American League Predictions: Which five teams will remain after game 162?

Dan Wanser (Writer): @DanWanser

Credit: Kneenoh.deviantart.com
These 14 teams (and the Houston Astros) will soon be starting the second half of the year looking to compete for either a division title, or one of the two Wild Card spots which would put them in the playoffs. Which teams will make it? We won't know for sure until game 162 has been played

If the season ended today, Boston would win the East, Cleveland would win the South, Oakland would win the West, and Baltimore and Texas would clinch the two Wild Card spots. Luckily for some teams and unfortunately for some others, the season doesn't end today and there's still a lot of Baseball to be played. So which teams will be playing when October comes around? Here's my thoughts:

American League East (Orioles): As you can see, I think the Baltimore Orioles are going to come out victorious in the AL East. With Chris Davis's tremendous power numbers so far, and Manny Machado's timely hitting they simply will not be beaten when push comes to shove. The Orioles are serious contenders in the AL East, but that's not where it stops. This Orioles team also has the potential to maybe even with the American League Title and represent the league in the World Series. In the end, I think Boston finishes a distant second. I just don't think that they have enough hitting and pitching to compete with Baltimore at the end of the season.

American League Central (Tigers): Like the Orioles, the Detroit Tigers are also currently sitting in second place, but I don't think it will be like that at the end. With very talented hitters in the line-up like Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder, and very good pitching from Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, Detroit can definitely come from behind and overtake Cleveland. In second place behind Detroit, I think will be the Indians. Cleveland is a solid team offensively, but they are too streaky and when it comes down to the end of the season you need to buckle down and win games, and I don't think the Indians will be able to do that.

American League West (Oakland): Personally, I think that this is going to be the closest division of them all as the season comes to a close. With Oakland and the Texas Rangers being so evenly matched, this one might come down to the very last game of the season, game 162. Taking everything into consideration, I think the Athletics will come out on top. Being led by the offense of Josh Donaldson, and the pitching by Bartolo Colon, Oakland is poised to make a stretch run and possibly go deep into the playoffs. Like the standings sit now, I thing Texas will finish a very strong second. With players like Beltre, Andrus, and Cruz who are significant threats at the plate, and then    Darvish and Holland on the mound you have a very solid team, maybe even one who can make a run in the playoffs.

American League Wild Card (Texas and Boston): At the end of the season I don't think Boston or Texas will win either of their divisions. However, I do think that they will both secure a Wild Card spot, and will then play each other in a one game, loser goes home, playoff. In the end, I think Texas beats Boston and moves on. Like I mentioned before, Texas is solid on both ends of the ball,  and usually plays very well. In my opinion, Boston just doesn't have the players to win a one game playoff against Texas. With Yu Darvish, who would probably pitch that game, I just think Texas would be to much for Boston to handle.

When game 162 is over we will have five teams heading to the playoffs, and I think those teams will be Baltimore, Detroit, Oakland, Texas, and Boston. In my opinion, these are the best five teams in the American League, and are the most deserving out of the 15 total. Will these be the teams that are still alive when October comes around, I think so, but nobody knows for sure. However, if there's one thing I do know, it's that this is going to be an interesting end of the season for all teams involved.

Credit: commons.wikimedia.com
When we arrive at the end of the season, we are definitely going to see some great celebrations. What remains to be seen is which teams will be doing to the celebrating. You now have my thoughts.

 *** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of deucesgonewild.com ***

This article was written by one of our writers Dan Wanser. Dan is a Junior at Pottsville High School in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. Dan is a huge baseball fan and has been following it his entire life. His  favorite player is Chase Utley and after he graduates he wants to be a broadcaster or beat writer for a professional baseball team.       

The Unbreakable Record

Ryan Ritchey (Lead Analyst): @BaseballAddicts

Credit: New York Daily News
Looking back at some of the record in Major League Baseball, the one that pops
in your head first has to be the hit streak. The 56 game hit streak by Joe DiMaggio
back in 1941 stills stands today. Will it ever be broken?  

Every year someone asks if any of the single season records will be broken. Some even ask if some of the all-time records could be broken this season. Not only do they ask but they predict, as we all do. Everyone predicts who's going to win each division and then the World Series. You never hear anyone put a name on who is going to break the all-time hit streak record of 56 set by Joe DiMaggio though do you?

Which players should compete in the 2013 Homerun Derby?

Dan Wanser (Writer): @DanWanser

Credit:hardballtalk.nbcsports.com
This year four people from the NL will take on 4 people from the AL to
 see who is the best Homerun hitter in the MLB. Who will compete? Here's my opinion

Every year, the top power hitters come together for a competition to find out who is the best Home Run hitter in the MLB. This competition is called the Home run Derby, and one is held every year the night before the All-Star game. This year, the State Farm Home run Derby will be held the night before the All-Star game at Citi Field. Each league is represented by a captain who will represent their league in the Derby, and will pick three other players to team up with them and try to take out the other leagues team by hitting more Home runs. Who should the captains pick to represent their league? Here's my take:

My American League All-Star Starters and Why

Dan Wanser (Writer): @DanWanser

Credit: seniorbaseball.org
In July, nine players will take the field as starters for the
 American League in the 2013 All-Star game. Who should
 these players be? Lets find out. 

Every July, the stars from each league unite to play one game. This game is played for fun, its played for bragging rights, but most importantly its played to see which league gets home-field advantage in the World Series. Between the two leagues, only 18 players are chosen to start. This makes starting the All-Star game even more of an honor. Here are my nine American League All-Star starters and why I chose them.

Should Yasiel Puig be an All-Star?

Ryan Ritchey (Lead Analyst): @BaseballAddicts

Credit: ESPN
 Since coming to the majors in early June, Yasiel Puig has taken the country
by storm. He has done everything from steal bases to hit home runs.
The only question left, is if he should be an All-Star.  

Yasiel Puig has taken the baseball world by storm the last three weeks. Ever since being called up to the Dodgers on June 3rd all he has done is impress. From great plays in the outfield, to hitting two Home Runs in his second career game. The only thing he hasn't done is hit for the cycle in his first three weeks. All of this begs the question of if he should be an All-Star. Here's my take on the matter...