MLB First Half Review

Being that today's Home Run Derby marks the beginning of this year's All-Star break, I thought it would be fitting to review the first half of the season.

Divisional Leaders

AL East- Boston Red Sox by 0.5 games
AL Central- Chicago White Sox by 1.5 games

AL West- L.A. Angels by 6 games

NL East- Philadelphia Phillies by 0.5 games
NL Central- Chicago Cubs by 4.5 games

NL West- Arizona Diamondbacks by 1 game

It looks like very division is wide open for 2-4 teams. In the AL East, you have to take the Tampa Bay Rays seriously. All of that young talent is finally translating into wins. And you can never count out the Yankees in that division.

In the AL Central, the White Sox and Twins could battle to the end for the division, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Tigers made a surge in the second half and stole the division.

In the AL West, the Angels will be tough to beat, especially since their pitching has been top-notch. The Athletics and Rangers are still in this race though, but their offense is all they have going for them.

In the NL East, Philadelphia is the best team right now, but look out for the Mets. Since Willie Randolph left, the Mets have a winning record and I wouldn't be surprised to see them run away with this division. The Marlins are another young team like the Rays, but I don't think they have the pitching to make the playoffs.

In the Central, the Cubs have been the best all year, so far. St. Louis and Milwaukee have a chance to make a run for the division, but if the Cubs continue to do what they are doing, I don't know if any NL team can beat them.

The NL West is the worst division in the league right now, with the Diamondbacks in 1st place- with a record of 47-48... The Dodgers aren't far behind and San Diego is last in that division, 10 games back. Your guess is as good as mine as to who will win this division.

The Angels and the Cubs have the best records at the break, but the Red Sox have the same amount of wins as the Angels, just two more losses in two more games played.

Top Hitters

Chipper Jones leads the league in batting average with an average of .376

Ryan Howard leads the league in home runs with 28

Josh Hamilton leads the league in RBI with 95

Top Pitchers

Brandon Webb leads the league in wins with 13

Tim Lincecum leads the league in strikeouts with 135

Justin Duchscherer leads the league in ERA with an ERA of 1.82

Players to Watch Out For

In the AL, you have to keep an eye on A-Rod. He missed a few weeks with an injury at the beginning of the season, but is quietly having another great season. He's batting .312 with 19 homers and 53 RBI. If Josh Hamilton continues to hit the way he has, he has to get the MVP. Another big surprise for that Texas team is Milton Bradley, who is having the best season of his career with 19 homers and 57 RBI. Rookie Evan Longoria of the Rays is having an amazing season and will probably win Rookie of the Year with his 16 home runs and 53 RBI. Ian Kinsler is another Ranger who is having a career year. He's leading the AL in average with an average of .337 and he's hit 14 homers and doubled 34 times. Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee are probably the two front runners for Cy Young honors.

In the NL, it's all about pitching. Rookie Edinson Volquez is having a phenomenal year with 12 wins and a 2.29 ERA. The Cy Young can go to about 8 pitchers in the NL. Guys like Volquez, Tim Lincecum, Dan Haren, Ben Sheets, Carlos Zambrano, Brandon Webb, Cole Hamels, and Chad Billingsley are all having career years. And now that C.C. Sabathia is a Brewer, you could add him to that list because moving him to the NL could be scary for NL teams. Albert Pujols, Lance Berkman, Chase Utley and Chipper Jones are all having amazing seasons at the plate. There are two players that I think are the most underrated players in the whole league...

1. Florida Marlins SS- Hanley Ramirez- In his third season, Ramirez is batting .311 with 23 home runs and 45 RBI. Not to mention, 23 stolen bases and a great glove and arm at shortstop.

2. Milwaukee Brewers OF- Ryan Braun- Last year was Braun's first year. He only had 451 at-bats, but he made the most of them with a whopping 34 home runs and 97 RBI. This year, he already has 377 at-bats with 23 homers and 66 RBI. This guy is going to be the next A-Rod, if not, better.

Predictions

AL Winner- N.Y. Yankees (You watch and see)

NL Winner- Chicago Cubs (The curse is over)

AL MVP- Alex Rodriguez

NL MVP- Ryan Braun

AL Cy Young- Roy Halladay

NL Cy Young- Tim Lincecum

AL Rookie of the Year- Evan Longoria

NL Rookie of the Year- Edinson Volquez

2008 World Series Champs- New York Yankees