Category: MLB Brackets

First-pitch of the 2013 MLB season is almost here. As hope springs eternal in Major League cities across the United States, fans and prognosticators are busy making their future MLB picks. To gear up for the season, Printable Brackets has created a 2013 MLB Baseball pool that is fun for any fan.

The pool spans the duration of the season and includes every game on the schedule.

MLB Picks: The 2013 Season

For the second time in three seasons, the San Francisco Giants head into the 2013 MLB season the defending World Series champions. After falling behind two-games-to-none in the NLDS against the Cincinnati Reds, the Giants went on a historical tear that was culminated by a four-game sweep of the Detroit Tigers in the Fall Classic. The Giants earned their seventh World Series title in franchise history.

The 2013 season will feature a number of changes. First and foremost, the Houston Astros are moving from the National League Central to the American League West. The move means all six divisions now have five teams apiece. The Astros will be featured on Opening Night as they will face the in-state rival Texas Rangers on Sunday, March 31st.

Because of Houston’s move, Interleague games will now take place throughout the season for the first time. Each team will play a total of 20 Interleague games. The other 142 will be played within the respective league. The 84th edition of the All-Star Game will take place at Citi Field in New York on July 16th.

MLB Picks Pool

The MLB Baseball Picks pool is a fun and easy way to follow your favorite teams throughout the season. The 30 MLB teams are broken up into eight groups. To participate in the pool, simply pick one team from each group that you want to be represented by for the entire season.

For example, Group 2 consists of:

• Los Angeles Dodgers
• Los Angeles Angels
• Philadelphia Phillies
• Toronto Blue Jays

Select one team from that group and that will be your club for the rest for the season. Each victory is worth one point. The player with the most points at the end of the World Series is the winner. For an added bonus, you can take select weeks during the season and make each victory worth two points. You could also increase the value for playoff victories. The MLB Baseball picks pool will not only help you keep tabs on your favorite teams, but it will allow you to track your bitter rivals as well.

Download: MLB Picks Pool

The 2013 MLB season will get underway Sunday, March 31st in Houston, Texas. As players begin gearing up for the new season in Spring Training, fantasy baseball 2013 drafts around the world are already taking place. There are plenty of old faces in new places in 2013. There are also some quirks to this year’s schedule that could alter your plans on draft day.

Fantasy Baseball 2013: Position Players

There is much debate across the baseball landscape as to which position player should be taken off the board in 2013 Fantasy Baseball drafts. Sabermetricians nearly unanimously agree that Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout should be the first offensive player selected. Trout burst on to the scene as a rookie in 2012, batting .326 with 30 home runs and 83 RBI. Trout, who will be turning only 22 during the 2013 campaign, also scored 129 runs and stolen 49 bases.

Trout figures to be at the top of a lineup that features newly-acquired outfielder Josh Hamilton, who is ranked in the top 15 of the vast majority of rankings. Angels first baseman Albert Pujols will also be looking to build off of his 30-homer, 105-RBI campaign.

The two other position players at the top of most ranking lists are Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera and Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun. Last year, Cabrera became the first player since 1967 to win Triple Crown honors after batting .330 with 44 homers and 139 RBI. Braun hit .319 with 41 homers and 112 RBI last season, but has once again been embroiled in performance-enhancing drug controversy during the offseason.

Fantasy Baseball 2013: Pitchers

When it comes to selecting a starting pitcher near the top of your 2013 Fantasy Baseball draft, the two candidates at the top of nearly every list are Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers and Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Verlander went 17-8 with 239 strikeouts and a 2.64 ERA en route to leading the Tigers to the World Series last year. Kershaw was 14-9 with 229 strikeouts and a 2.53 ERA. Other starting pitchers at the top of the rankings include Seattle’s Felix Hernandez, Tampa Bay’s David Price and Washington’s Stephen Strasburg.

When it comes to relievers and closers, no one heads into the season more valued than Craig Kimbrel of the Atlanta Braves. Kimbrel struck out 116 batters and notched 42 saves in 2012. The 24-year-old Kimbrel has racked up 283 K’s and 89 saves in his first three big league season. Other projected top relievers in 2013 include Cincinnati’s Aroldis Chapman, Philadelphia’s Jonathan Papelbon and Jason Motte of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Fantasy Baseball 2013: News and Notes

There are some important things to keep in mind before making your first selection in your 2013 fantasy baseball draft.

