AL West Archives | Baseball Essential

American League West X factors for 2020

Mar 12, 2020

American League West, Major League Baseball, Opinions & Predictions

What players can move the needle for their respective teams in the 2020 Major League Baseball season? Here are X factors for every team in the American League West. Houston Astros: Lance McCullers Jr. The Ast...

An Open Letter to My Fellow Astros Fans

Tom Dorsa

Feb 11, 2020

Headlines, Houston Astros, Opinions & Predictions

I have been attempting to write something of substance about the sign-stealing controversy surrounding the Houston Astros for months. Dozens of times, I will author an article or a series of tweets that hit 300...

Alex Bregman Will Not, and Should Not, Win the AL MVP Award

Tom Dorsa

Sep 18, 2019

Houston Astros, Major League Baseball, Opinions & Predictions

On Tuesday morning, the editorial board for the Houston Chronicle made a pretty questionable decision. The decision was to publish this article by sports columnist Brian T. Smith, who suggests that Houston Astr...

Yordan Alvarez Has Been the Perfect Addition to the Houston Astros Offense

Quinn Allen

Sep 17, 2019

Houston Astros, Major League Baseball, Opinions & Predictions

There's no questioning how good the Houston Astros are this year. From their stellar 1-2-3 of Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole, and Zack Grienke, to their powerful lineup that hits on a consistent basis, this team...

Oakland Athletics: Rookie Jesus Luzardo Has the Potential To Be an Ace

Quinn Allen

Sep 13, 2019

Major League Baseball, Oakland Athletics, Opinions & Predictions

The Jesus Luzardo hype was in full effect leading up to the Oakland Athletics giving him the call-up to the big leagues, and he lived up to all expectations in his debut. Oakland's number one prospect, Luzardo ...

In Tragic Death, Tyler Skaggs Still Got What We All Need

Tom Dorsa

Jul 3, 2019

Headlines, Los Angeles Angels, Major League Baseball

A few days ago, a friend of mine committed suicide. According to the Carrollton, Texas police department, the lonesome middle-aged man passed away from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, leaving little...

Joey Gallo’s AL MVP Case Shows the Good in Baseball’s Changing Landscape

Tom Dorsa

Jun 2, 2019

Opinions & Predictions, Texas Rangers

Joey Gallo hasn't changed since arriving in the major leagues. The Texas Rangers slugger might be a little smarter of a baserunner and a tad better on defense, but he is still the exact same hitter. No, Gallo h...

Starting Pitching is a Bright Spot in a Slow Start for the Oakland Athletics

Robbie Stratakos

May 23, 2019

Oakland Athletics, Opinions & Predictions

When you win 97 games and make the playoffs, you don't expect to come out of the gate the ensuing season in third place in your division, let alone 25-25. Without a doubt, it's a highly disappointing start for ...

The Angels Still Have a Starting Pitching Problem

Tom Dorsa

May 21, 2019

Los Angeles Angels, Opinions & Predictions

If you look at every team in Major League Baseball from a pure talent standpoint, few clubs would come before the Los Angeles Angels. Boasting the best player in the game, Mike Trout, a two-way superstar sensat...

George Springer’s MVP-Caliber Play Fueling Loaded Astros

Tom Dorsa

May 17, 2019

Headlines, Houston Astros

After Wednesday night's victory over the Detroit Tigers, the Houston Astros have won eight consecutive games and 11 of their last 12. Just about every player is contributing to the Astros' winning streak, which...

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