Second half prediction thread...

Let's hear your 2nd half predictions. We'll start with the AL East and work our way down...

AL East

Boston - Team has clearly gone into win-now mode, dead set on breaking their long World Series jinx. With the Yankees dormant, now seems their time to make a move. Manny Ramirez has been pretty much carrying their team, with a little help from ROY candidate Albert Pujols and slugging malcontent Carl Everett. Injuries and slumps have taken Nomar Garciaparra out of the equation, but look for him to return strong in the second half. The bullpen is the real strength of this club, however, with nearly 20 million dollars invested in it. Pedro is gone, but Tom Glavine, Kevin Millwood, and Wade Miller make for a potent 1-3.

Baltimore - How exactly is this team winning? I'm not exactly sure. It's certainly not by hitting, with Melvin Mora leading the way at an adequate .489 slugging percentage. Pat Hentgen and ROY candidate Josh Towers have stepped up in the rotation, but this team is overachieving. Look for a second half slide, despite a potent bullpen.

New York Yankees - The Yanks have been in an off-year, mainly because of general underachievement and the injury of Bernie Williams, their best player so far. Lately, however, Williams has returned from injury, Hernandez has come alive, and Roger Clemens has been pitching like he deserves his massive contract from the Boss. I expect them to surge in the second half, but a lack of offensive pop will prevent them from overtaking the Red Sox. They haven outside chance at catching the White Sox, however, for teh Wild Card.

Tampa Bay - This team blows. Ben Grieve has been a pleasant surprise. *yawn*

Toronto - This team is really suffering in the absence of franchise3. When last he was here, they were first in the AL East. Now they've fallen to last. This isn't surprising, however, since the Jays have received almost no production from their infield outside of Carlos Delgado, who is having a career year. Mediocre pitching hasn't helped matters either.

Central Division

Cleveland: Cleveland began the year looking like they were going to break the 1998 Yankees AL record 114 wins. Lately, they've cooled off considerably, as Jaret Wright has come back to earth. Still, the Indians appear the best team in baseball due to a superb bullpen led by John Rocket, a solid rotation with Wright and Bartolo Colon, and a potent offense starring Juan Gonzalez, Roberto Alomar, and Jim Thome.

This team should win the AL Central and should get to the World Series.

Chicago White Sox - DrewP built this team for the future, but it turns out that the future is now. Frank Thomas and Magglio Ordonez pack the offensive punch, and the pitching staff has carried the team. They should take the Wild Card, but I see a first round exit for them, since their staff has been consisttent rather than stellar, and the 3 man rotation in the playoffs should hurt them.

Minnesota Twins - The pitching triad of Eric Milton, Brad Radke, and Joe Mays has been terrific, but they just can't hit. If this team could acquire another bat somehow, it could really go places. Expect new manager KBM to look for deadline deals to press the White Sox for a Wild Card spot. Prediction: above .500 finish but no playoffs. Watch out if they can find a couple of bats in the off-season...

Detroit: Does anybody on God's green earth care?

Kansas City: Good news? Chris George. He's been a stud. He's the leading candidate for the AL ROY and is currently the best darkhourse candidate for the Cy Young. Bad news? Everything else. The Royals have some decent players, but no stars outside of George.

Seattle: In complete win-now mode. SteveFrancis03 has traded some top notch prospects for good players. This puts pressure on him to deliver this year. And right now, he is. Seattle currently enjoys a comfy 13.5 game lead over 2nd place Texas. Think Texas will catch them? I don't. Seattle lacks a single offensive star, but everyone knows their role and fills it nicely. John Halama and Aaron Sele head an excellent pitching staff, with Sasaki to slam the door shut. Prediction: ALCS, but a loss to the Indians.

Texas: They cat hit. A-Rod is an MVP candidate. Pudge rocks. Alou is a slugger. Can they pitch? No. Can they contend? No. If they can get some pitching, they could make a late run at the Wild Card.

Oakland: Why is this team not playing well? Inexperience, I'd say. And a lack of hitting. Jason Giambi is an MVP candidate... but after that, Richard Hidalgo, acquired from the Astros to protect Giambi, has only been good. Tejada is underachieving. McMillon has been nice, but not a difference maker. Outside of them, it isn't pretty. Pitching? Oooh... gotta love Tim Hudson, a Cy Young candidate. Both Hudson and Barry Zito have been coming on strong of late. Watch out for these guys if Band Geek Mobster can find another bat. By the way... this team has prospects galore, so beware. Prediction: A's make a run at the Wild Card, fall just short, and head into the off-season looking for one last hitter to put them over the top.

