. Los Angeles Angels
2. Tampa Bay Rays
3. Detroit Tigers
4. Oakland Athletics
5. Baltimore Orioles
6. Minnesota Twins
National League
1. San Diego Padres
2. Chicago Cubs
3. Philadelphia Phillies
4. Arizona D'backs
5. Miami Marlins
6. Washington Nationals
Yes. I did pick three teams from the National League East Division to make the post-season. Yes. I did pick multiple teams from the American League Central Division. But why not? The season hasn't started yet, anything can happen. It's baseball.
And if I had to pick a winner for this season, I'm going to go out on a limb and pick the Chicago Cubs. End the curse.
Thanks for reading, best of luck to all the General Mangers this season!
- Ken Rosenthal
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Ken Rosenthal reporting here on the beginning of something great: the 2016 Base Knock Dynasty Baseball season. It's been a long wait through the winter of the off-season, and the league has emerged to the sunshine of spring. And what comes with spring? Baseball.
There are many dynamic storylines for this upcoming season. Will the defending champion Rangers be anywhere to close to the level they played at last season? Can the Padres regular season dominance finally translate into a championship? Was Tampa Bay's break out season be more than a one-hit wonder? Can the Blue Jays actually win a game with the roster they've created?
Without any further words, let's take a look at this season.
2016 Games of the Week
Here they are: the unveiling of the top matchup of each week in the 2016 Base Knock Season. Apologies if your team isn't mentioned... it might mean the Committee of One thinks your team may be in for a somewhat disappointing season.
Week 1: Angels vs. Athletics
What a better way to start off the season than two teams who should be fighting for an AL West Crown until perhaps the end of the season.
Week 2: Marlins vs. Nationals
We get one of the first looks here at the vastly different Washington Nationals in a key matchup against division rival Miami, who's sure to be among the league's elite this season.
Week 3: Reds vs. Cubs
The Cubs will look to have a better start this season than their pitiful start last year, while the Reds need to hit the ground running in a competitive NL Central.
Week 4: D'backs vs. Phillies/Rays vs. Angels
I simply couldn't decide which matchup deserved more attention, these are potential NLCS and ALCS matches come September.
Week 5: Padres vs. D'backs
The elite of the National League go head-to-head in a game which could determine the NL West leader for much of the season.
Week 6: Athletics vs. Royals
Not saying that Oakland WILL drop off, but the numbers from last season could show that. Regardless, this could be a matchup between two teams on the bubble.
Week 7: Orioles vs. Rays
I think it's fair to say these are the best two teams in the AL Central. Both will be looking to build an impressive resume of wins early on.
Week 8: Nationals vs. Giants
Why do I think this is a key game? Because both of these teams were pretty bad last season, and both have a chance to make great strides this year. This game could be telling of that for both teams.
Week 9: Pirates vs. Cubs
Huge NL Central matchup. The Pirates and Cubs may not be the first choices for NL Central winners, but both could certainly be.
Week 10: Pirates vs. Reds
The Pirates get featured back to back weeks in another important game between NL Central rivals.
Week 11: Rays vs. Rangers
Apologies from the Committee of One that it took all the way until Week 11 to get the defending champs a game of the week. A matchup with Tampa is fitting for such.
Week 12: Angels vs. Tigers
This could be a big game for Detroit especially, the Committee is suspicious of their impressive 13-6 record last season, due to their 14th ranked point totals.
Week 13: Twins vs. Mariners
Why is this the game of Week 13? Because both of these teams could be making decisions around this time of the year to either blow it up or make moves to make a run.
Week 14: Marlins vs. Cubs
If things happen like last season, the Cubs will be a really good team by this point of the season, and the Marlins will have been an elite team all year.
Week 15: Angels vs. Rangers
These are two very decorated franchises. Both teams may be vying for a first-round playoff bye, so this is a key matchup to watch.
Week 16: D'backs vs. Padres/Angels vs. Rangers
While the Angels and Rangers get an immediate rematch, the D'backs and Padres will be in the same boat, and there's an argument that later pair of teams is even better.
Week 17: Twins vs. Orioles
Two long-time Base Knock General Managers go at it in what should be a key game, just three weeks away from the end of the regular season.
Week 18: Cubs vs. Padres
The Cubs have a chance to possibly play spoiler if the D'backs are close behind San Diego. Arizona will be watching this one.
Week 19: Twins vs. Royals
Lots of good games to choose from in the final week of the 2016 season, but I'm going with a historic rivalry with only the Tigers to potentially interfere from this being a game that decides the AL Central champion.
