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Now that the All-Star break is over, we can get down to business on the diamond. Business is sure to get serious, as we still have a few division crowns that are clearly up for grabs, and epic Wild Card races that will just get hotter & hotter as the Summer dwindles down to an end. I have the anticipation that this will be one of the more exciting second-halves of baseball, in some time. A slew of interesting headlines are already a high as we return to action to settle the regular season. Allow me to break down the four storylines that I am most intrigued in, and the four that will have my attention drawn.
I think these cats saying this is a two-way race between the Guardians and Twins in the AL Central, are complete clowns. To be fair, it's a hard cry for the White Sox at this point, with being 8.5 games back from 1st, they are treading water with not to many treads left before drowning out of the race. With Chicago seeing a pretty sizeable gap in the AL Wild Card standings as well- they more than likely won't have enough spark left to make a remarkable run. But, who knows? It sure as hell isn't impossible. The Tigers on the other hand, should not be completely ruled out of this division title race in the AL Central. Detroit actually has more a chance of winning the division as they do earning a Wild Card playoff spot. On two occasions, the Tigers mustered a 5 game winning streak, so we know these young guys can create a spark. They have stayed within distance as we enter the second half of action, and in my opinion, should be considered to be having a leg in this race. A lot can happen in 2 1/2 months- that we already know.
The race might just come down to which club is able to stay at, or above .500, and that's an easy understanding once you really evaluate the race. We had that vision for the AL Central for the regular season, though. I mean, cmon. The narration hasn't changed amongst that division. All five teams are quite lackluster in the full scheme of things, as each club is either in the rebuilding process, or desperately trying to get out of the rebuilding process. That doesn't always point at negativity. Don't be misguided. We now get to experience a tight division race, and the Phillies proved last year, that any team can get hot to the point of being unstoppable, once the playoffs start. The San Francisco Giants, as well, duh? I am excited to see how things pan out in the AL Central. The Twins and Guardians are both teams with some major question marks. Minnesota has proven to have one of the more successful pitching rotations in the league. Something they lean on, and come playoff time, usually a factor that can ultimately decide series and pennants. The lineup is just very lack luster in Minnesota. Correa leads the team with a .228 batting average while the team leads the Majors in strikeouts at the plate and are in the bottom 7 in batting average. If the Twins can't sharpen things up at the plate; play better on the road; and take some pressure off the pitching staff- they are going to make the fight a whole lot easier for the Indians and Tigers to crawl to the top. The Guardians may be just at .500- but they are a much more balanced team in comparison to the Twins. Way more balanced. They are top 10 at the plate; on the mound; and in the speed department. They just need to start putting it all together and have to find a way to have more efficiency and consistency. The Naylor brothers storyline seems to be a nice touch to help the team create a spark, here in the second half. The more Bo gels and gets comfortable in the big leagues, the more that lineup will step up along with him. I disagree with my partner on the pod, regarding Cleveland's status, The Guardians are definitely a team that can make a playoff splash- first they have to prove they are above their foes in the AL Central. I got the popcorn out for this race, and so does baseball fans in the Midwest. Don't know what cha talking about!
The same damn principle in the AL East- multiple teams having a potential clear path to the postseason at the half way point. In this case, here in '23, the principle is to the highest degree- as all five teams in the division have playoff aspirations. Five teams with winning records, five fanbases that are very much invested in their teams' success. Straight up noise. Straight up fireworks. This race may be the biggest one across the league. Each team has a different story. The craziest tidbit? The Yankees and Red Sox are in a deadlock tie for the last spot in the division, as they look up to the fiery Rays; steady-like Jays; and upstart Orioles.
