Quote:
|
Originally Posted by balefire88
Sigh, even though the Angels took the division lead momentarily after an incrediply crappy start to the season, the A's are hot right now and we're nearly 6 games back.  |
Hey, we've danced on their field celebrating divsion clinching wins the last two years, and we still have a lot of games at hand against them. No need to get too worryed just yet. Every year Choakland gets unbelieveably hot in the second half, only to either: 1. Lose the division title to the Angels in last two weeks or 2. Get their hearts broken by the Yankees, Red Sox, or Twins in the first round. We have a better pitching staff and believe it or not, a better offense than they do. Their only edge is on defense, where the Angels have just been atrocious.
Should be an exciting final stretch.
As for the other races, I really like the Dodgers moves too. Getting Betemit for Aybar and Baez was an absolute steal. Maddux will be worth his weight in gold for the guidance he will give to the likes of DLowe, Penny, and especially Billingsley, nevermind the fact he's been pitching out of his mind.
The AL Central will come down to the last days and I just don't see how the Tigers can hold on. Verlander has been amazing, but will he keep it up under pressure? I still believe the White Sox can and will catch them.
The AL East is another race that I see going to the bitter end, as usual. This weekend 5-game series between the Red Sox and the Yankees will be a nice barometer. I call that race a toss up right now.
The NL is pretty much a yawn fest for me, with the exception of the Dodgers latest hot streak (they did get their asses beat down today though). The Mets are running away with it, and the Central division is going to be more a case of who loses the race, more than who wins it...unless the St. Louis pitching staff catches fire.