AL East
Despite injuries to Mariano Rivera, Brett Gardner, Andy Pettitte and CC Sabathia the Yankees still hold the best record in the majors. The fact that they rely so much on the long-ball may come back to bite them in October, but they shouldn't have a problem getting to the postseason. Robbie Cano is having another MVP-calibre season (.313, 20 HR, 51 RBI) while the young starters Phil Hughes and Ivan Nova continue to pitch well.
BAL (45-40)
The O's have been carried by their offense for much of the first half, and I am shocked that they are still second in the division. Adam Jones is having a great season (.289, 20 HR), while closer Jim Johnson (26 SV, 1.21 ERA) has been a pleasant surprise.
TB (45-41)
The Rays offense has struggled for much of the season, with no individual batter hitting above .280. Meanwhile David Price has been the lone bright spot in the rotation (11-4, 2.82 ERA) while Big Game James Shields has struggled (8-5 4.17 ERA) to reach his form that he had last year.
BOS (43-43)
The Sawx are the most disappointing team in the AL, and Bobby V has been a disaster. "Tooooo Be Fair" (Kyle Barlics) Jacoby Elsbury has only played in 7 games this season, and Kevin Youkilis was having a nighmarish season before being traded to the White Sox. Big Papi has bounced back well this season (.312, 22 HR, 57 RBI), but their "aces" Jon Lester and Josh Beckett going a combined 9-13 is inexcusable.
TOR (43-43)
The Jays offense has been strong, with 3 batters with 17+ HR (Bautista, Encarnacion, Rasmus), but their young pitching staff hasn't matured yet.
AL Central
CHW (47-38)
Robin Ventura should be a lock for Manager of the Year if the White Sox keep this up. With Paul Konerko (.329, 42 RBI) and Adam Dunn (25 HR, 61 RBI) finding the Fountain of Youth, and Jake Peavy and Chris Sale (combined 17-7 record) leading a good pitching staff Chicago could have a playoff team.
CLE (44-41)
The Indians have been a streaky team this year. Nobody on their roster is having a great statistical season, but they play well together.
DET (44-42)
Many people predicted Detroit to run away with the division, but they have struggled early on. Fielder and Cabrera have been a great 1-2 punch in the lineup, but none of their young pitchers (Scherzer, Porcello, Fister) have stepped up.
KC (37-47)
Mike Moustakas (.268, 15 HR, 47 RBI) has been the lone bright spot for this Royals squad. Jonathan Sanchez (1-5, 6.75 ERA) isn't looking like the same guy that pitched in San Francisco.
MIN (36-49)
The Twins never recovered from their 6-16 start. The M&M Boys, Mauer and Morneau have been injury free for the most part, but can't do it on their own. Francisco Liriano (3-7, 5.08 ERA) is having another disappointing season.
AL West
TEX (52-34)
The Rangers still look like the team that made it back-to-back World Series. Josh Hamilton (.308, 27 HR, 75 RBI) is having another ridiculous season. Yu Darvish (10-5, 3.59 ERA) is having a good rookie season, and the addition of closer Joe Nathan (18 SV, 1.73 ERA) has worked out well.
LAA (48-38)
The Angels are 40-23 since May 1st. Mike Trout (.341, 40 RBI) is an early favorite for Rookie of the Year, add him in a lineup with Mark Trumbo and Albert Pujols (36 HR combined), and you can see why the Angels have turned things around. Jered Weaver (10-1) and CJ Wilson (9-5) are as dangerous as any 1-2 starting pitching duo in baseball.
OAK (43-43)
Moneyball is alive and well in Oakland. It's shocking that the A's are .500 at this point in the season, with a roster filled with nobodies. Their 319 runs scored is an AL low, while their 316 runs allowed is best in the AL.
SEA (36-51)
The Mariners have the worst record in the AL, and are looking at a future without Ichiro and King Felix (they are both free agents after this season). Hector Noesi (2-11, 5.77 ERA) and Jesus Montero (.245, 8 HR) whom they traded Michael Pineda for have underperformed.
NL East
WAS (49-34)
The Nationals future is now. The 19 year old Bryce Harper is playing well (.282, 8 HR, 25 RBI) and the 23 year old Stephen Strasburg (9-4, 2.82 ERA) is leading a good young rotation that also includes Gio Gonzalez (12-3, 2.92 ERA).
