Still Alive: MLB Mid-Season Report
Sports Collision opens the vault to re-hash their pre-season picks for MLB’s World Series champs. It’s not been all pretty, but we’re Still Alive.
If you recall, The Sports Collision writers made MLB world series predictions and now it’s time to check in on our choices. Mike, one of Sports Collision original writers made a bold prediction by putting the Mariners in the World Series with Ichiro as the MVP. As much as I would like to see Suzuki win a ring, I don’t think he will do it with the Mariners, unless they add some real fire power to the offense and I’m not talking about Milton Bradley. Chone Figgins was suppose to help, but he is type of players who has scarier hitters behind him like a Vlad, Abreu, Torii Hunter, etc. Other than Suzuki, is there any other Mariner that makes a pitcher shiver even a bit? Anyway, the Mariners, as of today, were 33-45. Fifteen games behind division leader, Texas, who I will touch on later. Nearly 14 games in the wild card race if that’s what you want to to call it. Could the Mariners go on a miraculous run like Colorado did a few years back and surprise everyone? Was Mike onto something that no one else? Time will tell. As for his other World Series choice, the Cards are battling the Reds, yes you heard me, the Reds, for first place in the NL Central. If the playoffs ended today, the Cards would be one game out of the Wild Card, behind the surprising Mets. Unlike the Mariners, the Cardinals are in much better position to win their division or the Wild Card. It’s only been a few years since they were in the World Series so it’s not unrealistic to see them back and possibly win it.
As for my choices, my AL champion was Tampa Bay. Before the month of June, they were sitting pretty at number 1 in their division, hell, all of MLB. However, they reliquished their seven game lead to the Yankees and let the Red Sox creep back in and now they sit in third place, two games behind the first place Yankees and one behind the Red Sox in the Wild Card race. Like the Cardinals, the Rays are still battling and could even win their division or the wild card. Again, like the Cards, they are only a couple years removed from their World Series appearance and they still have the tools to get it done. However, if they continue to play sub five hundred to five hundred ball then they will continue to fall behind the big boys of the AL East. As for my NL Champion, the Braves are currently occupying first place with the unexpected Mets and injury ridden Phillies right on their tails. Their pitching staff hasn’t exactly been as great as I had originally thought, but they have grinded out a lot of games and I’m not sure anyone thought they were going to contend. Will they hold off the Mets and the Phillies? If it’s all about winning one for the skipper (Manager Bobby Cox’s last season) then they are going to send him off with a bang if they continue to grind it out. With Chipper still struggling to find his offensive swing and rookie sensation Jason Heyward on the DL, grinding out may be the Braves only way of winning the whole thing. One thing I’ve notice though is that no team as really separated themselves from the rest of their division. The runner ups are near for a hostile take over. It’s been a very competitive year in baseball.
Last, but certainly not least, the founder of the Sports Collision, Caleb and his World Series choices. He selected the St. Louis to represent the NL, read above to see where they are. A few things to add though, I’m surprise that they aren’t doing better. They have two of the best hitters in baseball in Pujols and Holliday along with some very good role players. Their pitching staff has been pretty good this season and yet they find themselves battling with the Reds who haven’t been relevant in a long time. Very surprising. Caleb also selected the Texas Rangers in the World Series who are actually tied with the Yankees for the best record in baseball. It’s almost feels like a lie to say those two teams in the same sentence. Give the Rangers credit though, their acquisition of Vlad Guerrero has helped take pressure off Hamilton, Kinsler, and Young to perform. He’s been a great offensive boom to already solid offense and with Hamilton taking off creates a powerful one-two punch. Their pitching has some questions marks, but like the Braves, they have found ways to grind it out and win. They currently sit in first with a four game lead over runner ups, the Angels who have been winning that division for the majority of the last decade. Will the Rangers continue their magical season or will they tire out because of lack of experience?
Outside of the poor Mariners, the Sports Collision writers have teams in contention and much like this MLB season, it’s anyone’s game.
