Major League Baseball: The Best and Worst of the First Half

What's always funny about baseball is that even at the half-way mark, it's hard to tell what the rest of the season holds.

In the NBA, it was very obvious how good the Heat were going to be.

It is often times the same in the NHL and NFL (not that it takes away from the excitement).

We are at the All-Star break of the 2011 MLB season, and if you haven't been shocked by at least one thing so far, then you don't know baseball.  Lance Berkman is back into the spotlight, the Nationals are .500 and the Pirates and Indians are contending for a division title. 

Those are all shocking!

What I'm bringing to you, baseball fans, is a list of midseason awards, disappointments and predictions for the rest of the way. 

It's been exciting so far, and my first prediction is that the rest of the season will be as well—great prediction, I know.

American League MVP: Adrian Gonzalez

What a season it has been for one Adrian Gonzalez.  As a Padre, Gonzalez made himself known in the world of elite players, but he's now establishing himself as THE elite player.

Gonzalez is leading the American League with a .354 batting average, clubbing 17 home runs and an astounding 77 RBI. 

It's true that Jose Bautista could wind up giving him a run for his money, but Gonzalez was the main star of a Red Sox team that came back from a miserable start to the season.  Plus, it helps that he's on pace to set career highs in just about every single offensive category. 

National League MVP: Ryan Braun

It's almost ridiculous that with Braun's stats he's nowhere near a runaway winner for the MVP award.  Teammate Prince Fielder, Reds' Joey Votto and Mets' Jose Reyes are all possible winners as well.

However, Braun is a candidate to take a triple crown this year.  He's batting .320 with 16 home runs and 62 RBI, and has an amazing .559 slugging percentage.  Year after year Braun proves he has every tool it takes to be a baseball star, and this year is no different.

Braun was named to his fourth consecutive All-Star game this season and is on pace to win yet another Silver Slugger award. 

Most Surprising Team: Cleveland Indians

The Tribe cruise into the All-Star break at 47-42, only half a game behind the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central.  Their play has declined after the first six weeks or so, but they've still been largely impressive.

What's funny—or at the very least, odd—about the Indians is that they don't rank in the top five in any statistical category.  Many players have stepped forward for this young team.

One of them has been young Justin Masterson, who's 7-6 with a 2.64 ERA.  Josh Tomlin has also been impressive, having 10 wins of his own. 

Not only has the pitching stepped up, but tremendous offensive efforts have been demonstrated as well.  Asdrubal Cabrera—a 2011 All-Star—is batting .293 and has 51 RBI.  Not only has his hitting been impressive, but his defense up the middle with Orlando Cabrera has been some of the best in the bigs.

What makes the Indians the most surprising is how young they are.  This team demonstrates how patience within the farm system can pay off, and 2011 is looking to be a memorable year.

Other Candidates:  Pittsburgh Pirates, Arizona Diamondbacks

Most Disappointing Team: San Diego Padres

What a difference a year can make.  On this day last year, the Padres were 51-37 and stood atop the NL West.  A year later, they're 40-52 and dead last. 

Hard to blame the pitching—their 3.23 ERA is fourth in the National League.

Hitting has completely fallen off the map with the departure of Adrian Gonzalez.  Collectively, the team is batting an abysmal .231, 14th in the NL.  Only two players are in the top 50 in batting, Cameron Maybin and Chase Headley. 

Headley has been the only bright spot thus far, batting .299 with a .401 slugging percentage.

Even those numbers aren't great.  Unfortunately, San Diego is in for a long season.

Other Candidates:  Minnesota Twins, Colorado Rockies, Cincinnati Reds

American League Cy Young: Justin Verlander

Twelve wins, a 2.15 ERA and a no-hitter is what Verlander carries into the All-Star break.  Those are numbers that are hard to beat in terms of Cy Young Award capabilities.

One of the amazing things about him is that he is able to throw 100 MPH on both his first pitch and last pitch of the game.  Verlander is one of the best pitchers in the game today, bringing to the plate (no pun intended) high velocity and tricky breaking balls. 

What those pitches come out to is a league-leading 147 strikeouts and the most innings pitched in the American League.  Is there ever a question as to why he's good year after year?

National League Cy Young: Jair Jurrjens

What's amazing about Jurrjens is that his career high in wins is 14—and he already has 12.  Also, consider that he was 7-6 all of last season while battling injuries.

Jurrjens has become one of the National League's best pitchers, leading with 12 wins and an amazing 1.87 ERA.  With that kind of ERA you would think that he would strike out quite a few batters, but that is not the case.

He is a contact pitcher—he has 65 strikeouts.  That is that stat that could take the award from him, but I think this is impressive about Jurrjens.  A pitcher that pitches for contact and still has an ERA under two clearly knows what he's doing.

He knows where to throw the ball to have the hitter smack it right to a fielder for the out. 

