In today’s football world, people have forgotten about baseball. This saddens me. I love me some good football, even the un-American kind, but baseball is supposed to be everyone’s summer sport after the Stanley Cup has been decided and either the Spurs, Lakers, or Celtics survive the epic journey to the basketball championship of the world North America US & Toronto (but not really Toronto). America’s past time needs some ol’ fashioned loving, like apple pie and Chevrolet. The health nuts and OPEC are doing a pretty decent number on those, though, so the fate of Americanism lies in baseball, the only popular sport where the defense controls the ball. Don’t say cricket because (a) yes, I know that, and (b) I know none of you watch it. Elsewise, ‘twould be popular.
With that said, lets discuss the looming summer and its effects on the current baseball standings, shall we? My colleague, unfortunately, may not be of much help in this department. He vaguely remembers the Baltimore franchise being renamed the “Highlanders” and moving to New Amsterdam, and sometimes passes into diatribes regarding whether or not a baseball can truly curve. Someday I shall explain the concept of the Wild Card, and how it has succeeded despite a ‘nay’ vote from a Mr George W Bush.
The so-called second “half” of the baseball season has begun, with just over 60 games remaining for each team. My playoff predictions are as follows;
American League
East Division – Tampa Bay Devil Rays
I’m concerned that some of the young players may lose steam towards the end of the season, but, from now until the end of August the Rays play just 3 games against both the Angels and the White Sox, and none against either the Red Sox or the Yankees. September is a different story, with 6 games against each division rival, but the ease of the August schedule will allow the Rays to win while staying rested and healthy.
Central Division – Chicago White Stockingsx
Chicago’s superior pitching staff and hard-hitting outfielders will carry them over the Twins in what is right now a toss-up for the division lead. My over/under on Ozzie Guillen F-bombs before the end of the season is set at 43.
West Division – Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (No really, that’s their name. The Dodgers don’t like it, but they should have never left Brooklyn)
Texas is already 8.5 games back, and Oakland has traded away its most battle-tested pitcher. Right now the Angels are the best team in baseball, but they still have the Mariners to feast on, while Boston and New York can no longer go 15-3 against the Devil Rays. As long as Francisco Rodriguez keeps getting Thiggy with it, and even if he doesn’t, the Halos will coast to an easy division title.
Wild Card – Boston Red Sox
Because I hate the Yankees, who can’t start Joba or Moose every night and have no middle relief to get from their starters to Mo Rivera. That and the Red Sox are pretty good too. Gotta get Varitek (.298 OPB) out of there though. Can Youkilis catch? If Ortiz ever gets back and returns to form they may steal the division in September, but Boston is doing a good enough job without him that he probably wont add many wins and will only force Crisp/Drew/Ellsbury out of the lineup.
AL MVP
1. Josh Hamilton
2. Carlos Quentin
3. Ian Kinsler
AL Cy Young
1. Cliff Lee
2. Roy Halladay (best pitcher in baseball IMHO)
3. Justin Duschscherer
I’m not sure if I can edit posts or not, but I’m tired and will add the National League later. That’s what they get for losing a decade of All Star Games.
Also,
Cabrera has 31 RBIs in his past 35 games to up his season total to 67, putting him among the American League leaders.
Does that really matter when Josh Hamilton has ninety-seven? No one is even within 20 of him.
That is all.