Baltimore is in a similar ship as the Reds are atop the NL Central. They seem to bring up a blueprint rookie superstar, every damn week. Young phenoms who have an act in combining their energy and fresh skill to create a spark. Baltimore entered the break on a 6 game winning streak, winning 7 out of their last 10. They have now bumped that total to 8 games in a row. I don't expect that train to slow down. I said it last week on the blog regarding the Reds, and I'll say it again here regarding the O's: you can't let a team like this into the playoffs. They WILL spark a run. Winning streaks have definitely been a thing across the AL East. The Rays opened up the dance with one that got written in the history books; we see the O's in the past two weeks just setting a flame; and the Red Sox are currently riding a league leading, 9 game winning streak, as they set to climb back up to the top of the division. Holy smokes what a race. Here is how things look right now:
The Jays and Orioles are both currently holding a Wild Card spot. The two teams in the bubble, and in the hunt? The Yankees and Red Sox. Diggity dog. This is going to be fireworks, man. There is a very good chance that four AL East teams get in to the playoffs. Very good chance. Not a one hundred percent chance, though. Don't be let down, now. There still is a one hundred percent chance of something happening. At least one of the AL East teams are going to face some real dissatisfaction when the regular season is a wrap. That's inevitable. I expect all five teams to continue to be in the hunt during the tail end of the season, here. Off quick judgement- I think one of these teams go on an epic run to sneak themselves into the playoffs. Founders Take? Sure, why not.
Yankees are out. Jays blow it. Orioles and Rays get in- and are teams to beat. Red Sox? Well they might keep this streaking up. I expect them to get cold in late July, and start punching again in August to make things close. Red Sox can also find a way to blow it too. They have been streaky. Boston's pitching has to step up, and step up consistently. Again, don't rule Boston out of the playoffs. Get cha pen, I see Orioles and Rays being the only two. I'll keep my receipts if right or wrong.
The NL West enjoys giving off similar vibes in the same manner that the AL East tends to do. This year, here at the halfway point, things are no different. Three teams have 50+ wins and are neck and neck atop the division. The Giants; D-Backs; and Dodgers are taking the fight to one each other on the mountaintop, thus far. The three can slightly hear the Padres down the mountain, climbing, but are still decently separated from them. We have seen the division have three powerful contenders to the halfway point, a handful of times in the past few years, but one of the three usually always finds a way to slimmer down the mountain by seasons end. Hard to tell if we see the same kind of outcome, but as things stand today, all three teams are in the playoffs. The Wild Card race in the NL is just as tough as the Wild Card in the AL- as the D-Backs and Giants are going to be in a constant fight 'til the end. A fight that even includes the division's fourth place- Padres.
I expect there to be fireworks throughout the summer in the NL West. Hopefully injuries remain a minimum, I want everything left on the table. The starvation for the crown, and inner rivalry should make this race one to watch. The Diamondbacks haven't been atop the division since 2011. The Giants may have won the division in 2021, but the Dodgers have won the past 9/10 division crowns. A stat that makes the D-Backs; Giants; and Padres HUNGRY. The Dodgers have no rest for the wicked at the top. Arizona and San Francisco aren't going anywhere. I get it, the Dodgers have a special lineup, the Dodgers are good offensively, the Dodgers this and the Dodgers that. Ok, cool. Are they great? Lineup on paper says they should be top 3 in offensive stats, not top 15. Fact of the matter is that the Dodgers need to keep growing if they want to be sole contenders out of the NL West. The pitching has to find strides of growth and consistency. Can't be an anchor, as for whatever reason this lineup can't muster 5+ runs every game. LA has to sharpen their craft. Be more crisp. As I mentioned- two and three aren't going away. The Diamondbacks and Giants aren't just thinking playoffs. They are thinking a division championship too, as they desperately will try to stop LA from running away with it again.
Arizona and San Fran' get the same message. Them being the chasers doesn't change things. They can't afford to slip up. Keep the same goals and continue to move forward. Arizona has improved in the advanced stats at the plate, this season. Diamondbacks are amongst the top in the league in extra-base hits and scoring. They also rank 3rd in stolen bases. That's a problem for the Giants and Dodgers. Arizona can be a PROBLEM. Key word: can. As of today, they have dropped 9 out of their last 13 games, including the first game back from the All-Star break. They HAVE to get back to winning ways. To be quite frank- this is the last cold run they can afford to have. Can't be losing 9 out of 13 in August/September. If the D-Backs can get out of this slump and get some more adrenaline back in their day to day- they are a team to worry about in the NL playoff hunt. They need to sharpen pitching and win close games. If they continue to stick around, I expect them to be made into a legitimate contender by beginning of August. I think they have all the chances in the world in winning the division if they can start winning again, here in July. If Arizona wins the division, the made confidence would have me considering them as a favorite to reach the NLCS. I am pumped to see the final two months of ball play out for the NL West. Outside of Colorado, I think it's anyone's crown for the taking, including San Diego. As of now, I think Los Angeles finds a way to once again win the division. San Francisco will get in as a Wild Card, making them more dangerous per usual. Arizona falls down the hill- will fight for the final Wild Card spot and come up short.
