MLB second half breakdown

by Steve

Finallllly the All-Star break is over, and as per usual the AL will have home field advantage for the World Series. A few thoughts.. WTF Was LaRussa doing not using Albert Pooholes? Perhaps the NL had no business winning that game any way with the stiffs that were batting in the 9th when the AL bully couldn't hit the broad side of a barn let alone the strike zone. Loading the bases with base on balls and then allowing or even thinking about allowing Aaron Rowand to bat with 2 outs bases chulked and the game on the line? There wasn't one left remaining on the bench to pinch hit? Pujols wouldn't have been a better option?

a quick letter we received

Dear Tony LaRussa,

We know you have had some troubles in the past in regards to drinking and making sound decisions while under the influence but did you really have to start drinking before managing the All Star game that determines home field for the Fall Classic? Thanks for trashing any semblance of an upper hand against a somewhat superior League in the AL. You ass hole, we hate you, we hope you die, now we have to go to Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim California or Fenway for game 7. Two letters asshole AA.

Regards
Omar Minaya, The Mets organization, Bobby Cox, The Rockies, The Cubs, everyone from the NL West, and Bud Selig C/O The Milwaukee Brewers.

PS
We still hate you.


Now Back to the predictions and what to expect in the second half of the Major League Baseball season:

N.L.

East
The Mets have a two game lead but that could change at any time. The Braves and or Phillies could have a charge left in them or an upstart Marlins team only 7 back and lurking could pounce, esp if Josh Johnson regains his '06 form. Look for the Mets to get richer at the deadline by finally dealing Milledge while the Phillies continue to realize they don't have the pitching and the Braves are missing an ingredient, (bullpen, AndrUw Jones, injuries)
Mets and probably the wild card out of the NL East

Central
Anyone that thinks Houston has a chance needs to realize Roger the dodger $1million start Clemens isn't on the team. Cardinals have the talent if Carpenter comes back to make a charge and the Cubs are willing to take on more salary so they should keep it tight. The Brewers don't have the experience to carry the burden of a first place team but do have the talent. It is possible the young guns and solid rotation including getting Capuano back could propel the Brewers to a rare division title but I'm picking the Cubs.

West
The wild west is up for grabs once again but this year the West appears to be the strongest in the National League with 4 teams at or above .500 at the break. The Padres pitching, and thats what wins games, is simply stacked with Peavy and Young dealing and the whiley veteran in Maddux to keep the kids in line. However their hitting is embarrassing to say the least. The D'backs are a year away but will stick around if Webb and the Red Ass can maintain consistency. The Rockies are too streaky to maintain anything significant which leads us to a battle between the Dodgers and Padres. I think one may eat the other and only one will get into the playoffs, but both have been their before thusly I'll will predict game #163 to determine it all. Who ever wins the coin flip takes the division. I can't predict who wins the coin flip but who ever has tails will win the flip.

A.L.

East
Yankees aint catchin them. Red Sox take the division. Sure Manny is old and Ortiz might need surgery but c'mon Beckett, an over rated Matsuzaka, and a Schilling return wont allow this team to consistently play .500 or below. This could be revenge for 2004 though, if the Yankees some how literally find the fountain of youth(who knows what Steinbrenner does in Florida, that is where it was alleged to be) and it can be injected intravenously, then and only then do the Yankees have a shot.

Central
At the break the Indians showed their inability to hold onto the division and that will continue in the second half. The team just doesn't have enough veteran leadership, Grady can't hit .300, Pronk was just foolishly given an extension and will continue to have a down year and the staff beyond 1 and 2 has major holes. On the other hand the Tigers just got their true ace back, Verlander is the next Clemens, and the team continues to hit. Sure the offense is due to take a step back but will the bullpen continue to be mediocre? Doubt it, not with the return of Zumaya imminent, that will be the only shot in the arm this team will need in the dogs days of summer to take the division title. Good news for the Indians though, there is a wild card and this year the White Sox won't be gunning them down in September. Then again, don't forget about the Twinkiessss.

West
The Angels will surprise people in October mostly because they play on the West coast and will cruise to another AL West crown. Willits and Kotchman are providing some protection for Vlad and the A's just don't have it this year. Well unless Harden can actually stay healthy and the team finds another diamond in the ruff that can augment their putrid offense. Its a shame the Mariners lost their manager because that will severely hamper any real challenge for the division. Well unless Ichiro goes nuts and Yunieski Betancourt gets nasty as I predict he will.

NL East Mets
NL Cent. Cubs
NL West Padres
Wild Card Phillies
Padres v. Mets
Padres in 7 as Beltran takes another pitch down the middle to K looking.

AL East Red Sox
AL Cent. Tigers
AL West Angels
Wild Card Yankees
Tigers v. Angels
Angels

Angels v. Padres
San Diego Padres WS Champions