The First Half is over – who excels in the Second Half?
The 4th of July is generally considered the halfway point in a baseball season. This season for most teams, they played their 81st game over the weekend. So today's blog will deal with the first half of the season and what I look for in the second half.
If the season ended now, three of the five teams that made the playoffs last year in the American League would be in and three out of five in the National League as well. The new teams would be Boston and Cleveland in the AL and Pittsburgh and Arizona in the NL, replacing the Yankees, Tigers, Nationals and Giants. Pittsburgh and Cleveland have been the surprises so far.
The Pirates have the best record in baseball at 51-30 and are looking for their first winning season and playoff appearance since 1992. The Pirates have had great first halves in each of the last two years. Last year they were 58-42 on July 28 and closed the season 21-41. In 2011, the Pirates were 53-47 on July 25 and then closed the year 19-43. The biggest question for the second half of the season is can Pittsburgh hang in there and make the playoffs.
The Pirates have been led in the power department by thirdbaseman Pedro Alvarez, who has 20 home runs and 53 RBI. They also have two fast outfielders in Andrew McCutcheon and Sterling Marte, who have combined for 38 stolen bases and 17 HRs. Both are hitting above .285. It looks to me that their biggest hole is in right field. One more bat would do them wonders. Miami's Giancarlo Stanton would seem to be a nice fit, but isn't available for free agency until 2017 and is still a bargain for the cost conscious Marlins. That being said, Miami might want to re-stock their farm system with a deadline deal for him. The Pirates need to be a major player at the trade deadline to bolster their chances. They could always use another pitcher, although Gerrit Cole, their top pick from UCLA last year, was called up and has won his first four decisions.
The Dodgers and Giants are both on the outside looking in right now and going in opposite directions. The Dodgers have been infused with energy with Cuban defector Yasiel Puig, who should make the all star team (that is another blog later). They have won 8 of 10 and looking good. The Giants have lost 8 of 10 and have had injuries and sub par years from many of the pitchers that have been a major reason why they have won two of three World Series titles. Both are still very close in a week NL West and both will probably try to make moves to stay in. The Nationals have struggled this season and chase the Braves by six in the NL East. They were helped by the return of Bryce Harper from injury.
Over in the American League right now, Detroit is just a half game behind Cleveland. Don't think there is any one out there (maybe Nate Shelman) who thinks in the end the Tigers don't take the Central. Detroit has to be in the market for a closer. Jonathan Papelbon of the Phillies would like nice in the old English D. The Yankees are hoping to get Jeter and A-Rod back and make a move. The Red Sox have been surprisingly in first much of the season in the East. Baltimore made the playoffs last year and has to look at the division as wide open and I would expect them to make a couple of moves. The O's offense could get help with the return of secondbaseman Brian Roberts from injury. They probably will trade for a pitcher.
Individually, Orioles first baseman Chris Davis has had a monster year. After four part-time seasons in Texas where he hit 42 total home runs, he was traded to Baltimore. This is his second full year for the Orioles. Last year he hit 33 long balls. This year already 31. Detroit's Miguel Cabrera could get a second triple crown and pitcher Max Scherzer has to be the leading Cy Young candidate, as he is the first pitcher since Roger Clemens in '86 to start a season 12-0. Colorado's Michael Cuddyear, could give fans a lot of excitement if can keep his 27 game hitting streak going. He is still a little less than halfway to Joe DiMaggio's record 56.
It promises to be an exciting second half and will be interesting to see what teams make the moves to go for it. As a Giants fan, I think odd years just aren't as good as even ones – at least in this decade.
