Baseball at mid-season

     Baseball has passed the midpoint for its 2018 campaign. All 30 of the teams have played more than 81 games. So it is a good time to review what has happened thus far.

     In the American League, the Division leaders are Boston, Cleveland and Houston. New York has been in and out of first place, fighting with the Red Sox for A.L. East supremacy. Cleveland has the lead to itself in the A.L. Central, the only team surpassing .500. In the West, it is a dogfight between the defending World Champion Astros and the surprising Seattle Mariners.  No other teams are really close to contesting for a Division crown at this juncture.

     The National League leaders are the very talented Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies in the East, two young and hungry teams; Milwaukee and Chicago are neck and neck in the Central with St. Louis looming in the distance; and the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers have both survived cold snaps and have run up winning streaks in the West, as they are being pursued by the Colorado Rockies (3.5 Games Behind) and the San Francisco Giants (4.5 GB) in MLB's most competitive Division.

     Dominating other teams with hitting and pitching, it is no wonder that the Red Sox have charged to a 61-29 record. Of their two M.V.P. candidates, Mookie Betts is having an exceptional year. Betts has a .343 batting average, smacking 22 homers, accumulating 44 R.B.I.'s with an O.B.P. (on base percentage) of .433, a slugging percentage of .679, and an O.P.S. (on base plus slugging) of 1.112. Pretty awesome.

     Yet I believe that DH J.D. Martinez is more valuable to Boston. Martinez is batting .329, has hit 27 homers, driven in 74 runners with a slugging percentage of .646, and his O.P.S. is at 1.000. Betts gets on base, but its is those HR and R.B.I. totals which make Martinez, in my eyes, a slight bit more valuable.

     Boston's pitching is underrated in comparison to the Houston Astros staff. Their 4 starters all have at least 9 wins. Rick Porcello is 10-3 as is Eduardo Rodriguez. Chris Sale is 9-4 and David Price is still trying to find himself, as evidenced by his hitting 3 Kansas City batters in an inning last night.

     I look at Rodriguez's statistics and see that in 93.2 innings he has struck out 100, walked only 29. Very nice stats. But I look at Chris Sale, the lanky lefty who has fanned 176 in 122.0 innings, given up 30 walks and has a 2.39 E.R.A. As always, he is one of the top A.L. pitchers.

     Two relievers stand out for Boston. Closer Craig Kimbrel has 26 saves, has struck out 52 and owns a 2.02 E.R.A. Bespectacled set up man Joe Kelly, with the high 90's fastball and a mean streak on the mound, has 17 holds. Impressive.

     New York's starting staff does not match the numbers that Boston's staff possesses. The Yankees do, however, have the best pitcher not named Justin Verlander or Corey Kluber. Luis Severino is 14-2 with 142 K's and a dazzling 2.12 E.R.A. C.C. Sabathia, while only 6-3 with a 3.02 E.R.A., has contributed mightily for the Bombers. With the return of Masahiro Tanaka on Tuesday in Baltimore, the Yankees top 3 will be back. Questions loom as to the enigmatic Sonny Gray (5-7, 5.85 E.R.A.) and a pair of rookies filling out the starting five.

     What is indisputable is the relief corps for New York. Led by closer Aroldis Chapman, with his 100+ m.p.h. fastballs and a devastating slider, he has 24 saves, 66 punch outs in 38.0 innings along with a 1.42 E.R.A. He also has L knee tendinitis, which flared up yesterday in Toronto, bringing his durability into question.

     Dellin Betances appears to be back to his rookie year form. He has more strikeouts than Chapman (68), has reduced his walks (17), has 13 holds and is pitching to a 2.56 E.R.A. Chad Green has 11 holds and a 1.96 E.R.A. Even if David Robertson is a bit inconsistent and Chasen Shreve is giving up too many homers, the Yankees pen has Jonathan Holder and Adam Warren helping out as needed, making the Yankees very formidable for the post-season.

     We know that the Bronx Bombers have lived up to their nickname by swatting 147 home runs thus far. While Aaron Judge has hit 25 homers and driven in 58 runs along with a .277 BA, 62 walks and a .970 O.P.S., he has struck out 119 times, Fellow slugger Giancarlo Stanton has walloped 21 homer to go with 51 R.B.I., a .265 BA, and like Judge, 119 strikeouts.

     It is two rookies and a centerfielder who make the engine run for New York. Miguel Andujar, the third baseman, has hit .280 with 25 doubles and 12 homers. Gleyber Torres, now on the 10 day DL with right hip problems, merely has a .294 BA with 15 homers, 42 R.B.I., a .555 SLG and .905 O.P.S., making him a very viable Rookie of the Year candidate. Plus switch hitting centerfielder Aaron Hicks is having a career year with his 16 homers.