Depending on when your draft is, you may be selecting players who are participating in the World Baseball Classic this year. The WBC runs from March 2nd-19th and will be over long before the season begins, but keeping an eye on those playing in the international tournament certainly is encouraged.

In addition, the schedule for every team has been altered this season to accommodate the Houston Astros’ move from the National League to the American League. Every team will now play a total of 20 Interleague games throughout the season.

Several high-profile players joined new teams and some switched leagues during the offseason. Some of the bigger names who will be wearing new uniforms this season include:
Note: Previous team is in parentheses.

• R.A. Dickey (N.Y. Mets) – Traded to Toronto Blue Jays
• B.J. Upton (Tampa Bay Rays) – Signed by Atlanta Braves
• Nick Swisher (N.Y. Yankees) – Signed by Cleveland Indians
• Michael Bourn (Braves) – Signed by Indians
• Mike Napoli (Texas Rangers) – Signed by Boston Red Sox

To help you get ready for the upcoming season, a complimentary fantasy baseball 2013 draft sheet is available below. These sheets are printable and perfect for your live or mock draft.

Download: Fantasy Baseball 2013 Draft Sheet

Sixteen teams from four different continents will vie to be called the “Best in the World” when the 2013 World Baseball Classic gets underway Saturday, March 2nd. The international baseball tournament is being held for the first time since 2009. Japan defeated South Korea in 10 innings, 5-3, in the championship game that year. Japan also won the inaugural WBC in 2006. Pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka was named the Most Valuable Player in both tournaments.

2013 World Baseball Classic Schedule

The host sites for the opening round of the World Baseball Classic 2013 will be Japan, Taiwan, Puerto Rico and the United States. The 16 teams are broken down into four pools that will compete in round robin play in round one. The teams, their respective pools and where the opening round games will be played are as follows:

• Pool A (Japan) – Japan, China, Cuba, Brazil
• Pool B (Taiwan) – Korea, Netherlands, Australia, Chinese Taipei
• Pool C (Puerto Rico) – Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Spain
• Pool D (United States) – Mexico, Italy, Canada, Team USA
  

  

The second round uses a modified double-elimination format and games will be held in Japan and the U.S. March 8th-16th. The WBC 2013 championship round will take place March 17th-19th in San Francisco, California.

WBC 2013 Favorites

The odds-on favorite to win the 2013 WBC is the Dominican Republic. The Dominican squad is led by Major League stars Adrian Beltre, Jose Reyes, Hanley Ramirez, Nelson Cruz and Robinson Cano. The club, which is managed Tony Pena, will face Venezuela in its first WBC 2013 game on March 7th.

The United States is just behind the Dominican Republic in the eyes of the oddsmakers. Team USA has been nothing short of average in its two previous appearances in the WBC, posting a 7-and-7 record and never finishing better than fourth. The World Baseball Classic 2013 club will be managed by Joe Torre, who collected four World Series titles while skipper of the New York Yankees.

The USA pitching staff is headlined by reigning National League Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey, who was traded by the New York Mets to the Toronto Blue Jays during the offseason. Others on the American staff include starters Kris Medlen and Ryan Vogelsong, and relievers Craig Kimbrel and Heath Bell.

The American outfield consists of young stars Adam Jones, Giancarlo Stanton and Ryan Braun. Mark Teixeira, Brandon Phillips, Jimmy Rollins and David Wright will be in the American infield, while Joe Mauer will be behind the plate. Team USA will open up the 2013 World Baseball Classic against Mexico on March 8th.

Download: 2013 World Baseball Classic Bracket

The World Baseball Classic is an international tournament that currently takes place every four years. Professional players from around the world are permitted to suit up for their respective countries. Opening round play in the 2013 World Baseball Classic will begin on March 2nd.

First round sites include Chase Field and Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Phoenix, Arizona, Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan Puerto Rico, Intercontinental Baseball Stadium in Taiwan, and Fukuoka Yahoo! Japan Dome in Japan. The championship round will be held March 17th-19th at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California.

