This and That

With the All Star break right around the corner and the trade deadline looming just six weeks away, the would-be buyers and sellers are becoming slightly clearer. But there are still plenty of questions that still need to be answered. Are the Yankees finally back for good after sweeping Pittsburgh and Chicago? Or was last night's loss to Tampa Bay the beginning of another decline in this rollercoaster season? With Mike Cameron hurt and Carlos Beltran hardly living up to his $119 million price tag, the Mets' seasons hangs in the balance this week with 6 games against division rival Philadelphia and 3 against the cross-town rival Yankees. Those same Phillies who won 12 of 13 at home faltered on the road going 2-4 against Oakland and Seattle. The Phils scored a measly 14 runs in those 6 games after averaging more than 6 runs per game in their season-resurrecting home stand. The Fightin Phils return to the comfy confines of Citizens Bank Park and host the Mets and Red Sox before hitting the road again. With Washington showing no signs of cooling off, Philly needs to get back to form on this short homestand - most notably Pat Burrell who went a dismal 1-19 on the road trip. The Philly faithful will find out if the Phillies are for real in the next month as the Phils face the Mets home and away, the Red Sox, the Braves, Pirates and Nationals before the midsummer classic; and the Marlins Dodgers and Padres immediately after the break. Good news for the Phillies - of those series, only the Mets and Pirates are on the road.
In the AL East the race is just as tight if you leave out Tampa Bay who is almost 20 games back. 6.5 games separate first place Baltimore from 4th place Toronto. This division consistently produces two playoff teams but chances of a team from the East taking the Wild card this year grow slimmer by the day. The Orioles have cooled off since their hot start, but are still treading water at the top of the division. When it comes down to it though, the O's just don't have the pitching to stick it out to the end. No one expected the Orioles to do this well and they may even compete deep into September; but in the end their lack of playoff experience and lack high caliber pitching will be their downfall. Boston is also in the mix but pitching will be a problem for the defending champs as well. David Wells is washed up, Matt Clement will not be as good in the second half, and between Tim Wakefield and Bronson Arroyo you have a decent number 3 pitcher but not anyone to carry this staff. The Blue Jays are the dark horse and have Roy Halladay (10-4 2.53 ERA) leading the charge. The former Cy Young winner had an awful year last year but bounced back very nicely and is again a candidate for Cy Young honors should he continue his dominance of AL hitters. The rotation doesn't stop there with Gus Chacin a solid number two with a 6-4 record and a 3.39 ERA. If Ted Lilly can finally live up to his potential and have a solid second half then Toronto could make their first run at the playoffs since the Joe Carter days. Now that we've lined up all the contenders its time to talk about the defending champ (of the division). The Yankees have been unpredictable this year. The Bronx Bombers started out slowly then just as everyone thought that they were back, the went on a 3-9 road trip which started with a sweep at the hands of the major leagues' worst team Kansas City. New York got back on track at home sweeping the Cubs and Pirates both of whom had been on relative hot streaks coming in. From the looks of their schedule, the table is set for the Yankees to resume their usual spot at the top of the AL East. New York hosts Tampa Bay for 4, the Mets for 3, at division leading Baltimore for 3, at Detroit for 3, Baltimore at home for 2, and 4 against Cleveland in the Bronx to wrap up before the All Star game. Will the real Yankees finally stand up?
In the Central the White Sox have yet to cool off. This team has won a ridiculous 20 games by 1 run and are 25 games over .500. Jon Garland continues to amaze - he's pitching for his 12th win tonight in an attempt to tie his career high - and it’s not even the All Star break. The pitching has carried this team so far, but Frank Thomas is coming back to potentially spark the offense. The man formerly known as the Big Hurt is doing his best to re-earn his reputation – Thomas has 8 hits in 30 AB's. 6 of those hits are home runs.


Little side note on the College World Series: Between the Arizona St. v Nebraska game and the Baylor v. Tulane game college kids cannot play defense to save their life. It was the most pathetic display of defense I've ever seen. I seriously thought I was watching Little League. Overrunning pop ups and fly balls not to mention disgusting baserunnings mistakes especially in the ASU v NU game. Is this the Little League World Series or College World Series?