[W.HI.P]

Indians, Blue Jays, Phillies, Giants and Angels with the wins.

So we're half way through the year.

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American League

East

Who would have thought at the start of the season that the Tampa Bay Rays would be 55-39?
I did, and a few close to me who wagered with me.
Most people though, laughed at me.
Who's laughing now eh?

The Orioles will certainly lose the service's of Brian Roberts which would condemn them to last place in the division.
The Blue Jays don't look that much better, and should finish far behind the top 3 in 4th.

Personally, I think Boston's season is over, I few mediocre bats have stepped it up, but overall they are growing old and fat.
Their Bull-pen is far under par, and i think they'll be watching the two greater teams compete for this division from a far hird as the season rolls to its end.

The Tampa Bay Rays hopefull can compete with the Yankees all the way to the end, and maybe we can cash in on our 69/1 bet.
I don't underestimate the Yankees though, who's line-up is capable of putting on a run that can win them the division.
Mariano Rivera has proven those who said he was too old wrong.
Chamberlain will clearly be amongst the elite for years to come.

Rays or Yankees in a two horse race.

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Central

The Indians season is over with Martinez and Hafner out.
Its too bad, cause their pitching really stepped it up this year.
Keep them in mind for next year should they find health.
The Royals look almost respetable with their quick guys and talented pitching, they could be competing in a few years time.

The Detroit Tigers have caught up and now look like possible contenders.

The Twins managed to remain competitive despite Santana leaving.

I told ya'll at the start of the year that the White Sox would be putting up some serious runs ....it was something they lacked last year.

I'm glad I avoided betting on this division as it remains up in the air.
It is at this time, a 3 horse race.

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West

A lot of people had Seattle picked as the potential winners of this division, but being 20 games behind he Angels at the half way point, it seems an impossible task ..... I will not be suprised at all to see them in 2nd at the end of the season.

The Rangers have been famous for their hitting line-up for years, but it isn't enough, is it?

Although Oakland is far from being a threat, I can respect their trading skills and the way they coach their pitching staff.

The half-way point finds the LA Angels ranked #1 in the major leagues.

A piece of cake for the Angels .....they are world series bound.

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National League

East

Washington holds some very interesting players, I doubt they'll be able to hold on to them though, come trade dead-line.

The Braves season is over, who would have thought Atlanta would have a pitching problem.

Florida suprised me being 5 games above .500 at the half.
I don't believe they can keep it up, I don't see them as contenders.

Phillie and the Mets are too good not to run away with this.
I've chosen the Mets to win it, and I continue to believe so.
The Phillies line-up does scare me a bit, but apart from Hamels, the pitching is so many levels lower than the Mets, you have to assume New York will out-last them.

2 Horse Race .....the Mets with the edge.

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Central

The Astros line-up is very impressive, if only they had a decent pitching staff.
Although Rodriguez has stepped it up, Oswalt is under-achieving.
When will the Astros become competitive again?
IMO, they are at this time, better than the Reds and the Pirates.

If Chris Carpenter was playing for St.Louis, they would be in the mix.
I may be wrong, but I can't imagine them competing with the Cubs for this division.

The Brewers made a nice little pick-up in CC.
Braun is out of this world!
Milwakee is tryna fight their way into this.

If I made 1 mistake at the start of the season, it was not mentioning the Cubs.
I mean, I knew how good the pitching staff was.
I knew about Soriano, Lee and Ramirez.
I also knew what most didn't.....
I knew about Fukudome and Soto.
So they deserved mentioning from me at the least.

Cubs, its as simple as that ....the Brewers are the dark horse.

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West

This division is a disgrace!
Who will win it?
Who cares?

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