{"id":905,"date":"2013-07-19T23:47:05","date_gmt":"2013-07-20T03:47:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/?p=905"},"modified":"2013-07-22T13:13:45","modified_gmt":"2013-07-22T17:13:45","slug":"how-we-got-herewhere-were-going-2013-mlb-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/?p=905","title":{"rendered":"How We Got Here\/Where We\u2019re Going: 2013 MLB Season"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Only<\/a>

Only 80+ games to go!<\/p><\/div>\n

Well wasn\u2019t that Midsummer Classic just dandy?!\u00a0 Somebody actually won, so that is a plus.\u00a0 Mariano Rivera got a well deserved standing ovation as he entered the game in the 8th<\/sup> inning (one inning too soon Leland) to Metallic\u2019s numbing \u2018Enter Sandman\u2019.\u00a0 Mo promptly put the hitters to sleep in order\u2026.however I was long asleep by the 3rd<\/sup>\u00a0inning of what was otherwise a snoozefest.\u00a0 Luckily somebody recorded their television with a grainy cell phone camera so I was able to re-live the moment on YouTube the next morning over a bowl of Cheerios.\u00a0 It was powerful. \u00a0For a full recap of the game, the Iowa Caucasus and all things Rick Santorum, check out last week’s Tuesday Teabag.\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

In this edition of How We Got Here\/Where We\u2019re Going (or for the Colin Kaepernick\u00a0crowd: HWGH\/WWG) we\u2019ll examine the MLB\u00a0standings at the seasons midway point and make short order of weeding out the pretenders.\u00a0 As a bonus, we\u2019ll give you our waaaay too premature World Series prediction for FREE.\u00a0 That\u2019s almost as good as finding out you\u2019ve won $10,000\u2026.and only have to wire $1,200 to cover the taxes!!\u00a0 Let\u2019s get to it:\u00a0<\/p>\n

AL<\/span> EAST<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a01.\u00a0 Boston 58-39<\/strong><\/p>\n

Despite missing the first month of the season Big Papi\u00a0leads the team in home runs (19) and runs batted in (65) while sporting a cool .317 average.\u00a0 If Papi can stay healthy in the second half the Red Sox (and my fantasy team) will make the playoffs.\u00a0 Look for the Sox to be extremely aggressive in the trade market; perhaps calling on their old buddy Theo for Matt Garza\u2019s services.<\/p>\n

\u00a02.\u00a0 Tampa Bay 55-41 (2.5)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Is there a professional sports team that is more under appreciated by their own fan base than the Rays?! \u00a0The Machine has been to the Trop, it\u2019s a dump no doubt, but still this team finds great young talent and Joe Maddon squeezes every ounce of juice from them (pun intended!). \u00a0Matt Moore has delivered on his pedigree, posting 13 wins and +100 K\u2019s in the first half of the season. \u00a0If they can get David Price right, this team can run down and pass the Sox.<\/p>\n

\u00a03.\u00a0 Baltimore 53-43 (4.5)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chris Davis put up a first half worth of stats that 90% of big leaguers would be happy to have over the course of a full season: 70 Rs, 37 HRs, 93 RBIs, .315 Avg. \u00a0That\u2019s PED-esque!\u00a0 Except The Machine is pretty sure he is clean, making it that much more impressive. \u00a0Here\u2019s hoping he keeps the power surge up, if for nothing else than the debate on what the real home run total should be. \u00a061? 73?\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a04.\u00a0 New York 51-44 (6.0)<\/strong><\/p>\n

If the season ended today you\u2019d have to give Joe Girardi\u00a0some serious love for AL manager of the year. \u00a0The Yankees have had more money tied up on their DL\u00a0than most teams entire payrolls! \u00a0Not only have they held the ship together, they are 7 games above .500 with significant playing time from retreads\u00a0like Vernon Wells, Lyle Overbay, Travis Hafner, Jayson Nix, etc.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sadly, I don\u2019t think they are going to get much of a boost from the geriatric\u00a0bunch set to return from the DL\u00a0(Jeter, ARod, Granderson).\u00a0 I think this team treads water much of the summer before flaming out in September.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a05.\u00a0 Toronto 45-49 (11.5)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0Off Season Champs!\u00a0 Sadly, in any other division this team could probably make a run.<\/p>\n

