"Talkin' Baseball" with Matt Ambrose: Second Half Preview

Date: July 18, 2017

By: Matt Ambrose

The second half of the MLB season got underway this weekend, and looking back at my season predictions, some went better than others.

At the All-Star break, half of my predicted division winners were in first place (Red Sox, Indians, Nationals). I can't say the same about the Cubs, Rangers and Giants however, each of whom have had disappointing seasons to this point.

With the second half underway, here's how I see everything shaping out division-wise.

 

AL East- Boston Red Sox

The Yankees have slipped a bit as of late. I don't think the Rays have enough to catch and maintain a lead over Boston. Especially if the Sox add a third baseman, which is their glaring need currently. A tight division race down the stretch, but Boston will prevail.

 

AL Central- Cleveland Indians

The Indians are locked in a surprising race with the Minnesota Twins for the AL Central crown. The reigning AL Champs haven't looked quite as strong this season, but have been playing better baseball as of late. The Indians are just four games over .500 but have a 1.5 game lead over the Twins. The Indians will win this division simply because I see a prolonged losing streak for the Twins sometime in the near future.

 

AL West- Houston Astros

I picked the Rangers to win this division, but they have not panned out this year. I said the Astros rotation did not give off a "wow" factor. This was on the heels of a disappointing 2016 from Dallas Keuchel, however in 2017 he has turned back into the Cy Young Award-winning pitcher he was two years ago. The Astros are running away with this division, and are in cruise control until October.

 

AL Wild Card- Rays at Yankees

The Rays are a sneaky team in the AL. They rank in the top half of the league in runs scored and starters ERA, and are fourth in the majors in homers. The Yankees have struggled lately, but they have enough to still reach the postseason. However, the Yankees don't have that dominant go to arm in the rotation, while the Rays have Alex Cobb or Chris Archer. The Rays go into Yankee Stadium and take the Wild Card Game.

 

NL West- Washington Nationals

Same goes for the Nats, especially after getting some much needed bullpen help on Sunday after acquiring Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle from the Oakland A's. The Nationals have a 9.5 game lead in the division, one that is more than safe given the lackluster performances from the other four teams this season.

 

NL Central- Chicago Cubs

I picked the Cubs to win this division, and even though they entered the All-Star break two games under .500, I still think they find a way to win it. After the weekend, they have closed the gap to 4.5 games behind Milwaukee and 5.5 out of a Wild Card, and the acquisition of Jose Quintana helps their chances tremendously. There's plenty of baseball left.

 

NL West- Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers are the scariest team in baseball right now. They have all the tools to success: they hit, they pitch, they play defense, and they have power threats up and down the lineup. Oh, and they have Cody Bellinger. See you in the World Series LA.

 

NL Wild Card- Brewers at Diamondbacks

Yes, I know. The NL Wild Card race has been the D-Backs and Rockies for a while now. However, they Rockies just hit a major slump before the break, and the Diamondbacks are 2-8 in their last 10 and they have lost five straight. These teams will just continue to beat up on each other given they are in the same division, while the Brewers will slide in and take the Rockies' spot, who will miss the postseason for the eighth straight year.

 

AL MVP- Aaron Judge (NYY)

NL MVP- Bryce Harper (WSH)

AL Cy Young- Chris Sale (BOS)

NL Cy Young- Max Scherzer (WSH)

AL Rookie of the Year- Aaron Judge (NYY)

NL Rookie of the Year- Cody Bellinger (LAD)

 

World Series- Astros vs Dodgers

Yes, it's the popular pick. They're the two best teams in baseball. But this just makes too much sense. Both teams have elite pitching: Houston has Keuchel and Lance McCullers, while the Dodgers have Kershaw and Alex Wood, who is having a career year. Both have explosive lineups, and both should also be busy during the trade deadline. However, whenever I watch the Dodgers play, I just sit there in awe. They are as complete a team I've seen in a while. They are strong both in the rotation but also in the bullpen, with closer Kenley Jansen having a fantastic year. Their lineup is strong from one to nine, and it's why I see them raising the Commissioner's Trophy in October. Dodgers in six.

 

Matt Ambrose is a journalism major from Exeter, N.H. and an Assistant Sports Director for 89.5 FM WSOU. He can be found on Twitter @mambrose97 and reached by e-mail at matthew.ambrose1@student.shu.edu.

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