We move quick, don't we? It's one full circle, baby: the All-Star break is a wrap so we move all the focus to the August 1 trade deadline. It's only the middle of July and the deadline is bringing more noise then we have seen in some time for MLB. Maybe the most ever. Why the noise? Well the Shohei Ohtani Sweepstakes- of course! A generational talent; a two way superstar that compares to Babe Ruth; is potentially available for a price. This is big time for baseball. The intrigue of the best player in the world being dealt is an automatic breaking news atom bomb to the sport. I say potentially- but the Angels are absolutely taking phone calls for a possible Ohtani trade.
Los Angeles would be idiotic not to trade Ohtani prior to this years trade deadline. Idiotic. With Ohtani facing contract extension time and the Angels being awful- LAA have to figure that they are losing Ohtani regardless. If he resigns- it's the largest contract extension ever, and will continue to help the narrative that the Angels suck- for another decade (maybe 2). I agree with A-Rod. Who the hell would have thought that? A-Rod is right on point with his Angels take: he states that if LA trades Trout and Ohtani, they will win a World Series in no more than four years. I think he's money with that take.
Angels are a game under .500 with the two best all around players in the world, in the lineup. Trading Trout is a no brainer. Get whatever assets that you still can, for the value he has left. Which is still a great haul (I'd hope). The Trout trade would already add more club wins for the next 1-3 seasons. Trading Ohtani would maximize their wins potential. Trading Shohei would more than likely give the Angels the most assets and haul for any trade of all-time. It would maximize their potential as a club going into next season & like Alex thinks, I believe it would be a World Series winning transaction. I say within in 2-4 years post trade. The trade would be huge for a seemingly failing franchise; would elevate a team with contender goals; and would be MASSIVE for the sport.
Ohtani being traded will bring in some big time attention to the sport. Positive attention, of course. I think it would be even bigger than LeBron's "The Decision". Bigger in terms of cause and effect impact across the league. There won't be a SportsCenter special to announce the trade live, but you would see a team get the best player in the world: immediately shifting the franchise's potential upwards. LeBron was a contract decision, this is a trade during the season. A trade for the most valuable talent in the world of baseball. It would create a monumental impact- especially if he lands with a club that is already in the playoffs (if season ended today). The buzz is so fresh and bleak for me to come out and make a legitimate take or prediction on whom will land Ohtani if a trade occurs. No chance a club has even put down a legitimate offer on the table... but all 29 teams better be on the phone to see what LAA wants from their roster. Even if you know you don't have the capital and assets- make the call. See what they want for a generational talent. You could have someone in your system that the Angels are salivating over. Never know until you try. So try damnit. It's Shohei Ohtani!
Again, I won't throw a take, but we can have some fun. I think the Mariners or Rangers will try to swing for the sweepstakes. Or so, those are the two clubs that I want to see swing for the Ohtani sweepstakes. The Rays, ya say? We should be allowed, as fans, to veto a trade that would send Ohtani to Tropicana Field and Tampa Bay. That's like sending MJ to Moron Mountain. No. I said this would be GOOD for baseball, don't pull no strings LAA. Instead the Angels probably dish Ohtani to the Yankees or Red Sox (also not good for baseball). I can see it. I see Boston, more so. Could you imagine Masataka Yoshida and Shohei Ohtani batting 4 and 5 in Fenway Park... together... on the same team! If I am O'Halloran, I try and make that happen. Brings in big time revenue for the Red Sox, big time global revenue. I have so much intrigue to see how this pans out. I will reiterate- a Shohei Ohtani trade will be one of the biggest storylines in MLB history.
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