\u00a0AL CENTRAL<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a01.\u00a0 Detroit 52-42<\/strong><\/p>\n

No shock here: the Tigers are second in the league (and MLB\u00a0for that matter) in runs scored.\u00a0 Max Scherzer\u00a0has (finally!) been able to harness his control and is piling up strikeouts. \u00a0If Verlander can revert back to his career norms (velocity needs to pick up a few ticks) this team can go a long way in the postseason. \u00a0They still don\u2019t have anyone that can properly close a game for them; this has to get addressed by the deadline.<\/p>\n

\"Verlander<\/a>

Verlander should go back to hitting this!<\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a02.\u00a0 Cleveland 51-44 (1.5)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Love the direction Terry Francona\u00a0has this team heading.\u00a0 They are going to be nipping at the Tigers heels all summer long. \u00a0I think they\u2019ll get bold at the deadline and swing a few deals.\u00a0 Oh they\u2019ll make the postseason as a wild card, and get Cleveland\u2019s fans hopes up just enough to open that old wound for some fresh salt. \u00a0It never gets old.<\/p>\n

\u00a03.\u00a0 Kansas City 43-49 (8.0)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Death, taxes and the Royals sucking?\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a04.\u00a0 Minnesota 39-53 (12)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Well, when Kevin Correia is the ace of your staff, being 12 back doesn\u2019t seem all that bad! Perspective.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a05.\u00a0 Chicago 37-55 (14)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0Let the fire sale begin!<\/p>\n

\u00a0AL WEST<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

1.\u00a0 Oakland 56-39<\/strong><\/p>\n

Billy fucking Beane y\u2019all!<\/p>\n

\u00a02.\u00a0 Texas 54-41 (2)<\/strong><\/p>\n

This division is a two-horse race that is going to be one of the better ones to watch. Adrain\u00a0Beltre should start getting some MVP consideration if he continues to hit (and field) like he has. \u00a0Josh Hamilton who?\u00a0 Hey guys, you can celebrate your playoff series wins like big boys now and pour Champaign\u2026.correction, Budweiser\u2019s (it is Texas after all)\u2026all over the place!<\/p>\n

\u00a03.\u00a0 Los Angeles 44-49 (11)<\/strong><\/p>\n

So far this season, the Angels have paid Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton a combined $17 million dollars for a whooping 29 homers and .227 average. \u00a0Yikes.\u00a0 If only somebody<\/a>\u00a0warned you that giving a meth-head $125 million (guaranteed)\u00a0was a bad idea.\u00a0 Don\u2019t worry, maybe Mike Trout can have another once-in-a-century type of season and get this team back into contention.<\/p>\n

\u00a04.\u00a0 Seattle 43-52 (13)<\/strong><\/p>\n

King Felix is going to play for a perennial loser his entire career.<\/p>\n

\u00a05.\u00a0 Houston 33-61 (22.5)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Welcome to the American League!<\/p>\n

\u00a0NL EAST<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a01.\u00a0 Atlanta 54-41<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s actually scary to think how good this team could be if they could get ANY kind of production from Jason Heyward (.227, 7 HRs, 21 RBIs, 49Ks) or BJ\u00a0Upton (.177, 8 HRs, 20 RBIs, 102Ks). \u00a0Pathetic.\u00a0 Julio Teheran is going to make a serious push for NL Rookie of the Year.<\/p>\n

\u00a02.\u00a0 Washington 48-47 (6)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Baseball karma for sitting Strasburg last postseason?!\u00a0 This team is exciting to watch, but I don\u2019t think they\u2019re going to be able to catch the Braves.<\/p>\n

