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Coming into this season, many teams had high expectations to try and make a splash in the MLB playoff race. Here is a look at each division at the half way point of the year.
AL East
Arguably the best division in baseball, the third place team (Tampa Bay) would be very close to first in any other division in the AL, but find themselves 6.5 games out in the tough east. No surprise to find the Red Sox and Yankees at the top. It took a little time for Boston and New York to shape into form, but they are both shaping up to be the favorites to represent the AL in the World Series.
AL Central
The AL Central was the division with the most uncertainty heading into this season, and it took awhile for a favorite to emerge. The Tigers have been playing some very good baseball lately, and find themselves with a small lead heading into the All-Star break. It’s shocking considering Magglio Ordonez has struggled heavily all season. The surprise of this division would have to be the Indians, who find themselves in last place behind the Royals.
AL West
No surprise to see the Angels at the top of the division, the surprise comes with the second place team the Texas Rangers. They have been at the top, or very near all season which is surprising since their best player Josh Hamilton has been injured. Seattle has some very solid pitching that has kept them within striking distance of the first place team as well. This division could get very exciting come September.
NL East
The defending champs got hot at the right time, winning 9 of their last 10 games heading into the break to open up a 4 game lead on the second place Marlins. This division has been one of disappointment. The Mets have been hit with the injury bug and find themselves in bad shape at the break in 4th place behind the Phillies, Marlins and Braves. This division also yields the worst team in the majors, the Nationals who have a 26-61 record. Gross.
NL Central
The most highly contested division heading into the break, with 4 teams within 5 games. The St. Louis Cardinals started heating up towards the end of the first half, and find themselves in first place. Close behind are the young Brewers, and the injury plagued/cursed Cubs. Houston and Cincinnati are also within striking distance. St. Louis has ridden the hot bat of the best player in the game, Albert Pujols, throughout the first half.
NL West
This may be somewhat of a surprise to find the Dodgers with such a huge lead considering they lost Manny Ramirez for 50 games. They have basically left the rest of the division fighting for the Wild Card with their best in the major league record of 56-32. Second and third are occupied by 2 teams that got very hot towards the end of the second half, the Giants and Rockies. San Francisco is lead by an incredible pitching staff headlined by Tim Lincecum. Their pitching alone is going to keep them in the wild card hunt all season. The Padres are a big disappointment this season.
AL MVP Race
1. Jason Bay
2. Justin Morneau
3. Evan Longoria
This race is up for grabs at this point. No one really stands out as the hands down favorite compared to the NL. I went with Bay at this point because his team is in first. Morneau is having a great year, and Longoria was on fire until he got hurt for a little while. It is also worth mentioning Torii Hunter and Brandon Inge as they are leading their respective first place teams.
AL Cy Young Race
1. Zack Greinke
2. Josh Beckett
3. Felix Hernandez
This is a very tough race as well. Greinke was lights out to start the year, having an ERA under 1.00 an amazing ten starts into the year. His ERA is still microscopic at 2.12. Josh Beckett is coming on strong with his 11 wins and 3.35 ERA. Hernandez has been great as well, despite being injured for a little while. Honorable mention goes to Roy Halladay and Justin Verlander who rebounded from a tough start.
NL MVP Race
1. Albert Pujols
2. Prince Fielder
3. Ryan Howard
I’m calling it now. This race is over. Albert Pujols is the hands down MVP. His numbers are out of this world. He leads the NL in 6 categories, including HR by 8 and RBI by 9. He is second in the batting average race, and has a legitimate shot of taking the Triple Crown this year. He is truly a gift to this game, and I think we should all be thankful we are able to watch him. Fielder and Howard are having good years, but nothing compared to Albert the Great.
NL Cy Young Race
1. Tim Lincecum
2. Dan Haren
3.Matt Cain
Dominated by pitchers out of the West, we may be looking at a back to back Cy Young winner. The young stud Lincecum has been dominant the first half of this year. A 10-2 record with a 2.33 ERA and 149 K’s in 127 innings. Haren rebounded from a 0-3 start to finish with a 9-5 record with an incredible 2.01 ERA. He has been the victim of terrible run support from his team. This is a 2-man race at this point, and its anyone’s award to take. Cain is having a solid year, but is over shadowed by his teammate.
Once again like all the shit I post, take it for what its worth
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