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The W - Baseball - 2009 MLB Standings at the All-Star Break
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It's False
Scrapple








Since: 20.6.02
From: I am the Tag Team Champions!

Since last post: 2189 days
Last activity: 572 days
#1 Posted on | Instant Rating: 2.78
And these are the standings at the halfway point of 2009:

AL EAST
BOSTON 54-34 -
NEW YORK 51-37 -- 3 GB
TAMPA BAY 48-41 -- 6.5 GB
TORONTO 44-46 -- 11 GB
BALTIMORE 40-48 -- 14 GB

The AL East was neck-and-neck going into this weekend. Then the Yankees walked into Anaheim and it all went to hell. Yanks close out on a three-game losing streak and the Red Sox beat the Royals three-straight to take a three game lead in the division. The Rays are nothing to sneeze at, though. It doesn't take long to erase a 6.5 game deficit and they look ready for the second half. I still like Tampa Bay to take the division and shock the baseball world...again.

AL CENTRAL
DETROIT 48-39 -
CHICAGO 45-43 -- 3.5 GB
MINNESOTA 45-44 -- 4 GB
KANSAS CITY 37-51 -- 11.5 GB
CLEVELAND 35-54 -- 14 GB

Like last year, the Tigers aren't meeting expectations. Only this time, everyone expected them to wallow away in the cellar and now they're rocking first place. The city of Detroit needs SOME kind of feel-good story with everything that's happened over the last few years. The Tigers could be the ones to fill that void, but their bullpen is iffy and Fernando Rodney could fall apart any day now. Meanwhile, the White Sox and Twins won't be going away, but if one of those teams is going to make a run, it'll likely be the Twins.

AL WEST
LOS ANGELES OF ANAHEIM 49-37 -
TEXAS 48-39 -- 1.5 GB
SEATTLE 46-42 -- 4 GB
OAKLAND 37-49 -- 12 GB

One of the big criticisms the Angels faced after another early playoff exit (at the hands of the Red Sox...again) was that their road to the division title was too easy. There will be no such complaint this year, with the Rangers not only keeping up, but dominating Anaheim in head-to-head play. If the Rangers pick up an arm at the deadline, they might just pull this thing off. If the Angels survive, they'll just hope they don't get Boston again in the playoffs. The team to watch over the next month will be Oakland. Now that they're out of it, Matt Holliday might spring up in trade rumors.

NL EAST
PHILADELPHIA 48-38 -
FLORIDA 46-44 -- 4 GB
ATLANTA 43-45 -- 6 GB
NEW YORK 42-45 -- 6.5 GB
WASHINGTON 26-61 -- 22.5 GB

What happened here? Philly leads the division, but they have one of the worst home records in the league. Florida is right behind them, but they're only two games over .500. And the Mets...well...can't say no one saw that record coming. The sheer number of injuries they've got is a surprise, however. The second half won't be kinder to any of these teams, but I do see Philly going on a tear to clinch that miserable division early.

NL CENTRAL
ST. LOUIS 49-42 -
MILWAUKEE 45-43 -- 2.5 GB
CHICAGO 43-43 -- 3.5 GB
HOUSTON 44-44 -- 3.5 GB
CINCINNATI 42-45 -- 5 GB
PITTSBURGH 38-50 -- 9.5 GB

This division isn't going much better, but at least it's somewhat interesting. The Cards won't cease to entertain, as Albert Pujols is convinced that he'll just keep hitting the ball until someone makes a baseless steroids accusation or until Jose Canseco decides to pop back up in the media again. Any one of the top four teams in this division could bolster their rosters at the trade deadline and feasibly take the division, but I'll guess that the Cards hold on here.

NL WEST
LOS ANGELES 56-32 -
SAN FRANCISCO 49-39 -- 7 GB
COLORADO 47-41 -- 9 GB
ARIZONA 38-51 -- 18.5 GB
SAN DIEGO 36-52 -- 20 GB

The NL West is more compelling than anyone expected. Somehow, I don't think that says a lot about the National League this year. The Rockies rallying under Jim Tracy is just as baffling as the Mets rallying under Jerry Manuel last year, making me think a September freefall is in the works. No one will challenge the Dodgers in the division, but I'm still not convinced they'll get to the World Series. They've still got an unproven rotation, no third starter, and (worst of all) karma's working against them with Manny coming back and hitting again, as if nothing ever happened. I don't like where the Dodgers are heading this October, but they won't have any trouble REACHING October, at the very least.