ATL (46-39)
The Braves bounced back from barely missing the playoffs last season as they continue the farewell tour for future Hall of Famer Chipper Jones (.318, 33 RBI). Their rotation took a hit when Brandon Beachy suffered a season-ending elbow injury. Ben Sheets (Yes, that Ben Sheets) will make his debut for the team after the All-Star Break.
NYM (46-40)
The Amazins are in the middle of a Cinderella season. David Wright (.351, 11 HR, 59 RBI) and R.A. Dickey (12-1, 2.40 ERA) are MVP and Cy Young candidates respectively. Johan Santana has exceeded even the most optimistic Mets fans' expectations. The scrappy, never-say-die attitude the team has is infectious and may lead them to an unlikely playoff berth.
MIA (41-44)
The team's first season in Miami is taking a turn for the worst. Jose Reyes is only batting .264 after being the NL Batting Champion last season, and Josh Johnson (5-5, 4.06 ERA) hasn't looked like an ace following a season-ending injury last season.
PHI (37-50)
The Phillies are not used to being in the basement of the division. Divsion Champions for the past 5 seasons, the Fightin' Phils are starting the show their age. With Ryan Howard and Chase Utley returning right before the break might give them a boost, but is it too little too late?
NL Central
PIT (48-37)
The Pirates! Yes, the Pirates! Are in first place at the All-Star Break. Andrew McCutchen (.362, 18 HR, 60 RBI) is having a phenomenal season. A.J. Burnett!!! Yes, A.J. "Shitnuts" Burnett (10-2, 3.68 ERA) is looking like a Cy Young candidate.
CIN (47-38)
The Reds are a real solid team. They hit well with Joey Votto (.348, 14 HR) and Jay Bruce (18 HR, 56 RBI) leading the way. Their starting pitching lead by Johnny Cueto (10-5, 2.39 ERA) and Mat Latos (7-2, 4.13 ERA) is doing great too.
STL (46-40)
The reigning World Series Champions have done well without Albert Pujols. They have 5 hitters with double digit HR totals (Beltran, Molina, Craig, Furcal, Holliday), and rookie Lance Lynn (11-4, 3.41 ERA) leading the rotation, they are a dangerous team in the second half.
MIL (40-45)
The Brew Crew meanwhile haven't done as well after losing Prince Fielder. Ryan Braun (.306, 24 HR, 61 RBI) is having another great season after being named NL MVP last season.
CHC (33-52)
The Cubbies are not having a good season under new President Theo Epstein. Starting pitcher Chris Volstad (0-7, 7.94 ERA) has yet to win a game this season!
HOU (33-53)
The Astros have some competition for the worst record in the majors this season. Nothing is going well for them this season.
NL West
LAD (47-40)
The Dodgers are in first place, a huge turnaround for their new ownership group, including Magic Johnson. Despite an injury that has knocked Matt Kemp out for almost half of their games, they've had good pitching performances from Chris Capuano and Clayton Kershaw (both guys have an identical 2.91 ERA).
SF (46-40)
The Giants are benefitting from a career year from the "Melk-Man" (.353), and an injury-free season to catcher Busty Posey (.289, 10 HR). Despite a nighmarish season from Tim Lincecum (3-10, 6.42 ERA), Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner, and Ryan Vogelsong are a combined 26-12.
ARI (42-43)
The D-Backs are hanging around despite the fact that their two breakout stars from last season, Ian Kennedy and Justin Upton, haven't performed as well this season.
COL (33-52)
Despite a good offense, the Rockies aren't pitching well enough to keep them in games. They have allowed a Major League-worse 479 runs this season. Carlos Gonzalez has continued to put up good numbers in Colorado.
SD (34-53)
The Padres look like they will finish in the basement of the division again. They scored a Major League low 305 runs in the first half of the season.
Second-Half Predictions
Here are some changes I'm going to make to my predictions from April
April Now
AL EAST Yankees Yankees
AL CENTRAL Tigers Tigers
AL WEST Angels Rangers
WILD CARDS Red Sox, Rangers White Sox, Angels
NL EAST Phillies Nationals
NL CENTRAL Reds Cardinals
NL WEST Giants Dodgers
WILD CARDS Marlins, Cardinals Pirates, Mets
ALCS: Angels over Yankees
NLCS: Nationals over Dodgers
WORLD SERIES: Angels over Nationals
AL MVP: Mark Trumbo
AL Cy Young: Jered Weaver
NL MVP: Andrew McCutchen
NL Cy Young: R.A. Dickey
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