A Look Ahead

What to expect from the second half of the season, a look into the future

Most Likely to Explode (Team) – Los Angeles Dodgers: When they add a bat, and they will add a bat, their schedule shapes up nicely in the second half with plenty of games against teams like San Francisco, Houston and Cincinnati. Young stars like James Loney, Russell Martin and Jonathan Broxton, not to mention, Chad Billingsley (More on him later) one of the breakout stars of the second half offer the Dodgers an abundance of youth and energy to get through the dog days of summer.

Most Likely to Implode (Team) – New York Mets: I’m a little hesitant on this one as their schedule shouldn’t be terribly difficult, but their pitching staff is just too thin. With Jorge Sosa and Oliver Perez both currently out with injuries and Pedro Martinez nothing more than a optimistic prayer, the Mets will be relying too heavily on the aging Tom Glavine and the inconsistent Orlando Hernandez. If John Maine can keep rolling and they can acquire some bullpen help or perhaps some rotation relief, than Jose Reyes, David Wright and Carlos Beltran should be able to keep the team afloat. A heartbeat from Carlos Delgado would help as well.

Most Likely to Coast to a Division Title – Boston Red Sox: Unless the Yankees can pull off the impossible and make a charge, and unless the Blue Jays can get and stay healthy, the Red Sox AL East title hopes look fairly secure at the halfway point. A healthy Curt Schilling would help and as long as Manny Ramirez isn’t truly hurt, the road should be fairly smooth for the boys from Boston. Adding a viable offensive option at shortstop wouldn’t hurt.

Most Likely to Win the Division on the Final Day – Detroit Tigers: While they are the best team in the Central, they do lack the bullpen to cement the title earlier than September 30th. Both Detroit and Cleveland have quality offenses however Detroit’s strength is in their mighty rotation while Cleveland bears the strength in the bullpen, so this should be a very interesting race. This could come down to C.C Sabathia and Fausto Carmona plus the full return of Jake Westbrook vs. whomever Detroit can acquire to fill the Zumaya and Rodney-less void.

Most Likely to be Above .500, Despite Being Three or More Below Now – Pittsburgh Pirates: This is a bit of a stretch, but so is the category itself and somebody had to get the nod. The Pirates have a strong duo at the top of the rotation in Ian Snell and Tom Gorzelanny and Shane Youman, given the chance, could be a quality option for the Bucs as well. The bullpen of the Pirates is starting to come together nicely with Matt Capps solidifying things at the back end and Damaso Marte and Masumi Kuwata doing their part to get the team to the 9th. There are a few exciting young stars in the Pirates system, ready to play vital roles in the infield like Steven Pearce and Neil Walker to name a couple, that could help this team break .500 for the first time since 1992.

Most Likely to be Below .500 Despite Being Three or More Above Now – Arizona Diamondbacks: The D-Backs have to be the pick here, although Atlanta is another solid choice. The thing about Arizona is that I could see them winning the division or coming in last. The talent on their roster is young or historically inconsistent so it’s hard to count on anyone other than Brandon Webb and Eric Byrnes. The talent is their however, so if Bob Melvin can put it all together, the potential is definitely there, and if you saw the Futures Game on Sunday, you saw Justin Upton and Carlos Gonzalez, both of whom will likely get called up at one point or another this fall. With Randy Johnson’s back, and a tough divisional slate make the odds of the Diamondbacks falling below .500 quite high.

Most Likely to Win the AL Pennant – Cleveland Indians: The Tribe will most likely lose the division but they are so strong that they will present an incredible challenge to Boston, Detroit or whomever the AL West sends. Cleveland is loaded with young stars just entering their prime, like Grady Sizemore, Victor Martinez and Casey Blake, to name a few. Their pitching will be good enough to get them to the playoffs but they will need to add another arm somewhere along the line to make it as far as I think they will; to the World Series.

Most Likely to Win the NL Pennant - Milwaukee Brewers: This was a toss-up between the Brewers and the Dodgers. Yes, the Brewers are very young, but they are also very talented. I would be tempted to go with the Dodgers based solely on pitching but they are so lacking in the offensive department that I have to take Milwaukee. Prince Fielder, J.J. Hardy, Rickie Weeks and Ryan Braun make up one of the best, if no the best infield in the game, and if Doug Melvin spends some cash and brings in a starting pitcher, this team could roll through the National League. Don’t look past the Cubs though Mr. Yost.

Most Likely to Explode (Hitter) – Brad Hawpe: The Colorado Rockies have the best offense in the NL West and Brad Hawpe is one of the main reasons. Often forgotten when people talk of Todd Helton, Matt Holliday and Garrett Atkins, Hawpe is ready to make a name for himself. Hitting .409 is June 25 and 18 for 44, Hawpe is providing steady production for the Rockies, wherever he is slotted in the lineup. Along with Holliday and Will Taveras, Hawpe helps to make up one of the more potent outfields in the game today. If the Rockies are to make a run at the NL West crown, Brad Hawpe will be one of the main catalysts for it.

Most Likely to Implode (Hitter) – Ivan Rodriguez: His numbers have never been great, but this year they’re really going to drop. As Pudge continues to age, the wear and tear of catching will get to him and the Tigers as a team, will suffer. Rodriguez is vital to the success of the Tigers and his gradual descent into mediocrity will wreak havoc on the Tigers down the stretch drive. Detroit should be able to sustain the loss of Rodriguez to make the playoffs, but to count on him as much as they are is a dangerous risk.

Most Likely to Explode (Pitcher) – Chad Billingsley: The Dodgers pitcher has been stationed in the bullpen for much of the season, but with Jason Schmidt out for the year and Randy Wolf struggling to stay healthy, a Dodger pennant drive with require a solid finish by Billingsley. Billingsley has the stuff to deliver for Los Angeles, with an arsenal of quality stuff and the confidence to throw it. The Dodgers will need him to step up in his new role in the rotation and do what he can to get them back to the playoffs.

Most Likely to Implode (Pitcher) – Orlando Hernandez: While Andy Pettitte sure is an appealing choice with his 10.18 ERA over his last four starts, Hernandez is much less consistent and brings his own 5.60 ERA over 27.1 innings in his last five starts. Hernandez has seen his ERA rise from 1.94 to 3.22 over that span, so while that may not be terribly alarming; the second half just doesn’t look all that promising for the Mets third starter.

Most Likely to be the Best Rookie in Baseball – Ryan Braun: Daisuke Matsuzaka is also a likely choice, as Andrew Miller may be by the end of the year, but for now, Braun gets the call. In-Division rival, Hunter Pence has the award as of today, but due to the fact that Pence plays for a punch-less lineup, and Braun is protected by two of the best hitters in baseball, I’d have to side with Mr. Braun. Matsuzaka is having a great season as many pundits expected, but he will end up deferring to Braun, though he will likely win his League’s award.

There’s your look ahead at the second half. Come back and laugh at me through the second half as my predictions go down the tubes.