Für unsere Gäste » Smith told the Florida Times-Uni

More than a quarter of the 2013 Major League Baseball season is in the books, so Scott Cullen digs into the numbers to make his picks for MLB awards to this point of the season, along with Gold Gloves, All-Surprise and All-Disappointing teams. AL MVP Miguel Cabrera, 3B, Detroit (12 HR, 49 RBI, .384 AVG, 1.122 OPS) Runners Up: Evan Longoria, 3B, Tampa Bay (9 HR, 29 RBI, .335 AVG, .981 OPS) Mike Trout, LF, L.A. Angels (9 HR, 34 RBI, 9 SB, .293 AVG, .931 OPS) Apparently the hot corner rules in the American League, as a healthy Evan Longoria moves up as the primary challenger to Miguel Cabrera, who continues to hit like no one else on the planet. Last years runner-up, Trout, is heating up, so we could get to re-live the Cabrera-Trout debate from 2012. Baltimores Chris Davis and Manny Machado, Bostons Dustin Pedroia and the Yankees Robinson Cano are also off to impressive starts this season. NL MVP Shin-Soo Choo, CF, Cincinnati (9 HR, 19 RBI, 5 SB, .303 AVG, .994 OPS) Runners-up: Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Arizona (12 HR, 36 RBI, .323 AVG, 1.019 OPS) Joey Votto, 1B, Cincinnati (6 HR, 20 RBI, .353 AVG, 1.003 OPS) It wont be easy for one of the Reds on-base machines to distinguish from the other, but Choo gets the edge on Votto for now. Goldschmidt has become a beast at the plate for the Diamondbacks and is ahead of recent contenders like Mets 3B David Wright and Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki, as well as up-and-coming Brewers SS Jean Segura and Braves LF Justin Upton. AL CY YOUNG Clay Buchholz, Boston (6-0, 1.78 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 69 K, 65 2/3 IP) Runners Up: James Shields, Kansas City (2-4, 2.45 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 62 K, 66 IP) Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox (5-2, 2.53 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 61 K, 64 IP) A close race, that could also include Clevelands Justin Masterson as well as the Seattle duo of Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma, is currently led by Buchholz, though not by much over Shields and Sale. Traditionalists would go off the deep end regarding Shields 2-4 record but, at this point, we know how little to value pitcher wins. NL CY YOUNG Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles (5-2, 1.35 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, 72 K, 73 1/3 IP) Runners-up: Matt Harvey, N.Y. Mets (5-0, 1.55 ERA, 0.72 WHIP, 68 K, 63 2/3 IP) Patrick Corbin, Arizona (7-0, 1.44 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 52 K, 62 1/3 IP) Its preposterous that there is only one Cy Young for the National League, given the calibre of these pitching performances. Through the first quarter of the season, its hard to imagine pitching better than Harvey, but then theres Kershaw, who goes nearly an extra inning per game. Both are amazing. Cardinals rookie Shelby Miller and Cubs southpaw Travis Wood are early contenders too. AL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR Conor Gillaspie, 3B, Chicago White Sox (3 HR, 8 RBI, .283 AVG, .783 OPS) Runners Up: Brandon Barnes, OF, Houston (2 HR, 9 RBI, .317 AVG, .872 OPS) Nick Tepesch, SP, Texas (3-4, 3.98 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 31 K, 43 IP) Lots of time for others to get involved in this race, since the American League list is wholly unimpressive. Gillaspie and Barnes have been okay, in limited time, and Tepesch has been decent; even add Clevelands Yan Gomes or Tepeschs teammate Justin Grimm, into the mix, but none of the American Leaguers are huge standouts right now. NL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR Shelby Miller, SP, St. Louis (5-3, 1.74 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 62 K, 57 IP) Runners-up: Jedd Gyorko, 2B, San Diego (4 HR, 15 RBI, .278 AVG, .777 OPS) Didi Gregorius, SS, Arizona (3 HR, 8 RBI, .348 AVG, .964 OPS) While the AL race isnt particularly inspiring, Shelby Miller is a Cy Young candidate, showing the ace-calibre stuff that made him such a top prospect (and somehow went missing during a disappointing 2012 in Triple-A). Gyorko has been a solid contributor, only recently starting to show the power that was expected while Gregorius has been an offensive revelation, compiling a .694 OPS in six minor league seasons before raking this year. Its the kind of surge that is awfully difficult to maintain. The NL race is more interesting, though, because it could also include Braves C Evan Gattis, Marlins SP Jose Fernandez, Dodgers LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu or Diamondbacks OF A.J. Pollock. GOLD GLOVES C - Russell Martin, Pittsburgh Runners-up: A.J. Ellis, Los Angeles; Wilin Rosario, Colorado All three of those named are in the top five among percentage of baserunners caught stealing and Martin is the far-and-away leader in assists for catchers, with 37, 10 more than any other (Ellis is tied for second, Rosario is fifth). Baltimores Matt Wieters, Houstons Jason Castro and the Cubs Welington Castillo are also strong behind the dish. 1B - Brandon Belt, San Francisco Runners-up: Eric Hosmer, Kansas City; Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona A couple of young players still working on their offensive production, Belt and Hosmer, rank first and fourth in Ultimate Zone Rating, (as well as second and fifth, respectively, in Defensive Runs Saved) and Goldschmidt is merely the well-rounded one, an MVP candidate who leads all first basemen in Defensive Runs Saved. 