2019 SummerSlam Preview (every SummerSlam match ranked)

The G1 Climax is wrapping up; AEW starts in October, NXT has the third Cole/Gargano match.

Oh yeah - SummerSlam; I didn't see you there.  Here's the preview.

Universal Title: Brock Lesnar v. Seth Rollins

-When last we left, at WM35, Rollins was taking the Universal Title from Lesnar, in an entirely forgettable match. Lesnar won the MITB briefcase in May, then cashed in to regain the belt in July.  So, we're doing the whole Mania thing again - Brock beats on Rollins, how can Rollins ever overcome this Beast?  And either he will or he won't but given that we did just see this same thing happen at Wrestlemania it's hard to muster a ton of interest.  Rollins has spent the past few months playing the role of WWE corporate shill on twitter, embarrassingly claiming that revenue=quality, which means he's going to be super surprised when  the Avengers movie doesn't sweep the Academy Awards. 

Update - 4 stars, terrific match, Rollins takes the belt, 14th best match in SummerSlam history

WWE Title: Kofi Kingston v. Randy Orton

-When last we left, at WM35, Kofi was taking the lineal WWF Title (positioned as the secondary belt in the promotion) from Daniel Bryan; he's subsequently kept the belt in a series of matches exposing his limitations as a singles worker.  This won't help; Orton's phoned in most of his work for years and there's just no reason to look forward to this one.  The storyline is thin - Orton apparently held Kingston back a decade ago, keeping him from his rightful place at the top of the card (Kingston as guy held down by the machine is inexact casting) it would be weird if they moved the belt to Orton in 2019.  

Double count out, it was fine.  

US Title: AJ Styles v. Ricochet

-If they want it to be the match of the night, it will be the match of the night.  When last we left, at WM35, it was Samoa Joe holding the belt for which the recently departed Harley Race was the inaugural champion. He dropped to Rey Mysterio in May - Joe regained in June - Ricochet took three weeks later - and then AJ, who is now leading a heel faction with his old New Japan running buddies Anderson/Gallows, took in July.  This is the only match on the card that could, in the very best case scenario, compete with the workrate matches on every other show throughout the weekend. 

3 1/4 - it was fine, they had a WWE match, AJ keeps

RAW Women's Title: Becky Lynch v. Natalya Neidhart

-When last we left, at WM35, Becky was taking both women's title belts, the RAW belt from Ronda Rousey in a main event that (shhh...wasn't as good as they needed it to be). Like the rest of the promotion, Lynch has gone cold and she's going to face an interesting crowd reaction Sunday facing Nattie Neidhart in Toronto.  Lynch keeps the belt in an okay match.

3 stars, Becky kept in a match a little better than okay

Smackdown Women's Title: Bayley v. Ember Moon

-When last we left, at WM35, Becky Lynch, as mentioned, was taking both women's title belts, the Smackdown belt from Charlotte in that same main event. Charlotte regained in May - but then immediately dropped to Bayley, who held the MITB briefcase. There's not really much of a program here, Moon is a perfectly reasonable challenger and this should be a perfectly reasonable match.

Bayley kept and this was not very good

Cruiserweight Title: Drew Gulak v. Oney Lorcan

-I assume the 205 Live Title will be on the pre-show; these guys are good workers and this should be a good match and they are not close to the kinds of workers who aren't being used on this card.  

And it was on the pre-show and just okay

Kevin Owens v. Shane McMahon

-You know how sometimes the worst thing that can happen for a basketball player who loves to shoot but shouldn't is he hits the first couple of buckets - because then he spends the rest of the game chasing that?  That's how I feel about that Shane/Angle match from 20 years ago.  Here, Owens has to leave town if he loses, so he won't.  

Owens wins a reasonable enough garbage match.

Goldberg v. Dolph Ziggler

-Squash

Squash

The Fiend v. Finn Balor

-Bray Wyatt has a spooky new gimmick and this is going to be a squash.

Squash

Charlotte Flair v. Trish Stratus

-Trish returns to put Charlotte over in Toronto.

3 1/4 stars, Charlotte did go over, second best match of the night, best women's match in SummerSlam history.

So - it's a missable show; AJ/Ricochet is a great matchup and we'll see what the actual match looks like; Brock/Rollins could be a good, short, explosive match or a drizzle.  It's unlikely anything else climbs across the 3 1/2 star mark.  But the G1 Climax...and NXT Takeover...and don't forget about AEW, starting on TNT in October, that's the stuff.  For purposes of the beloved Counterfactual hopefully they'll toss a couple of yet to be announced matches my way on this show.  

Here's every Summer Slam match (I think, I might have missed some) ratings are mine, times are approximate.

