Gary Armida's Blog
We have reached the midpoint of the novel that is the Major League Baseball season. Each team has played a little more than half of their respective schedules and yet there is so much to be learned before the novel heads towards its climax. But, like every great novel, the first half of the Baseball season has given so many great moments. It has given some clues as to what may happen later on. And, most importantly, it has left us wanting more.
The first half saw Josh Hamilton hit four homeruns in a game and go on a month long rampage that seemed like he hit a homerun or two each game. Colby Lewis of the Rangers had one of the weirdest games of the season as he gave up 5 homeruns, but struck out 10 batters in the same game. Buster Posey and Joe Mauer have reclaimed their status as elite offensive catchers. Justin Upton’s pathway to stardom has taken a severe detour, leading to trade rumors. With so many stories, accomplishments, and performances, the first half is merely an introduction.
The Top 10 Stories of the First Half
10. Pitchers Continue the Spectacular
We keep hearing that we are in the midst of the pitching age. While offensive numbers are still in line with most seasons, pitchers have given some of the most spectacular moments of the season. Philip Humber of the Chicago White Sox gave the season’s first no-hitter on April 21st against the Seattle Mariners. Humber, viewed by many as a failed prospect, pitched the 21st perfect game in Major League history. Jered Weaver, an elite pitcher, pitched a no-hitter on May 2nd against the Twins. Then, on June 1st, Johan Santana threw the first no-hitter in Mets’ franchise history. A week later, six Seattle Mariners pitchers combined for a no-hitter against the Dodgers. Five days later, Matt Cain threw the 22nd perfect game in MLB history against the Houston Astros. For a while, it seemed like we were getting a no-hitter per week, but we’ve gone more than a month since Cain’s dominant performance.
9. Phillies In Last Place
The Philadelphia Phillies entered the season as the favorites. They were the only team to win 100 games last season and returned a rotation of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, and Vance Worley. While most knew that their offense would struggle with Ryan Howard and Chase Utley missing the first few months, few expected them to be 37-50 and 14 games behind the division leading Nationals. The Phillies are so bad that they are 5 games behind the fourth place Marlins, who would’ve been Baseball’s biggest disappointment if it had not been for the Phillies. The offense ranks 7th in runs scored and just 9th in on base percentage. Meanwhile, the staff ERA of 4.25 ranks 12th in the National League. With Halladay set to return from the DL and Utley and Howard already back, the Phillies could try to make a run. But, they seem ready to sell.
8. Ventura Guides White Sox
Last season, Adam Dunn couldn’t hit. Alex Rios couldn’t either. There seemed to be a new controversy every day under Ozzie Guillen. The White Sox fired their long time Manager with two games remaining last season. In the off season, General Manager Ken Williams made the surprise choice to hire Robin Ventura, their former third baseman who had zero managing or coaching experience. Ventura is the polar opposite to Guillen and the White Sox have responded by finishing the first half in first place with a 47-38 record. Adam Dunn is once again among the leaders in homeruns and strikeouts. Alex Rios is hitting. Jake Peavy is healthy enough to be an all-star and Ventura has guided a young bullpen quite well. The White Sox are legitimate contenders for the division as they already added Kevin Youkilis to fix their third base issue.
7. Dodgers streak, hang on
There was no better team than the Dodgers during April and May. Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier powered Mattingly’s squad to a commanding lead. Then, the injuries set in. The Dodgers lost Kemp to a hamstring injury. He came back quickly and just as quickly went back on the disabled list. Ethier carried them for a while, but now he is lost. They aren’t getting any production from James Loney, any of their second basemen, third basemen, or centerfielders. Add in the fact that shortstop Dee Gordon has been inconsistent and now injured and it is a wonder as to how the Dodgers still lead the NL West. But, they’ve held on to the division lead on the strength of their pitching staff and some timely hitting. With Kemp ready to return and rumors of the Dodgers looking to add to their team, it will be an interesting second half with the hard charging Giants following them.
6. Orioles have 45 Wins
With a record of 45-40, the Orioles are currently the second Wild Card holders. They have faded and now have the only negative run differential in the American League East, minus-36. Their strong bullpen has covered their pitching and offensive deficiencies thus far, but as bullpen innings begin to mount, the quality of performance has declined. They did add Jim Thome to be their designated hitter, but with most of their rotation now at triple-A, the first half of the Orioles season looks to be their best part.
