1- Boston Red SoxA healthy Big Papi means big trouble for the American League East. Very deep rotation and a strong bullpen. No real weaknesses. Pedroia is not having as good of a season, but he doesn't really need to. If John Smoltz returns to even 70% of his former self, the only team capable of getting in their way and posing a serious threat will be New York.
2- New York Yankees
This team is armed, dangerous and ready for the stretch run. They will be playing in October, its only a question of if they are the wild card or the AL East champs. Too much starting pitching and too good of a lineup to falter. Its just not gonna happen.
3- Los Angeles Dodgers
With a healthy Manny Ramirez, I will admit its going to be hard for the Gigantes to catch them this year. The Giants have a superior pitching staff, but the Dodgers can straight up mash. Jonathan Broxton has really developed into the closer L.A. was hoping he would become. I wouldn't slam the door on the NL West yet, but if they build it into a 10 or 11 game lead in the next few weeks, it should be a done deal.
4- Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Starting to come together. A scrappy, scary team that is capable of beating anyone. Injuries to Santana and Escobar and the loss of K-Rod have hurt their pitching, but Matt Palmer and Brian Fuentes have done an admirable job filling in those blanks. Vlad is the key to this team. As he rolls, so do the Angels.
5- Detroit Tigers
Jim Leyland is one of the best managers in baseball. Edwin Jackson, the resurgence of Justin Verlander, and rookie Rick Porcello lead a very good pitching staff. Miguel Cabrera is having an MVP caliber year. This is a very dangerous ballclub who believes in themselves and is really starting to click on all cylinders.
6- Tampa Bay Rays
I don't see Tampa making the playoffs this year, but only because they have the misfortune of playing in the American League East. These guys can hit from top to bottom, and if Scott Kazmir can return to his all-star form, they should remain in the playoff hunt until the bitter end.
7- San Francisco Giants
This team can throw pitching at you,then pitching, then some more pitching, then another Cy Young winner. The lefty pitchers are the keys to this teams success. Lincecum and Cain are arguably the best pitchers in the National League, the only question about these two is which one gets the nod to start the game for the National League All Stars this season. If Johnson, Zito and Sanchez start pitching like they have in the past, and have a good second half, watch out. Pablo Sandoval is the National League Rookie of the Year and should be headed to St. Louis for the mid summer classic. Lincecum will be there, more than likely starting the game for Charlie Manuel. Nate Schierholtz is another good young player that you should keep an eye on.
8- Philadelphia Phillies
For some inexplicable reason, the Phillies can't hit at citizens bank ballpark this season. I do expect this to change in the second half, and I look for them to outlast the Mets once again in the National League East. I can tell you right now they won't be headed back to the World Series yet again. Not with Antonio Bastardo, Jamie Moyer, and Joe pitches like hes "Blunted" in their rotation. This team can flat out mash the ball on the road though, especially with a healthy Raul Ibanez.
9- Milwaukee Brewers
This team plays well at home, but needs to learn how to play better on the road. Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder are as good a 1-2 punch as there is anywhere right now. Yovanni Gallardo looks like the real deal. I do not see this team winning a playoff series however, if they do outlast St Louis or somehow earn the wild card.
10- Toronto Blue Jays
Zack Greinke? Naw. Doc Halladay is the best pitcher in the American League, and the rest of the starters are doing a pretty good job. Problem is Vernon Wells has forgotten how to hit. This time will finish right around .500, which in the American League East obviously gets to a one way ticket straight to nowhere.
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