2B - Dustin Pedroia, Boston Runners-up: Jose Altuve, Houston; Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati Surehanded Pedroia has yet to commit and error and leads in Defensive Runs Saved as well as Defensive WAR, while Altuve leads in double plays, is tied for second in DRS and ranks third in Ultimate Zone Rating, ranking just behind Phillips. 3B - Manny Machado, Baltimore Runners-up: Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay; Chase Headley, San Diego A former shortstop, Machado is the class of the position this season, leading in UZR and DRS. Headley might be ahead of Longoria with more games played, though if were playing that game, Rockies rookie Nolan Arrenado would be a challenger to Machado if he had played more than 21 games. SS - Andrelton Simmons, Atlanta Runners-up: Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado; Evlis Andrus, Texas Simmons is the clear leader at the position, but these three, along with Stephen Drew, are the top four in UZR, while Drew is just outside the top four in DRS. LF - Andy Dirks, Detroit Runners-up: Juan Pierre, Miami; Starling Marte, Pittsburgh This trio is ahead of the rest in DRS, but Dirks also leads left fielders in UZR, so thats enough to give him the nod. Notable that Vernon Wells has been pretty solid for the Yankees too. CF - Carlos Gomez, Milwaukee Runners-up: A.J. Pollock, Arizona; Jacoby Ellsbury, Boston Gomez has always been a very good fielder while Pollock is making the most of an opportunity presented by Adam Eatons injury. They are clearly the top two, with Ellsbury just edging out Texas Craig Gentry and Atlantas B.J. Upton. RF - Shane Victorino, Boston Runners-up: Gerardo Parra, Arizona; Norichika Aoki, Milwaukee Victorino must be getting to everything and then some; his UZR is best in baseball across all positions. Aoki leads in DRS and Parra is tops in Defensive WAR. (I realize there are Gold Gloves awarded in both leagues. Im just trying to recognize the best fielders at each position.) ALL-SURPRISE TEAM C - John Buck, N.Y. Mets (10 HR, 31 RBI, .224 AVG, .746 OPS) 1B - Chris Davis, Baltimore (13 HR, 41 RBI, .312 AVG, 1.070 OPS) 2B - Omar Infante, Detroit (3 HR, 14 RBI, .318 AVG, .794 OPS) SS - Jean Segura, Milwaukee (7 HR, 20 RBI, 14 SB, .353 AVG, .964 OPS) 3B - Josh Donaldson, Oakland (6 HR, 28 RBI, .315 AVG, .920 OPS) LF - Vernon Wells, N.Y. Yankees (10 HR, 24 RBI, .288 AVG, .855 OPS) CF - Carlos Gomez, Milwaukee (6 HR, 20 RBI, 9 SB, .327 AVG, .924 OPS) RF - Nate Schierholtz, Chicago Cubs (5 HR, 19 RBI, .285 AVG, .841 OPS) SP - Patrick Corbin, Arizona (7-0, 1.44 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 52 K, 62 1/3 IP) SP - Travis Wood, Chicago Cubs (4-2, 2.24 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 39 K, 60 1/3 IP) SP - Kyle Kendrick, Philadelphia (4-2, 2.82 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 41 K, 60 2/3 IP) SP - Alex Cobb, Tampa Bay (5-2, 2.73 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 54 K, 59 1/3 IP) SP - Justin Masterson, Cleveland (7-2, 2.83 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 71 K, 70 IP) RP - Edward Mujica, St. Louis (13 SV, 1.42 ERA, 0.53 WHIP, 18 K, 19 IP) ALL-DISAPPOINTING TEAM C - Miguel Montero, Arizona (3 HR, 14 RBI, .189 AVG, .547 OPS) 1B - Paul Konerko, Chicago White Sox (4 HR, 17 RBI, .217 AVG, .613 OPS) 2B - Rickie Weeks, Milwaukee (3 HR, 10 RBI, .167 AVG, .548 OPS) SS - Zack Cozart, Cincinnati (5 HR, 20 RBI, .206 AVG, .565 OPS) 3B - David Freese, St. Louis (1 HR, 9 RBI, .223 AVG, .574 OPS) LF - David Murphy, Texas (5 HR, 16 RBI, .218 AVG, .653 OPS) CF - B.J. Upton, Atlanta (3 HR, 6 RBI, .153 AVG, .488 OPS) RF - Josh Hamilton, L.A. Angels (6 HR, 14 RBI, .222 AVG, .655 OPS) SP - Roy Halladay, Philadelphia (2-4, 8.65 ERA, 1.46 WHIP) SP - Ryan Vogelsong, San Francisco (2-4, 7.19 ERA, 1.73 WHIP) SP - Josh Johnson, Toronto (0-1, 6.86 ERA, 1.88 WHIP) SP - Brett Anderson, Oakland (1-4, 6.21 ERA, 1.62 WHIP) RP - Joel Hanrahan, Boston (4 SV, 9.82 ERA, 2.18 WHIP) Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook.NFL Jerseys . 