MLB Midseason Report
Let's recap the first half of the MLB season by handing out the awards and by giving early predictions.
With the Major League Baseball season reaching the midway point, I thought it would be fun to recap the first half of the year and hand out a few awards and predictions. A 162 game schedule is a long season. Anything could happen in the second half, but here goes.
American League:
Division winners & playoff teams--
AL East: Boston...anyone remember the bad start they had at the beginning of this season? I don't.
AL Central: Detroit...possibly the best pitcher in Verlander and best hitter in Cabrera.
AL West: Texas...started off hot, but Hamilton's injury really hurt. Plus, why can't he have blue eyes?
AL Wild card: New York...a postseason isn't the same without the Yankees.
Awards--
AL MVP: Adrian Gonzalez (Boston) 16 HRs, 71 RBI (1st in AL), .361 BA (1st in AL)...Sorry Padres fans.
AL Cy Young: Justin Verlander (Detroit) 10 Wins (1st in AL), 2.40 ERA, No-Hitter on May 8th against Toronto.
National League:
Division winners & playoff teams--
NL East: Philadelphia...best pitching rotation in all of baseball....plus too many all-stars in the infield.
NL Central: Milwaukee...young talent in Fielder, Braun & Greinke.
NL West: San Francisco...defending World Series Champs have to get back to the playoffs right?!
NL Wild card: Atlanta...who knew Jair Jurrjens was this good? Plus I like Jay-Hey-Kid.
Awards--
NL MVP: Prince Fielder (Milwaukee) 21 HRs (1st in NL), 68 RBI (1st in NL), .305 BA...better than dad?
NL Cy Young: Roy Halladay (Philadelphia) 10 Wins (1st in NL), 2.40 ERA. He's got a No-No coming.
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Okay, so here are a few other awards to hand out, no separations between the two leagues....
Biggest Disappointment: Minnesota (32-44) Get well soon Joe Mauer & Justin Morneau.
Biggest Surprise: Arizona (43-36) Kirk Gibson still has it in him. Guess it helps to host the All-Star Game.
Biggest Pretender: Cleveland (40-36) The Tribe had MLB's best record...but is just 8-16 in the month of June.
Biggest Embarrassment: Frank McCourt & the Bankrupt LA Dodgers...Call Mark Cuban to the rescue.
Biggest HR Slugger: Jose Bautista...Leads MLB with 23 HRs; I guess he's on pace to last year's record of 54.
Biggest Slouch: Adam Dunn (Chicago White Sox) 100 K's already in only 231 at bats, as the DH...do the math that's over 43% of the time. Waste of $12 Million.
Biggest Question Mark???: Albert Pujols (St. Louis)...how long will this wrist injury keep him out? And how will it affect his free agency? Just don't ask him these Q's.
Remember, this year's All-Star game is on Tuesday July 12 at Chase Field, the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
I'm still holding onto my Preseason Prediction of the RED SOX over the PHILLIES in the 2011 World Series....but what do I know, I had the Heat beating the Mavs in 6 games.
THOUGHTS? COMMENTS?
