Tag Archives: cruzserrano

– Cruz Serrano

Former Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson recently passed away at the far too young age of 29. (Getty Images)

As a young fan, it was sometimes hard to understand the importance of prospects in baseball. All players, even the most inexperienced, seemed like larger than life figures in a sport that I naturally loved. The first time I appreciated development and youth was when Tommy Hanson was flying through the Braves’ minor league system. Continue reading →

– Cruz Serrano

Jake Arrieta will try to translate a dominate end of the season to take his team to the World Series (Getty Images)

Despite the efforts of two teams with a wealth of postseason experience, talent and youth prevailed in the National League Division Series’. Two teams that have been known by their fan bases as ‘lovable losers’ prepare to faceoff as the Amazin Mets get set to take on the team from the North Side of Chicago: the Cubs. Back in April it seemed in unfathomable that these two teams would meet in the NLCS, but to say each team hasn’t changed since then would be vastly incorrect. The Mets added to their pitching depth, calling up some of their young arms and also added some much needed offense in the form of Yoenis Cespedes. The Cubbies have grown as a team, going from a roster of young raw talent, to a balanced roster that has shown they are ready for the limelight. Their pitching staff has been anchored by John Lester and the late blooming vet Jake Arrieta. With each team coming into their own in the second half of the season, their early season matchups in which the Cubs went 7-0 are worthless in terms of any value in predicting what might happen.  Continue reading →

– Cruz Serrano

How will Johnny Cueto and the Royals pitching staff handle the Blue Jays firepower? (Getty Images)

With the decisive and  dramatic division series decided, the stage is set for an international battle in the ALCS. The Blue Birds from north of the border will come across the threshold between our countries to meet the Royals in Missouri to start what is sure to be one hell of a matchup. The Blue Jays brawn and bat flips will matchup with Ned Yost and his affinity for small ball. This matchup, despite the Royals World Series appearance last year, is one of the freshest and most exciting in years. Both of these teams have gone through an extended drought without a championship, therefore providing a hunger from each fan base. Of course this has been a postseason filled with teams that have long been absent from the postseason, so going forward other plotlines will emerge and take precedence.    Continue reading →