1.       1994 WWF Title Cage: Bret Hart d. Owen Hart 32 min 4 ¾
2.       1992 IC Davey Boy Smith d. Bret Hart 25 min 4 ¾
3.       2000 Tags: TLC: Edge/Christian d. Hardys d. Dudleys 15 min 4 ½
4.       1995 IC Ladder: Shawn Michaels d. Razor Ramon 25min 4 ½
5.       2013 No DQ: Brock Lesnar d. CM Punk 25min 4 1/4
6.       2016 AJ Styles d. John Cena 23 min 4 1/4
7.       2017 Universal: Brock Lesnar d. Samoa Joe/Roman Reigns/Braun Strowman 21 min 4 1/4
8.       1991 IC: Bret Hart d. Mr. Perfect 18 min 4 ¼
9.       2009 WWE Title TLC: CM Punk d. Jeff Hardy 21:30 4 ¼
10.       2013 WWE Title Daniel Bryan d. John Cena 27 min 4 1/4
11.     2011 World Title No Holds Barred: Christian d. Randy Orton 23:30 4 ¼

12.       1996 WWF Title: Shawn Michaels d. Vader 22 min 4
13.       2002 Nonsanctioned: Shawn Michaels d. HHH 27:30 4
14.       2016 Universal: Finn Balor d. Seth Rollins 19 min 4
15.       2000 2/3 Falls Chris Benoit d. Chris Jericho 13 min 4
16.       2008 HIAC: Undertaker d. Edge 26 min 4
17.       2018 Miz d. Daniel Bryan 23:30 4
18.       2011 WWF Title: CM Punk d. John Cena 24 min 4
19        2014 WWF Title: Brock Lesnar d. John Cena 16:30 4
20.       1989 Brainbusters d. Hart Foundation 16 min 4
21.       2018 WWE Title: Samoa Joe d. AJ Styles (DQ) 23 min 4
   
22.   2004: World: Randy Orton d. Chris Benoit 20 min 3 ¾
23.   1998 IC Ladder: HHH d. Rock 26 min 3 ¾
24.   2017 RAW Tags: Rollins/Ambrose d. Sheamus/Cesaro 19 min 3 3/4
25.   2001 WWF Title: Kurt Angle d. Steve Austin 22:30 3 ¾
26.   2003 WWF Title Kurt Angle d. Brock Lesnar 21 min 3 ¾
27.  2015 WWF Title: Seth Rollins d. John Cena 19 min 3 3/4
28.  2015 Kevin Owens d. Cesaro 14:30 min 3 3/4
29.   2012 Brock Lesnar d. HHH 18:30 3 ¾
30.   1999 WWF Title: Mankind d. Steve Austin/HHH 16:30 3 ¾
31.   2010 Team WWE d. Team Nexus 35:30 3 ¾
32.   1989 Rick Martel/Rougeaus d. Rockers/Tito Santana 15 min 3 ¾

33.   2004 Kurt Angle d. Eddie Guerrero 3 ½
34.   2001 Hardcore Ladder: RVD d. Jeff Hardy 16:30 3 ½
35.   2002 IC: RVD d. Chris Benoit 16:30 3 ½
36. 2016 Brock Lesnar d. Randy Orton 11min 3 1/2
37. 2017 US: AJ Styles d. Kevin Owens 16 min 3 1/2
38.   2018 IC: Seth Rollins d. Dolph Ziggler 22 min  3 1/2
39.   1997 IC: Steve Austin d. Owen Hart 16 min 3 ½
40.   1998 Lion’s Den: Ken Shamrock d. Owen Hart 9 min 3 ½
41.   2012 Chris Jericho d. Dolph Ziggler 13 min 3 ½
42.   2009 IC: Rey Mysterio d. Dolph Ziggler 12:30 min 3 ½
43.   1997 WWF Title: Bret Hart d. Undertaker 28 min 3 ½
44.  2015 Undertaker d. Brock Lesnar 17 min 3 1/2
45.   1990 Tags: Hart Foundation d. Demolition 15:30 3 ½
46.   1992 Ultimate Warrior d. Randy Savage 26 min 3 ½
47.   1997 Cage: Mankind d. HHH 16 min 3 ½
48.  2013 World: Alberto del Rio d. Christian 12:30 3 1/2
49.   2003 Eddie Guerrero d. Chris Benoit/Tajiri/Rhyno 10:30 3 ½
50.   2009 DX d. Cody Rhodes/Ted Dibiase, Jr. 20 min 3 ½
51.   1993 Tatanka/Smoking Gunns d. Bam Bam Bigelow/Headshrinkers 11 min 3 ½
52.   1988 British Bulldogs draw Rougeaus 20 min. 3 ½
53.   1996 Boiler Room Brawl Mankind d. Undertaker 27 min 3 ½

