August Rush: NO, not the terrible movie

As September lurks in the baseball shadows, far too often fans forget that the “real” playoff & pennant races often sees its initial, and often final, separation in the month of August.

Here’s what we know, we think, as of July 30^th:

-The Halos, fresh off acquiring Mark Teixeira from Atlanta, are a mortal lock for the AL West crown.

-The AL East could be won by three teams: Boston, New York, and front-running (yes, still) Tampa Bay.

-The AL Central is still open; however, the smart money has Detroit on the outs and Minnesota/Chicago (ChiSox edition) in it to win it all the way.

Can YOU name this teen sensation-MVP candidate???
Credit: SBNation

As for the senior circuit…

-The NL East, much like its AL counterpart, has three teams in the mix: division-leading New York, Philadelphia, and Florida.

-The NL Central is top-loaded with Chicago and Milwaukee on top. St. Louis appears to be fading, but never count out a LaRussa-led team.

-The NL West is a debacle, yet appears a two-horse race between Arizona and Los Angeles.

It's about time the playoff race got a little "classed up".
Credit: BrewerNation

It’d be a MISTAKE to dismiss the 2^nd-place “typically overachieving” team out of the AL Central (as of now, the Twins by only ½ game) and even the Rangers (yes, with THAT pitching staff in August even) from the wild race; however, it seems likely the AL East will yet again pluck the wild-card out of the AL.

The same can’t and most likely won’t be said of the NL East, as Milwaukee is the safest bet to secure the wild-card; especially considering the likely frantic final weeks in the race between the Mets, Phils, and Fish.

For today’s primary focus, we’re talking American League though.

So without too much further banter, let’s take a look at a player from each team – suspiciously under the radar – who will affect the pennant races more than you might’ve expected.

AL East

Tampa Bay Rays – Lose the “Devil” and suddenly you’re the feel-good story of the American League. They should’ve done it years before! The name to watch is one you might not even have heard of. While there may still be a move or two to be made from the front office, specifically in the pen, their top acquisition of August is likely to be the call-up of last year’s #1 overall pick, Vanderbilt’s David Price. With nearly unquestioned command and downright filthy stuff, Price might be the perfect addition to an already young nucleus of starting-talent.

Clearly getting the "Devil" out of their Rays was the best move possible for Tampa.
Credit: RottenToons

Boston Red Sox – Jacoby Ellsbury has struggled with the bat as of late. However, he is a rock solid fielder (whether in left, center, or right) and can tear up the base path. Nevertheless, the Sox are a much more lethal team when he leads off and Youklis can move behind the potent duo of Ortiz/Ramirez (for now Ellsbury is batting around the 9^th-slot). Problem is, his average post-April has been steadily declining with a not-so-amazing OPS for an expected leadoff hitter. Francona may only be able to spot start-him down the stretch if his struggles continue.

New York Yankees – Jose Molina has some pretty big cleats to fill in that of Jorge Posada. His backup, Moeller, isn’t likely to have an important hit the rest of his life. Meanwhile, with Posada now shut down for the remainder of the season, Molina will have to anchor an overachieving set of starting pitchers (have you seriously looked at their top 5?) and yield enough of a bat down the stretch to keep him from being a daily offensive liability. Good luck, Jose.

AL Central

Chicago White Sox – Carlos Quentin just might be your AL MVP and Jermaine Dye is probably the least respected superstar of the past five seasons (okay, he did earn World Series MVP honors). Nevertheless, the ChiSox might be hitching their wagon to unknown starting entity: 10-game winner Gavin Floyd (a former 1^st-round pick who until this season had never seen more than 70 innings of big league pitching).

Minnesota Twins – After a dismal series in the Bronx, the Twinkies have more than answered the bell against the potentially-slumping ChiSox. While stories like Livan Hernandez’s team-leading 10 wins and all the mystery surrounding Francisco Liriano are intriguing, I have my eyes on a once-considered “mini-bust” in left field, Delmon Young. Never near the throttles of a pennant-chase before, Young is hitting in a solid middle of the lineup with a solid .291 average and 18 doubles. What bugs me though is a real lack of athleticism in the field, only 4 home runs, and barely 40 RBIs. While Mauer is a hitting machine and Morneau an MVP-candidate again…unless Young starts to strike fear into opposing pitchers, I wonder if the Twins (and their modest payroll) may float out of relevance down the stretch.

ernandez

I couldn't disagree more.
Credit: Need4Sheed

AL West

Los Angeles Angels (of Anaheim, how lame) – Okay, so we know they are playoff bound. Lock it up! Either way, I’m keeping my eyes fixated on two things: the stability of K-Rod in close games come September AND last season’s top acquisition (sorry, Tori) John Garland. Owning the playoffs just three years ago, Garland (only 9-6 with a near 4.50 ERA) just might be the arm, if healthy, that allows me to even consider the Angels taking out the BoSox when it counts most…playoff time. Let me say this as well: without homefield advantage over Boston, Anaheim becomes a MAJOR underdog to the defending champs. Yep, I said it.