     If New York can get first baseman Greg Byrd rolling beyond his .200 BA, if injured catcher Gary Sanchez can regain his hitting prowess as one of the top MLB catchers and Sonny Gray can straighten himself out, the Yankees will be right there at the end of the season, primed for the playoffs.

     So let's talk about the Houston Astros. There is only one place to begin--with the diminutive hitting machine playing second base--Jose Altuve. He is merely hitting .339 in 357 AB, while striking out only 49 times. Up there with Altuve is Yuli Guriel, batting .336. Third baseman Alex Bregman is solid at .284, with 17 homers and 57 R.B.I. The Astros team batting average is .265, compared to their opponents hitting merely .209.  And this is without shortstop Carlos Correa performing at his usually stellar level.

     The vaunted Astros' staff is led by Justin Verlander.  Verlander has cooled from his torrid start, but still has a 9-4 record, a 2.15 E.R.A. with 154 K's and allowing only 24 walks in 125.1 innings. Gerrit Cole is 9-2 with a 2.70 E.R.A. plus 158 K. Charlie Morton is 11-2, as he sports a 2.85 E.R.A. with 144 strikeouts. Lance Mc Cullers is 10-3 with a 3.41 E.R.A. and 118 K's.  They are scary good.

     Chris Devenski has a 1.78 E.R.A. with 17 holds. Collin Mc Hugh has pitched to a minuscule 0.88 E.R.A. in 28 games while Hector Rondon clocks in with a 1.44 E.R.A. in 34 appearances. No wonder opponents are only batting .209.

     Seattle still is only 3.5 GB, prominently led by Jean Segura with a .333 BA, Dee Gordon at .282 with 22 stolen bases, Nelson Cruz with 22 homers and 53 R.B.I. as the DH, and Kyle Seager adding 16 homers and 53 R.B.I.

     The Mariners top pitcher is James Paxton at 8-3 with a 154 K's and only 33 BB issued. Relievers James Pazos has 14 holds with a 1.74 E.R.A. and Edwin Diaz has 34 saves with a 2.35 E.R.A.

     Running away with the A.L. Central is Cleveland. Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber is 12-4 with 156 strikeouts and a 2.49 E.R.A. And this is without Andrew Miller in the bullpen to blow away hitters.

     Indians' hitters are the big deal with this team. Michael Brantley leads with a .310 average along with 11 homers and 49 R.B.I. Francisco Lindor is at .301, with 23 homers and 56 R.B.I. Jose Ramirez is batting .293, with 24 homers, 59 R.B.I., a .595 SLG and a .991 O.P.S. Edwin Encarnacion contributes as the DH with 20 homers and 62 R.B.I., even with a paltry .227 average. The Tribe will be a tough series for whomever they draw in the playoffs.

     Arizona is ahead in the N.L. West by one game over the Dodgers. The D-backs go as far as Paul Goldschmidt takes them. He started off in a slump but has righted himself with a .277 average, 20 homers, 51 R.B.I. and a .923 O.P.S. David Peralta has a .292 BA with 15 homers and 49 R.B.I. in support of Goldschmidt.

     Patrick Corbin is 6-3 on the mound for Arizona with a 3.05 E.R.A. and 140 strikeouts. Zack Greinke is 9-5 with a 3.36 E.R.A. and is batting .281 with 3 walks, 4 R.B.I. and only 8 strikeouts in his plate appearances. Relievers Archie Bradley (23 holds, 1.93 E.R.A.), Andrew Chafin (10 holds, 1.72 E.R.A. and T,J, Mc Farland  (1.95 E.R.A. in 32 games) make Arizona quite strong.

     The Dodgers' pitching is not their strength this season. Future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw has been injured, pitching to a 2-4 record, with a 2.86 E.R.A. but only 65 K's in 63.0 innings. Ross Stripling is 7-2 with a 2.22 E.R.A., with 103 K's while issuing only 13 walks. Closer Kenley Jansen has 24 saves and a 2.34 E.R.A.

     Two Dodgers' sluggers lead this team. Retread Matt Kemp, discarded by Atlanta, is hitting .317 with 15 home runs and 57 R.B.I. along with a .905 O.P.S. Max Muncy, who came out of nowhere, is hitting .270, with 20 homers and only 38 R.B.I. However, he has a .617 slugging percentage and an amazing 1.027 O.P.S.

     Neither team is impressive. Colorado and San Francisco can make runs at both in the second half if they pick up their level of play just slightly. Colorado is led by third baseman Nolan Arenado with a .306 BA, 22 homers and 63 R.B.I., augmented by Gerardo Parra, who is hitting at .303. Relievers Wade Davis with 25 saves and Adam Ottavino with 17 holds and a 1.73 E.R.A. are the top Rockies' pitchers in Coors Field, where, surprisingly, Colorado is only 18-22.

