The Best team after the All Star break is...

The Yankees are 19-7 since the break. As far as records are concerned, that makes them the best team since the All Star break.

 

I'm still holding to the above prediction I made two weeks ago. At the very least, I know the Tigers will only get 84 wins this season. The Twins still have some work to do to catch up with Cleveland, but I wouldn't be surprised if it happened.

 

I hate being right. The Tigers choked another one away. They will struggle to be .500 by the end of the season. 81 wins will be a chore for them.

I was saying it back in May, even when they were winning - this team is a choking machine. Shoot, even the Indians themselves are chokers, but the Tigers have out done them by a long shot. No one can out-choke the Tigers.

 

Hey Andy, what is your opinion on Monroe? I see the Cubs got him today from the Tigers for a player to be named later. Can he help the Cubs down the stretch?

 

He was coming along great last year - reminded me a of RH Griffey Jr. in a way. This year he completely collapsed, though. Had very little plate discipline, like every other Tiger. He has some pop and can come up with big hits once in a while. His biggest problem is his head - when he slumps you can tell it is mostly mental. Maybe change of scenery will help him. He has a great arm and is a decent fielder.

 

Might be too little too late, but look out for the Reds. They have won 5 in a row and at 6.5 games out of the Central Division. If the Brewers and Cubs keep going south and Cardinals gets in a losing streak, then the Reds could sneak up on everyone.

I know. WISHFUL THINKING.:smilewinkgrin:

 

Too little, too late for the Reds. Even if the Cubs play .500 the rest of the season, the Reds have to go 23-9 just to tie them. That's a pretty tall order for any team.

 

I do think one thing that will make the Reds a factor: they play the Cards, Cubs, and Brewers a combined 18 times from here on out (12 on the road). They also play the Mets in a 3 game series at home. They will have a say in the outcome. Here's the kicker: if you're Krivsky, do you keep Mackanin or do you take the shot to hire a Girardi, Brenly, or even a Torre or LaRussa?

What this team could do with just a fraction of a bullpen and if Arroyo had come close to pulling his weight. :BangHead:

It's painful to be a Reds lover. And how dare they try to climb back in the hunt with Vol football around the corner!

 

The Reds need a manager with a decent track record of developing young talent once that talent reaches the majors. I don't think Brenly or Torre are the guys to do that. LaRussa is and I'm not sure about Girardi. I think I'd go after LaRussa, then Girardi.

 

Still think the Twins can catch the Indians?

 

Today, the Phillies completed a sweep on the Mets in Philly. So now the Phillies are two games back instead of six. The Phillies really stepped up to the challenge in this series and the games had the atmosphere of post season play. The Phillies are still a little weak in the pitching department but this series showed that they are heading in the right direction.

 

Nope. That sweep by the Indians buried the Twins. The Twins could still catch the pathetic Tigers for 2nd, though. Good luck to the Indians in the playoffs. The Angels are the team to beat in the AL - they have a great record against the other playoff contending teams.

 

With a month to go, who do you like to make the playoffs? Is it too early to say that the AL playoffs are pretty much set?

The Red Sox (NY sweep notwithstanding), Indians and Angels should all hang on and win. I can't see the Yanks losing the WC now that they've clawed their way past Seattle.

A week ago, I thought the Mets were a lock. Then, that sweet sweep :thumbs: by the Phillies changed things (I can't stand the Mets). Or did it? I suppose the Mets will still make it, considering that Pedro's coming back. Well, at least I think he's coming back. He sure is taking his sweet time, isn't he? I think Hamels' injury will be the Phillies killer. I think the Cubs will win the division on the last day of the season and I like the Padres to pass Arizona. This assumes that Young recovers sufficiently from his injury. I think Arizona lands in the WC slot.

 

Here is what will happen in the AL playoffs (yes, the teams are set).

ALDS:

Yankees v. Angels - Angels in 4
Indians v. Red Sox - Red Sox in 5

ALCS:

Red Sox v. Angels - Angels in 5


I don't follow the NL much, so I won't opine there.

 

NLC: Cubs
NLW: Padres
NLE: Mets
NLWC: D'Backs

ALC: Indians
ALW: Angels
ALE: Red Sox
ALWC: Yankees

AL:
Angels over Yanks in 5
Red Sox over Indians in 4

Red Sox over Angels in 7

NL:
Mets over D'Backs in 4
Padres sweep Cubs

Mets over Padres in 6

WS: Red Sox over Mets in 5 (Wipe away 1986!).