2. Red Sox (PR-3) (55-35) - Boston is red hot of late, winning 9 of 10. They have climbed into the lead in almost every team offensive category. They support five players with at least 44 rbi's. Adrian Gonzalez looks like one of the best offseason acquisitions in years, holding 2 of the 3 Triple Crown categories.
3. Yankees (PR-2) (53-35) - Yankee icon, Derek Jeter finally reaches the 3,000 hit club. Hard to imagine he is the only Yankee ever to reach that milestone. Not the Jeter of old, but he still is contributing to this dominant offense. Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira each have 25 Home Runs.4. Braves (PR-4) (54-38) - Atlanta has been red hot lately and have been putting pressure on division leader, Philadelphia. While the AL East's race is about offense, the NL East is all about pitching. Atlanta's staff has been incredible up to the break.
5. Giants (PR-5) (52-40) - The Giants seem like the biggest contender to add something in the future Trade deadline. Their pitching is great as always but the offense looks lost without Buster Posey. San Francisco has a team that can certainly win the West division, but needs a bat to win the National League.
6. Rangers (PR-7) (51-41) - The Rangers are in the midst of a seven game winning streak, but its hard to forget the tragedy that happened this past weekend. I hope Josh Hamilton can get over this, this guy has gone through so much.
7. Tigers (PR-11) (49-43) - The Tigers sit 6 games above .500 and yet have a -8 run differential. Their offense has some big bats, but is very top heavy. They need to add some role guys and some speed to help them hold off fading Cleveland, and surging Chicago.
8. Angels (PR-14) (50-42) - The Angels have been hot, they have won 8 of 10. The offense this year has been solid, but nothing special. But the pitching is great. Jared Weaver will take the mound for the American league All Stars as the starter as he is enjoying the best year in his career.
9. Brewers (PR-8) (49-43) - Milwaukee is tied atop the wild and open NL Central. The past has shown that the Brewers will play for the season at hand and upgrade their current roster. This is definitely Fielder's last season in Milwaukee, and the Brewers are going to ride him out.
10. Rays (PR-6) (49-41) - It is really tough for a team like Tampa, they would lead almost every other division in Baseball, but find themselves in third. It is going to be an uphill battle all year long, I think they need to add some pieces if they are seriously going to contend for a playoff bid.
11. Diamondbacks (PR-12) (49-43) - Arizona has been quite a surprise this season. Nobody saw them being ahead of Colorado, but they are scoring runs without a key big bat in the middle. I like their aggressive play and I can see them being a thorn in the Giants' side.
12. Cardinals (PR-10) (49-43) - St. Louis got a boost by Pujols' early arrival. But they are still in the midst of the tightest division in Baseball. The Cardinals definitely need to add some arms for the stretch run. But if not, it wouldn't be the first time a La Rusa team wins with some improbable guys.
13. Indians (PR-9) (47-42) - The Tribe had somewhat of a June swoon, and it has carried into July. The great start is the only thing saving this team right now, Chicago and Minnesota are starting to play better, and Detroit seems like the class of the division. Cleveland needs to add a bat to hold Choo's place.
14. Pirates (PR-13) (47-43) - Pittsburgh is above .500, in a division race, and has three All Stars. By far the best first half in years for Pittsburgh. Don't see Pittsburgh being big players in the trade market, they have good organizational depth and will be getting some injured players back.
15. Mets (PR-16) (46-45) - Hard to imagine the Mets are above .500 with all the injuries they have sustained. I don't project the Mets being able to overcome the Braves or Phillies, unless something dramatic happens. Reyes may be on the DL for the trade deadline, but Beltran may bring in a good haul for New York.
16. Reds (PR-15) (45-47) - Cincinnati has one of the best offenses in the league, but still can't seem to win enough. They've sent some key players down and are giving other guys looks, trying to spark something, anything.
17. White Sox (PR-17) (44-48) - The Sox enter the break losing 3 of 4 crucial games to Minnesota, those were big games and they could have made up some ground on Cleveland. Still the turnaround from the beginning of the year until now is quite impressive.
18. Blue Jays (PR-19) (45-47) -Toronto is playing good baseball, just a tough division to make up ground. In the future it would be cool to see Bautista play on a winning team in Canada. Maybe the Jays will catch on with the rest of the AL East and go sign somebody.
19. Nationals (PR-18) (46-46) - Washington is not a team of the present, but hold one of the brightest futures. Danny Espinosa has been outstanding this year, proving to be one of the best Second Basemen in Baseball.
20. Mariners (PR-21) (43-48) - Seattle has shown improvement from last season but still has a way to go. They sit in last in all offensive categories, but things are definitely better than anticipated this season.
21. Rockies (PR-20) (43-48) - Colorado is a tough team to figure, but the pitching wasn't what it was last season. So do they become sellers, or hold out and see if Tulowitzki can carry them into the postseason? I suspect the former.
22. Marlins (PR-29) (43-48) - Well the old man knows his stuff, Florida is playing better baseball with Jack McKeon. The Fish are riding a 5 game winning streak, still way too far back to make any sort of postseason noise though.
23. Twins (PR-25) (41-48) - Minnesota has been playing well towards the end of the first half, Maurer is back and is still hitting. Hey this Central Division is wide open, and the Twins have been known to make runs. Maybe something can happen.
24. Dodgers (PR-27) (41-51) - The Dodgers are in the midst of ownership trouble, and they also happen to be sellers in the trade market, not a good thing at all.
25. Athletics (PR-22) (39-53) - Oakland is seemingly wasting the terrific pitching they've received this season. I don't see them being able to unseat any teams ahead of them with the offense they have.
26. Padres (PR-23) (40-52) - San Diego is another team that has great pitching but no offense. They are too far back in the standings to make a move.
27. Royals (PR-28) (37-54) - Kansas City has seen their season go way down from the great start. They are young and have a bright future, but things are bleak this year.
28. Orioles (PR-26) (36-52) - Its hard to imagine Baltimore ever being a factor in the AL East, but they have set up with some young pitching, and have money to spend in the offseason. Maybe their time is coming
29. Cubs (PR-24) (37-55) - The Cubs have some decisions to make in the near future, Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Pena could bring in some nice returns, and help set the tone for the future, because this year is shot.
30. Astros (PR-30) (30-62) - Well the worst record in Baseball will get you here. Tough time to be an Astros fan, I don't think they should be too eager to run to the American League like Nolan Ryan wants.
All Star Break Cy Young
American League-CC Sabathia 13-4 2.72 ERA 126 Strikeouts
National League- Jair Jurrjens 12-3 1.87 ERA 65 Strikeouts
All Star Break MVP
American League-Adrian Gonzalez .354 17 HR 77 RBI
National League- Prince Fielder .287 22 HR 72 RBI
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