MVP, Cy Young, Breakout... Player Predictions
Last season (2015):
MVP
- Bryce Harper (BAL) - 731.5
- Josh Donaldson (LAA) - 730.5
- Paul Goldschimdt (MIA) - 721.5
- Jose Bautista (TEX) - 683
- Mike Trout (LAA) - 674
Cy Young
- Jake Arrieta (HOU) - 678.4
- Clayton Kershaw (STL) - 656.2
- Zack Greinke (STL) - 639.9
- Dallas Keuchel (DET) - 631.4
- David Price (OAK) - 612.8
This Season (ESPN Projected):
MVP
- Mike Trout (LAA) - 701
- Paul Goldschmidt (MIA) - 679
- Bryce Harper (BAL) - 657
- Josh Donaldson (LAA) - 653
- Jose Bautista (TEX) - 650
Cy Young
- Clayton Kershaw (STL) - 679.4
- Max Scherzer (LAA) - 614
- Jake Arrieta (HOU) - 596
- David Price (OAK) - 587
- Madison Bumgarner (CIN) - 586.6
This Season (Committee Projected)
MVP
- Bryce Harper (BAL) - 720 - He was incredible last season; I think he's going to keep it up.
- Mike Trout (LAA) - 710 - Trout has seemingly been a MVP candidate forever; LAA's got a good one.
- Paul Goldschmidt (MIA) - 680 - The fact that this first baseman also steals bases amazes me.
- Nolan Arenado (TB) - 675 - A breakout player last season; he's among the elite this year.
- Miguel Sano (KC) - 660 - Sleeper pick, who knows how many home runs the Abominable Sano-man could hit?
Cy Young
- Clayton Kershaw (STL) - 690 - He could realistically hit 700 as a pitcher, he's that good.
- Max Scherzer (LAA) - 670 - Trout, Donaldson, and Scherzer... man L.A..
- Zack Greinke (STL) - 640 - People think he'll drop off, I don't think so. So good last year.
- Jacob DeGrom (CHC) - 610 - The young ace is a key for Chicago's success this season.
- Chris Archer (TB) - 600 - Archer is a Cy Young candidate... that still might be under the radar.
2016 Breakout Players
- Carlos Correa (BOS) - An obvious choice for breakout player of the year. He's going to be terrific.
- Luis Severino (COL) - He's pitching against some great hitters, but I think he's up to the challenge.
- Andrew Heaney (PHI) - Another breakout starter, Heaney will be a great asset to the Phillies this season.
- Miguel Sano (KC) - Is an MVP candidate able to also be a breakout candidate? Yes.
- Yordano Ventura (LAA) - I don't think it's fair that Los Angeles has a breakout candidate along with MVP and Cy Young possibilities. So I will say no more.
Season Predictions (Best/Worst Case)
AL Central
1. Detroit Tigers: 14-5/9-10
2. Minnesota Twins: 12-7/7-12
3. Kansas City Royals: 12-7/6-13
4. Cleveland Indians: 8-11/3-16
5. Chicago White Sox: 3-16/1-18
Best Player: Miguel Sano, Kanas City
AL East
1. Tampa Bay Rays: 17-2/13-6
2. Baltimore Orioles: 14-5/10-9
3. New York Yankees: 11-8/7-12
4. Boston Red Sox: 9-10/6-13
5. Toronto Blue Jays: 1-18/0-19
Best Player: Bryce Harper, Baltimore
AL West
1. Los Angeles Angels: 18-1/14-5
2. Oakland Athletics: 14-5/12-7
3. Texas Rangers: 13-6/10-9
4. Seattle Mariners: 12-7/6-13
Best Player: Mike Trout, Los Angeles
NL Central
1. Chicago Cubs: 16-3/11-8
2. Cincinnati Reds: 15-4/11-8
3. Houston Astros: 13-6/8-11
4. Pittsburgh Pirates: 12-7/8-11
5. Milwaukee Brewers: 12-7/7-12
6. St. Louis Cardinals: 10-9/5-14
Best Player: Jake Arrieta, Houston
NL East
1. Philadelphia Phillies: 16-3/13-6
2. Miami Marlins: 16-3/13-6
3. Washington Nationals: 13-6/7-12
4. Atlanta Braves: 8-11/5-14
5. New York Mets: 1-18/0-19
Best Player: Paul Goldschimdt, Miami
NL West
1. San Diego Padres: 18-1/16-3
2. Arizona D'backs: 17-2/15-4
3. Los Angeles Dodgers: 13-6/8-11
4. Colorado Rockies: 8-11/3-16
5. San Francisco Giants: 7-12/2-17
Best Player: Joey Votto, San Francisco
(The Committee's) Projected Playoff Finishes:
American League
1. Los Angeles Angels
2. Tampa Bay Rays
3. Detroit Tigers
4. Oakland Athletics
5. Baltimore Orioles
6. Minnesota Twins
National League
1. San Diego Padres
2. Chicago Cubs
3. Philadelphia Phillies
4. Arizona D'backs
5. Miami Marlins
6. Washington Nationals
Yes. I did pick three teams from the National League East Division to make the post-season. Yes. I did pick multiple teams from the American League Central Division. But why not? The season hasn't started yet, anything can happen. It's baseball.
And if I had to pick a winner for this season, I'm going to go out on a limb and pick the Chicago Cubs. End the curse.
Thanks for reading, best of luck to all the General Mangers this season!
- Ken Rosenthal
