Looking ahead: National League
After previewing the upcoming battles in the American League we should do the same to the National League, who will have home field advantage in the World Series thanks to their 5-1 win in the All-Star game.
East
A tale of starters against bullpen. Philadelphia are 3.5 games up on Atlanta and own Baseball’s best record thanks largely to the outstanding performances of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels who are all in contention for the Cy Young award. While a lot of Atlanta’s success has come from the young arms in the bullpen; set-up man Jonny Venters and rookie closer Craig Kimbrel who are every bit as dominant as Philly’s big three. Both clubs have suffered injuries to key offensive players this season (Utley and Heyward) but with those big bats back in the line-up this might be the best race in baseball between arguably the two best clubs in baseball.
Central
You should sit down for this. Ready?
The Pittsburgh Pirates are in first place.
Ok it’s a shared 1st place with St. Louis, but it’s still an incredible feat for a team that’s not had a winning season since 1992. This division is the tightest in baseball with Milwaukee just half a game back of the top two and Cincinnati 3 games off 1st place. Some are saying that the Pirates can maintain the pace. They’ve gotten good pitching from a starting rotation that is full of people you’ve never heard of before and have the next big star in outfielder Andrew McCutchen, but compared to the stars on the other three contenders you have to think they’ll start dropping back.
I really have no idea who’s going to win this division. It’s hard to look past any team that has Albert Pujols on it, even if he is having a season that suggests he’s a mere mortal. But I might just have to go with Milwaukee. They’ve added a good bullpen arm in Fransisco Rodriguez and Prince Fielder is yet again having an outstanding year with the bat. What might hold them back is their abysmal infield defense.
In the end this division might come down to a deal made at the trade deadline.
West
This seems to be San Francisco’s to lose now. Despite losing catcher Buster Posey for the season a while ago they are 4.5 games ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks and 8.5 up on the Rockies, who were expected to seriously challenge for this division again.
Reports are that the Rockies are listening to offers for ace Ulbaldo Jimenez which indicates they’re giving up on this season. This is craziness in my eyes. 8.5 games isn’t an easy margin to overcome however it can certainly be done, but not by trading a guy who one year ago was unhittable and got the franchises first no-hitter. If that trade does happen then San Francisco should take this comfortably. I’m not sold on the Diamondbacks as contenders and the Giants have young stud Brandon Belt coming back from injury and room to go out and acquire a new bat.
Wild Card
Once again this should comfortably go to the loser of the East.
Pennant Winners?
It’s almost impossible to see past Philly and Atlanta. San Francisco’s starting rotation however gives them a chance to compete but I just can’t see them having enough offense unless they do add someone. If I had to back one of the East’s juggernauts I’d say the Phillies. Starting pitching trumps Bullpen every time.
