2010 MLB Second Half Predictions

As we have gone a little over the halfway mark in the season, two teams from each division are involved in a pretty tight race and each of the leaders lead by four games or less. In both the AL and NL Wild Card races, each division has at least three teams trailing in the loss column by five games or less. With that said, after the season there will be winners and losers and I’ll tell you right now what they’ll be.

AL East Winner: New York Yankees
The Yankees are in a rather unfamiliar position at the break, first place. I call it unfamiliar because the last time they were in first place at the Break was in 2004, when they went on to lose in the American League Championship Series to Boston. Pitching has been a key component of their success through much of their season as they have three pitchers with at least 11 wins. Hitting has been consistent as they ranked first in the AL in OBP. They even the unlikely heros, Marcus Thames and Francisco Cervelli. Their key to winning the division is their relief pitchers for the 7th and 8th inning. If their starters cannot make it through the later innings, someone has to play the role and get the ball to Mariano Rivera. Look for this team to look for some relief help towards the trading deadline.

AL Central Winner: Chicago White Sox
The Sox are the hottest team in baseball right now coming in with an eight game winning streak,despite missing a key component in starting pitcher Jake Peavy, who is out for the season with an elbow injury. Also, with a starting staff that has a combined win-loss total of 30-24, would you trust them? Does that make Detroit the favorites?  The Tigers, will start the second half without reliever Joel Zumaya who is also out for the remainder of this season. But while Zumaya is out this season, they still do have Justin Verlander and company. With a dicey Tigers bullpen and not the most reliable starting pitching, look for them to stay strong in the second half but fade off come September.

AL West Winner: Texas Rangers
The Rangers are for real and look to make a lot of noise in the West. They’re the surprising team and the rental of pitcher Cliff Lee can be just what the Rangers need to get over the hump and into the playoffs. A lot of credit has to be given to DH Vladimir Guerrero, who leads the league in RBIs with 75 andis hitting .319. This has definitely been a revitalizing year for Guerrero. The lineup has also done well with the 3-4-5 combo of Ian Kinsler, Guerrero, and Josh Hamilton, who have combined .581 slugging percentage. The key for the Rangers to succeed and be crowned division champs is their non-Lee starting pitchers (Colby Lewis, C.J. Wilson, and Scott Feldman). If they can remain just as good in the second half, they can be a force to be reckoned with come playoff time.

NL East Winner: Philadelphia Phillies
Yes, they are in third place in the division and trail Atlanta by four and half games, but they are the defending National League East champions, not to mention two-time National League champs. The Phillies have a four game winning streak and will start the second half playing the falling Chicago Cubs. Their lineup has arguably one of the best 4-5 combinations in the National League with first baseman Ryan Howard batting cleanup and outfielder Jayson Werth batting fifth. We can not shy away about their pitching staff as they have Roy Halladay and anyone who has Halladay can be considered a contender. The problem with the other teams, the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets, is because the Braves have relatively been out of the playoffs for a while and their inexperience in meaningful September games will be a factor. The Mets have way too many holes in their rotation to make a push as starters 2-5 have not had recent success. Johan Santana looks to be getting back to his old form but he cannot lead this team to the promised land on his heels.

NL Central Winner: St Louis Cardinals
While possible NL MVP candidate Joey Votto, the surprising Cincinnati Reds currently are in first place with a relatively new team to this type of success. We cannot forget that this time last year, the St Louis Cardinals were in first place. Yes, this is a new season but the Cardinals are the Cardinals and with first baseman Albert Pujols on the team, the Cardinals will have a chance to be there come September. Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright is currently second in the NL in wins and with the ability of Chris Carpenter, this team will come back on top. We forget to mention Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, who is struggling this season but will turn it around in a big way in the second half.

NL West Winner: Los Angeles Dodgers
Dodger fans going into this season expected a lot, especially since Joe Torre may not manage next season. With that in mind, the Dodgers seem to have to the best opportunity from teams in the other divisions to distance themselves from the pack if they just play small ball. Manny Ramirez is coming off the disabled list will be good news for the other players, especially outfielder Matt Kemp, who has been carrying the weight of Ramirez. Their pitching has been not the greatest, but if the Dodgers still have the lead going into the 9th, closer Jonathan Broxton, one of the more reliable closers will seal the door. The San Diego Padres started the season with the second best record in the National league at 15-9 and have since won 42 more games while losing 28. Can the Padres make the push and become the NL West champs? With an important series against the Dodgers at the end of July, Adrian Gonzalez and company will have to prove they can hang with LA down the stretch.