54.   2005 Ladder: Rey Mysterio d. Eddie Guerrero 20:30 3 ¼
55. 2014 Bray Wyatt d. Chris Jericho 13 min 3 1/4
56.   2002: Edge d. Eddy Guerrero 12 min 3 ¼
57.   2011 Wade Barrett d. Daniel Bryan 11:30 3 ¼
58.   1995 Hakushi d. 123 Kid 9 min 3 ¼
59.  2015 Roman Reigns/Dean Ambrose d. Bray Wyatt/Luke Harper 11 min 3 1/4
60.   1999 Test d. Shane McMahon 12 min 3 ¼
61.   1998 Hair: 123 Kid d. Jeff Jarrett 11 min 3 ¼
62.   1998 WWF Title: Steve Austin d. Undertaker 21 min 3 ¼
63.   2000 WWF Title: Rock d. Kurt Angle/HHH 20 min 3 ¼
64.   2006 WWF Title Edge d. John Cena 15:30 3 ¼
65.   2018 Smackdown Tags: New Day d. Bludgeon Brothers (DQ) 9:30 3 1/4
66.   2010 RAW Title: Randy Orton d. Sheamus 19 min 3 ¼
67.  2015 Sheamus d. Randy Orton 12 min 3 1/4
68.   1993 Tags: Steiners d. Heavenly Bodies 9:30 3 ¼
69.   1989 IC Title: Ultimate Warrior d. Rick Rude 16 min 3 ¼

70.   2002 Kurt Angle d. Rey Mysterio 9 min 3
71.   2001 IC: Edge d. Lance Storm 11 min 3
72.   2001 Jr: XPac d. Tajiri 7 min 3
73. 2014 Seth Rollins d. Dean Ambrose 11 min 3
74. 2016 WWF Title: Dean Ambrose d. Dolph Ziggler 15 min 3
75.   2006 I Quit: Ric Flair d. Mick Foley 13 min 3
76.   2001 WCW Title: Rock d. Booker T 15 min 3
77.   2005 WWF Title John Cena d. Chris Jericho 15 min 3
78.   1988 Tags: Demolition d. Hart Foundation 10 min 3
79.   1994 IC: Razor Ramon d. Diesel 15 min 3
80.   2002 WWF Title: Brock Lesnar d. Rock 16:30 3
81    2018 US Title: Shinsuke Nakamura d. Jeff Hardy  10:30  3
82.   2004 Dudleys d. Rey Mysterio/Paul London/Billy Kidman 8 min 3
83.   2011 Rey Mysterio/John Morrison/Kofi Kingston d. Miz/R Truth/Alberto del Rio 9:30 3
84.   1993 Bret Hart d. Doink 10 min 3
85.   2007 Rey Mysterio d. Chavo Guerrero 12 min 3
86.   2008 MVP d. Jeff Hardy 10 min 3
87.   1996 Owen Hart d. Savio Vega 13:30 3
88.   2008 World CM Punk d. JBL 11 min 3
89.   2012 World: Sheamus d. Alberto del Rio 11:30 3
90.   1995 Bret Hart d. Isaac Yankem 16 min 3
91.   2012 IC: Miz d. Rey Mysterio 9 min 3
92.  2016 Owens/Jericho d. Cass/Enzo 12 min 3
93.   1992 Shawn Michaels draw Rick Martel 8 min 3
94.   1991 Virgil d. Ted DiBiase 13 min 3
95.   2007 WWF: John Cena d. Randy Orton 21 min 3
96.   2014 Roman Reigns d. Randy Orton 16:30 3
97.   2008 Batista d. John Cena 13:30 3
98.   2003 Elimination Chamber 19 min 3
99.   1999 Tag Team Gauntlet 16:30 3

100.   1997 Davey Boy Smith d. Ken Shamrock 7:30
101.   1999 Lion’s Den: Ken Shamrock d. Steve Blackman 9 min
102.   2000 Hardcore: Shane McMahon d. Steve Blackman 10 min
103.   2007 ECW: John Morrison d. CM Punk 7 min
104.  2014 IC: Dolph Ziggler d. Miz 8 min
105.     2016 Women: Charlotte d. Sasha 14 min
106.   2005 Randy Orton d. Undertaker 17 min
107.   2004 IC: Edge d. Chris Jericho/Batista 8:30 min
108.   2001 Chris Jericho d. Rhyno 12:30
109.   1994 Women: Alundra Blayze d. Bull Nakano 8 min
110.   1999 IC/Euro: Jeff Jarrett d. DLo Brown 7:30
111.   1993 Razor Ramon d. Ted DiBiase 7:30
112.   1996 Goldust d. Marc Mero 11 min
113.   1998 Euro: DLo Brown d. Val Venis 15:30
114.   2005 Edge d. Matt Hardy 5 min
115.   2018 Universal Title: Roman Reigns d. Brock Lesnar 6:30
116.   2012 WWF Title: CM Punk d. John Cena/Big Show 14:30
117.   2006 Chavo Guerrero d. Rey Mysterio 11 min
118.   2012 Daniel Bryan d. Kane 8 min
119.   2017 Finn Balor d. Bray Wyatt 10:30
120.   2015 Tags: New Day d.. Prime Time Players/Los Matadores/Lucha Dragons 10 min
121.  2014 Rusev d. Jack Swagger 9 min
122.   2002: Ric Flair d. Chris Jericho 10:30
123.   2004 HHH d. Eugene 14 min
124.   2010: Smackdown Title: Kane d. Rey Mysterio 12:30
125.   2003: Kane d. RVD 12:30

