MLB End of May Analysis- American League

     It's been an interesting start of the MLB season. I mean the main reason why I follow the MLB regular season is fantasy baseball, but nonetheless, I am curious to see how things will play out. Will the Cleveland Indians stay hot all the way into October? Will Jose Bautista keep up his historical onslaught? Where will big name players like Prince Fielder and Jose Reyes go at the trade deadline? I am interested in these answers. But here are my team by team grades and awards races thus far into 2011.

AL East 
New York Yankees
     Current Record: 32-24, 1st Place 
     First 1/3 Grade: B+
     Predicted Record: 92-70, 2nd Place 
The Yankees have been playing pretty good ball over the course of the season, but the main question remains whether or not they can pitch the ball consistently enough to hold off the Red Sox. 


Boston Red Sox 
     Current Record: 32-26, 2nd Place
     First 1/3 Grade: B
     Predicted Record: 98-64, 1st Place 
They got off to an extremely slow start, but the Red Sox have been one of the best teams in baseball since which is why I believe they will carry this into the postseason. 


Tampa Bay Rays 
     Current Record: 30-28, 3rd Place 
     First 1/3 Grade: A- 
     Predicted Record: 89-73, 3rd Place 
The Rays have been a major surprise this season. After losing nearly everyone in the offseason, they have gotten major contributions from rookies like Jeremy Hellickson and youngsters like Matt Joyce to keep them in the running for the AL East. They could carry this into a pennant race this year. 


Toronto Blue Jays
     Current Record: 29-29, 4th Place 
     First 1/3 Grade: B 
     Predicted Record: 84-78, 4th Place 
They have certainly hit the ball well, led by potential MVP Jose Bautista, and they have pitched the ball pretty well too. For the Blue Jays, it's been an ok season for them so far, but they will most likely remain in 4th place this season. 


Baltimore Orioles 
     Current Record: 26-30, 5th Place 
     First 1/3 Grade: C+ 
     Predicted Record: 77-85, 5th Place 
I thought the Orioles might have been like the Padres were last season, but they just don't have enough talent or team unity yet. 


AL Central 
Cleveland Indians 
     Current Record: 33-23, 1st Place 
     First 1/3 Grade: A+
     Predicted Record: 91- 71, 1st Place 
The Indians have been the biggest surprise in baseball. They are balanced and play very well as a team, which is why they will certainly be entertaining thoughts of the postseason this year. 


Detroit Tigers
     Current Record: 30-27, 2nd Place 
     First 1/3 Grade: B+ 
     Predicted Record: 89-73, 2nd Place 
The Tigers have been hanging around this year because of Cy Young caliber pitching from Justin Verlander. The Tiers are well managed so I would never rule them out of a playoff race. 


Chicago White Sox 
     Current Record: 28-32, 3rd Place
     First 1/3 Grade: C+
     Predicted Record: 86-76, 3rd Place
The White Sox have been coming on of late, but they haven't gotten the production out of players like Adam Dunn and Alex Rios to produce a long winning streak.

Kansas City Royals 
     Current Record: 25-33, 4th Place 
     First 1/3 Grade: B-
     Predicted Record: 76-86, 4th Place 
The Royals were looking good early, but they have come back to Earth, and they will probably stay there. 


Minnesota Twins
     Current Record: 20-37, 5th Place
     First 1/3 Grade: D 
     Predicted Record: 71-91, 5th Place 
The Twins have simply had terrible luck this season, having major injuries all around. This has been a season to forget if you're the Twins. 


AL West
Texas Rangers 
     Current Record: 33-26, 1st Place 
     First 1/3 Grade: A-
     Predicted Record: 96-66, 1st Place 

The Rangers, even without Cliff Lee, have enough in place to get back to the World Series from what I've seen this season. 


Seattle Mariners 
     Current Record: 30-28, 2nd Place 
     First 1/3 Grade: A
     Predicted Record: 80-82, 4th Place 
The Mariners have been staying afloat thanks to the pitching duo of Felix Hernandez and Michael Pineda, but I don't expect this success to last. 


Los Angeles Angels 
     Current Record: 30-30, 3rd Place 
     First 1/3 Grade: B-
     Predicted Record: 84-78, 3rd Place 
The Angels always seem to be competitive, and with Jared Weaver and Dan Haren, they could find a way to get into the playoffs. 


Oakland Athletics 
     Predicted Record: 27-32, 4th Place 
     First 1/3 Grade: C+
     Predicted Record: 93-69, 2nd Place 
The A's have been a little bit disappointing in my eyes, but I still believe they will right their flaws and become the breakout story in baseball. They will make the playoffs, I'm calling it, they will combine the type of pitching the San Francisco Giants had last year and the magic the Colorado Rockies had in 2007. 


American League Playoff Predictions- 1/3 Through
AL East: Boston Red Sox (1) 
AL Central: Cleveland Indians (3)
AL West: Texas Rangers (2)
Wild Card: Oakland Athletics (4) 


ALDS
Oakland Athletics over Boston Red Sox 3-2 
Texas Rangers over Cleveland Indians 3-1 


ALCS 
Oakland Athletics over Texas Rangers 4-2 


That's right, I like the Oakland A's to go to the World Series. If they do, or if they even make the playoffs, I look like a genius. But nothing ever plays out like you expect it to, just like in 2007. No one expected the Colorado Rockies to have that kind of run and go to the World Series. Last year, who would've expected a Giants/Rangers World Series? No one. That would be like this year if Cincinnati and Tampa met in the World Series or something, or Atlanta and Oakland, wait, Oakland! That is why I'm picking them to be in the World Series, but I do not think they will win, they will probably be defeated by the Philadelphia Phillies.