Teen Sports Report

The sports world--through the eyes of a 19 year-old

Early Impressions of the 2020-2021 NBA Season

A Review of This Crazy NFL Offseason

Reactions to the Trade Deadline

Reactions to the Trade Deadline

Now that the dust has REALLY settled (couldn’t be so sure with only one deadline this year), we can finally take a look at what all went down on July 31st (and a few goings on in the preceding weeks). Basically what I’m trying to say is trades happened, and they happened fast, so let’s put on our thinking caps and expertly analyze some of them. Since I have some dignity, I will be going in strict chronological order. Sorry for the delayed post here, I ran down a bit of a rabb

Under-appreciated seasons in the MLB

Under-appreciated seasons in the MLB

Every year in every sport, there are players who put together really nice, though unfortunately unnoticed, seasons. They may be unnoticed for a range of reasons: the player is young, they haven’t been in the Majors or on their current team for very long, coming into the season they weren't expected to perform, they play for a small market team, etc. As a small-time guy, I feel it my responsibility, ney, my DUTY, to report upon these unsung heroes and shine light on their exce

A look back at some of the MLB's early season trends

A look back at some of the MLB's early season trends

About 20 games into this baseball season, I took a look at six teams who were either severely outperforming or underperforming on their expectations for the year and decided whether those trends were likely to continue. 40 games into the future and with a much clearer view of how the MLB is shaking out, let’s revisit those teams and see how they’ve since played, as well as once again predict whether they can sustain their current level (or even improve upon it). Boston Red So

A look at the MLB's Divisions

A look at the MLB's Divisions

As of today, we are just a smidgen past the first third of the MLB season, and what an exciting one it has been. Capped off recently by a month of May that featured outrageous offense (most home runs ever in any month in MLB history), baseball is in full swing and divisions are starting to shape up (some as expected, others...we’re not sure). With that being said, let’s take a look at which team is in the best position (AS OF RIGHT NOW) to win their respective division. AL Ea

Looking at early season MLB performances

Looking at early season MLB performances

Are the Red Sox currently suffering from a World Series hangover? Many in the media would lead you to believe so, as would Boston’s 7-13 record (good for last in the AL East). And while they don't have much of a bullpen, they bring nearly an identical copy of last year’s champions into the 2019 season, showing this slow start is probably nothing more than precisely that. Boston is not the only team to surprise, however, in the early going, so let’s take a look at which teams

2019 MLB Preview

2019 MLB Preview

It’s that time of year again, where fly balls and fungoes abound and a tiny cohort of unsigned stars hang out in Florida waiting to get $20 million above market. That’s right, the MLB season has begun, and baseball fans such as myself couldn't be happier. Now although some games have passed, every team is still statistically in the Postseason hunt, so let’s take a look at the 2019 season for each MLB squad and either affirm that ambition or crush some dreams. Cue random order

Extensions for MLB Stars

Extensions for MLB Stars

MLB free agency is normally seen as a huge opportunity for stars to cash out (Bryce and Manny), but the trend of the week in the MLB has been numerous clubs extending their star players’ contracts. Well, the trend of this calendar year I guess; it all started at the end of January when the Kansas City Royals extended star utility man Whit Merrifield to a 4 yr/$16.25 million contract (I know it doesn’t seem like star money but the man can play). Since then, we have seen a hand

Potential turnaround teams in the MLB

Potential turnaround teams in the MLB

With the addition of Bryce Harper, many are pegging Philadelphia as the new favorites in the NL East (remember they also got J.T. Realmuto earlier this offseason AND Jean the Hit Machine Segura). Of course, Manny Machado signed with his own version of a losing team, albeit one that lost far more often and easily than the Phillies last year, but nevertheless improvement is expected in San Diego. So while some notable free agents remain unsigned (Dallas Keuchel, Craig Kimbrel,

The NFL Pro Bowl has gotten it right

The NFL Pro Bowl has gotten it right

For decades, the NFL Pro Bowl was quite arguably the most pointless sporting event in the world, featuring a cavalcade of athletes depressed after being eliminated from the playoffs and a level of play outmatched by Week Four of the Preseason. However, the League has done well to spice things up in recent years. They went the way of the NBA in 2014, voting to go to an unconferenced format at the request of the NFLPA in order to keep players engaged and interested in the game

What each MLB team should focus on this offseason

What each MLB team should focus on this offseason

A few preliminary moves have been made so far this offseason in the MLB, but we all know things don’t really start to heat up until December. With the month of giving upon us, let’s take a look at each team and what their top priority regarding their roster should be between now and February 21st. Boston Red Sox: Don’t change anything When you win 108 games on your way to a World Series, you really want to keep the roster turnover to a minimum. They did a great job quickly re

MLB Award Winners

MLB Award Winners

Since this will most likely be my last post before the Postseason kicks off, I would like to run over my picks for all the awards in the MLB this season, including a possible revision to my earlier NL MVP pick. There may be some caveats in here, as the NL field is yet to be set, but for the most part each of these guys has (in my eyes) earned their hardware. MVP NL: Christian Yelich He’s had one of the best second halves in MLB history and it has propelled the Brewers right i

Who is the NL MVP?