5. Votto Quietly Having A MVP Season
The Reds caused a stir when they signed Votto to a 10 year, $225 million extension that doesn’t even begin until the 2014 season. There are serious concerns about the backend of the deal, but for 2012, the deal looks wise. In his first 83 games, Votto is hitting .348/.471/.617 with an astounding 35 doubles, 14 homeruns, 48 RBI, 65 walks, and 65 strikeouts. Yet, there isn’t a ton of buzz surrounding the game’s best all around hitter this season.
4. Dickey and Wright
Nobody expected the Mets to be 46-40 at the break. Even less expected their kuncleballer RA Dickey to be the favorite to start the All-Star game. In 17 starts, Dickey is 12-1 with a 2.40 ERA and a stellar 0.93 WHIP. He’s displayed exception control throughout the season and is having a historic season for a knuckleball pitcher. Dickey’s story is well known so watching him pitch as an ace is one of the season’s best stories. David Wright didn’t get the starting All-Star nod, but the Mets’ franchise player--and best player in franchise history--is having a MVP type season. He’s batting .351/.441/.563 with 27 doubles, 2 triples, 11 homeruns, 59 RBI, and 9 stolen bases. Rumored to be traded this past offseason, Wright’s season should signal that the Mets need to build around him.
3. Harper Arrives and Gets it
There were many stories about Bryce Harper’s poor attitude and lack of respect. The incident of him blowing the pitcher kisses after hitting a homerun was played over and over. But, the backstory of the incident revealed that he wasn’t being disrespectful. And, since coming to the Major Leagues, the 19 year old has done everything right. He went to Fenway and talked about playing on the same field as Ted Williams. When he was named to the final player ballot, he said that he was voting for Chipper Jones. Most importantly, his 19 year old season is historic. In 62 games, he is batting .282/.354/.472 with 15 doubles, 4 triples, 8 homeruns, 25 RBI, and 10 stolen bases. Named to the All-Star team, Harper is making good on the hype that seemed as if it were too much. He’s 19 years old and already a star.
2. Trout Ignites Angels
The Angels were struggling, already double digits out of the American League West race. Mike Scioscia did two things. He reconfigured the bullpen and embraced the idea of depending on a rookie full-time. Since Mike Trout has been recalled, the Angels have been one of the best teams in Baseball. With a record of 48-38, they are just 4 games behind the division leading Rangers and are the first Wild Card leaders. There is a legitimate case of Mike Trout being the Most Valuable Player in the sport. In his 64 games, he is hitting .341/.397/.562 with 15 doubles, 3 triples, 12 homeruns, 40 RBI, and 26 stolen bases. The 20 year old was selected to his first All-Star game and, along with Harper, is one the game’s brightest stars. Ordinarily, his season would be the biggest story of the season, but there is a certain team in first place that hasn’t been there this late since 1997.
1. The Pirates are in First Place
At 48-37, the Pirates hold a one game lead over the Reds in the National League Central. They haven’t held the division lead at the All-Star break since 1997, but a September fade cost them the playoffs and a .500 season. The Pirates hung around the division lead last season, but they were a flawed team. This year’s team looks very real. The pitching staff was bolstered by AJ Burnett and Erik Bedard, who both added quality innings and strikeouts. James McDonald has taken another step towards becoming a top tier pitcher. The offense was carried by MVP candidate Andrew McCutchen for the first two months, but the rest of the offense seems to be waking up. 23-12 over their past 35 games, the Pirates have scored 198 runs during that stretch and have allowed just 137 runs. After hitting just 38 homeruns during the first two months, Pirate batters launched 39 long balls in June alone and have already hit 12 in July. They head into the break as one of Baseball’s hottest teams and look very real to not only break the almost two decades of losing records, but to also contend for a playoff berth.
Gary Armida
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The second half of the season should be excellent. I am pulling for the Pirates. They have a great fan base and have struggled for years. Also glad to see the O's back in the mix and with their classic logos (love those cartoon birds and the old school hats with the white front).
Surprised that there was no mention of the Red Sox. Although they are in the toughest division in baseball....