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...

My National League All-Star Starters and Why

Ryan Ritchey (Lead Analyst): @BaseballAddicts

Credit: Sully Baseball
The All-Star is three weeks away and I have my National League
All-Star starters ready to go. The National League leads the series 43-38-2.
Will they win it again this year and give the National League home field in the World Series?

Every July the Midsummer Classic comes and lets the players have a little fun. Unlike all of the other major sports all star games this one actually means something. Not only is it for bragging rights but the winning league gets home field advantage in the World Series. As we have seen the past few seasons this actually comes into play and that is why I love the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. I have put together my National League All-Star starters, so here is who I chose and why.

Should the way players are selected for the All-Star game and Home Run Derby be changed?

Dan Wanser (Writer): @DanWanser

Credit: sportslogos.net
Should the way All-Stars or Home-run derby
participants are selected be changed?

Should the way players are selected for All-Star festivities be changed? Right now everyone in America has the chance to vote their favorite players or the players they think are the best in their individual position into the All-Star game.

Dylan Bundy Likely to Have Tommy John

Kyle Pisanti (Administrator): @Baseball_Ways

Photo Credit: www.sbnation.com
Dylan Bundy, a top ranked prospect (#2) now likely to have
 season-ending Tommy John surgery.

Dylan Bundy is now set to undergo Tommy John surgery on Thursday (6-27-13). Dylan injured his elbow during Spring Training this year and was expecting to be called up to the Baltimore Orioles during this season.

Who's the best in the AL West?

Dan Wanser (Writer): @DanWanser

Credit: zimbio.com
The Texas Rangers are currently locked in a very tight race
for the AL West crown with the Oakland Athletics.
Who will win? I guess we'll just have to wait and see

As of today, the Texas Rangers are tied up with the Oakland Athletics in a very close race for the AL West division title. Both teams have very respectable records as they sit tied atop the division. Currently, Oakland has a record of 45-34 while Texas sits at 44-33. Both teams are looking to go into the All-Star break on a hot streak hoping to pull ahead. Lets not forget though, its not all about where you get, its how you get there.

St. Louis Cardinals Are Team to Beat

Ryan Ritchey (Lead Analyst): @BaseballAddicts

Credit: Red Bird Rants
The St. Louis Cardinals with a record of 48-29 are
the best in the Majors. Great pitching and timely hitting
have been the key to their run so far.

We are three weeks away from the All-Star Game and the team to beat seems to be the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals are holding a 48-29 record so far this season, which is tops in the Majors. When you look at this Cardinal team you see a lot of familiar names from the 2011 World Series Champion team. That is always a good sign when trying to go after another championship. The more players that have been put into that situation the better the second time around is. The biggest surprise has to be the pitching staff so far this season. The Cardinals have a lot of young arms on their staff and it seems to be working. Will the Cardinals win another championship? We will have to wait and see until October, but here is my opinion.

What's wrong with the National League East?

Dan Wanser (Writer): @DanWanser

Credit: dailystache.net
At the beginning of the season, Strasburg, Stanton, Wright, Heyward,
and Hamels all wanted to be contending for the NL East crown at this
 point in the season. Up to this point, nobody is seeing what they expected

What is up with the National League East? In the beginning of the season it looked like the Phillies, Braves, and Nationals would all fight to capture a NL East crown. Now, almost halfway into the year, it's a pretty one sided division. At this point in the season, The Atlanta Braves have a respectable 45-33 record. However, they're on their own up at the top as they're the only team in the division with a record above .500.

Carlos Marmols Adventure

Kyle Pisanti (Administrator): @Baseball_Ways

Photo Credit: www.chicagomag.com
Carlos Marmol has been released by the Chicago Cubs on 6/25/2013.
It was a matter of time until they were to release him as they are looking to
 go into a new direction with their young ball club. Marmol is only 30 years old,
but every year he continues to depreciate in talent.

Carlos Marmol was once an unbearable pitcher to face when standing in the batters box. The Cubs signed Marmol as a free agent in 1999 out of the Dominican Republic. Surprisingly, the Cubs signed him as a catcher/outfielder but his statistics were not there so he was turned into a pitcher. Now, 14 years later, the Cubs are moving in a new direction with Marmol. Marmol is 2 for 5 in save opportunities this year and is tossing a 5.86 ERA. He is costing his team more than helping them. With the fire sale coming up for the Cubs, Marmol's release was only the beginning.

Machado Solidifies Oriole Lineup

Ryan Ritchey (Lead Analyst): @BaseballAddicts

Credit: Baltimore Sun
In just his first full season in the Majors Manny Machado
has made a lot of noise. He has done it with both his bat and glove
and undoubtedly should be an All-Star on July 16th. He is on pace
to break the single season doubles record set by Earl Webb in 1931. 

As a baseball fan you get excited about young players coming to the big leagues and making a difference, even if they don't play for your favorite team. It isn't every day that you see a rookie like Mike Trout come to the majors and almost win the American League Most Valuable Player. You don't see a rookie sensation like Bryce Harper, who hit a 500 foot home run at the age of sixteen. Now that those two guys have got all the glory it is time for Manny Machado to step into the spotlight. 

Winning Records and Pirates Don't Mix

Ryan Ritchey (Lead Analyst): @BaseballAddicts

Credit: Bleacher Report
The Pittsburgh Pirates haven't had a winning season in twenty
years and are looking to end that trend in 2013. Through 76
games this season they are sixteen games over .500 which is the
most they have been since their last winning season in 1992.

In 1992 the Pittsburgh Pirates won their third consecutive division title with a ninety-six win season. They ended up losing in the National League Championship Series to the Atlanta Braves. The manager for that '92 team was now Detroit Tigers skipper Jim Leyland. Leyland had now New York Mets manager Terry Collins as an assistant on the club. Notable players on the '92 team are now Diamondbacks skipper Kirk Gibson, knuckle-baller Tim Wakefield, and slugger Barry Bonds. That is the last time the Pirates had a winning season.

AL East Chase

Kyle Pisanti (Administrator): @Baseball_Ways

Credit: Bleacherreport.com

Edwin Encarnacion has been on fire as of late. He has been one of the

 big players to contribute to the Jays 11 game win-streak. Over his

 last 7 games he is hitting .346 with 3 home runs and 8 RBI'S.

Don't count the Blue Jays out of the American League East race just yet. As bad things have happened with the Blue Jays this season, things are looking like they are picking up. Not only is the pitching for the Jays contributing in a big way, but the bats have been there too.

Triple Crown Round Two?

Ryan Ritchey (Lead Analyst): @BaseballAddicts

Credit: Toronto Sun
Miguel Cabrera won the Triple Crown in 2012 for the first time
since Carl Yastrzemski did it in 1967. In 2012 Cabrera hit .330
with 44 home runs and 139 RBI. Through 74 games this season
he is hitting .370 with 20 home runs and 75 RBI.

If you want to debate who the best hitter in baseball has been the past three seasons you have to have Miguel Cabrera in the top three. Not only does he hit for power, as you want your three hole hitter to do, but he also hits for a very high average.