Wednesday and Thursday of All-Star break week are the worst days of the baseball season, because there are no games played across the league. While we spend 48 hours resting up for the second half, our attention turns to the home stretch of the season, where teams can make their final push for October. The Trade Deadline is looming, with a huge quantity of arms waiting to be dealt, as well as a few teams looking for that one bat to add to the mix.
The ZP:Left Fielder takes a look at how the season will come to an end, including Playoff Picture, World Series prediction, and post-season awards preview/
Playoff Picture:
National League East: Nationals
There is very little competition in the NL East, where the Nationals have the pitching depth to carry them. The lineup has been up and down all season, but as long as the injuries don’t pile up any more than they already have, they will begin to get their stars back and be in top shape for the post-season.
National League Central: Pirates
Pittsburgh hasn’t been able to crack through the Cardinals stranglehold on the division in recent years, but it is about time. Strong pitching has compounded with a lineup that, top to bottom, doesn’t have any glaring holes. While first base continues to be a liability, the trade deadline could push the surging Pirates over the top to beat out an injury-crippled Cardinals squad.
National League West: Dodgers
I would like to remind everyone who picked the Padres at the beginning of the year that I called exactly what would happen. The Dodgers have the swagger of a team that knows how to win, and with Clayton Kershaw and Zach Greinke, I don’t care what has happened in the past two seasons, this team is a threat for a deep run. Joc Pederson is also a force to reckoned with all by himself.
Wild Card: Cardinals and Cubs
The Cardinals’ injury streak (Wainwright, Adams, Holliday at points) finally catches up to them and they miss winning the division in the last weekend of the season. Meanwhile, the Cubs beat out the Giants with a strong second half, led by Kris Bryant who, after an up and down first half, figures out how to cut down on the strikeouts and hit more bombs. This is a young team that will mature a lot during the second half. Plus, Theo is going to do the work to make necessary moves at the deadline.
American League East: Yankees
The Rays are finally showing just how young and inexperienced they are. The Blue Jays are weak at starting pitcher. The Orioles have been extremely streaky, although they do appear to be the major threat. Meanwhile, the Yankees have a strong lineup, a decent rotation with a lot of upside, and a bullpen that has been fairly lights out.
American League Central: Royals
How many times need we be reminded that last year was no fluke? The Royals are the real deal, and no other team in the division can stand up to them. The Twins are about to turn into a pumpkin, while the Tigers are limping toward a potential rebuilding offseason. The Royals make very little drama out of the end of the season.
American League West: Angels
Something was preventing the Angels from getting past that awkward one or two games over or under .500 for much of the first half. Recently, though, things have blown up, and the Angels find themselves in first place. With a little help at the deadline, this may be a done deal for Trout and his Halos.
Wild Card: Astros and Orioles
The Astros are falling from grace just a little bit, but it won’t be enough to keep them out of the playoffs. Dallas Keuchel and George Springer are breathing life into Houston in ways we haven’t seen since the Killer B’s. Meanwhile, Baltimore has the experience and lineup to get beyond the .500 mark and stake a claim.
World Series: Nationals over Angels
This was the matchup everyone expected last season, and the Nationals are going to make it happen. With amazing starting pitching and Bryce Harper hungry to cash in, the Nationals are just waiting to make something happen. The Angels, meanwhile, will have the momentum in a generally mediocre American League. Not to mention the greatest player on the planet. A World Series featuring Harper and Trout together will be the most-watched in history, and Harper brings home the Curly W.
Post-season Awards:
NL MVP: Brycer Harper
Finally, Harper is no longer the most overrated player but the most exciting player in baseball. He is a potential triple crown threat who has the swagger and entertainment value to breathe new life into the game. Far and away the Most Valuable Player league (and baseball) wide.
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| Trout isn't done earning hardware this year. |
AL MVP: Mike Trout
The year is generally without a standout performer, and this selection is more based on what will come than what has already happened. Trout is going to be a huge part of propelling the Angels to the division and (in my prediction) the World Series, and is going to earn his second straight MVP (where have I heard THAT before?)
NL Rookie of the Year: Kris Bryant
Another prediction based on future performance, rather than past observation, Bryant will make a huge step in the second half to lead the Cubs to the postseason for the first time since 2008. With many more home runs and a ton of walks, Bryant wins by a tight race with co-Derby participant Joc Pederson.
AL Rookie of the Year: Carlos Correa
The youth movement in Houston has been thrilling to watch, and maybe as exciting as Carlos Correa. With a small sample size, Correa is already looking like one of the league’s best shortstops, and will only improve with experience. With power, speed, and defense, this is one of the future’s brightest stars.
NL Cy Young: Gerrit Cole
While McCutchen is the face of the Pirates, Gerrit Cole is quietly leading this team to an insane number of wins. With an arm that will take this team straight to the postseason, Cole will finally be able to wrestle the award away from Clayton Kershaw, who is having an abnormally mortal year this year (ya know, for Clayton Kershaw).
AL Cy Young: Dallas Keuchel
No pitcher has been more fun to watch than Dallas Keuchel this year. Every game, it seems, he is pitching the Astros into a winning position, giving them an almost sure-thing every fifth day. He is the far-and-away favorite for the Cy Young Award. He would also win a beard growing contest, if such a thing existed.
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