SportsRefuge Editorials

American League Mid-Season Report

So the All-Star game isn’t here, at least not yet, just a few more days. But check out your favorite teams record in the local sports section and you’ll see we’re past the halfway mark. This season has shown that baseball is a crazy game. Teams are coming out of nowhere and surprising people - the Tampa Bay Devil Rays - and teams that should be doing better are struggling to stay in the race, and it’s only July. Where do I start?

I’ll start with the most surprising team in baseball: the Rays. They’ve come out of nowhere, and so have their fans, apparently. But they can do everything that will win them ball games. They can pitch, they can field and they can hit. This team is built to win now and for the future, they are young with some veterans that are in the mix. The ownership has shown that they are willing to spend for the future with the contract extension for stud third-baseman, Evan Longoria, only a few days into his major league career. They’ve also locked up ace, Scott Kazmir, for the time being. But are they here to stay? That’s the question. And the answer is: yes. The Rays are here to stay. Their pitching and their bullpen, especially, will keep them in this race. The Rays lead the AL East in team E.R.A., 3.72. They desperately need their closer, Troy Percival, back, which will help anchor the late innings of games and shut teams down.

Another major story line in this years baseball season: Where’s that Tigers offense? They’ve started to turn it on of late, but they were the last team in baseball to win a game. That pitching staff hasn’t helped either with a team E.R.A. of 4.41, when the American League average is 4.10. They are starting to make a run at the AL Central leading White Sox, but can their pitching staff hold off teams so they can win games, or are they just going have to out slug every other team? The Tigers batting splits: .273/.339./.433.

If there is still doubt that the American League and National League are competitive, I believe that this years Interleauge play can answer that for us. The AL once again dominated the NL.

Here is how I think they’ll finish, with a little tidbit about each team:

American League East

1. Boston Red Sox - This team is experienced and they are loaded with starting pitching. They need to strengthen their bullpen, but that may come within with rookie, Justin Masterson soon to be called up. David Ortiz is about to come off the DL, and that will only strengthen their potent lineup. I still see the Sox going out and making a trade for another arm for the bullpen. Michael Bowdend could be a name tossed around to acquire that player.

2. Tampa Bay Rays - They are young and they have great pitching. They will stay in this race until the end and will eventually win the Wild Card. Kazmir and Jamie Shields are are great one two to have.

3. New York Yankees - Injuries and age have caught up to this team. Joba has been moved into the starting role, but that won’t be enough. Jeter isn’t hitting, but that can’t continue all year, can it? Mike Mussina is pitching out of his mind and I don’t think that will continue. They will go out and make a move before the deadline but I don’t see the move making that much of an impact. What they could have been with Johan, no?

4. Baltimore Orioles - The Eric Bedard trade has given them a bunch of pieces to build off of, including Centerfielder Adam Jones and Closer, George Sherrill. Luke Scott has come into his own as well. Don’t be surprised to see the O’s be sellers at the deadline to try and build some more for a run within the next two years.

5. Toronto Blue Jays - This team is a mess. They will deal AJ Burnett by the deadline. I don’t see them going anywhere any time soon. Too bad for Alex Rios.

American League Central

1. Detroit Tigers - They will find enough pitching and somehow construct a bullpen that can keep them in games and their offense will score enough runs to win enough games. I can easily see this team going out and trying to add pitching at the deadline. If they want to win the Central they will have to.

2. Chicago White Sox - Their pitching has been unreal this year. John Danks and Gavin Floyd have pitched extremely well. I don’t know if either of the two can keep it up. Will their offense be productive enough to score runs to win the games? I see a decline in both.

3. Minnesota Twins - Wasn’t this team supposed to be battling out the Royals for last place in the Central? Yep. So much for that rebuilding season, huh? Carlos Gomez has become a fan favorite quickly. He’s and exciting player. He will continue to improve as he gets more at-bats. They have Joe Nathan locked up and their starting pitching staff is young and pitching well. They’ll have something to build around for their new stadium opening in 2010.

4. Kansas City Royals - At least they are renovating Kuffman Stadium and you can build around studs Alex Gordon and Zach Greinke.

5. Cleveland Indians- They’ve already mailed it in by trading ace C.C. Sabathia. Matt LaPorta will be a very good player for them, and they still have Grady Sizemore. Cliff Lee has been impressive as well.

American League West

1. Los Angeles Angles of Anaheim - Their starting pitching has been great. Ervin Santana can pitch on the road and Joe Saunders has pitched out of his mind. Ace John Lackey is back from the DL and is pitching well. They’ll have enough offense to keep them in games so K-rod can get the save. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them go out and get Mark Texieria as well. He’d be a major boost for that offense.

2. Oakland A’s - Billy Beane is a genius. He trades Dan Haren to the Diamondbacks, Nick Swisher to the White Sox, and is still putting out a competitive team. He has begun to restock his farm system with those deals. Their record is sure to tail off with the trade of Rich Harden. However Beane knows what he’s doing and got some solid players back in that deal. Look for them to contend in September next year.

3. Texas Rangers - Josh Hamilton is a great story and Ian Kinsler has been filthy. Unfortunately they have no pitching, but they have somewhere to build with those two great bats in the middle of their line-up. Milton Bradley can’t go without mention here. He’s finally playing ball like he should be playing. Let’s hope there are no distractions for this guy and he can continue to impress.

4. Seattle Mariners - They’ve fried General Manager, Bill Bavisi, and Manger, John McLaren, so the rebuilding process has already begun. They cut the terrible Richie Sexson and will make a few more moves in the weeks to come. Brandon Morrow has come into his own and shown he can be a dominate closer for the future. Supposed team ace, Eric Bedard, will be wearing a new uni come August as well.

How It’ll play out:

East Champion: Boston Red Sox

Central Champion: Detroit Tigers

West Champion: Los Angeles Angles of Anaheim

Wild Card: Tampa Bay Devil Rays

ALDS:

Tigers vs. Red Sox

Rays vs. Angles

ALDS:

Angles vs. Red Sox

Representing the AL in the Fall Classic: Boston Red Sox

AL MVP: Ian Kinsler - Texas Rangers

AL Cy Young: Cliff Lee - Cleavland Indians

AL Rookie of the Year: Evan Longoria - Tampa Bay Rays

Manager of the Year: Joe Madden - Tampa Bay Rays

The National League Mid-Season Recap will be coming soon.