126.   2005 Kurt Angle d. Eugene 5 min
127.   2007 IC: Umaga d. Carlito/Ken Kennedy 7:30
128.   1989 Hulk Hogan/Brutus Beefcake d. Randy Savage/Zeus 15 min
129.   1988 Hulk Hogan/Randy Savage d. Ted DiBiase/Andre the Giant 14:30 min
130.   1990 Power&Glory d. Rockers 6 min
125.   2018 RAW Women's Title: Ronda Rousey d. Alexa Bliss 4:30 
131.    2011 Mark Henry d. Sheamus 9:30
132.    2007 Kane d. Fit Finlay 9 min
133.    1999 Hardcore: Al Snow d. Boss Man 7:30
134.     1999 Rock d. Billy Gunn 10 min
135.    2018 Smackdown Women's Title: Charlotte Flair d. Becky Lynch/Carmella 14:30
136.    1993 WWF Title: Lex Luger d. Yokozuna 18 min
137.    1991 Ricky Steamboat/Davey Boy Smith/Kerry von Erich d. Warlord/Power&Glory 10:30                                                                                                                                            
138.     2005 Hulk Hogan d. Shawn Michaels 21:30
139.                        1993 Shawn Michaels d. Mr. Perfect 11:30
140.                        2009 Tags: Chris Jericho/Big Show d. Cryme Tyme 9:30
141.                        2012 Tags: R-Truth/Kofi Kingston d. PTP 7 min
142.                        2009 WWF Title Randy Orton d. John Cena 21 min
143.            2013 Cody Rhodes d. Damien Sandow 6:30
144                               2017 WWF Title: Jinder Mahal d. Shinsuke Nakamura 11:30
145.                        2008 WWF Title HHH d. Khali 9:30
146.                        2007 Booker T d. HHH 8 min
147.                        2006 DX d. Vince McMahon/Shane McMahon 13 min
148.                        2006 World Batista d. Booker 10:30
149.                        2004 JBL d. Undertaker 17:30 min
150.                        2005 World: Batista d. JBL 9 min

151.                        2002 Un-Americans d. Goldust/Booker T 9:30
152.                        1999 Tags: Undertaker/Big Show d. XPac/Kane 12 min
153.                        2001 Tags: Undertaker/Kane d. DDP/Kanyon 10 min
154.                        2006 ECW Title: Big Show d. Sabu 8:30
155.                        2009 MVP d. Jack Swagger 6 min
156.            2015 IC: Ryback d. Miz/Show 5:30 min
157.                        1995 Barry Horowitz d. Skip 11:30
158.                        1991 Big Boss Man d. Jacques Rougeau 9:30
159.                        2001 Dudleys/Test d. APA/Spike Dudley 7 min
160.            2013 Ring of Fire: Bray Wyatt d. Kane 7:30
161.                        1997 LOD d. Godwinns 10 min
162.                        1988 Powers of Pain d. Bolsheviks 5:30
163.                        1994 Bam Bam Bigelow/IRS d. Headshrinkers 7 min
164.                        1993 Jerry Lawler d. Bret Hart 6:30
165.                        2004 Kane d. Matt Hardy 6 min
166.                        1996 Smoking Gunns d. Bodydonnas d. New Rockers d. Godwinns 12 min
167.            2015 Neville/Stephen Amell d. Stardust/Wade Barrett 7:30 min
168.            2014 Women: Paige d. AJ Lee 5 min
169             2017 Smackdown Women: Natty d. Naomi 11 min
170.                   2017 RAW Women: Sasha Banks d. Alexa Bliss 13:30
171.                        1989 Ted DiBiase d. Jimmy Snuka 6:30
172.                        1990 IC: Kerry von Erich d. Mr. Perfect 5 min
173.                        1993 IRS d. 123 Kid 6 min
175.                        1990 Hulk Hogan d. Earthquake 13 min
176.                        1990 WWF Title Cage Match: Ultimate Warrior d. Rick Rude 10 min
177.                               2017 John Cena d. Baron Corbin 10 min
178.                        1991 Tags: Street Fight: LOD d. Nasty Boys 6:30
179.                        1991 Hulk Hogan/Ultimate Warrior d. Sgt. Slaughter/Mustafa/Adnan 12:30
180.                        1995 HHH d. Sparky Plugg 7 min
181.                        2010 IC Dolph Ziggler no contest Kofi Kingston  7 min
182.            2015 Dolph Ziggler no contest Rusev 11 min
183.                        1997 Boriquas d. DOA 9 min
184.                        2003 Tags: LaResistance d. Dudley Boys 8 min
185.                        1998 Tags: New Age Outlaws d. Mankind 5 min
186.                        2000 IC: Eddy Guerrero/Chyna d. Val Venis/Trish Stratus 7 min
187.                        2011 Women: Kelly Kelly d. Beth Phoenix 6:30
188.                        2000 XPac d. Road Dogg 4:30
189.         2016 IC: Miz d. Apollo Crews 5:30
190.                        2004 John Cena d. Booker T 6 min
191.                        2003 Undertaker d. A-Train 9 min
192.                        2002 Undertaker d. Test 8 min
193.                   2014 Stephanie McMahon d. Brie Bella 10 min
194.                        2010 Big Show d. CM Punk/Luke Gallows/Joey Mercury 6:30
195.                   2015 Team PCB d. Team Bella d. Team BAD 15 min
196.                        1989 Mr. Perfect d. Red Rooster 3:30
197.            2013 Dolph Ziggler/Kaitlyn d. Big E Langston/AJ Lee
198.                        1988 Big Boss Man d. Koko B. Ware 6 min
199.                        1990 Jake Roberts d. Bad News Brown 4:30
200.                        1990 Warlord d. Tito Santana 5:30

