We are about a third of the way through the season and there have already been many surprises. I compiled some stats, standings, and some different team and individual awards as we approach this point in the season.
Teams
If the season ended today, the AL playoffs would look like this: New York or Tampa Bay, Baltimore, Chicago, and Texas. The NL would look like this: New York or Miami, Los Angeles, Cincinnati and Washington. Not many people would have predicted that. However, Just like one of my recent posts, there is no need to press the panic button whatsoever.
If I had to guess how it would end at this stage in the season, this is my predictions: AL: Baltimore, New York, Tampa, Texas Chicago- but don’t be surprised if Detroit makes a push. NL prediction: LA, St. Louis, Washington, Philadelphia, Miami. Be on the look out for the San Fransisco Giants though.
Beasts in the East:
Both the NL and the AL have an abundance of teams over .500. AL looks like this: Tampa (30-22), Baltimore (29-23), New York (27-23) Toronto (27-24) and Boston (26-25). The AL East combined record is 139- 117 (.543). AL Central record is 120- 133 (.474), and the West is 102- 105 (.492). NL looks like this: Washington (29-21), Miami (29-22), New York (29-23), Atlanta (28-24), Philadelphia (27-25). The NL East combined record is 142-115 (.552). The NL Central record is 143- 161 (.475) and the West is 120- 135 (.471).
Worst of the Worst:
AL:
Minesota and Oakland are fighting it out for the bottom. The Twinkies are 11 games out with a win pct of .353 and the A’s have lost their last 8 games and are at the bottom of the West.
NL:
For once, its not the Pirates. San Diego Padres have lost their last six and have a win pct of .327. They also find themselves 15.5 games out of first place.
Individual Awards
AL
MVP- Josh Hamilton
Cy Young- Justin Verlander
Silver Slugger- Paul Konerko
Rookie of the Year- Yu Darvish
NL
MVP- Carlos Gonzalez
Cy Young- Cole Hamels/ Gio Gonzalez
Silver Slugger- Carlos Ruiz
Rookie of the Year-Bryce Harper
The NL was quite tougher to figure out than the AL. It’s really tough to give an MVP to a non contender like the Rockies but going off pure numbers, Cargo is well deserving. If Ruiz could keep his season going the way it is and the Phillies make the post season- he could find himself winning that award.
The good news is the season is only a third of the way done and there is a lot more baseball ahead of us.
