The MLB races are finally heating up, as early season steroid talks FINALLY cool down. Almost every division is up for grabs, and the AL and NL wild card standing are also really close. Yet, it seems everyone is already paying attention to football.
Granted, it's the biggest sport in the country, but look at what's going on with baseball! Far better stuff than any preseason action and more significant than a Michael Vick signing! It's coming down to the wire in baseball, and over half the teams in the league still have a shot at the playoffs.
Then on the statistical end of things, some players are doing some extraordinary things and they're mostly going overlooked. For starters, how about what Joe Mauer's doing with the Twins? Leading the league in average, slugging, and on base percentages, he's attempting to become the first catcher to ever achieve this. And he couldn't have a better competitor for the crown in Ichiro.
Also, Albert Pujols still has an outside shot at the NL Triple Crown. He's leading the NL in HRs, tied for first with Prince Fielder, who should give him a good contest, and is within 25 points of Hanley Ramirez in batting average. Now, I know that the batting average split seems a little to big to overcome, but we've seen amazing things from Pujols, and nothing is out of the ordinary in the crazy game of baseball.
The pitching has been phenomenal, especially in the National League. Between Lincecum and Cain in San Francisco, I can't remember the last time I've seen such a powerful pitching duo. Then there's Wandy Rodriguez in Houston, Josh Johnson in Florida, Santana in New York, Cliff Lee in Philly, Clayton Kershaw in LA, and so many people doing exceptional stuff on the mound.
American League pitchers are looking almost just as good. Between Beckett, Verlander, Felix Hernandez, and a breakout season from Zack Greinke, the race is truly up in the air for the AL Cy Young award.
And of course there's Roy Halladay with the Blue Jays. Seems like this guy does the same thing every year and always goes unnoticed, but he's doing it again. A league-high five CGs, an ERA in the 2s, great strikeout totals and one of the highest win totals in the majors. Halladay may very well win the Cy Young award if he finishes strong.
These are some great story lines. People can anticipate football all they want, but I'm excited about baseball. Very excited.
Granted, it's the biggest sport in the country, but look at what's going on with baseball! Far better stuff than any preseason action and more significant than a Michael Vick signing! It's coming down to the wire in baseball, and over half the teams in the league still have a shot at the playoffs.
Then on the statistical end of things, some players are doing some extraordinary things and they're mostly going overlooked. For starters, how about what Joe Mauer's doing with the Twins? Leading the league in average, slugging, and on base percentages, he's attempting to become the first catcher to ever achieve this. And he couldn't have a better competitor for the crown in Ichiro.
Also, Albert Pujols still has an outside shot at the NL Triple Crown. He's leading the NL in HRs, tied for first with Prince Fielder, who should give him a good contest, and is within 25 points of Hanley Ramirez in batting average. Now, I know that the batting average split seems a little to big to overcome, but we've seen amazing things from Pujols, and nothing is out of the ordinary in the crazy game of baseball.
The pitching has been phenomenal, especially in the National League. Between Lincecum and Cain in San Francisco, I can't remember the last time I've seen such a powerful pitching duo. Then there's Wandy Rodriguez in Houston, Josh Johnson in Florida, Santana in New York, Cliff Lee in Philly, Clayton Kershaw in LA, and so many people doing exceptional stuff on the mound.
American League pitchers are looking almost just as good. Between Beckett, Verlander, Felix Hernandez, and a breakout season from Zack Greinke, the race is truly up in the air for the AL Cy Young award.
And of course there's Roy Halladay with the Blue Jays. Seems like this guy does the same thing every year and always goes unnoticed, but he's doing it again. A league-high five CGs, an ERA in the 2s, great strikeout totals and one of the highest win totals in the majors. Halladay may very well win the Cy Young award if he finishes strong.
These are some great story lines. People can anticipate football all they want, but I'm excited about baseball. Very excited.
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