201.                        1993 Ludwig Borga d. Marty Janetty 5 min
202.                        1996 Sid d. Davey Boy Smith 6 min
203                        2000 Jerry Lawler d. Tazz 4:30
204.                        2000 RTC d. Rikishi/Too Cool 5 min
205.                        1992 Tags: Natural Disasters d. Beverly Brothers 10:30
206.                        1992 LOD d. Money Inc  15 min
207.                        1991 IRS d. Greg Valentine 4 min
208.                        2018 Braun Strowman d. Kevin Owens 2 min
209.                        2018 Finn Balor d. Baron Corbin 90 sec
210.                        1990 Randy Savage d. Dusty Rhodes 2 min
211           2016 US; Rusev NC. Roman Reigns 0 sec.
212.                        2005 US: Chris Benoit d. Orlando Jordan 30 sec
213.                        1988 IC Title: Ultimate Warrior d. Honky Tonk Man :30
214.                        2009 ECW Christian d. William Regal :30
215.                        2017 Randy Orton d. Rusev :30
216.                        2011 WWF Title: Alberto del Rio d. CM Punk :30
217.                        2008 ECW Matt Hardy d. Mark Henry :30
218.            2013 WWF Title: Randy Orton d. Daniel Bryan :30
219.                        1992 Undertaker d. Kamala 3:30
220.                        1990 Hacksaw Duggan/Nikolai Volkoff d. Orient Express 3:30
221.                        1995 Smoking Gunns d. Blu Brothers 6 min
222.                        1992 Crush d. Repo Man 5:30
223.                        1988 Dino Bravo d. Don Muraco 5:30
224.                        1989 Hacksaw Duggan/Demolition d. Andre the Giant/Boss Man/Akeem 7:30
225.                        1998 Edge/Sable d. Marc Mero/Jacqueline 8:30
226.                        2003 Shane McMahon d. Eric Bischoff 10:30
227.                        2006 Hulk Hogan d. Randy Orton 11 min
228.                        1989 Greg Valentine d. Hercules 3 min
229.                        1988 Rick Rude d. JYD 6:30
230.                        1992 Nailz d. Virgil 4 min
231.                        1997 Goldust d. Brian Pillman 7 min
232.                        1994 Tatanka d. Lex Luger 6 min
233.                        2009 Kane d. Khali 6 min
234.                        1988 Bad News Brown d. Ken Patera 6:30
235.                        1991 Natural Disasters d. Bushwackers 6:30
236.                        1998 Oddities d. Kaientai 10 min
237.          2016: Tags: Anderson/Gallows d. New Day (DQ) 9 min
238.                        2008 IC/Women Santino/Beth Phoenix d. Kofi Kingston/Mickie James 5:30
239.                        2000 Undertaker no contest Kane 6 min
240.          2016 Natalya/Nikki/Alexa d. Naomi/Carmella/Becky 11 min
241.                        1993 Undertaker d. Giant Gonzalez 8 min
242.                        1994 Jeff Jarrett d. Mabel 6 min
243.                        1989 Dusty Rhodes d. Honky Tonk Man 9:30
244.                        1988 Jake Roberts d. Hercules 10 min
245.                        1994 Undertaker d. Undertaker 9 min
246.                        1995 WWF Title: Diesel d. Mabel 9 min
247.                         2017 Cass d. Show 10:30
248.            2013 Natalya d. Brie Bella 4 min
249.                        1995 Women: Bertha Faye d. Alundra Blayze 5 min
250.                        1999 Women: Ivory d. Tori 4 min
251.                        2000 Women: Kat d. Terri 3 min
252.                        2010 Women: Melina d. Alicia Fox 5:30
263.                        2007 World: Batista d. Khali 7 min
264.                        1996 Jerry Lawler d. Jake Roberts 4 min
265.                        1995 Undertaker d. Kamala 16:30
266.                        1990 Sherri d. Sapphire (forfeit)
267.                        2007 Diva Battle Royal 7 min
268.                        2004 Diva Dodge Ball 3 min

