With the impending All-Star break, next weekend will mark the half way point in the MLB season. While a distinct pack of great teams and horrible teams has started to take shape, one thing that makes baseball so great is that any team can turn things when you least expect it.
I want to take some time here to take a glance of some of the more interesting teams in the first half of the season. Some have been what could only be called “impressive”, others a disappointment, and then there are some teams that look like they’re positioned to take off.
The Post-Season Squad:
New York Yankees: The highest payroll in major league baseball looks poised to lock down the AL East for yet another season. Despite some unfortunate injuries, the Yankees have managed to put together one of the best records in the majors. As much as I hate to say it – look forward to seeing these guys in October.
Texas Rangers: Texas many not have a team as juiced up with top talent like say the Yankees, but they have solid chemistry within the clubhouse. While they’re currently stuck in a deadlock heat at the top of the AL West with the Angels, I think that this team will sink into a solid groove in the second half of the season and win the AL West.
Washington Nationals: Not sure I would’ve believed I would be putting these guys as one of the tops in the majors this time a few years ago, but here we are. The top pitching squad in the majors (3.12 ERA, W44-L31), has managed to offset mediocre team offence. Washington is starting to pull away with the NL East, and I am not sure any other team in that division has what it takes to catch them.
Teams to Watch-Out for:
Baltimore Orioles: I am not sure why Baltimore has managed to put up the record they have to-date (42-34). Their team pitching and hitting is not outstanding by any means, but I think what Baltimore lacks in raw talent they make-up for in heart and clutch-play; these are the key ingredients that tend to make-up championship teams.
Toronto Blue Jays: I am probably a little biased on this one, but all of the right pieces are there. Toronto had a lot of buzz surrounding it in the off-season, but they haven’t really lived up to expectations. Recently however, the team hitting has come to life in a big way, and is now one of the top-scoring teams in the league. If the starting rotation can get healthy again and start producing like they did earlier in the season, Toronto could be a force to be reckoned with.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Pittsburgh right now is like the Baltimore Orioles of the NL – not a ton of raw talent, but a lot of heart. That being said, the Pirates pitching staff has been fairly impressive to-date, with one of the lowest team ERA’s in the league (3.49). If the they maintain the path they’re on now, and Cincinnati doesn’t get too hot, I think they’ll be good for the division – or at the very least maybe a wildcard spot.
San Francisco Giants: I don’t think San Francisco is guaranteed a playoff spot, but if they keep playing the way they are, I am pretty sure they’ll find themselves active in October. Pitching has been key to the Giants success to-date, and as long as this holds up I think they could clinch up the NL West.
The Disappointments:
Boston Red Sox: Boston’s offense has been alive all season, and is one of the tops in the majors; however, injuries have plagued their pitching staff and they have one of the worst team ERAs in the league. Given that they have one of the majors highest payrolls, the ROI is definitely not there yet.
LA Angels: The Angels have been on a mission over the last few years to pick-up any and all of the big free-agents available, and have slowly been turning into the Yankees of the West (doing what it takes to buy a championship). While they sit in a second-place position in the AL West, given the talent and payroll, I think the fans were probably expecting more.
Philadelphia Phillies: I think a lot of people are vexed about the performance of the Phillies this year. They just don’t seem to have the same killer instinct that we saw last year. Halliday being out of the starting rotation for the last while has also not helped things.
We’ll keep an eye on these teams as the season rounds out. Some teams have a way of turning things around and surprising you when you least expect it. Teams that are on top, fall apart. Teams in the basement go on miracle runs. Stay tuned… a mid-year player report is coming soon!
… and that is the last word.
