My 2013 All-Star Ballot

by | Jun 20, 2013 | Adam Jones, Alex Rodriguez, Andrew McCutchen, Brandon Mauer, Brett Gardner, Carlos Gomez, Carlos Santana, Chris Davis, Coco Crisp, Curtis Granderson, Daniel Nava, David Ortiz, David Wright, Derek Jeter, Dustin Pedroia, Edwin Encarnacion, Evan Longoria, Howie Kendrick, J.J. Hardy, Jhonny Peralta, Jose Bautista, Manny Machado, Mark Trumbo, Miguel Cabrera, Mike Trout, Paul Goldschmidt, Robinson Cano, Troy Tulowitzki, Yadier Molina

The Major League Baseball All-Star Game is one of my favorite mile markers of the summer. I’m not talking about a horrendous “Celebrity” Softball game, or the even more unbearable Home Run Derby. I mean the actual baseball game, and nothing else. I...

The Advanced Scout – Los Angeles Angels

by | Jun 7, 2013 | Albert Pujols, Alberto Callaspo, Alex Wilson, Alfredo Aceves, Andrew Bailey, Andrew Miller, Andrew Taylor, Boston Red Sox, C.J. Wilson, Chris Iannetta, Clay Buchholz, Clayton Mortensen, Craig Breslow, David Ortiz, David Ross, Dustin Pedroia, Erick Aybar, Ernesto Frieri, Felix Doubront, Garrett Richards, Hank Conger, Howie Kendrick, J.B. Shuck, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Joe Blanton, Jose Iglesias, Josh Hamilton, Junichi Tazawa, Kevin Jepsen, Koji Uehara, Los Angeles Angels, Mark Trumbo, Mike Carp, Mike Trout, Pedro Ciriaco, Peter Bourjos, Ryan Dempster, Ryan Madson, Ryan Rowland-Smith, Scott Downs, Sean Burnett, Stephen Drew, Texas Rangers, Tommy Hanson

After taking two of three against the Rangers, the Boston Red Sox (37-24, 1st place in the AL East, 1.5 games ahead) welcome the Los Angeles Angels (26-34, 3rd place in the AL West, 10.5 games back) to Fenway Park for a three-game series. Friday night’s game was...

Ten Red Sox Predictions For 2013

by | Apr 1, 2013 | Allen Webster, Andrew Bailey, Anthony Ranaudo, Bryce Harper, Clay Buchholz, David Ortiz, Deven Marrero, Dustin Pedroia, Felix Doubront, Jackie Bradley Jr., Jacoby Ellsbury, Joel Hanrahan, Jon Lester, Jose Iglesias, Koji Uehara, Mike Napoli, Mike Trout, Ryan Dempster, Stephen Drew, Wil Myers, Xander Bogaerts

It’s finally here. As these predictions hit The Internet, we are just three hours away from Opening Day 2013. While I am trapped at work and victimized by GameDay’s blackout rules, I will be sneaking out at 1pm to watch the first inning or so at a bar, and I’m already...

2013 Fire Brand of the American League Staff Predictions

by | Mar 30, 2013 | 2013 Boston Red Sox, Aaron Hicks, Adrian Beltre, Andrew McCutchen, Atlanta Braves, Brandon Mauer, Bryce Harper, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Red, Clayton Kershaw, Cleveland Indians, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Detroit Tigers, Dylan Bundy, Jackie Bradley Jr., Jason Heyward, Jedd Gyorko, Joey Votto, Jose Bautista, Julio Tehran, Jurickson Profar, Justin Upton, Kyuji Fujikawa, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Matt Kemp, Mike Trout, Oakland A's, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Predictions, Robinson Cano, Ryan Braun, San Francisco Giants, Shelby Miller, St. Louis Cardinals, Stephen Strasburg, Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals, Wil Myers, World Series, Yasel Puig

Fire Brand readers, below are the staff’s predictions for the 2013 MLB Season. While there is a very good chance many of these will be incorrect, it will make all of you proud to note that not a single writer picked the Yankees to make the playoffs. Some...

Know Thy Enemy 2013: New York Yankees

by | Mar 14, 2013 | 2004 World Series, 2007 World Series, Alex Rodriguez, Andy Pettitte, Arizona Diamondbacks, Austin Romine, Boone Logan, Boston Red Sox, Brett Gardner, Brian Cashman, Buster Posey, C.C. Sabathia, Chris Stewart, Clay Buchholz, Clay Rapada, Curtis Granderson, Dan Johnson, David Aardsma, David Phelps, David Robertson, Dellin Betances, Derek Jeter, Eduardo Nunez, Francisco Cervelli, Hiroki Kuroda, Ichiro Suzuki, Ivan Nova, Joba Chamberlain, Juan Rivera, Kevin Youkilis, Mariano Rivera, Mark Teixeira, Matt Diaz, Melky Mesa, Michael Pineda, Mike Trout, New York Yankees, Phil Hughes, Pittsburgh Pirates, Raul Ibanez, Robinson Cano, Ryan Braun, San Francisco Giants, Travis Hafner

The 2013 New York Yankees are one heck of an interesting bet. It’s not quite black/red, high/low or odd/even, but you can rest assured that outcomes in baseball really aren’t all that complicated. In fact, there are only three kinds of baseball seasons in...

Save the Date

by | Mar 7, 2013 | Adrian Gonzalez, Albert Pujols, Allen Webster, Bobby Valentine, Boston Red Sox, Bryce Harper, C.C. Sabathia, Carl Crawford, Clay Buchholz, Cleveland Indians, Curt Schilling, Daniel Nava, Gio Gonzalez, Henry Owens, Houston Astros, Jackie Bradley Jr., Jacoby Ellsbury, Joel Hanrahan, Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, Kevin Youkilis, Los Angeles Angels, Matt Barnes, Mike Carp, Mike Napoli, Mike Trout, MLB Amateur Draft, New York Yankees, Ryan Dempster, Ryan Sweeney, Stephen Drew, Stephen Strasburg, Terry Francona, Trot Nixon, Washington Nationals, Xander Bogaerts

You know the feeling, it’s just some unsuspecting Tuesday when you get the card in the mail. It’s a “Save the Date” for an upcoming wedding. You go to the calendar and cross out a Saturday, knowing all too well that one is shot. (No, that’s not how I felt about...

Bold Predictions for 2013, Part 3 — The League

by | Feb 7, 2013 | Albert Pujols, Andrew McCutchen, Angel Pagan, Atlanta Braves, B.J. Upton, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Brandon Crawford, Brandon Morrow, Buck Showalter, Buster Posey, Chris Carpenter, Clay Buchholz, Dan Haren, David Price, Denard Span, Detroit Tigers, Edwin Encarnacion, Edwin Jackson, Evan Longoria, Felix Hernandez, James Shields, Jared Weaver, Jason Vargas, Joe Blanton, John Farrell, Jose Bautista, Jose Reyes, Josh Hamilton, Josh Johnson, Jurickson Profar, Justin Upton, Justin Verlander, Kansas City Royals, Keith Law, Lance Lynn, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Mark Buehrle, Michael Young, Miguel Cabrera, Mike Olt, Mike Trout, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, R.A. Dickey, Rafael Soriano, Ricky Romero, Robinson Cano, San Francisco Giants, Shelby Miller, St. Louis Cardinals, Stephen Strasburg, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, Wade Davis, Washington Nationals, Wil Myers, Zack Greinke

Part 1: The Pitchers Part 2: The Batters Part 3: The League Once again, the same disclaimers apply:  1) Please feel free to bookmark them and come back later in September/October to see how I did — you know that if I hit on a few you’re going to hear about it. 2)...