AL Second Half Preview: Seattle is for real!

With the second half underway let’s take a moment to take a look at the American League.  

AL East

Current Leader:  Boston

Will Be: Boston

It’s temping to pick the Yankees even though they are trailing by ten games.  They have one of the most talented line-ups in the league, and their rotation has been hampered by injuries, and is about two weeks away from firing on all cylinders.  Clemens is just getting into his groove, and it will be interesting to see if rookie phenom can return on his early promise.

Ten games is a lot of ground to make up, and the Red Sox should be fine as long as they don’t get too comfortable.  The biggest question marks are whether or not Manny can start being Manny, and if Curt Schilling will ever return.  They are lacking a fifth starter at this point, but that will likely be addressed prior to the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline.  Look for them to try some options in-house before they make any moves.  Shortstop is also a position that needs addressed, as Julio Lugo has not been an adequate option.

You can never count out the Bronx Bombers.  These teams will play each other six times down the stretch, which is a great opportunity for the Yanks to make up some ground.  Boston has the most efficient offense in the league, so even if

Forecast

1. Boston
2. New York
3. Toronto
4. Tampa
   Bay
5. Baltimore

AL Central

Current Leader: Detroit

Will Be:  Detroit

This is a tough pick that I went back and forth between several times.  The Indians are right there, which will make this one of the more interesting pennant races of the season.  They are just such similar clubs:  both produce a plethora of runs, they have adequate pitching anchored by a superstar (Sabathia, Verlander), but yet each could afford to upgrade.  The Tigers bullpen is weak, and they need help at first.   While the Indians kryptonite has been an outfield that is basically vacant, save for Sizemore.  So what it comes down too is which GM will be able to get it done.

Health will also play a big factor.  Both squads held up reasonably well, the Tigers have little to no depth so it will be imperative that their regulars log as much time as possible.  Todd Jones will also have to become more consistent in his role as closer if they fail to find an upgrade.

I like Minnesota a lot too, but they just don’t have enough at this point.  This division is so full of talent, but after the top two teams everyone else underachieved during the first half. 

Forecast

1. Detroit
2. Cleveland
3. Minnesota
4. Chicago
5. Kansas City (They aren’t as bad as you think)

AL West

Was: Los Angeles

Will Be:  Seattle

This one is going to come back and bite me. The Angeles are superiorly talented, and the Mariners bullpen has overachieved thus far.  It’s just hard to see them keep this up, but it is possible.  They are only three games back right now, and after his first two starts, they basically played the first half of the season without Felix Hernanadez.  With him healthy and throwing strikes he alone should be able to cover that ground if everyone else can maintain the same pace.

The A’s are another team that you can never quite call dead.  They have been the best second half team of the decade, and sometimes they are downright scary during August and September.  Simply put, I just don’t think they have it.  They never spend big money, but for some reason Billy Beane thought Eric Chavez was the guy to start a trend with, even with his injury record, and he has disappointed terribly.

So we’re going to stand with our prediction and see how it plays out.  It may seem a little crazy now, but this one is either going to make me a genius or a complete idiot.  Give it a few months to materialize before you chastise me for having the courage to make the prediction that everyone wanted too, but didn’t.

Forecast

1. Seattle
2. Los Angeles
3. Oakland
4. Texas

Playoffs

ALDS: 

ALDS: 

ALCS: 

World Series: 

Check back for the NL preview which will be up shortly