AL East Winner

Preseason Prediction:  Boston Red Sox

Midseason Prediction:  Boston Red Sox

There was a time earlier this season where I thought the Sox would be the biggest busts of all time, and I'm sure I wasn't alone.  Since then, the offense has picked up and they've been on a roll.

The Red Sox have an ace in the hole, and it's not Carl Crawford.  Their other offseason acquisition, Adrian Gonzalez, is having a career year—as I've already mentioned.

In addition, Jacoby Ellsbury and David Ortiz are each batting over .300.  Let's not even break it down to single players.  Boston is the best in the AL in batting average and runs, and are third in home runs.

Pitching has not exactly been their savior.  Josh Beckett has returned to his form, with a 2.27 ERA.  However, who needs really good pitching when you have an offense that is always supplying run support?

AL Central Winner

Preseason Prediction:  Minnesota Twins

Midseason Prediction:  Cleveland Indians

I can't believe this is an actual prediction.  Alas, the Indians are here.

What makes them better than the Tigers?  Well, other than Justin Verlander and Miguel Cabrera, I don't think the Tigers have the proper tools to runaway with the division.

The Indians have what I call x-factor players.  Usually I consider that every team has one player that somehow always comes through.  However, Cleveland is a team made up of x-factors.

Asdrubal Cabrera is the top player on this team.  Between his great offense and stellar defense, he leads the Indians.  In addition, Chris Perez out of the bullpen has been top notch.  Travis Hafner is re-surging in 2011 much like Lance Berkman. And if you haven't noticed, where Orlando Cabrera goes, the playoffs are in the future.

The defense is one of the best in the bigs, and combined with the team's conglomeration of x-factors has the formula to take the Central.

AL West Winner

Preseason Prediction:  Oakland A's

Midseason Prediction:  Texas Rangers

The defending AL Champions will be back in the playoffs this year behind great offense and decent pitching.

I say DECENT pitching, which could be their downfall if they're not careful.  Their main competition for the title are the Angels, who have incredible pitching.

Here's the difference: offense. 

Dan Haren and Jered Weaver cannot carry the Angels on their backs all year.  Alexei Ogando leads the pitching charge for the Rangers, and what a year the young rookie is having.  Ogando is 9-3 with a 2.92 ERA. His teammate, C.J. Wilson, is also having a quality year with nine wins of his own.

The conclusion of this argument: the pitching is largely pretty even. 

The Rangers have some offensive juggernauts that will carry them back into the postseason. 

Michael Young is third in the American League with a .323 batting average and having another great season.  Nelson Cruz and Adrian Beltre are in the top ten in home runs, and of course, reigning MVP Josh Hamilton is an All-Star.

NL East Winner

Preseason Prediction:  Philadelphia Phillies

Midseason Prediction:  Philadelphia Phillies

Roy Halladay.  Cliff Lee.  Cole Hamels.  Ryan Howard.  Placido Polanco.  Shane Victorino. 

All are reasons why the Phillies will runaway with the East.  Right now, they're only 3.5 games up on the Braves, but that's because of some offensive woes at points during the season.

However, when your pitching staff looks like theirs and you have so many offensive tools, how do you lose?

The Phillies will win the World Series—write it down.

NL Central Winner

Preseason Prediction:  Cincinnati Reds

Midseason Prediction:  Cincinnati Reds

The Central division is a race between four teams, and if you haven't checked recently, the Reds are fourth.  Part of the reason I think they will still win is largely due to the other teams. Call me crazy, but I think the Pirates, Cardinals and Brewers are all playing over their heads.

The Pirates definitely have a bright future, but as it pertains to this year, they're too young and inexperienced.  Lance Berkman will slow down, and Chris Carpenter needs more than just Jaime Garcia's help. 

The Brewers may keep up, but Braun and Fielder can't carry this team. I exclude Rickie Weeks because he will DEFINITELY slow down.

Up to now, the Reds have had a lot of trouble out of the bullpen, mainly by Francisco Cordero—who's blown his last three save attempts.  The Reds are among the top five in almost every offensive category, so that's clearly not the issue.  Also a factor is their youth.  Guys like Jay Bruce, Chris Heisey and MVP Joey Votto have been impressive all year.

They started off hot and showed how good they can be.  If these pitching struggles get resolved the Reds can very well runaway with the Central.

NL West Winner

Preseason Prediction:  San Francisco Giants

Midseason Prediction:  San Francisco Giants

This pick is largely based on this team's pitching. Just look at the All-Stars on this roster: Matt Cain (though he is ineligible), a surging Ryan Vogelsong, Tim Lincecum and Brian Wilson (26 saves and 6 wins).

The inexperience of the Diamondbacks is going to interfere with their chances to win, though I credit them for being one of this year's surprises.  The Giants bring such an arsenal of weapons on the defensive side of the ball that their offensive problems have yet to burn them.

Pablo Sandoval is having another good season on offense and will be the cornerstone for scoring runs.