Surprises
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| Adam Jones |
Baltimore Orioles
Chicago White Sox
New York Mets
Washington Nationals
Pittsburgh Pirates
Los Angeles Dodgers
These teams are all near or at the top of their division. And all of these teams with the exception of maybe Washington were not supposed to be this pleasant of a surprise before the season. Baltimore has gotten key players like Adam Jones to step up which has allowed them to compete in a immensely strong AL East. Chicago has a loaded pitching staff led by Jake Peavy and Chris Sale. The Mets have gotten healthy and in turn, gotten stronger; the return of Johan Santana to the pitching staff and David Wright to the lineup is the main reason why the Mets are hovering around first place in a tight NL East. The Nationals were supposed to be good, yes, but not this good. No one expected Gio Gonzalez to become one of the elite pitchers in baseball, or did they? The Pirates are three games out, but let's give credit where credit is due. They are still very much in contention and guys like Andrew McCutchon and James McDonald are deserving of all-star bids for how much they have done for their team. The Dodgers are baseball's biggest surprise as they are the owners of the league's best record. Once Matt Kemp comes back, expect the Dodgers to make a serious run at the NL's best overall record.
Disappointments
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| Ryan Dempster |
Detroit Tigers
Los Angeles Angels
Chicago Cubs
Arizona Diamdonbacks
I could've added a few more teams to this list like Boston, the Yankees and Philadelphia, but those teams are all .500 and have had some spathe of injuries. As for Detroit, they have gotten production from Justin Verlander, Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera, but the other key components that allowed Detroit to go to the ALCS last year are missing in action, which is why they sit six games back behind the White Sox. The Angels are now .500 but given how inconsistent their pitching has been and how dismal Albert Pujols and a few other guys were in April, the Angels are on of the league's disappointments. Obviously I didn't expect the Cubs to be good this year, but worst record in baseball? Really Theo? And the Diamondbacks have not rekindled the same magic they had last year as their pitching is no where near as good as it was last year.
Midseason All-Star Teams based on who is the most deserving
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| Miguel Cabrera |
C Joe Mauer, Twins
Alt. A.J. Piersynski, White Sox
1B Paul Konerko, White Sox
Alt. Prince Fielder, Tigers
Albert Pujols, Cardinals
2B Ian Kinsler, Rangers
Alt. Robinson Cano, Yankees
Dustin Pedroia
(Snub- Jason Kipnis, Indians)
3B Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
Alt. Adrian Beltre, Rangers
Mike Moustakas, Royals
Mark Trumbo, Angels
SS Derek Jeter, Yankees
Alt. Elvis Andrus, Rangers
 |
| Josh Hamilton |
Outfield- Josh Hamilton, Rangers
Adam Jones, Orioles
Curtis Granderson, Yankees
Alt. Jose Bautista, Blue Jays
Josh Willingham, Twins
Josh Reddick, Athletics
Mike Trout, Angels
DH- David Ortiz, Red Sox
Alt. Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays
Adam Dunn, White Sox
SP- Justin Verlander, Tigers
Jared Weaver, Angels
Jake Peavy, White Sox
Yu Darvish, Rangers
Chris Sale, White Sox
Felix Hernandez, Mariners
Jeremy Hellickson, Rays
David Price, Rays
RP- Fernando Rodney, Rays
Chris Perez, Indians
Jim Johnson, Orioles
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| Joey Votto |
National League
C- Yadier Molina, Cardinals
Alt. Buster Posey, Giants
Carlos Ruiz, Phillies
1B- Joey Votto, Reds
Alt. Freddie Freeman, Braves
Bryan LaHair, Cubs
2B- Jose Altuve, Astros
Alt. Brandon Phillips, Reds
3B- David Wright, Mets
Alt. Hanley Ramirez, Marlins
David Freese, Cardinals
SS- Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies
Alt. Rafael Furcal, Cardinals
Starlin Castro, Cubs
OF- Matt Kemp, Dodgers
Ryan Braun, Brewers
Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins
Alt. Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies
Bryce Harper, Nationals
| Aroldis Chapman |
Andre Eithier, Dodgers
Jay Bruce, Reds
DH- Melky Cabrera, Giants
Alt. Carlos Beltran, Cardinals
SP- Gio Gonzalez, Nationals
Brandon Beachy, Braves
Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
Cole Hamels, Phillies
Stephen Strasburg, Nationals
Zack Greinke, Brewers
Matt Cain, Giants
James McDonald, Pirates
RP- Aroldis Chapman, Reds
Jonathan Papelbon, Phillies
Craig Kimbrel, Braves
Predictions for Rest of Season
AL East Winner: Tampa Bay Rays
 |
| Evan Longoria |
With the Rays pitching being as consistent as anybodies, once they got Evan Longoria back the Rays will secure the division.
AL Central Winner: Cleveland Indians
The Indians have flown way under the radar this year. Given the White Sox recent surge and the Tigers recent down turn, I think Cleveland if they stay healthy will swoop in and claim the division.
AL West Winner: Texas Rangers
Isn't this division already sealed up? Well, almost, but they'll hang on.
AL Wild Card Play In: Los Angeles Angels at New York Yankees
Los Angeles comes on late and the Yankees win the battle of attrition in the AL East.
Wild Card Play In- Los Angeles over New York
ALDS
Tampa Bay over Los Angeles 3-1
Texas over Cleveland 3-0
ALCS
Texas over Tampa Bay 4-3
AL Champion: Texas Rangers
 |
| Matt Cain |
NL East Winner: Washington Nationals
The Nationals have the best pitching which will carry them to their first division crown in D.C.
NL Central Winner: Cincinnati Reds
With the Reds bullpen being as deadly as it is, that and the fact that they have too much power with Joey Votto and Jay Bruce in their lineup will carry them to the division title over a weak NL Central.
NL West Winner: San Francisco Giants
The Giants have the best pitching in the National League if Tim Lincecum hits his stride.
NL Wild Card Play In: Los Angeles Dodgers at Atlanta Braves
The Braves get in behind the arm of Brandon Beachy and a filthy bullpen while Los Angeles rides their L.A. mojo into the play in game.
Wild Card Play In- Atlanta over Los Angeles
NLDS
Atlanta over San Francisco 3-1
Washington over Cincinnati 3-2
NLCS
Atlanta over Washington 4-2
NL Champion: Atlanta Braves
World Series
Texas Rangers over Atlanta Braves 4-2
The long awaited World Series comes to Texas as the Rangers finally break through over the Braves who go on a similar tear as the Cardinals did last year to get to the World Series.
Awards
AL MVP: Josh Hamilton, Rangers
NL MVP: Joey Votto, Reds
AL Cy Young: Justin Verlander, Tigers
NL Cy Young: Cole Hamels, Phillies
AL Rookie of Year: Mike Trout, Angels
NL Rookie of Year: Bryce Harper, Nationals
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| Mike Trout |
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| Bryce Harper |
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