This is no joke: The 2021 Major League Baseball (MLB) season will begin on April 1. While you may wonder whether the Los Angeles Dodgers can repeat as champs or if the Tampa Bay Rays can exact their revenge, don’t count these four teams out just yet. 4 TEAMS TO WATCH THIS BASEBALL SEASON Don’t Count Them Out
MINNESOTA TWINS You don’t make it to the playoffs with the best record in all of baseball and not make it into some kind of list. The Twins are going to be a fun team to watch because they have a chip on their shoulders. While the team managed to score 269 runs in just 60 games, they also lost their record- breaking 18th straight playoff game in 2020. If they can get consistent pitching, both starters and relievers, they will be in the hunt at the end of September. DETROIT TIGERS There is a benefit to repeatedly being near the bottom of the league: You get good
draft picks. The Tigers are on the cusp of finding that special blend of offense and defense in the coming season thanks to some much-needed depth by up-and- coming pitchers and first-round draft picks — so much so that Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com has them as the top team that missed the playoffs in 2020 who could make a solid run. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS The award for best offseason ought to go to the Cardinals, who, all winter long, appear to have outwitted their Milwaukee and Chicago rivals — the Brewers and Cubs were the top two teams in the National
League Central last year — by acquiring third baseman Nolan Arenado and re‑signing Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina. The Cardinals are favored to win the Central if those off-season moves pay off. SAN DIEGO PADRES After acquiring Manny Machado in a big trade in 2019, the Padres have continued to improve, especially against difficult opponents. The Padres were a tough team last year, defeating the Cardinals in the wild card round and losing to the eventual World Series champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Expect them to be near the top of the standings in September.
‘Minor Infraction Forgiveness’: Don’t Be Lured In THE TRUE PROCESS OF REDUCING A TRAFFIC TICKET
Commercial drivers can take traffic school if ticketed in their private vehicle, but they do not get the full benefits a regular Class C driver would get. While the DMV point here in California would not be counted against them, the violation would still be visible to their insurance, employer, and the feds. So, consult an attorney before taking a deal to see what your odds of getting a better outcome would be. But if are going to be found guilty, with no chance of changing the underlying charge to a non-point, it would be better to take the traffic school. To take a TVS course, you must pay the county for permission (usually $60–$75) in addition to the school’s tuition. You must also complete the course before the court- ordered deadline. If you accidentally miss the course or don’t complete it on time, you forfeit the money you spent. Additionally, your insurance provider will likely take away your “good driver discount,” placing you, instead, in a higher risk category, which could also result in a higher premium. The average California driver pays $500–$600 more per year for one minor infraction because they accepted TVS and didn’t complete it on time instead of disputing their traffic ticket. This won’t only cost your wallet but
also, potentially, your driving career. Because we know that for professional drivers, a car insurance increase is the least of their concerns. A common issue we see at the firm is many drivers believe
it is ultimately cheaper to pay the minor infraction fine and continue on with their lives. This is true — if all the driver had to pay for was the fine itself. However, one minor infraction on your record could lead to a $600 premium increase and one added NOTS point. For truckers, it could be the difference between employment and job searching. Don’t be fooled by “minor infraction forgiveness,” and don’t pay for anything until you talk to a traffic attorney. Set up an appointment at Bigger & Harman, ACP to learn your options regarding your traffic ticket and fines.
2 | www.bakersfieldtraffictickets.com
Made with FlippingBook HTML5