Nobody was happier than me when this guy got handed the pink slip.

Note to Tiger fans: I knew well before the 0-6 start that Detroit was going to be this year’s bust. Their pitching is suspect to say the least, they are injury prone, and just wait until the second or third week of August for Sheffield to go AWOL. I’m pulling their plug NOW.

The NL gets the “treatment” tomorrow (or so). I know you’re waiting on baited breath.

Credit: WordPress

Until next time…

MLB Hot Stove: AL Playoff Chase is on!

Even though football, via college and the professionals, have been recently dominant the current of sport’s talk these days…MLB pennant races are hotter than ever.

Actually, as many as eighteen teams remain in contention for a playoff birth this season (whether it be via divisional or wild-card means).

While some (Boston) seem more likely than others (Colorado), there remains a little under a month of baseball until we are given our ‘dirty dozen’ of playoff entrants.

With that being said, it’s time to take a look at the final stretch, as best as we can attempt to. With most teams staring at around twenty-five games remaining, there’s plenty of drama left to unfold.

Let’s take a dive…

American League
AL East

Credit: Yahoo! Sports

Division Leader – (82-55) Boston Red Sox [6 game lead]
2^nd Place – (73-59) New York Yankees [trail by 6 games]
No other viable division contenders.

Comments: The Yanks swept the series in the Bronx against their hated rivals; however, Boston has maintained a rather comfortable lead, easily the largest in baseball, for quite some time now. However, this is the Yanks and the Sox. With 3 more games remaining head-to-head, the Bronx Bombers have to be thinking a road-sweep at Fenway to have any chance at closing this formidable gap. Boston (with a pair of series with Tor, Bal, and TB each), a game up for the best record in baseball, seems as close as a mortal lock as anyone to return to the playoffs this year (after missing out last season).

AL Central

Credit: Yahoo! Sports

Division leader – (78-58) Cleveland Indians [5 game lead]
2^nd Place – (73-63) Detroit Tigers [trail by 5 games]
No other viable division contenders.

Comments: Despite fading miserably in September in the past two seasons, Cleveland appears much more stable in their rotation and bullpen this season. Detroit, impressively rebounding by taking 3 of 4 from the Yanks at home two weekends ago, seems as volatile as anyone this season (especially after losing the first two of three against Kansas City earlier this week). As for the Twins, getting beat down by Cleveland pretty much ruined any and all legit playoff chances for them this season. The Tigers can’t be ruled out of the division race just yet; especially with Kenny Rogers slated to return mid-week. Both the Indians and Tigers will be circling their calendars for their mid-September pivotal series; however, Cleveland may make their playoff beds with their performance against the AL West in the month of September.

AL West

Credit: Yahoo! Sports

Division Leader – (80-55) Anaheim Angels [7 game lead]
2^nd Place – (73-62) Seattle Mariners [trail by 7 games]
No other viable division contenders.

Comments: You blinked over the week and this divisional race seemed to get turned upside down. On an unrelated note, surprise surprise, Oakland was nowhere to be found in the second-half this season (they can blame their anemic offense for that more than anything). In their place, the major’s biggest surprise by far, are the Seattle Mariners. That may soon be a forgotten cause though, at least out West, as the Mariners have tanked recently to the tune of 9 straight losses. Most damaging was a terrible trip to Anaheim, which included losing a game they lead 5-0 after just 2 innings. An important make-up game this Thursday against Cleveland didn’t help either, only bunking up the Mariner travel schedule with another loss. Despite losing all three in Toronto, instant rejuvenation can come against the Yanks (more below) With remaining series against the aforementioned Yankees, as well as the Tigers, Indians, and those Angels (yet again), the Mariners will have to continue to prove to their detractors, and perhaps themselves, that they are a legit playoff team. As for the Angels, outside of eight games against the Indians and Mariners (all at home), they appear to have the smoothest waters remaining in their schedule, perhaps in all of baseball. That may be important, for better or worse, in dictating whether they match up, as of today, against the wild-card leader (Yankees) or AL Central’s best (Cleveland).

Predictions and Prognostications
1) Boston should be able to lock up the AL East and avoid a late-season meltdown without too much anxiety.
2) Cleveland should hold off Detroit, if only by a game or two down the stretch, and secure the division title.
3) Anaheim, due to a lighter schedule, will widen their gap, if only by another game or two, and secure the AL West.