9. Price, heading to the 2014 Olympics for Canada, was named the First Star after posting wins in three starts with a 1.00 goals-against average and a .971 save percentage. Offcial Jerseys . -- Kyrie Irvings last-minute 3-pointer helped seal another victory for Cleveland -- and the Cavaliers longest winning streak since LeBron James left. https://www.cheapjerseysjustwholesale.com/ . The Americans, skipped by John Shuster, seized the advantage in the eighth end by scoring five points for a 7-3 lead. The Czechs pulled two back in the ninth, but Shusters team of third Jeff Isaacson, second Jared Zezel and lead John Landsteiner ended with another point to secure the last Olympic berth on offer. Cheap Jerseys From China . You can watch the game live on TSN at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. The Flyers had won seven of eight before dropping their last two outings on consecutive days over the weekend. Philadelphia was handed a 6-3 loss by the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday afternoon before dropping a 4-1 decision to the Rangers the following night in New York City. Stitched Jerseys . Mitch Holmberg added a goal and three assists. Connor Chartier also scored for the Chiefs (3-0-0). Luke Harrison spoiled Garrett Hughsons shutout bid with a power-play goal at 13:17 of the third period. The Spokane goaltender finished with 28 saves, including a Brandon Fushimi penalty shot in the second period that would have tied the game 1-1.CHICAGO -- For three consecutive games, Chicago Bears quarterback Brian Hoyer has passed for 300-plus yards without throwing an interception.But Hoyer does not want to hear about his personal streak heading into Sundays game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.It hasnt translated to points or victories, Hoyer told reporters this week at the Bears practice facility. I think passing yards is kind of an overrated stat when it comes down to it. Weve got to translate that into scores.Thats just the bottom line. Thats part of this business: Its win or loss.The Bears (1-4) have little to boast about in that category. They will try to reverse a season that quickly is slipping away as they host the Jaguars (1-3) at Soldier Field for the first time since 2008.Hoyer is expected to make his fourth start in place of Jay Cutler, who remains sidelined because of a thumb injury. Hoyer is 1-2 in his starts but has performed admirably as he has completed 71.1 percent of his passes (91 of 128) for 1,016 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions in his starts.Still, as Hoyer said, a strong passing game has not produced enough scoring. Chicago is third-to-last in the league with an average of 17.0 points per game. Injuries to starters such as running back Jeremy Langford (ankle) and wide receiver Kevin White (ankle, shin) have not helped.Chicago has beaten the Detroit Lions this season while losing to the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts. The Bears are 1-1 at Soldier Field.Jacksonville has fared slightly better than the Bears with 21.0 points per game, which is good for No. 19 in the league. Quarterback Blake Bortles has completed 61.3 percent of his passes, the best mark of his career, for 1,050 yards, seven touchdowns and six interceptions in four games.The Jaguars are coming off a bye after beating the Colts two weeks ago in London. Two of Jacksonvilles losses (against the Green Bay Packers and Baltimore Ravens) have been by four points or fewer.Jacksonville coach Gus Bradleys team will welcome back cornerback Aaron Colvin from a four-game suspension for violating the leagues policy on performance-enhancing substances. Colvin started 15 games last season and ffinished with 73 tackles, four sacks, seven pass breakups and a forced fumble.ddddddddddddI know that I can bring another element to this secondary thats already playing at a high level, Colvin told reporters this week. Im just excited to get back with these guys and do anything and everything I can to help them.Colvin joins a high-caliber defense that has allowed 304.5 yards per game, seventh fewest in the NFL.You look at these guys on paper, theyve been adding talent year after year, Hoyer said. Defensively, youve got some beasts up front (and) a lot of high draft picks or big free agents in the back end. (Middle linebacker) Paul Posluszny is like the quarterback back there. Hes been in that system for a while. ... Its another defense thats going to be a real challenge for us.Jaguars linebacker Telvin Smith has six-plus tackles in 20 consecutive games. Yet Smith knows that he and his teammates cannot take anything for granted against the Bears, who have a playmaking wide receiver in Alshon Jeffery and an upstart running back in rookie Jordan Howard.What is Smiths take on the Bears offensive scheme?Its simple, but they can beat you being simple, Smith told the Florida Times-Union. If you look at the Colts game when they put up 500 yards, its a lot of simple scheme.If you dont play well, youll get embarrassed. Youll get a lot of yards put up on you if you make the situation harder than it has to be.The Bears also hope to avoid embarrassment on defense. The team has allowed 346.0 yards per game, which is ranked in the middle of the pack at No. 14. Chicago has four takeaways in five games.Look for linebacker Danny Trevathan to make a bigger impact this weekend. Trevathan returned last week after missing a couple of games because of a thumb injury. He was one of Chicagos top free-agent signings during the offseason after he won a Super Bowl title with the Denver Broncos.He was rusty from a mental standpoint out there, Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio told reporters. You could see where he was off two or three weeks. I think hell be better this week. ' ' '