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redsoxnation
Scrapple








Since: 24.7.02

Since last post: 3913 days
Last activity: 3913 days
#2 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.75
It will be interesting to see what the White Sox do, as will they try to make a run at the Tigers or will they wave the white flag at the deadline due to the decline in their attendance.
Tampa is 7 out in the loss and going on a 10 game road trip. How they fare on that trip will be telling, as they have been sub .500 on the road this season. And, the bullpen is not nearly as consistent as last season.
Phillies have won 9 of their last 10 home games, so the putrid home play might have been due to playing the AL East, who won 8 of 9 in Philly.
I almost feel sorry for the Mets. Almost.
Yankees have been a team of peaks and valleys this season, running off 15 out of 20 and then lose 8 of 12 to inferior teams. Starting staff needs to be bolstered if they are going to be consistent.
Would like to see another bat for the Red Sox, and possibly another arm in the bullpen, but if Lester and Beckett pitch like they have the last 6 and 10 weeks respectively, they should be fine.
Bright spot should the Cubs miss the playoffs: At least they won't get swept.
Imagine if Manny's return is the cause of the Dodgers collapsing this year.
Considering all they receive from revenue sharing annually, it would be nice if the Marlins used some of that revenue to bolster their roster for a second half run.
After their great start, it is very likely Toronto will finish behind Baltimore.
This past weekend in Seattle might have been the beginning of the Texas swoon. Angels should have been knocked out in the first 6 weeks of the season.
JayJayDean
Scrapple








Since: 2.1.02
From: Seattle, WA

Since last post: 2975 days
Last activity: 2553 days
#3 Posted on | Instant Rating: 7.77
    Originally posted by It's False

    AL EAST
    BOSTON 54-34 -
    NEW YORK 51-37 -- 3 GB
    TAMPA BAY 48-41 -- 6.5 GB
    TORONTO 44-46 -- 11 GB
    BALTIMORE 40-48 -- 14 GB

    It doesn't take long to erase a 6.5 game deficit and they look ready for the second half. I still like Tampa Bay to take the division and shock the baseball world...again.

    AL WEST
    LOS ANGELES OF ANAHEIM 49-37 -
    TEXAS 48-39 -- 1.5 GB
    SEATTLE 46-42 -- 4 GB
    OAKLAND 37-49 -- 12 GB

    One of the big criticisms the Angels faced after another early playoff exit (at the hands of the Red Sox...again) was that their road to the division title was too easy. There will be no such complaint this year, with the Rangers not only keeping up, but dominating Anaheim in head-to-head play. If the Rangers pick up an arm at the deadline, they might just pull this thing off. If the Angels survive, they'll just hope they don't get Boston again in the playoffs. The team to watch over the next month will be Oakland. Now that they're out of it, Matt Holliday might spring up in trade rumors.

    NL WEST
    LOS ANGELES 56-32 -
    SAN FRANCISCO 49-39 -- 7 GB
    COLORADO 47-41 -- 9 GB
    ARIZONA 38-51 -- 18.5 GB
    SAN DIEGO 36-52 -- 20 GB

    The NL West is more compelling than anyone expected.


So, the NL West, with no team closer than 7 GB is "compelling", and the Rays (6.5 GB) are still your pick to win the AL East, but you wrote a whole blurb about the AL West and completely overlooked the Mariners, who are only four games out and have the best team ERA in the American League. The M's are just a one or two-week hot streak from being in the middle of things, and with Felix (finally living up to his potential), Bedard, and Washburn all dealing it isn't COMPLETELY crazy that they could make it happen.



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*snip*

Revenge of the Sith = one thumb up from me. Fuck shit. I want to tittie fuck your ass.
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spf
Scrapple








Since: 2.1.02
From: The Las Vegas of Canada

Since last post: 3060 days
Last activity: 395 days
#4 Posted on | Instant Rating: 5.16
    Originally posted by redsoxnation
    It will be interesting to see what the White Sox do, as will they try to make a run at the Tigers or will they wave the white flag at the deadline due to the decline in their attendance.

Most likely the Sox will stand pat. They don't have the budget to make a big move (I don't believe they ever really thought Peavy would come here), and really the prospects they have left in the farm are not worth spending on some sort of small move. And they know they would get murdered locally if they made any sort of big sale. My guess is they hope Carlos Quentin gets healthy, Contreras and Podsednik keep reliving 2005, and hope Gordon Beckham keeps improving by the day. They have over $40 million potentially coming off the books this offseason, so I don't think they're going to lock themselves into anything right now.

