NFL
By: Joe Cardoso
Writing this article with the sun in my eyes and windows open letting the fresh air in, all signs that spring is coming and winter is over. Another signal is baseball is BACK! As every other sport and person in the world did MLB had to adjust on the fly and was able to finish its season. When the final out was made it was the Los Angels Dodgers who took the trophy and look stronger and ready to repeat. We saw mega contracts handed out, new ownership ignite fan bases and players who were injured or sat out comeback. And after what we saw with the Tampa Bay Rays don’t count out every team already. I have some questions heading into 2021 and finding out the answers is just another reason to be excited about the season.
- If Not the Dodgers then who? This team is absolutely LOADED, MVP Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger, Corey Seager can all be serious National League MVP candidates. An already stacked rotation adds Trevor Bauer and welcomes back David Price. 100 wins is a REAL goal and who wants to face this squad in October?
- Two teams with a ton of hype who I want to see if they live up to the hype are the San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays. The future of baseball is Fernado Tatis Jr and with that comes all the swag and excitement new school baseball fans love. He is only getting better, after getting a taste of the postseason this team wants more, can they meet expectations? Quality pitching sets the stage for everything and Yu Darvish and Blake Snell are two of the best in the league. Is this the year the Jays go from the young and fun team to making some playoff noise? The pitching staff needs to get right quick, and Vladamir Guerrero Jr. takes the next step.
- What do the Rays do for an encore? What player no one knows about in their farm system pops on the radar and has an impact?
- Will we get a FULL season from two-way player Shohei Ohtani? His ability at the plate is clear but can he come through on the mound AND stay healthy?
- Are the Mets about to throw it back to 1986? A new owner who wants to win and a young star in Francisco Lindor not to mention Cy Young contender Jacob deGrom the energy for Mets fans is sky-high. Welcome back Noah Syndergaard. Imagine if the pitching staff gets run support?
- What about the Yankees? It has been what to fans of the Bronx bombers feels like forever since a title has come to the boogie down and last year was injury-filled and ended with a playoff exit. So many big names at the plate and on the mound the key is to stay healthy. Fingers crossed Yankee fans.
- What team aren’t we talking about?
- What effect will the old warhorse Tony LaRussa have on the White Sox? Remember the name, Louis Robert.
- Anyone else besides me still hate the Astros?
- Juan Soto is an absolute beast and when healthy the Nats have a rotation to be reckoned with. What will we get from the curly W’s this season? No way I write a baseball article and not at least mention the Atlanta Braves who are looking to make some serious noise.
This season is going to be awesome! The amount of talent on these clubs makes for competitive games daily but HEALTH is such a huge part of this along with a bit of luck. All 30 teams have key questions that need answers and we still don’t know what type of impact COVID-19 could have as well. What we do know is never has the league had such young stars that are must-see TV and if they are promoted right MLB can get some of its shine back. Teams are making plans to allow a limited amount of fans to games so we can have some of those amazing moments like a no-hitter or walk-off homer. Let the 2021 MLB season begin, PLAY BALL!
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