100 Games in - 2019 MLB Top 5 at Each Position

Projected Standings
AL East
1. NYY 99
2. TB 89
3. Bos 87
4. Tor
5. Balt

AL Central
1. Minn 96
2. Cleve 89
3. CWS
4. KC
5. Det

AL West
1. Hou 101
2. Oak 89
3. LAA 81
4. Tex
5. Sea

NL East
1. Atl 92
2. Wash 86
3. Phil 83
4. NYM
5. Mia

NL Central
1. Chi 87
2. Mil 84
3. StL 83
4. Cin
5. Pit

NL West
1. LAD 101
2. Ari 82
3. Col
4. SD
5. SFG 75-87

Catcher
1. W.Contreras Chi 3.15
2. M.Garver Min 2.95
3. Y.Grandal Mil 2.65
3. J.McCann CWS 2.65
5. JT Realmuto Phi 2.5

Buster Posey .65
Steven Vogt .85

First Base
1. M.Muncy LAD 4.1
2. A.Rizzo Chi 3.75
3. P.Alonso NYM 3.6
4. F.Freeman Atl 2.8
4. C.Santana Cle 2.8

Brandon Belt .9

Second Base
1. DJ LeMahieu NYY 4.35
2. B.Lowe TB 3.1
3. K. Wong StL 2.95
4. O.Albies Atl 2.15
5. T.La Stella LAA 1.95

Joe Panik .25
Donovan Solano .6

Shortstop
1. M.Semien Oak 3.95
2. J.Baez Chi 3.5
3. T.Story Col 3.45
4. J.Polanco Min 3.2
5. X.Bogaerts Bos 3.1

Brandon Crawford .4

Third Base
1. A.Bregman Hou 4.85
2. M.Chapman Oak 4.1
3. K.Bryant Chi 3.5
4. A.Rendon Wash 3.45
5. N.Arenado Col 3.15
5. M.Moustakas Mil 3.15

Evan Longoria 1.6
Pablo Sandoval 1.05

Left Field
1. J.McNeil NYM 3.3
2. M.Brantley Hou 3.2
3. H.Renfroe SD 2.65
4. J.Soto Wash 2.6
4. B.Reynolds Pit 2.6

Alex Dickerson 1.3

Center Field
1. M.Trout LAA 5.75
2. K.Marte Ari 4.3
3. R.Acuna Atl 3.95
4. J.Gallo Tex 3.25
5. R.Laureano Oak 2.95

Steven Duggar -.3

Right Field
1. C.Bellinger LAD 7.1
2. C.Yelich Mil 5.9
3. M.Betts Bos 4.55
4. G.Springer Hou 3.5
5. W.Merrifield KC 3.15

Kevin Pillar .7
Mike Yastrzemski .75

DH
1. D.Vogelbach Sea 2
2. SS Choo Tex 1.9
2. N.Cruz Sea 1.9

Starting Pitchers
1. M.Scherzer Wash 5.35
2. M.Minor Tex 5.25
3. Z.Greinke Ari 4.6
4. H.Ryu LAD 4.4
5. L.Lynn Tex 4.2
6. J.DeGrom NYM 4.15
7. L.Castillo Cin 3.95
8. J.Verlander Hou 3.85
9. S.Strasburg Wash 3.7
9. C.Morton TB 3.7

Relief Pitchers
1. K.Yates SD 2.8
2. L.Hendricks Oak 2.65
3. B.Workman Bos 2.4
4. B.Hand Cle 2.3
5. J.Hader Mil 2.1
5. T.Rogers Min 2.1

Athlete of the Month, July 2019

June is here.

Megan Rapinoe

Runners-Up: Simona Halep, Novak Djokovic, Manny Pacquiao

We're into the back half of the year. Here's the race - who will be 2019 Athlete of the Year?

January-James Harden
February-Stephon Gilmore
March- Sabrina Ionescu
April-Tiger Woods

May-Steph Curry
June-Kawhi Leonard

July-Megan Rapinoe

2019 MLB All Star Snubs

Here are biggest overlooks as determined by their first half performance

AL

1. Marcus Semien SS Oak - he's a 3.15 win player through the first half of the season, he's having a better year than Tommy La Stella.  

2. Brandon Lowe 2B TB - 2.85 wins, having a better year than his teammate, Austin Meadows

3. Byron Buxton OF - Min - 2.8 wins, having a better year (and for a better team) than JD Martinez

4. Matt Boyd P - Det 2.8 wins, having a better year than his teammate, Shane Greene

5. Max Kepler OF - Min 2.65 wins, having a better year than Jose Abreu (so is CJ Cron)

NL

1. Max Muncy 1B LAD - 3.45 wins, best first baseman in all of MLB so far, having a better year than both Rockies OF

2. Cole Hamels P Chi - 2.7 wins, having a better year than Kershaw

3. Michael Conforto OF NYM - 2.7 wins, having a better year than the other Rockie OF who didn't lose spot to Muncy

Top 100 NFL Players - 2019

My list - it's a projection of the 100 best NFL players for the upcoming season.

Here are the 13 players who just missed.  Not ranked.