Anaheim Angels - Puedlfor tried to win for three weeks before he went to the tank. Probably not a bad decision, since that meant he discovered 18 year old super-stud Casey Kotchman, who's hitting above .300 at the moment. His team is currently starting 6 rookies, all of whom look at least promising. Ismael Valdes leads a weak pitching staff. Prediction: Should win tank-a-thon 2001, barring a sudden injury in Detroit. This team is probably two years away from contending, but the pieces are all there developing.

National League

NL East

Atlanta Braves - Studded with stars. Brian Jordan, Chipper Jones, Andrew Jones, Javy Lopez, and Daryl Ward provide enough offensive punch to bring down any pitcher. Greg Maddux, Curt Schilling, John Burkett, and ROY darkhorse candidate Damian Moss take all comers. Prediction: World Series winners. Greg Maddux could win the Cy young. Chipper Jones coudl win the MVP. Not fair, is it?

New York Mets - Decent pitching led by Leiter, Rusch, and Reed can't make up for an offense that features Piazza and little else. Prediction: .500.

Montreal: Staretd out well, but has come down to earth lately. Vlad Guerrero is a Triple Crown candidate and the MVP favorite. Javier Vasquez and Jose Vidro join him in the category of Expos About to Sign Fat Contracts Elsewhere.

Philadelphia Phillies: Bobby Abreu, Scott Rolen and not much else means this team is mediocre. Jose Mesa is a super closer.

Florida Marlins - So close yet so far away. Dvauthrin recently decided to call the season a wash by trading the Big Unit, but there's no denying this team has talent. Charles Johnson, Cliff Floyd, and the underachieving Preston Wilson are all good players. Watch out in the future for their pitching rotation fo Beckett, Clement, and Penny.

NL Central

St. Louis Cardinals - Would you believe Big Mac's team is winning through pitching? Well, they are. The Cardinals feature an excellent team ERA, supported by Cy Young candidate Matt Morris. On offense, Mark McGwire and Jim Edmons lead an otherwise so-so offense. This team, like Atlanta, could take the Cy Young and MVP. Prediction: Will hold of Houston for the NL Central title, but fall to Atlanta in the NLCS.

Houston: Jeff Bagwell, Lance Berkman, Darin Erstad, Gabe Kapler, Mark Texeira, Jose Ortiz, and Craig Biggio are ALL hitting above .300... every single member of the Astros regulars. Their pitchers? Well, umm... Oswalt and Jason Marquis hav pitched well (both ROY candidates), but the rest of the rotation is shaky. They recently brought in Randy Johnson, however, who figures to become their immediate ace. Prediction: They give the Cardinals a run, but fall just short. I'm guessing they'll lose in 5 to Atlanta in the Divisional Series, but they could surprise.

Chicago Cubs - Sosa! Kerry Woods! The Cubs have some bright stars, but have too many whole sto contend quite yet. The acquisition of Jamie Moyer should help carry the Cubs to an above .500 record.

Cincinatti: PhiSlammaJamma's team has the opposite problem of Chicago: lot's of good players, but not enough standouts. Ken Griffey is having an off year. Sean Casey is the other leader. Prediction: a bit of pitching, and this team could contend. This year? A below .500 finish.

Milwaukee: Burnitz, Jenkins, and D'Amico are great players. The rest of the team is forgettable.

Pittsburgh: Brian Giles supplies the fun. Kris Benson and Francisco Cordovapick up the occasional win. Everyone else collects a paycheck.

NL West

Los Angeles - The loss of Gary Sheffield hurts this team. Shawn Green needs to pick up the slack, and Kevin Brown must continue to excel. Brown is probably the leader for teh Cy Young. Prediction: Without Sheffield, these Dodgers fade into a close second.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Pitching! Pedro Martinez, Tim Brohawn, Hideo Nomo and co can bring down any lineup. The problem is that Luis Gonzalez and Mark Grace are doing it alone on offense. Prediction: They overtake the Sheffield-less Dodgers, but fall to the Cardinals in the Divisional Series. If they get a bat, watch out.

Colorado Rockies - Started out well, but the inevitable pitching problems have set in. The team isn't hitting for average, either. Troy Glaus is a malcontent who won't sign a new contract; look for him to be traded, shortly to a contender willing to give up some prospects. Still, with guys like Helton, Walker, and Hampton, a key free agent signing or dead-line deal could make the Rockies a contender in 2002.

San Fransico: The Barry Bonds show should continue to struggle in the 2nd half.

San Diego: Mediocre players and no prospects = hopeless.