World Baseball Classic History

The inaugural WBC took place in 2006 and stars such as Derek Jeter, Ken Griffey Jr. Albert Pujols and Pedro Martinez all competed for their respective countries. In ’06, Japan, South Korea, Cuba and the Dominican Republic all advanced to the championship round. In the WBC championship game, Japan knocked off Cuba, 10-6.

In the second WBC in 2009, Japan defeated South Korea in 10 innings, 5-3, to win the championship for the second straight time. Pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka was named the Most Valuable Player in each of the first two tournaments.

WBC Format

The current WBC format includes 16 teams that are broken up into four different pools. The four teams in each pool will square off in “round robin” play over a three-day stretch. Two teams from each pool will advance to the second round, which employs a modified double-elimination tournament system. Four teams will emerge from the second round and meet in the championship round. The championship game will be on March 19th.

WBC: Team USA

The United States has not finished better than fourth in the previous two tournaments. The Americans have posted a 7-7 record in their 14 all-time WBC games. The 2013 U.S. team features reigning Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey, former MVP award winners Joe Mauer, Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Braun, and young stars Adam Jones, Giancarlo Stanton, Kris Medlen and David Wright. The club will be managed by former Yankee skipper Joe Torre.

Download: WBC Bracket and Schedule

There are many reasons to keep a baseball scorecard. It’s a great practice to follow for a game that you are watching, playing in, or just have a rooting interest in.

Technology has advanced so much since the days of Cy Young, Honus Wagner, Mordecai “The Finger” Brown and The Anson brothers. The way that players study the opposition has gone from inside advanced scouts to on demand video. Baseball gloves have gone from the equivalent of a winter mitten to a computer designed piece of leather craftsmanship. The baseball bat has gone from homemade carved bats to pieces of lumber that are made to a player’s specific weight and strength.

History of the Baseball Scorecard

One thing that has not changed since the first days of baseball has been the baseball scorecard. The entry for a single to left and an error on the shortstop are exactly the same. It doesn’t matter if you are looking at a baseball scorecard from 1882 or 2012. You can re-create a baseball game by looking at the baseball scorecard for that game. You can envision how a game played out. Even if that game took place before your great grandfather was old enough to pick up a ball and mitt.

One thing that can keep you entertained for hours is to keep a baseball scorecard for a few major league games, minor league game, college game or even little league game. Go back a year later and see how much of the game you can recall. You would be surprised how much a baseball scorecard can bring back memories of a great baseball watching experience.

It doesn’t matter if you are watching a great major leaguer like Derek Jeter, top minor league prospect like Dylan Bundy, or your nephew. You can always look back at your own little piece of baseball history and you have proof that you were there.

Download:baseball-scorecard

There is nothing quite like watching a game a baseball. For as much as people talk about it not being the most exciting sport out there, it is that rare sport that has a social aspect to it, making it the perfect spectator sport. While football may have a more condensed season and hockey may offer more big plays, baseball is about the long haul, both in terms of the season, and the game.

You don’t go to the ballpark looking to be entertained second after second, you go there wanting to experience a day out. You have your peanuts, your cracker jacks, and your baseball score sheet to keep track of the game.

Filling Out a Baseball Score Sheet

Of all of the sports out there, there is something about baseball that just makes you want keep track of it. While you can keep track of football by watching the scoreboard, baseball is something that is better kept track of on a baseball score sheet.

Part of the fun is tracking the game on your sheet and seeing just what your favorite players do each time you get to the plate. Because of the relatively slow pace of the game, you are able to get keep track on your baseball score sheet without completely having to absorb yourself in it. All you need to do is put a couple of marks for each batter; you don’t need to pay close attention, nor do you have to shun those around you just to keep track.

Even better, keeping score at a baseball game is something that can be done in a group. It is not out of place to see a father and son (or daughter) each with a baseball score sheet, or an entire row of people filling out a baseball score sheet. It’s one of the best ways to get into the ball game.

Download: baseball-score-sheet

In 2012, the MLB World Series bracket expanded to allow a second Wild Card team to enter the postseason, bringing the total number of teams in postseason play to ten – five each from the American League and National League.

World Series Bracket: Postseason Qualifiers

In the World Series bracket, the team with the best regular season record in each of the six divisions (three in each league) earns an automatic berth into the Division Series. Of the remaining teams, the two with the best non-division winning record in each league face off in a one-game, winner-take-all matchup to determine who advances to the Division Series to play the team with the best record in its league.