Personally I would like to hand the Blue Jays a list of everyone in the organization, scratch off Gordon Beckham and John Danks and say "who you want for Halladay?" but I don't see that happening.



2007 and 2008 W-League Fantasy Football champion!
TheOldMan
Landjager








Since: 13.2.03
From: Chicago

Since last post: 3276 days
Last activity: 1487 days
#5 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.98
    Originally posted by spf
    Personally I would like to hand the Blue Jays a list of everyone in the organization, scratch off Gordon Beckham and John Danks and say "who you want for Halladay?" but I don't see that happening.


Mark Buehrle, Bobby Jenks, Aaron Poreda, and Jared Mitchell as a PTBNL?

Kidding aside, I think I read something to the effect that the Jays price is going to be so high right now, no contender would be able to pay it without breaking up their team - the proverbial "blown away by the offer" requirement. Probably a better chance in the off season when Halladay's contract goes from $7.5 to $15.



redsoxnation
Scrapple








Since: 24.7.02

Since last post: 3913 days
Last activity: 3913 days
#6 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.75
    Originally posted by TheOldMan
      Originally posted by spf
      Personally I would like to hand the Blue Jays a list of everyone in the organization, scratch off Gordon Beckham and John Danks and say "who you want for Halladay?" but I don't see that happening.


    Mark Buehrle, Bobby Jenks, Aaron Poreda, and Jared Mitchell as a PTBNL?

    Kidding aside, I think I read something to the effect that the Jays price is going to be so high right now, no contender would be able to pay it without breaking up their team - the proverbial "blown away by the offer" requirement. Probably a better chance in the off season when Halladay's contract goes from $7.5 to $15.





Buehrle and Jenks make far more money than Toronto is going to want to take back.
It will probably take 4 of the top 5 prospects in an organization to get Halladay, with perhaps it taking only 3 if a team takes the albatross that has become Vernon Wells contract.
Buehrle and Halladay on the same staff would be a financial drain on the White Sox, as then the potential exists for 40% of their games being over in around 2 hours, thus causing less available time for fans to get plastered.
32, he's thrown a lot of innings, and he hasn't been vintage Halladay in his 3 starts coming off the DL. If I'm the Brewers or the Phillies, I probably roll the dice and make the move, if only for a year and half. Other teams that might be pressured to give Halladay another 4 years until he's 37, it might be risky.
MUTigermask
Boudin rouge








Since: 8.10.03
From: Columbia MO

Since last post: 3909 days
Last activity: 3060 days
#7 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.11
Ryan Ludwicks recent return to last years form(and early this season form) gives me a lot more hope that the Cards can hold on. They could still use someone else hitting well in the lineup, be it Ankiel/Duncan figuring it out, DeRosa or Glaus returning and hitting, or another trade. I ideally I'd like to see a healthy Glaus at 3rd, DeRosa at 2nd, and Schumaker in the outfield. But who knows how those two will return from injury(especially Glaus). I would love to see a lineup of-

1. Schmaker OF
2. Derosa 2B
3. Pujols 1B
4. Ludwick OF
5. Glaus 3B
6. Rasmus OF
7. Molina C
8. Ryan SS

Yeah, they could win with that.
The rotation is just as good as any in the Central, and match up with most in the league. Especially if the 1-2 of Carp/Wainright stay healthy, Piniero keeps up his suprisingly good pitching, and Lohse comes back and pitches well. That's quite a few ifs though. I'd rather have someone else besides Wellemeyer or Thompson as #5, but they could do worse I guess. Pen has been pretty good, I just hope Franklin can keep closing at this level. Just wish he had pitched like this last year, they'd have easily been more in the mix without all the blown saves.



I could see the Cubs making a run if they can get a few of their underachieving bats going. They definitely have the rotation. Pen could use some work though. Milwaukee definitely has the sticks, but I don't know about that rotation beyond Gallardo(who is awesome). You never know with Houston, but their rotation is questionable after Oswalt. The Reds have some pieces and I could see them making a run in a year or two, but they've had some bad injuries. The Pirates...well, they're the Pirates. It's False is right though, a big trade could be a difference maker, especially in a division this tight. I just hope if one happens it's Halladay to St. Louis.

1. Halladay
2. Carpenter
3. Wainwright
4/5. Piniero/Lohse

Yeah. They could DEFINITELY win with that.

As for my other team the Royals...well, they just traded for one of the worst regular players in the league in Yuniesky Betancourt....so F them.
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