\u00a03.\u00a0 Philadelphia 48-48 (6.5)<\/strong><\/p>\n

This was the easiest division in baseball to predict at the beginning of the year. \u00a0These teams will finish in their current order in the standings.\u00a0 With the expanded wild card in play, the Phillies are only 5.5 back. \u00a0It kind of feels like 15.5 with this team though.\u00a0 They should consider themselves sellers early in the process and try to get younger.<\/p>\n

\u00a04.\u00a0 New York 41-50 (11)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

You play in a wildly successful, UNCAPPED professional sport in the BIGGEST market in the world.\u00a0 You should be punching your playoff ticket year in and year out. \u00a0This franchise is a travesty.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a05.\u00a0 Miami 35-58 (18)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Forget George Zimmerman, Jeffrey Loria is the Floridian that should be thrown in jail!<\/p>\n

\u00a0NL CENTRAL<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a01.\u00a0 St. Louis 57-36<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0Another organization that does it right. \u00a0From the ownership, to the management, to the scouts, to the players and the fans. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0 2.\u00a0 Pittsburgh 56-37 (1)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Death, taxes and the Pittsburgh…waaaait a minute! \u00a0Not only are the Pirates going to end a 20 year winning-season drought, they are going to represent the NL in the World Series!<\/p>\n

\u00a03.\u00a0 Cincinnati 53-42 (5)<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are a handful of guys I\u2019d pay to see play. \u00a0Joey Votto is one of those guys. \u00a0However, I don\u2019t trust this pitching staff enough to keep them in the hunt the rest of the way.<\/p>\n

\u00a04.\u00a0 Chicago 42-51 (15)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0How many years does this make it now?\u00a0 102?\u00a0 402?<\/p>\n

\u00a05.\u00a0 Milwaukee 38-56 (19.5)<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Brewers are 18 games under .500. \u00a0Ryan BioBraun has missed roughly half of the team\u2019s games with various ailments. \u00a0Which begs the question, how terrible is this team going to be when he misses the entire 2014 season?<\/p>\n

\u00a0NL WEST<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a01.\u00a0 Arizona 50-45<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0Unless you\u2019re a diehard Diamondbacks\u00a0fan, or a fantasy baseball dork, Paul Goldschmidt (.313, 21 HRs, 77 RBIs, 9 SBs) is probably the best player you\u2019ve never heard of.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This team has taken on the persona of their manager, Kurt Gibson, and is playing smart, fundamental baseball. \u00a0If you think their starting five (Corbin, Miley, Kennedy, Cahill, McCarthy) is a bit hard to trust, wait until you make your way to the bullpen (Putz, Bell, Hernandez).<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0 Los Angeles 47-47 (2.5)<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Dodgers and their Cuban sensation Yasiel\u00a0Puig\u00a0seem to be biggest media draw the first half of the season. \u00a0After stumbling out of the gate the Dodgers have come roaring back, winning 17 out of their last 22 games, cutting the D\u2019backs lead to just two. \u00a0You can never count a team with Kershaw out (best pitcher in baseball), but something just isn\u2019t right with Matt Kemp. \u00a0It will be interesting to see how far Puig can carry this team.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0 Colorado 46-50 (4.5)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0Free CarGo!<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0 San Francisco 43-51 (6.5)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0World Series hangover in full effect.<\/p>\n

5.\u00a0 San Diego 42-54 (8.5)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Your weather forecast is 76 degrees, sunny with an ocean breeze\u2026.for the rest of the year.\u00a0 Nobody feels bad for you SD.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

World Series Pick: Texas over Pittsburgh<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Well wasn\u2019t that Midsummer Classic just dandy?!\u00a0 Somebody actually won, so that is a plus.\u00a0 Mariano Rivera got a well deserved standing ovation as he entered the game in the 8th inning (one inning too soon Leland) to Metallic\u2019s numbing … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-905","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mlb"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2Bp3y-eB","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/905","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=905"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/905\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":910,"href":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/905\/revisions\/910"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=905"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=905"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=905"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}