AL East Preview: 1. New York Yankees

1. New York Yankees 103-59 Predicted: 100-62
Projected Lineup:AVG, HR, RBI,PVR

SS Derek Jeter 334. 18 66 18
LF Randy Winn 262. 2 51 167
1B Mark Teixeira 292. 39 122 6
3B Alex Rodriguez 286. 30 100 7
CF Curtis Granderson 249. 30 71 29
C Jorge Posada 285. 22 81 70
2B Robinson Cano 320. 25 85 66
RF Nick Swisher 249. 29 82 102
DH Brett Gardner 270. 3 23 287

Rotation W L PVR
C.C. Sabathia 19 8 2
A.J. Burnett 13 9 22
A. Pettitte 14 8 80
J. Chamberlain 9 6 100
J. Vazquez 15 10 88

PVR=Player Value Ranking

Phillies Beat Yanks In Game One

The Phillies beat New York in game one of the World Series 6-1. Cliff Lee dominated beating the Yankees powerful lineup allowing just one run. Chase Utley got the momentum with a home run. My prediction for game two: another win for Philly.

AL Playoff Picks

ALDS

Yankees vs. Twins: Yankees in four.
The Twins have no shot at all in this series. Derek Jeter, Mark Teixara and Alex Rodriguez are possibly MVP canidates. Hand Joe Mauer and the Twins a win but nothing else.

Red Sox vs. Angels: Angels in five.
This season the Angels will finally get past the Sox and challenge the Yanks for the AL crown. Torii Hunter, Chone Figgins and Vladimir Guerrero will fuel for constant runs even against Jon Lester and Josh Beckett. The memory of Nick Adenhart will fuel the Angels.

ALCS


Yankees vs. Angels:Yankees in four.
Again the Yankees will dominate. If the Yankees can play like they did in the regular season they could possibly sweep the Yanks. Don't count on it though.

AL Winner:Yankees.

Watch Out For the Rockies

A few years ago the Rockies were the surprise of the season making a World Series run and winning the NL West. This year things don't look alot different. After being 15 and a half games out of first the Rockies are about 3 games out of the division lead of the NL West over the Dodgers.

Troy Tulowitzki, shortstop

Smoltz Designated For Assignment

John Smoltz, hall of fame pitcher for the Boston Red Sox has been designated for assignment by the Red Sox. That means the Sox have 10 days to release, trade or send Smoltz down to the minors. Smoltz got beat up his last start against the New York Yankees as the Sox lost 13-6. This may be the end of Smoltz's storied career.

A Spark for The Yanks

The New York Yankees are now 1-8 against the Red Sox this season of there worst seasons against thier big rivals. John Smoltz fired against the Yanks and had a horrible game. Teixara, Damon and Rodriguez led the Yanks as the final was 13-6. The Yankees are 66-42 and lead the Red Sox(62-45) in the AL East by three and a half games.

Sanchez and Lee Traded

Just before the deadline on Friday the Cleveland Indians traded ace Cliff Lee to the Philedelphia Phillies for some top prospects including catcher Lou Marson. Plus, second basemen Freddy Sanchez, formerly of the Pittsburgh Pirates was traded to the San Franciso Giants. Also, in the trades, Jack Wilson was traded to Seattle for 1B Jeff Clement and SS Ronny Cedeno.

Halladay Going To Phillies?

Roy Halladay, ace of the Toronto Blue Jays has been mentioned many times in trade talks with the Philedelphia Phillies before the trade deadline on Friday. The Jays are asking tons for Roy Halladay(as they should) including pitchers J.A. Happ and Kyle Dreyback, top prospects for the Phillies.

Holliday Going To St. Louis

Matt Holliday, leftfielder for the Oakland A's has a high possibility of being traded to St.Louis for 3B Brett Wallace, outfielder Shane Patterson and another minor league pitcher. Holliday was an all star in Denver with Colorado but has fallen alot. Hopefully coming to St.Louis he'll improve rapidly to get the Cardinals to position themselves in first place in the NL Central race.

