As America’s pastime begins its home stretch, it’s now time to look at what’s about to happen. Since I’ve got a few leftover tea leaves, let’s take a look:1. Atlanta wins the NL East. It was a rough start, but the young Atlanta team has its feet under it, Philly is slipping, and Florida isn’t looking to improve. At the very least, Atlanta snatches the wild-card from whoever’s left stading out west.
2. Roger Clemens’ downfall will mirror his team’s. The acquisition of Pettite and Rocket juiced the clubhouse. Plus, a pitcher with the history Clemens has can ride just about any wave he catches, especially one like great fan support, playing in your hometown, and playing with a good buddy. But the way he was manhandled in the All-Star Game could, and should, prove to be what plants the seeds of doubt in the seemingly impregnable mystique. The Astros were struggling already, but now, added to the surging Cubs and stellar Cardinals, spells one more wait year in Houston.
3. The hunt for a Reds October is over. The Reds are another example of the above principle: legendary player has good year, lifts team beyond where they should be. As with the ‘Stros, however, Junior is gone. if they play the free-agent game in the offseason, however, they quite possibly could reach the Series.
4. Boston will hold off the scrappy Rangers for the wild card and (surprise!) win the ALCS. The Yankees are a team built for the regular season. They’re talented, hot and able to trade for spare parts. However, that primes them for an implosion (all it will take is one inopportune injury.) The next best team is the Boston Red Sox, who also are better built for the postseason. And Aaron (Bleepin’) Boone is gone, as is Grady (Bleepin’) Little. With the cursing out, what chance does The Curse have?
5. The Cubs’ furious rally is not enough to beat the Cardinals, but takes the Phillies, Marlins and Dodgers as consolation. it hasn’t shaped up to be the year that everyone expected. But everyone’s back and healthy; this team’s synergistic energy is going to start a furious run.
6. D.C. wins the Expos by December. The money is best there. Plus, with Bud Selig’s appoarent brain transplant, Peter Angelos’ pull won’t be enough to supplant fans’ wishes. New Senators will be playoff contenders in two.
AL All-Star Flameout: Miguel Tejada
The further the Orioles fall, the harder it will be for him to catch up.
NL All-Star Flameout: Clemens
‘Nuff said.
AL Legend Retiree: Rafael Palmeiro
He hasn’t got much left, and he’s finally registered a HOF pulse.
NL Legend Retiree: Griffey
His body and heart can’t take it anymore.
AL MVP: Alfonso Soriano
If the measure of value is how far an athlete exceeds the minimum contribution he could have made, then AlSo deserves A-Rod’s ’03 MVP for doing Rodriguez’s job (making contenders of the Rangers.)
NL MVP: Randy Johnson
Give the man some hardware; he’s the only thing about Arizona you can’t laugh at.
2 replies on “MLB’s Second Half: Champs- Chumps and Expos”
Disjointed Your article seems to be disjointed. It was almost like i had to search for what i was going to read. You spelt Second wrong in ur title. Your piece seemend sloppy. Too many mistakes. Why should Alfonso get the MVP, plenty of players are having better years? Besides, A-Rod deserved the MVP last year, he lead the majors in HR’s. I wont vote against your article if you can fix it up and explain ur thoughts a little more.
AlSo MVP is not a mistake It’s an opinion. Besides, say what you will about A-Rod, he wasn’t doing his job. A-Rod was signed so that the Rangers would eventually become contenders. The Rangers got Soriano to clear payroll and build to respectability. Now, can you not argue AlSo has done A-Rod’s job?