World Series Bracket: Division Series (ALDS and NLDS)

The two division winners with the best record in each league earn homefield advantage during the Division Series, which is a best-of-five series. In 2012, the Division Series became a 2-3 format with the higher seed going on the road for the first two games and returning home for the final three games of the series, if necessary.

World Series Bracket: League Championship Series (ALCS and NLCS)

The winners advance in the World Series bracket to the League Championship Series, a best-of-seven matchup with home field advantage going to the team with the better record. The League Championship Series in the World Series bracket is a 2-3-2 format, which means the team that earns homefield advantage plays games one, two, six and seven at home. If a Wild Card team advances to the League Championship Series, homefield advantage goes to the team that won its division.

World Series

The winner of the ALCS and NLCS earns its league’s pennant and advances to play in the World Series. Since 2003, homefield advantage in the World Series has gone to the league that wins the MLB All-Star Game, a system created by Commissioner Bud Selig to give the game more meaning after the 2002 game ended in a tie.

2020 MLB Playoff Bracket: The Wild Card Round

In 2020, Major League Baseball altered its playoff system, changing the structure of the MLB playoff bracket as we know it. In an effort to extend the playoff season and add an extra element to the MLB playoff bracket, officials added an extra Wild Card team to each league.

Wild Card teams earn a place in the MLB playoff bracket by having one of the top two records in their league outside of the three division winners. For example, in the 2020 season, the Baltimore Orioles and the Texas Rangers played in the Wild Card round of the MLB playoff bracket. Though neither team won their individual division, they had the top two non-division winner records in the American League. The Wild Card round consists of a single game, with the winner advancing to the divisional round of the MLB playoff bracket.

MLB Playoff Bracket: The Divisional Round

In the divisional round of the MLB playoff bracket, the teams are seeded (by regular season record) one through four – the first seed plays the fourth, and the third seed plays the second. The team with the better record has home-field advantage, meaning the majority of the games are played in their home city. The teams play a best-of-five series; the first team to win three games advances to the next round.

MLB Playoff Bracket: The League Championship Series

The League Championship Series consists of up to seven games in both the American and National Leagues. The divisional-round winner with the best record again has home-field advantage, and the first team to win four games advances to the World Series.

2020 MLB Playoff Bracket: The World Series

The World Series colloquially referred to as the “Fall Classic”, consists of a best-of-seven series between the winners of the National and American Leagues. The league that wins the All-Star game in July enjoys home-field advantage, and the first team to win four games is crowned the world champion of baseball.

Preparation is always the focal point when any new baseball season approaches. While big leaguers gear up for the upcoming campaign in Spring Training, fantasy baseball players start preparations with the scouting process. Some players continue to dwell on past lost seasons and wonder where it all went wrong. A number of small things can mean the difference between a championship and a last place finish. Every season begins with a fantasy draft, and participating in a fantasy baseball mock draft could help give you the edge you lacked in previous seasons.

These drafts can benefit players in so many ways. They can also be the difference between hoisting a championship trophy or being forced to pick up a tab. Whether it’s online or in person, fantasy players of all levels should participate in at least one mock draft.

Preparing for a Fantasy Baseball Mock Draft

A mock draft is meant to simulate what will transpire during your league’s live draft. Whether it’s rotisserie, head-to-head, AL-only, NL-only or any variation of fantasy baseball, you will be sure to find a mock draft to fit your needs.

While participating in a mock draft, there are few key things to keep track of. While it’s very important to keep tabs on who you are drafting and where you are selecting, it’s equally as important to monitor what the other drafters or doing. By doing so, you will have a much better game plan heading in to your actual draft.

Based on the knowledge level of the participants in the mock draft, you can put together a cheat sheet that determines where you think certain players will go on the actual draft day. The cheat sheet can then alert you as to when you may be overvaluing a player, or where you know you are likely getting a steal.

Mock drafts can also help you get accustomed to how the draft process works if you are participating in a fantasy baseball league for the first time.

A fantasy baseball draft sheet can help you during a mock draft, live draft or help you craft the ultimate cheat sheet. These sheets will work for all fantasy baseball formats.

Download: Fantasy Baseball Mock Draft Sheet