But wait, there’s still one spot left!

AL Wild Card

Credit: Yahoo! Sports

Current Leader – (76-61) New York Yankees [2 game lead]
2^nd Place – (73-62) Seattle Mariners [trail by 2 games]
3^rd Place – (73-63) Detroit Tigers [trail by 2.5 games]
4^th Place – (70-66) Toronto Blue Jays [trail by 5.5 games]
No other viable wild-card contenders. [Sorry Toronto.]

Comments: First off, the Twins should be all but crossed off of “being neglected” from this list before the end of Labor Day weekend (they are 7.5 back). The real nitty gritty comes in the form of one team from the AL East (Yanks), two from the Central (Indians & Tigers), and one from the AL West (Mariners). While Boston or Anaheim could slide, as we said before…it isn’t likely. Ditto goes for the Blue Jays making a legit run at the wild-card lead, although they could play a pretty important role as a spoiler (with several games against most of these playoff contenders lingering). Then again, with so many key games, perhaps they do merit at least brief consideration (especially after the Seattle sweep). But in reality, that leaves three teams, as of now, who trail division leaders. Seattle, interestingly enough, controls their destiny more than you may suppose, despite losing 9 in a row. Starting tomorrow, they travel to the Bronx for three games (Sept. 3 through 5) and then return home, with an off-day sandwiched in-between, to host the Tigers for three (Sept. 7 through 9). Pivotal series continue for Seattle’s finest as they are locked up in crucial sets with Anaheim and Cleveland late. The waters appear to be a little easier for the Yankees, or so you might think. Three more games against the major’s best Red Sox and three hosting the aforementioned Mariners make up a tough playoff-laden stretch. However, there is a chance to beat up on AL East foes (Tor, TB, and Balt.) as the Yanks see the teams a collective nineteen times. Unfortunately though, they lost the first two of those three – at home no less – to the lowly Devil Rays. Added to that are their struggles against the Orioles this year, 30-3 losers withstanding. Their inconsistency may catch up with the Bronx Bombers, especially with a suspect back-half of the rotation (Hughes/Mussina/etc.) whether against the top tier (Boston/Seattle) of the AL or the bottom (KC/Baltimore). Finally, we have the Tigers. An enigma to end all enigmas as of late, Detroit, to nobody’s surprise, gets a heavy dose of the AL Central down the stretch. Only visiting Cleveland 3 more times, Detroit must recapture its Yankee-beat down momentum and not simply rely on sneaking into the wild-card race. Two pivotal series against AL West has-beens (Oakland, which they took two of three, and Texas) may go a long way into letting us know if Detroit will make a serious push, or attempt to limp or sneak into, the playoffs (division or wild-card).

If you think the AL is a little crazy, then, my friends, you ain’t seen nothing yet.

In a little under 48 hours, the National League (aka the Senior Circuit) will get its due. By the way, this is where the majority of the eighteen “competitive” playoff teams can be found.

They’ve even had people in Cincinnati, if only for a day or two, talking pennant chase.

Who’d have ever thunk that one???

Until next time…

Second Half Questions: MLB-Style

With the second-half of the Major League Baseball season kicking off Thursday night, each league, and its respective teams, has plenty of stories to offer. Surprisingly, Barry’s chase for the record will take a definitive backseat in this article. Instead, it’s time to ask one major question for each of the thirty teams. One that isn’t related to Hank Aaron, steroids, or Bud Selig’s incompetence.

Interestingly enough, you could almost make a case for as many as twenty-one or twenty-two teams still lingering around, at least somewhat realistically, in the playoffs chase. While the seasons already seem long lost in places like Tampa Bay, Washington, and Cincinnati (no surprises in that group either), there’s also plenty of teams that have a lot of important questions lingering into the final stretch of the season.

While it’s more than a little unrealistic to ask what it’ll take for Colorado or the Chi Sox to make a push for the Series, they still matter down the stretch.

One question per team. Let’s get it goin…

…we’ll start with the AL today and the senior-circuit tomorrow…

American League East
Boston Red Sox [53-34] 10 game division lead
-Sporting the best winning percentage in all of baseball, the Sox have to wonder: how good can they be if and when David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez turn on the afterburners? With the Yanks 10 back and the pitching staff relatively intact, the Sox appear a safe bet to break the recent New York stranglehold on AL East division championships.

Toronto Blue Jays [43-44] trail 10 for division & 8.5 for wild-card
-Mere percentage points ahead of the Yanks, the Blue Jays have been as up-and-down as any team in baseball this season. Sporting it’s fair share of veterans, and trade-bait, the Blue Jays fans have to be thinking one thing: is it possible to remain consistent, behind healthy starting pitching, and make a legit late run at a postseason birth? Despite progress in recent weeks, the likely answer is no. (Although major noise could be made with an opening series out of the break with the 1st place Red Sox.)

