MLB: AL First Half Recap
The last games of the MLB first half were played on Sunday, as today and tomorrow will be the All-Star festivities. Lets take a look at who is leading the divisions and the surprise teams so far. We’ll start in the American League Today. NL recap tomorrow.
A.L. EAST
1. Boston 54 - 34
2. NY Yankees 51 - 37
3. Tampa Bay 48 - 41
4. Toronto 44 - 46
5. Baltimore 40 - 48
This division looks like it will be a three team race, with the second place team winning the Wild Card. Toronto started the season very hot and it looked like it might be a four team race, but they have fallen off and are now below .500. There is a good possibility that Roy Holliday will be traded now, teams just need to be willing to pay the big asking price. He is worth it though in my opinion. The Yankees got off to a very slow start with their pitching struggling and A-rod hurt, but then got hot and have made their way to the top of the division. Tampa also started kind of slow but has picked it up and now are in position to make a run at the Wild Card and possibly the division. Boston is the class of the division right now and it doesn’t look like they are going to give it up with David Ortiz getting hot now.
Predicted Finish: Boston, NY(Wild Card),Tampa Bay, Baltimore, Toronto
A.L. CENTRAL
1. Detroit 48 - 39
2. Chicago Sox 45 - 43
3. Minnesota 45 - 44
4. Kansas City 37 - 51
5. Cleveland 35 - 54
This also will be a three team race down the stretch only second place won’t be good enough for the Wild Card. Detroit has been sort of a surprise division leader. For a while they just couldn’t hit and are still not hitting very well. Their pitching on the hand has been very good and has carried them to first right now. The White Sox have been up and down but are still in position to make a run at the division. The same with Minnesota. They can still win, but they are going to need some help. It will be interesting to see witch one of these teams makes a difference making trade. That might give that team the upper hand for the rest of the season. KC and Cleveland good luck next year.
Predicted Finish: Chicago, Detroit, Minn., KC, Cleveland
A.L. WEST
1. LA Angels 49 - 37
2. Texas 48 - 39
3. Seattle 46 - 42
4. Oakland 37 - 49
Another division with a heated three team race with second place possibly getting the Wild Card. The Angels started the season riddled with injuries (still have injuries) and tragedy yet some how found away to first at the half way point. It’s going to take more of that same fight to win the division this year as a very good Texas team is biting at their heals. Texas has been one of the biggest surprises in all of baseball, putting together a solid first half and leading for most of it. This year could be their year as they have gone (7 -2) against the leading Angels this season. It will be a fight to the finish. Seattle is still right there in the hunt also so this race should be good. A few losses after the all-star break though could make them sellers at the trade deadline. Oakland will be sellers at the trade deadline and have players like Matt Holliday that could make a difference for a contending team if the land him.
Predicted Finish: LA Angels. Texas, Seattle, Oakland
Image Source: AP Photo