Who is the NL MVP?

The AL MVP is sure to go to J.D Martinez, a man who will finish the season about as close as you can get to the Triple Crown without winning it. But what about the NL MVP? There has been a large group of players from the Senior Circuit who have certainly helped their respective teams, but which of them has done the most? This has been an evolving debate as the season has progressed, and with only two weeks left before the Postseason I’d like to make each player’s case. Freddi

The Last month of the MLB season

The Last month of the MLB season

As of today, there is exactly one month left in the MLB season. As teams enter the stretch run, those in playoff position look to maintain their leads while those on the outside try to make one more push for the Postseason. Let’s take a look at each team with a shot to make the Postseason, starting with the American League. Boston Red Sox They are not only the best team by far this season, they may be one of the best of all time. Though the Sox are no longer on pace to match

An argument against electronic strike zones

An argument against electronic strike zones

A quick food-for-thought article here. A few years ago, anyone who watched baseball would hem and haw for days on end about how replay needed to be integrated into the MLB. Nowadays, the popular rallying cry seems to be electronic strike zones and/or umpires. But don’t these fans see how wrong that is? Baseball is a sport heavily defined by tradition, and while that repels many would-be followers, it is also what makes the sport what it is. Sure, replay has its uses and has o

A post right before the MLB Trade Deadline

A post right before the MLB Trade Deadline

The MLB Trade Deadline is a mere four days away and the trades have already been rolling in. These avid acquisitions were kicked off when two days after the All Star Game the Dodgers won the Manny Machado sweepstakes and they have not stopped since. I don’t want to box myself in on this post so I’m just going to visit each contender and see what they’ve done/where they stand/what they should do/etc. (warning: use of the word “contender” is subjective) Boston Red Sox The Red S

Trade Deadline outlook for bubble teams

Trade Deadline outlook for bubble teams

Today I figure I revisit a classic, by which I mean an idea I’ve already used once before. As we enter the second half of baseball (kicked off by the Cubs’ 9-6 win over the Cardinals last night), I think it apt to look at the ‘bubble’ teams in the MLB this year and what their Trade Deadline strategies should be. Why don’t we start with the American League, as the top-heaviness of this 15-team cohort makes Deadline strategies much clearer for many organizations. Oh and for the

MLB All Star Position Comparisons

MLB All Star Position Comparisons

Another quick idea here, thought I’d compare each position in the All Star Game (as in NL players vs. AL players). Just for clarification I will be putting the AL player first and the NL player second. Also, I am not comparing the players overall, but rather their individual seasons. This means a guy like Nick Markakis carries a lot more weight. Unfortunately we don’t know who the starting pitchers are going to be yet, but I think I have a pretty good sense of how that’s goin

How (I believe) the Home Run Derby will pan out

How (I believe) the Home Run Derby will pan out

Quick little post here, just want to explain how I believe the Home Run Derby will pan out and why. ROUND 1 Jesus Aguilar (1) vs. Rhys Hoskins (8) Yes, Aguilar is having a breakout season, but remember when Hoskins hit 18 homers in 50 games last year? Hoskins clearly has more raw power and his type of swing, one where he hangs in the air then crashes down on the ball, plays well in a dinger competition, especially one that now requires endurance. Winner: Hoskins Alex Bregman

Takeaways from the month of June in the MLB

Takeaways from the month of June in the MLB

It appears that June, the month of finals and senior portraits, is finally drawing to a close. Let me say, I could not remember June 1st if you put a gun to my head (just a figure of speech here; I remain mum on the gun debate). But what can I remember? Random baseball statistics that, were I of legal age, could settle a lot of bar bets, so let’s use those to write a wonderful piece this afternoon. I figure we see June off with the takeaways I have from this month as far as i

Will there ever be a 'superteam' in the MLB?

Will there ever be a 'superteam' in the MLB?

Myles Garrett, a second year player on the Cleveland Browns who has only appeared in 11 games in the NFL, recently came out and said that when Kevin Durant went to the Warriors, he “broke the league.” If you don’t happen to be a fan of one of the four teams that made it to the Conference Finals this year, you probably recognize the fact that your squad has no chance at winning a title for the next five years. This realization has caused widespread criticism of the NBA from fa

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