We're into the second half of the Major League Baseball season now, the trading deadline's approaching, and it's pennant race time. My favorite ballclub, the Seattle Mariners, is in contention for the the AL West title, but they're also in contention for the AL Wildcard. As of right now (7/20) the Wildcard standings are:
At the moment it looks like a two team race between the Mariners and Indians, but a late-season surge by either the Yankees or the Twins could make things interesting.
Cleveland has a nice offense, a good bullpen, and a killer #1 starter in C.C. Sabathia, though the 4 pitchers behind him are less than fantastic. Neither Travis Hafner or Josh Barfield have performed up to expectations, and good second halves on their parts would help their club a lot. Hafner in particular, a lefty slugger typically good for a 1.000 OPS, is key for his club.
With the Mariners, everyone talks about the lackluster rotation, but a balanced offense led by Ichiro, along with a lights out bullpen has picked up the slack. J.J. Putz has been especially productive, going 28-for-28 in save opportunities (making 30 in a row, if you go back to last year). Felix Hernandez missed time in the first half with an elbow strain, and had a string of lackluster starts upon returning. His health in the second half will be key.
Both the Yankees and Twins will have a lot of ground to make up. The Yankees may be able to accomplish it if key veterans like Abreu, Damon, and Mussina pick it up, but the Twins may not have the talent on their roster to make that kind of jump.
Who do you like?
| Code: |
| Cleveland 56-39 (.589) -
Seattle 53-39 (.579) 1.5 New York 48-45 (.516) 7 Minnesota 49-46 (.516) 7 |
At the moment it looks like a two team race between the Mariners and Indians, but a late-season surge by either the Yankees or the Twins could make things interesting.
Cleveland has a nice offense, a good bullpen, and a killer #1 starter in C.C. Sabathia, though the 4 pitchers behind him are less than fantastic. Neither Travis Hafner or Josh Barfield have performed up to expectations, and good second halves on their parts would help their club a lot. Hafner in particular, a lefty slugger typically good for a 1.000 OPS, is key for his club.
With the Mariners, everyone talks about the lackluster rotation, but a balanced offense led by Ichiro, along with a lights out bullpen has picked up the slack. J.J. Putz has been especially productive, going 28-for-28 in save opportunities (making 30 in a row, if you go back to last year). Felix Hernandez missed time in the first half with an elbow strain, and had a string of lackluster starts upon returning. His health in the second half will be key.
Both the Yankees and Twins will have a lot of ground to make up. The Yankees may be able to accomplish it if key veterans like Abreu, Damon, and Mussina pick it up, but the Twins may not have the talent on their roster to make that kind of jump.
Who do you like?
.
. I never count out the Yankees though. They always seem to find a way to make it into the playoffs and into the ALCS. Cleveland has been a good team all year, but I'm a White Sox fan so I'm hoping they don't make it 