MLB First Third Review - NL West

Arizona Diamondbacks

MVP: Jason Kubel

One of the most under-the-radar moves this off-season was the Diamondback’s signing of Jason Kubel, While Kubel is not likely to reach his career-high numbers of 2009, he has proven to be the most valuable bat in Arizona’s lineup, out-performing the bigger names like Justin Upton and Miguel Montero.

Best Case Scenario:

The D-Backs have a lineup that should continue to put runs on the board. Between Kubel, Upton, Montero, Chris Young and the resurgent Aaron Hill, there’s enough power, contact and speed to remain in the hunt. It should, then, come down to pitching. Arizona needs Ian Kennedy, Trevor Cahill, and Daniel Hudson to improve.

Worst Case Scenario:

Upton continues to be nagged by injuries, Hill falls back into his 2010/ 2011 form, and the pitching continues to struggle. LA and San Francisco battle it out for the division.

Bottom Line:

Arizona is good enough to keep pace with the Dodgers and Giants. It really will come down to the D-Back’s rotation.

MLB First Third Review - NL East

Atlanta Braves

While his SB numbers are down, Bourn has remained the Braves' table-setter

MVP: Michael Bourn

Brandon Beachy is tearing it up for the Braves right now (literally: a tear in his elbow has ended his year). But, unlike most years, the Braves’ pitching staff as a whole is struggling. Meanwhile, the Braves are 3^rd in the NL in runs scored. Setting the table for the offense is leadoff hitter Michael Bourn. Known as a threat on the base-paths over the last few years, Bourn’s stolen base numbers are slightly down this year. Pretty much all of his other offensive numbers are up, however, and as long as he keeps getting on base at a reasonably good clip, he will continue to score a ton of runs.

NBA Finals Game 2: Things We Learned

Three Things We Learned:

Russell Westbrook needs to get mentally tough early in games
Courtesy: NBAE

1.     Russell Westbrook Needs To Stay In Control

Through 2 games this series, Russell Westbrook has played brilliantly in 4^th quarters, helping spark Oklahoma City’s comebacks in both games. Unfortunately, Westbrook was also one of the main reasons the Thunder needed to comeback in the first place in game 2. We all know Westbrook plays with a ton of emotion. But in the 1^st quarter of game 2 it seemed to overwhelm Westbrook at times. He seemed out of control early in the game, a tendency he cannot continue for OKC to win the series.

MLB First Third Review - AL West

Los Angeles Angels

MVP: Mike Trout

Trout has a .341/.401/.541 line and 16 steals as the Angels' leadoff hitter

MLB First Third Review - AL Central

Chicago White Sox

MVP: Paul Konerko

Chris Sale deserves a shout out here. His WHIP is under 1.00, his ERA is under 3.00 (an AL-leading 2.30) and he is holding opponents to a batting average under .200. Those are ace numbers. Unfortunately, he doesn’t get the MVP for the ChiSox because Paul Konerko is playing out of his mind. He leads the team (and the AL) in batting average at .366, and is third in all of baseball with a 1.062 OPS. While the White Sox are playing well offensively as a whole, there is no doubt Konerko is sparking the whole thing.