Home Run Derby Finished

The 2009 Home Run Derby is over with Prince Fielder the champion. Only a few years earlier Fielder was eliminated in the first round. The disappointment: Adrian Gonzalez with two home runs in the first round. Brandon Inge, all star third basemen hit zero home runs but wasn't expected to do much. Can't wait until next year.

Mid Season Report:Chicago White Sox

Chicago is in the race for the AL Central along with the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins. They get awesome play from outfielders Carlos Quentin and Jermaine Dye but still need young infielders Chris Getz and Alexei Ramirez to produce to there potential. Through July 13th, 2009 the Sox are 45-43 and in second of the AL Central. The Sox are going to have a tough second half but, may make a run towards October.

Mid Season Report:Chicgao Cubs

After a great year last year the Cubs fell short to the LA Dodgers in the playoffs. Maybe that tipped off their momentum as they have fell rapidly to third in the NL Central with a (going into July 7th) 41-39 record. Hopefully new Milton Bradley, Alfonso Soriano and Derek Lee can ban togteher for a playoff birth.

Mid Season Report:Boston Red Sox

In 2004, the "Curse of the Bambino" was broken. After that histrorical moment the Red Sox have been unstoppable. Even without Manny Ramirez, the Red Sox have managed with all stars Jason Bay, Dustin Pedroia (2008 AL MVP) and Jonathan Papelbon. This year they seem to be even better than last year, first in the AL East with a 49-33 record.

Mid Season Report:Baltimore Orioles

When will it happen? The Orioles have been struggling to get anywhere close to the top of the AL East. They have many bright spots just like the Braves including: Matt Wieters, Nick Marakis, Adam Jones and Jeremy Guthrie. They are in the cellar of the AL East with a 36-46 record. It doesn't look like the second half of the Orioles season will be even better.

Matt Wieters will be an all star soon enough.

Mid Season Report:Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves, the injury prone team of '08, have had a decent season so far. The injury bug hasn't hit them just yet but Chipper Jones hasn't been such a star like last year. They have many bright spots, Tommy Hanson and Yunel Escobar. There record: 39-43, fourth in the NL East. But, I think that the Braves can have a pretty good second half, maybe for 85 wins.

Tommy Hanson, pitcher

Mid Season Report:Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona D-Backs are having a pretty disappointing season. Most of the time the elite of the NL West, the D-Backs have lost many confidence. They are 33-49, entering July 6th, and last in the NL West. There only big star this year is Mark Reynolds, the young third basemen. My report: the D-Backs need a miracle to make the playoffs.

New Rookie Continues To Shine

Tommy Hansen, pitcher for the Atlanta Braves have been surprisingly great this year in his rookie season. Entering July 4th he had 20 scoreless innings. That streak was broken by Adam Dunn, who hit his 300th homerun the fourth fastest to get to that margain. Unfortunately, for Hansen and the Braves, the Nats won 5-4.

What About the Nationals

The Washington Nationals have never been necessarily good but this season they've been even worse despite the signing of powerhouse Adam Dunn. The Nats are 12-30 through May 24, 2009. The Nats will try to regroup in interleague play against the Baltimore Orioles, who are 18-25 through May 24. Hopefully the Nats can.

The Blue Jays Surprising

The Toronto Blue Jays have soared in the AL East after many didn't expect much from the 'Jays. Despite loses this off season they have come back into shape. Hopefully, the Red Sox or Yankees won't over power them. It's a tough division, anything could happen.

The Rays Continue To Struggle

The Tampa Bay Rays continue to struggle after last season's surprise finish. I was one of the experts that predicted the Rays to have a fast start and that's not working out well. The only bright spot so far has been first basemen Carlos Pena who continues to be a leader in tough times. Hopefully, strong players Evan Longoria and B.J. Upton can add to the cause.