Who's Got the Best 1-2 Punch in Baseball?

This selection isn’t exactly accurate as of right now, but it will be true at the start of next season, at the latest.

A-rod hasn’t been the same hitter since coming back from hip-surgery in May. Although, his power has been more consistent recently and his late inning home runs are beyond clutch (leads the league in game-tying or go-ahead bombs), Rodriguez hasn’t been able to lay off a breaking ball all season.

It’s possible that A-rod’s hip isn’t yet 100 percent, as he routinely swings over the slider. His average, usually quite Rod-like (get it?), sits at a very disappointing .254.

However, Teixeira’s monster season has to put them in the discussion. Despite his struggles, the team’s offense (especially Tex) completely took off when Rodriguez returned to lineup. After having an abysmal first month to the season, Teixeira is now tied for the AL lead in home runs with 31, along with a .283 batting average and 89 RBI.

The potential of an MVP caliber Mark Teixeira and a healthy Alex Rodriquez as New York’s three and four hole hitters spells bloated ERAs for the AL East.

Mauer Power

Go ahead say it, “Mauer Power.”

Followed by the Colossus Canadian, Justin Morneau, this duo is the reason that the Twins are only six games behind in the AL Central and still have an outside shot of winning the division.

After missing a month of the season due to back and kidney problems, Mauer is, as of now, arguably the favorite to win what would be his first MVP award.

The Gold Glove winning catcher, who was not known for the long ball, has suddenly found a power stroke. With a league leading average at .379, a career high in home runs with 25, along with 77 RBI and a .447 OBP, Mauer has taken his game to the next level.

Having the 2006 MVP protecting Mauer is absolute insanity. Morneau is on pace to finish in the top five in RBI in the AL for the third time in the last four seasons. He is currently hitting .298 with 28 home runs, 94 RBI, a .386 OBP, and his .941 OPS is more than a hundred points above the league average.

Bottom line: Don’t make a mistake with these guys.

If Minnesota’s rotation and bridge to closer Joe Nathan were better, then more would be said of this powerful 1-2 punch and the team as a whole.

With the addition of Matt Holliday before the trade deadline, the Cardinals effectively went from competing for the division to NL powerhouse. This acquisition puts St. Louis in top league company along with the L.A. Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies.

Albert Pujols finally has some protection, forcing pitchers to throw "The Machine" something to hit to try and avoid putting him on base.

Since joining the Cardinals 23 games ago, Matt Holiday has hit five home runs, collected 22 RBI, and is hitting .403. After struggling and underachieving for the Oakland A’s, it seems as if the 29-year-old has hit his stride with a change of leagues.

Of course, everyone looks better when they are playing with the absolute best in their sport. Just go ask Mo Williams, he was able to cop an injury fill-in All-Star selection by riding King James’ coat tails this past season.

Pujols has had the MVP award locked up since before the All-Star break. A .319 batting average combined with an MLB leading 39 home runs, 105 RBI, and a .443 OBP has reinforced the reasons why Albert Pujols is the best in baseball.

With another great 1-2 punch in the rotation in the form of Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter (Pineiro with the honorable mention), look for this team to be playing in the NLCS.

When all was said and done, the Blue Jays did little during the Halladay season. But their offense has remained intact, aside from a quick cash dump in the form of Rios. Aaron Hill and Adam Lind anchor that offense.

This offense, along with a strong effort from pitchers replacing Jesse Litsch and Dustin McGowan in the rotation, was able to keep this team in first place for a month early on in that season.

While the team's overall level of play has dropped, Hill and Lind’s haven’t missed a beat. Lind is hitting .296 with 24 home runs and 76 RBI. Hill has more than kept pace with an impressive .291 average, 28 home runs, and 80 RBI.

However, it is beyond me why Cito Gaston continues to bat Hill in the two-hole and Lind in the three-hole, while letting aging first basemen Lyle Overbay remain in the clean-up spot.

With only 13 home runs and declining bat speed, Overbay lacks the pop and overall skill to be a typical four-hole hitter and a consistent big time RBI guy. It would only benefit the Jays to move both Hill and Lind down one slot to improve the heart of the order.

Honorable Mention to Ryan Braun & Prince Fielder, Kevin Youkilis & Jason Bay, Chase Utley & Ryan Howard, and Evan Longoria & Carlos Pena.

Let me know if you think I left someone off.