OJ Howard TE TB
Grady Jarrett DT Atl
Linval Joseph DT Min
Da’Shawn Hand DT Det
Lawrence Guy DT NE
Larry Fitzgerald WR Ari
Justin Houston LB Ind
Darius Leonard LB Ind
Alex Mack C Atl
John Johnson S LAR
Adrian Amos S GB
Jessie Bates S Cin
Devin McCourty S NE

100. Nick Bosa DE SF -only rookie on my list

99. Cameron Wake DE Tenn - 5 time Pro Bowler, 37 this season and switching teams

98. Darius Slay CB Det - his age 28 season, First Team All Pro in 2017

97. Duane Brown T Sea - he'll be 34, most similar player for his career is a Hall of Famer, Bob Brown

96. Jason Peters T Phi - 37 now, not selected to Pro Bowl since 2016, most similar career - Jonathan Ogden

95. Shaq Mason G NE - he'll be 26, still never selected to a Pro Bowl

94.   Akiem Hicks DT Chi = turning 30, just made first Pro Bowl

93. Jaylon Smith LB Dall - 24, yet to make the Pro Bowl

92. William Jackson CB Cin - he turns 27, yet to make Pro Bowl

91. Robert Woods WR LAR - this is his age 27 season, he caught 86 balls in 2018
90. Ndamukong Suh DT TB - 32 now, about to play for 4th team, hasn't made Pro Bowl since 2016
89. Olivier Vernon DE Cle - 29, just selected to his first Pro Bowl and now paired with Myles Garrett
88. Jurrell Casey DE Tenn - turns 30 late in the season, double digit Approximate Value in 3 straight seasons
87.   Michael Pierce DT Balt - he'll turn 27, yet to make a Pro Bowl
86. Kenny Clark DT GB - turning 24 this season, yet to make a Pro Bowl
85. DeMarcus Lawrence DE Dall - he's 27, Pro Bowls the last two seasons, but an injury concern
84.  Marshal Yanda G Balt - 35 this year, other than his injury year, 2017, selected to Pro Bowl every year since 2011
83. Ryan Ramczsk T NO - just 25, double figure in Approximate Value in both seasons of his career
82. Terron Armstead T NO - 28 this year, just made his first Pro Bowl
81. Lane Johnson T Phi - 29 this year, Pro Bowl the last two seasons, All Pro in 2017
80. Deion Jones LB Atl - turning 25, Pro Bowl in last full season, 2017.
79. Jamal Adams S NYJ - turns 24 late this season, Pro Bowl last year
78. Eddie Jackson S Chi - only a third year player but turns 27 late this season, was First Team All pro last year
77. Travis Frederick C Dall - 28 this year, had started every game of career until missing all of 2018, Pro Bowl selected each year but rookie season and last year
76. Nick Chubb RB Cle - 9 career starts, averaged more than 5 yards a carry
75. Joe Staley T SF - age 35 this season, Duane Brown is his most similar career comp
74. Trent Williams T Wash - age 31 season, 7 straight Pro Bowls, hasn't started all 16 games since 2013
73. Tyron Smith T Dall - turns 29 late in the season, 6 straight Pro Bowl seasons, hasn't started all 16 games since 2015
72. Andrew Whitworth T LAR - turning 38 late in the season, double digit Approximate Value each season from 2014.
71. Mitchell Schwartz T KC - age 31 season, started every game of his career, First Team All pro last season
70. Julian Edelman WR NE - 33, never selected to the Pro Bowl, 430 catches in the last 5 years
69. Mike Evans WR TB - age 26 season, already caught 395 balls
68. JJ Smith-Schuster WR Pit - he'll turn 23, caught 111 balls last year
67. Stefon Diggs WR Min - turning 26, caught 102 balls last year
66. Denzel Ward CB Cle - still just 22, Pro Bowl in rookie season
65. DeForest Buckner DT SF - 25, Pro Bowl last year
64. Kevin Byard S Tenn - age 26 season, All Pro back in 2017
63. AJ Bouye CB Jax - turning 28, made the Pro Bowl in 2017
62. Marshon Lattimore CB NO - 23, Pro Bowl in 2017
61. Casey Hayward CB LAC - age 30 year, Pro Bowls back in 2016-17
60. Leighton Vander Esch LB Dall - 23, Pro Bowl in his rookie year
59. Desmond King CB LAC - turning 25 late in the season,  first team All Pro last year
58. Quenton Nelson G Ind - 23, All Pro in his rookie season
57. Cameron Heyward DE Pit - 30 this year, back to back Pro Bowls
56. Melvin Ingram DE LAC - he's 30, Pro Bowl the last two seasons
55. Brandon Graham DE Phi - 31 years old, 42.5 career sacks
54. George Kittle TE SF - he'll turn 26, Pro Bowl last year
53.   Trey Flowers DE Det - age 26 season, 21 sacks in last 3 years, switching teams
52. Jadeveon Clowney OLB Hou - 26 this year, three straight Pro Bowls
51. Philip Rivers QB LAC - turning 38 late in season, double digit Approximate Value every year he's started (2006-)  Closest career comp?  John Elway.
