So here we are at the halfway mark of the year.
This has been a bonkers year. Some things nobody could have foreseen.
(Like YOU saw the Nationals being awesome and the Phillies being terrible.)
Some I actually predicted.
(Yup, I predicted the Pirates and Dodgers having a good year.)
Let's see how my picks look.
AL East
Pick - TAMPA BAY RAYS
Actual at break - NEW YORK YANKEES
If you told me the Yankees would lose Mariano Rivera and have a ton of pitching injuries, I would assume they were around .500. Instead the Yankees have the best record in baseball and the biggest lead. Don't count the Rays out. They can still pitch and Joe Maddon has the team winning with mirrors. As a Sox fan, I remember all too well how the Rays can win down the stretch.
AL Central
Pick - DETROIT TIGERS
Actual at break - CHICAGO WHITE SOXLike YOU picked the White Sox. The South Siders have been winning with a dynamite young pitching staff led by Jake Peavy and Chris Sale. Plus they can hit and Adam Dunn found his home run swing. But a late surge by the Tigers put them over .500. Look out.
AL West
Pick - LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM
Actual at break - TEXAS RANGERS
The Angels got off to such a bad start and the Rangers came out of the gate so strong that the West might have been clinched in the Spring. That being said, the Angels and the Rangers might be the two best constructed teams in the American League
AL Wild Cards
Pick - NEW YORK YANKEES and TEXAS RANGERS
Actual at break - LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM and BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Whomever doesn't win the west is getting a Wild Card slot. As for the Orioles, Buck Showalter has them in position for the post season for the first time since 1997 despite a -37 run differential. Say what you want about Buck. He can manage.
NL East
Pick - MIAMI MARLINS
Actual at break - WASHINGTON NATIONALS
What is more startling? How good the Nationals have been or how bad the Marlins and Phillies are? It's a tough call in the Division where black is white and up is down.
NL Central
Pick - PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Actual at break - PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Oh, I am gloating about this pick. Andrew McCutchen is blossoming into an amazing star.
NL West
Pick - LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Actual at break - LOS ANGELES DODGERS
More gloating. It's fun to be at Chavez Ravine. Who called it? Oh, that would be me.
NL Wild Cards
Pick - PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES and SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Actual at break - ATLANTA BRAVES and CINCINNATI REDS
I thought the Phillies would take a step back. I didn't see them falling off a cliff. The Giants are only half a game back and if Tim Lincecum has a good second half, they could catch the Dodgers.
OK, enough of looking back.
Let's play ball and see how this season REALLY ends.
It is for the first time I have visited your blog. I am new to baseball, and have little knowledge about the game. I know baseball is one of the popular games in USA, but not in my country. It is good to see that you have well predicted about the Dodgers and others of your favorite teams.
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