MLB 33.3% season report

by Steve

American League

Similar to the N.L., the A.L. has one team which appears to be the class of the League, the Boston Red Sox. Consistent pitching, sticks throughout the line up and a steady bull pen, the Red Sox won't be fading any time soon. Unlike the N.L. the A.L. has strong teams atop each of the divisions with the Sox, the Tribe in the Central, and the Halos in the West. With half the league above .500 anything outside the East is up for grabs.

East

Boston Red Sox (37-18)
A little kink in the armor giving up two of three to the Yanks this past weekend, the Red Sox still have a massive 11 game lead. Young 2b Dustin Pedroia is raking, Man-Ram is heating up, and Ortiz, requiring some rest, should get his long ball stroke back by July. As long as the bullpen holds up, and there are few signs of it not, the Sox look poised for a rare A.L. East crown in 2007.

Toronto Blue Jays (27-29)
Injuries, Roy Halladay, BJ Ryan, Troy Glaus, to name a few, and awful hitting have plagued this ball club. Looking to contend in the East, the Jays can't find their bats with Glaus, Wells, Overbay and the Big hurt all below .270 this team needs some work in the cages. Halladay's return could create a badly needed spark for this ball club, but a tough division and league over all are not conducive to gaining ground quickly. Good thing its only early June.

Baltimore Orioles (27-30)
Aubrey Huff has been a waste, Markakis is driving in runs but not much else, and besides Tejada and Brian Roberts the offense is non-existent. Cabrera has been dissapointed, Guthrie has been a solid steal from the Indians organization, and the rest of the staff just isn't getting the run support. Side note, watching Steve Trachsel pitch is worse than going to the dentist. He is so slow to the plate and constantly checks runs back to first I would rather watch pre-season hockey than this guy toe the rubber.

New York Yankees (24-30)
Take little solace from stealing 2 @ the Fens this weekend Yankee fans. Roger the dodger has a "fatigued groin" whatever the fuck that means and won't be available until at least Saturday. Red Sox fans chanting "where is Roger" in the 5th tonight was an all time classic, but props to Stray-Rod for putting one over the wall in right against dynamo Jon Papelbon in the 9th. Maybe this series will help turn things around, but with Pettitte potentially hurt, Damon limping around, and Giambi possibly out for the year, a bat may need to be brought it. It's a shame Phillip Hughes had a set back too, I got his rookie card.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays (23-31)
My favorite young team in the A.L., this team has some potential ballers with Elijah Dukes continueing to mash although only batting .212, BJ Upton proving deserved of being selected #1 over all, and surprise of the season, Iwamura batting .370, this team has upside. If ownership made a commitment to this team, keeps the young players together and adds another arm and some 'pen help expect the Rays to rise(in '08).


Central

Cleveland Indians (34-21)
Succeeding in arguably the toughest division in baseball, the Tribe continue to roll despite losing 2 of 3 in a rare home series lose. If Garko and Shoppach continue to rake, they should be man stays in the Indians line up. Maybe shifting V-Mart to DH and losing Pronk wouldn't be such a bad idea after. Disappointing Andy Marte can't get Casey Blake off the field, and Jeremy Sowers may need some more seasoning in AAA with him. Will Cleveland continue to benefit from solid pitching and is the bullpen good enough in the dog days of August and into September??

Detroit Tigers (32-24)
Hot on the Indians' heels are the Tigers. With four batters at or near .300, the Tigers are having their way at the dish. Outside of Bonderman and Verlander, the (I can't think of a nickname here) are winning with mostly smoke and mirrors. Chad Durbin (5-1) has almost as many walks 27 as strike outs 32, and Maroth is very susceptible to the long ball. In reality starting pitching isn't the main concern, injuries and the bully are. The experience of last season and consistent offense should keep the Tigers nipping at the Indians feet all season.

Chicago White Sox (25-27
WANTED: Offense. The pitching is there, 3 starters with sub 4 ERA's and no start above 4.34, but where is the god damn run support. Losing lead off batter Scott Podsednik since April 17 certainly doesn't help, coupled with Thome missing big chunks of time and this team needs to find some stick to step up. The highest batting average on the team with at least 100 at bats is .264 holy shit I think i'm gonna puke.

Kansas City Royals (21-36)
This just in, there really is a baseball team in Kansas City. Their offense is just about as anemic as the Chi Sox and Alex Gordon (.176) at least for now is not the savior some thought he might be. Mark Teahen is a balla in the outfield though. I'll give this organization some credit, Gil Meche and his highly controversial contract seems to have been money decently well spent with a 3.00 ERA but only 3-3 on the year. Then again Odalis Perez is making nearly $8 mil and blows. HEY! At least the draft is Thursday...

West

L.A. of Anaheim Angels (36-22)
Vladimir is the definition of a straight stick in the middle of this line up. He continues to mash (.347 12 and 48) and seems to be only helping this line up with three other batters above .300 on the season. Now only if Chone Figgins (limited to only 29 games) can get on a roll look the hell out. Some ifs in an other wise deadly rotation if BF Colon could stay healthy, if Santana could only pitch at home(home 4-1 2.12 era, road 0-5 9.04), and if Kelvim Escobar can keep up his season then this team will be in the ALCS.

Seattle Mariners (28-25)
The team offense is there, Ichiro continues to be one of the best hitters in the game, young balla Yunieski Betancourt is developing into a solid young SS, and Kenji Jojima doesn't get enough run. Little pitching behind Jerrod Washburn and King Felix, this team needs another arm ASAP. Another potential problem is that of F Hernandez, his weight, and his overall heath throughout a 162 game 35+ start season. Then again he is only 20.

Oakland Athletics (28-27)
Really the only story here is the least spoken about, best young rotation in baseball. Dan Haren is straight dealing, Joe Kennedy is some how 1-4 with a 3.30 ERA, and the rest of the rotation is pitching solidly. This team has also been dessimated by injurt with Rich Harden looking to be out another month while Milton Bradley, Mike Piazza, and Houston Street to name a few have had extended tours of duty on the DL. At least Nick Swisher is still raking, although don't we all see him playing in pin stripes in a few years? Faauck.
P.S. Jack Cust is this years Chris Shelton.

Texas Rangers (20-37)
Vicente Padilla sucks, Millwood sucks, Brandon McCarthy is a disappointment, the entire fucking starting pitching staff has an ERA above 6.25, and it's not even hot in Texas yet. Onto the good news, Michael Young is scuffling, Mark Texiera is rumored to being traded, and if he isn't the Rangers still won't be able to afford him after the 08 season, furthermore the only bright spot to an other wise hopeless team, Eric Gange, will probably be deadline meat hanging in the show room, if he stays healthy. Might as well trade him now before he needs another Tommy G cutting.

GOD DAMN I WATCH TOO MUCH BASEBALL