50. Ben Roethlisberger QB Pit - he's 37, double digit Approximate Value every season
49. Christian McCaffrey RB Carol - age 24 season, in his 2 years he's caught 187 balls and averages over 4 and a half yards a carry.
48. Damon Harrison DT Det - he'll turn 31, First Team All Pro back in 2016
47. Kawann Short DT Carol - he's 30, Pro Bowl last season
46. Jalen Ramsey CB Jax - he'll turn 25, Pro Bowl the last two seasons and All Pro back in 2017
45. Joey Bosa DE LAC - age 24 season, 28.5 career sacks in 33 games
44. Myles Garrett DE Cle - he'll turn 24 at the very end of the season, he's got 20.5 sacks in his first two years
43. Carson Wentz QB Phil - turns 27 at the very end of the season, Pro Bowl in 2017
42. TY Hilton WR Ind - turns 30, Pro Bowls in 4 of last 5 seasons, 507 career catches,
41. Davante Adams WR GB - he'll turn 27 at the very end of the season, Pro Bowl the last 2 years, caught 111 balls last year
40. Adam Thielen WR Min - age 29 season, 204 catches in last 2 seasons
39. Keenan Allen WR LAC - age 27 season, Pro Bowl the last 2 years, he's caught 199 balls
38. Odell Beckham WR Cle - he'll turn 27, new team, hasn't played full season since 2016
37. Chris Harris CB Den - he's 30, Pro Bowl 4 of last 5 seasons.
36. David DeCastro G Pit - 29 this year, 4 straight Pro Bowls
35. Harrison Smith S Minn - he's 30, 4 straight Pro Bowl seasons
34. Earl Thomas S Balt - he's 30, switching teams, was first team all pro from 2012-14, coming off injury
33. Chris Jones DT KC - turning 25, 24 career sacks
32. Jared Goff QB LAR - turning 25, back to back Pro Bowls
31. Saquon Barkley RB NYG - 22, averaged 5 yards a carry in rookie season, caught 91 balls
30. Baker Mayfield QB Cle - 24 years old, started 13 games, double digit Approximate Value
29. Russell Wilson QB Sea - he'll turn 31 this season, Pro Bowl 3 of last 4 years.
28. Derwin James S LAC - age 23 season, First Team All pro as a rookie
27. David Bakhtiari T GB - age 28 season, First Team All pro last year
26. Stephon Gilmore CB NE - age 29 season, first team All Pro last year
25. Geno Atkins DT Cin - he's 31, Pro Bowl every season of his career where he had double digit starts
24. AJ Green WR Cin - age 31 season, injured last season, first season of career not selected to Pro Bowl
23. Calais Campbell DE Jax - age 33 season, 81.5 career sacks, Pro Bowl last two years, first team all pro in 2017.
22. Cameron Jordan DE NO - age 30 season, pro bowl last two years and first team All pro in 2017.
21. Zack Martin G Dall - turning 29, Pro Bowl every season, first team All Pro last year
20. Jason Kelce C Phil - turning 32, 3 straight Pro Bowls, back to back first team All Pro
19. Travis Kelce TE KC - turning 30, Pro Bowl all 4 years, first team All Pro in two of them
18. Antonio Brown WR Oak - age 31 season, new team, first team All Pro 4 of last 5 seasons, 837 catches in 130 career games
17. Matt Ryan QB Atl - he's 34, double digit Approximate Value each year of career, Aaron Rodgers is his career comp
16. Aaron Rodgers QB GB - he'll turn 36 late this year, Pro Bowl in every non injury year from 2011 forward
15. Andrew Luck QB Ind - aged 30 season, returned to Pro Bowl last year
14. Alvin Kamara RB NO - he'll be 24, in two years averaging 5 yards a carry with 31 touchdowns.
13. JJ Watt DE Hou - he's 30, after 2 injury seasons he came back last year and was again First Team All Pro.
12. Fletcher Cox DT Phi - turns 29 late this season, Pro Bowl 4 straight years and First Team All Pro last year.
11. Michael Thomas WR NO - he's 26, 321 career receptions, first team All Pro last year
10. Julio Jones WR Atl - he's 30, five straight Pro Bowl seasons
9. Von Miller OLB Den - age 30, 5 straight pro bowls
8. Drew Brees QB NO - 40 years old, 10 Pro Bowls in 11 seasons
7. Tom Brady QB NE - age 42 season, Pro Bowl 11 of last 12 years
6. Patrick Mahomes QB KC - age 24 season, first team all Pro with 50 TD passes last year
5. Bobby Wagner LB Sea - age 30 season, first team All Pro 3 straight years
4. Luke Kuechly LB Carol - age 28 season, Pro Bowl every season since his rookie year, and first Team All Pro 5 of last 6 years.
3.     DeAndre Hopkins WR Hou -he's 27, first team All pro last two years
2. Khalil Mack OLB Chi - he's 28, first team All pro 3 of last 4 years
1. Aaron Donald DT LAR - he's 28, first team All Pro every year but rookie season