Hot Take Hub’s World Series Predictions

Baseball
After a 6 month regular season and 3 exciting weeks of postseason baseball, we have arrived at the Fall Classic. It’s East against West, Boston vs Los Angeles. Baseball’s final two teams just needing 4 more wins in order become World Series champions. First, we have the Los Angeles Dodgers, who were one win away last year from winning it all and are back to finish the job this year. After a 16-26 start, the Dodgers went on a tear going 77-43 the rest of the way, winning the NL West. After beating the Atlanta Braves in 4, they beat the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 7 in Milwaukee to advance to the World Series. They have the team to win it this year. They have 3 very good arms in…
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League Championship Series Preview By: Drew Celli

Baseball
Well, the divisional round is over. I think it is safe to say that the 4 favorites won their series (yes the Red Sox were supposed to beat the Yankees). Houston took care of Cleveland, and over in the National League, the Dodgers took care of the Braves in 4 and the Brewers swept the Rockies in 3. The only series with any dramatics was the Red Sox series in which the Sox hung on for a game four win against the Yankees to close the series out. With that said and the series already underway let’s take a look at the ALCS and NLCS.   NLCS: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Milwaukee Brewers The Los Angeles Dodgers are supposed to be here. They were a game away from a World…
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Why the Little League World Series is the Most Unique Sporting Event in the World By: Drew Celli

Baseball
Every year around mid August, the sports world makes an 11 day stop in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, as the top 16 little league teams from around the world compete for the title of world champion. ESPN covers every game and it is one of the most watched events of the year. 8 United States teams and 8 teams from around the world gather to show the world the best talent in youth sports. When I was 15, I made a visit to the Little League World Series and was amazed by the atmosphere Williamsport had to offer. On any given night, 20-30 thousand fans will pack the stadium for the 8:00 prime time ESPN game. The fans come from around the world to watch these kids, and these kids embody…
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Cy Young for Sale? By: Andrew Cadigan

Baseball
This past Saturday, Boston Red Sox ace Chris Sale was placed on the 10-day DL again due to his shoulder problems. Manager Alex Cora was cautious with Sale during his first and only outing after his first DL stint by only giving him five innings. Sale only missed one start during his last trip to the DL, but Cora was quoted saying how if he needed more than one, they could give him as many as three starts off. Now, I am only worried about getting a healthy Sale at the start of October and couldn’t care less about chasing more than 116 wins, or him finally getting the Cy Young award. This second trip to the DL worries me that the shoulder is more of an issue than we…
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A Fishy Situation in Atlanta By: Nick Feaster

Baseball
Last night, the MLB world all had their eyes on a young phenom named Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Atlanta Braves. The standout rookie had led off 3 straight games with a home run. He had 5 straight games with a home run 8 home runs in his last 8 games. The guy is simply raking the baseball, no matter who is on the mound. This is an incredible mark for any player, especially one whose been in the league for just over 100 games. All eyes were on Acuña to lead off the game versus the Miami Marlins last night. Acuña has dominated the Marlins this year with a .339 average to go along with six home runs. It is definitely safe to say Miami was sick of facing him.…
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Woes in Washington By: Mikey Prokopis

Baseball
The Washington Nationals have by far been the biggest disappointment in Major League Baseball this season. Last night summarized their season, after being up 3-0 against the Chicago Cubs in the bottom of the ninth with two strikes, only to let up a walk-off grand slam. On Opening Day, I released an article about storylines to watch throughout the season and picked my division, pennant, and World Series champions. I had the Nats winning the NL East by a landslide and eventually losing to the Cleveland Indians in the World Series. Well, that is not happening. The Nationals are only 2 games above .500 and 5.5 games out of first place and a wild card spot. So, huge thanks to the Nationals for making me look like I know what…
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MLB Hot Takes for a Hot Day By: Andrew Cadigan

Baseball
Since it's a boring Tuesday in the dog days of summer, and this is HOT TAKE Hub, here are some MLB hot takes as the postseason is less than 2 months away. Some of these will be based on stats and an educated guess, and some will be gut feelings. 1. The New York Yankees will NOT make the Playoffs After this weekend, they are just 5 games up on the Seattle Mariners for a playoff spot. While the Mariners aren't playing great ball either, (4-6 in their last 10 games) I still don't have a lot of confidence in this Yankees team. Granted, they are missing Aaron Judge, and they are better without Gary Sanchez. I would still say they have problems at the core of this team. Aaron…
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It’s A Wrap By: Mikey Prokopis

Baseball
I cannot believe what I witnessed this weekend. The Boston Red Sox took it to the New York Yankees for all four games in every facet of the game, completing a more than impressive sweep of the Bronx Bombers. I'm not going to lie: prior to the series starting, I thought it spelled disaster for the Sox. Chris Sale was supposed to pitch the series opener Thursday night, and was placed on the 10-day DL. The Red Sox had just split a quick two game series against the Philadelphia Phillies, a playoff team, where they scored a combined three runs in two games. The offense was cold, the starting rotation lost their best pitcher for the biggest series of the season, and they punched New York in the mouth for…
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Biggest Trade Deadline Winners and Losers By: Nick Feaster

Baseball
As the non-waiver trade deadline ended this past week, I will highlight my opinion on the winners and losers of the deadline. This part of the season is the turning point on many teams, as they either decide to acquire players to make a run to the postseason or sell their players for prospects and the hopes of contending for years to come.   Winners   Pittsburgh Pirates After an offseason of trading their two best players in Gerrit Cole and Andrew McCutchen, there was not much expected by this Pirates team. Being in a division with the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs certainly does not help. They are now over a .500 winning percentage after an impressive nine winning streak, propelling themselves into the wild card chase. They traded…
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74-33… But How Good are the 2018 Boston Red Sox? By: Drew Celli

Baseball
Record wise, this team may be the best in Boston Red Sox history. But, seeing how the playoffs in the MLB are played today, how is this team to be considered when it comes to baseball in October? Starting pitching is the first scary point for me. Chris Sale is the best pitcher in baseball, hands down. He can win 1-2, maybe even 3 games in a series if needed, but after Sale, do the Sox have enough to win playoff games? That is a big question that should scare the Sox faithful. David Price is known for his postseason struggles, and he needs to be a strong number two starter behind Sale for this team to have a chance. Porcello will be the game three pitcher and then decision-making…
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