New York Yankees [42-43] trail for division & 8.5 for wild-card
-The biggest quandary in baseball this season, the Yankees seemed to have righted the ship before a disastrous road-trip beginning with a weekend sweep from the Rockies. While Clemens and Wang have been stable in recent weeks, the bats have gone cold far too often. Can Joe Torre rally his team of aging veterans just in time to make a dangerous run, or is this the season the Yankees are sellers and not buyers?

Baltimore Orioles [38-49] banished from playoff contention
-Sorry O’s fans, but this year will likely get worse before it gets better. With a rather unique roster, including an overpriced/underperforming bullpen, are the Orioles looking to spend (ala Mark Texiera) or shop (perhaps Miguel Tejada) in the coming weeks?

Tampa Bay Devil Rays [34-53] banished from playoff contention
-With the worst record in baseball, this hopeless situation doesn’t seem to have an answer. While it’s cruel: isn’t contraction a serious option for this “organization”?

American League Central
Detroit Tigers [52-34] 1 game division lead
-The weekend home sweep of Boston really boosted this team. Combine that with the unreal play of MVP front-runner Maglio Ordonez, stud pitching, and Gary Sheffield re-born and the Tigers are clearly one of the favorites to represent the AL. But it isn’t a foregone conclusion. In fact, far from it. Can Gary Sheffield remain both healthy and the potent bat in the middle of the lineup that enhances the Detroit lineup to a near lethal factor?

Cleveland Indians [52-36] trail 1 game for division lead & lead wild-card by 1.5 games
-They’ve teased us before. However, they haven’t looked this good at the break in nearly a decade. Despite Hafner performing under his amazing expectations, Sabathia has looked as good as ever. Can the Indians remain in the race despite a scary back-end of the bullpen or is a move necessary to remain an AL contender?

Minnesota Twins [45-43] trail 8 games for division lead & by 7 for wild-card
-This is often the time they kick it into high octane. Yet, Cleveland and Detroit haven’t both been this strong before. While Santana is a second-half pitcher and Morneau is creeping back towards MVP numbers again, which team ahead of the Twins, if either of them is most likely to freefall while the Twin City kids rise up?

Chicago White Sox [39-47] banished from playoff contention
-Despite winning the World Series only two season ago, the team seems just too far out of contention (13 in division/12 wild-card) to believe in. While the wisely locked up Burlehe, there have been some rumors that Contreras is on the block. While the team can’t hit any worse, will the White Sox begin reloading for next season by dumping some rather large names, and salaries, in the next month?

Kansas City Royals [38-50] banished from playoff contention
-The season hasn’t been as bloody as it could’ve been…yet. There’s one question the dozens of Royals fans have been asking all season: when’s Alex Gordon going to start showing his amazing potential week after week?

American League West
Los Angeles Angels [53-35] 2.5 game division lead
-One of the more popular media picks to return to the Series, the Angels can ride that Vlad-guy and the major’s best bullpen deep into the playoff race. However, Boston has always been their toughest out and Angels fans, much like last season, must be wondering: when are we going to trade some of our young prospects for a consistent power hitter?

Seattle Mariners [49-36] trail 2.5 games for division & 1.5 back for wild-card
-If the sub .500 Yankees are the biggest surprise of the season, the Mariners are 1b to that 1a. Even with Mike Hargrove’s sudden departure, the Mariners are 13 games over .500 and stand to benefit the most from any sort of falter from one of the two AL Central juggernauts. Yet, even Mariners fans have to be pinching themselves a little. Can they maintain the incredibly momentum, still ridiculously under the radar, and continue to shine into the bright lights of September?

Oakland Athletics [44-44] trail 9 games for division lead & 8 games back for the wild-card
-This is where they decide to just turn it on this season and snake their way into the wild-card race, right? Nope. They’re lacking any sort of major bat and it even appears as if Piazza may return to catch the ball (Kendall has been downright pathetic at times). While the A’s have amazing pitching, it isn’t strong enough this season to overcome some of the worst power production in the AL. Not this season Bay Area fans.

Texas Rangers [38-50] banished from playoff contention
-With the Texas heat ready to beat them down into submission, it’s not a question of if, but when they start dumping whatever they can to playoff contending teams. The real question is: what will they get back, if anything, for the likes of Texiera and their decent bullpen depth?

The NL gets it’s just-do tomorrow. However, we’re definitely ready to either hear some answers to these questions or to be posed a few of your own.

Whether your team is in or out as of yet; there’s still plenty of drama left in the American League over the next couple of months. That’s a guarantee.

Until next time…