     The Giants offense is superb even if perennial All Stars Andrew Mc Cutcheon and Evan Longoria are having down seasons. Brandon Belt hits at a .296 clip with 13 homers and 41 R.B.I. Brandon Crawford is squarely at .300. And Buster Posey is solid at .290. If they can get some other hitters untracked and Madison Bumgarner regains his unhittable form. San Francisco will have a say as to who emerges from the N.L. West.
   
     Milwaukee has Lorenzo Cain at .291, Christian Yelich at .282 and Jesus Aguilar leading the way with his .303 average along with 29 homers and 59 R.B.I.

     Brewers' pitching is not really that good. Reliever Jeremy Jeffries has 12 holds and a 1.05 E.R.A. Fellow bullpen mate Josh Hader has 14 holds and a 1.21 E.R.A.

     The Cubs forte is hitting. Alberto Almora, Jr. is hitting .324. Ben Zobrist has a .296 average. At .294 with 17 hoers and 63 R.B.I. is Javier Baez. Wilson Contreras is batting .287 and Addison Russell is at .282. Oft injured Kris Bryant has hit .280 with only 9 homers and 36 R.B.I. Fellow sluggers Anthony Rizzo and Kyle Schwarber have .248 batting averages with Rizzo striking 12 homers and driving in 59 runs and Schwarber adding 17 homers but only 39 R.B.I.

     Lefty Jon Lester stars at 11-2 with a 2.25 E.R.A. Brandon Morrow has saved 20 games with a 1.35 E.R.A.

     The question is whether the Cubs can overtake the Brewers, and does either squad have what it takes to get past the first round or the Wild Card?

     Atlanta and Philadelphia are the two surprise co-leaders in the N.L East. Washington is only a .500 team. Max Scherzer may lead the staff with an 11-5 record, 2.33 E.R.A., 177 K's and only 32 walks.  Unfortunately, Bryce Harper is mired at a .221 average, despite his 21 homers and 59 R.B.I. being enough to secure a starting berth on the N.L. All-Star  team in next week's game in D.C. The Mets are atrocious, losing outfielder Yonis Cespedes and pitcher Noah Sydergaard to injury and having bad seasons from Jay Bruce, Michael Conforto and Todd Frazier.

     Meanwhile, the Braves are a real threat in the National League. Nick Markakis shines with a .324 BA, 59 R.B.I. and 40 K's in 346 plate appearances to go along with his rocket arm. Freddie Freeman is a .310 masher with 16 homers, 58 R.B.I. and a .938 O.P.S. Ozzie Albies adds a .281 average, 18 homers and 50 R.B.I. and catcher Kurt Suzuki has been invaluable with his .281 BA. Add 18 year old rookie phenom Ronald Acuna, Jr. to that potent lineup and it  clear why the Braves have vaulted to the top of the N.L. East.

     Aaron Nola leads the Phillies with an 11-2 mark, 2.41 E.R.A. and has struck out 116 batters. Seranthony Dominguez has 10 holds and a 1.82 E.R.A. and Edubray Ramos has been very effective in 34 games, with a 1.21 E.R.A.

     Philadelphia batters are led by Obdubel Herrera with 15 homers and 51 R.B.I., Makiel Franco and Rhys Hopkins.

     It will be a matter of which team can withstand the pressure in the second half of the season and whose younger players rise to the occasion. Both are exciting teams to watch.

     In researching this piece, I had to do due diligence and look up Mike Trout's numbers. Hitting .312 with 25 homers and 50 R.B.I., he has accumulated a.455 O.B.P., .630. SLG and a whopping 1.085 O.P.S.. Which once more establishes Trout as the premier player in the game. He might win the M.V.P. on a mediocre Angels team that is .500 right now.

     Also excelling on a bad team is Manny Machado. Now playing shortstop, Machado has put up a .310 batting average, 21 homers. 60 R.B.I., a .557 SLG and a .936 O.P.S. Wonderful superstar numbers destined to get him traded this year as the woeful 24-64 Orioles seek to rebuild...again.

     For all you Bartolo Colon fans, he weighs in at 5-6 with a 4.65 E.R.A., 59 strikeouts and only 15 walks issued in 100.2 innings. Somebody should sign this guy up for another season! He may play longer than Tom Brady wants to!!

     I found the Cincinnati Reds to be interesting. The Reds have Scooter Gennett, who paces the N.L with a .329 average and 14 homers with 58 R.B.I. This guy is really intense. Against the Cubs on Friday afternoon, with the wind blowing steadily in from left field, he was angry when he hit a ball hard towards the left field stands which was caught on the warning track. He wants to win.

     The Reds have offense. In addition to Scooter, Eugenio Suarez is hitting .312 with 18 home runs and 66 R.B.I. plus a .982 O.P.S. Their star, Joey Votto, is at .296, but only with 8 homers and 44 R.B.I. The team batting average is .257; the opponents are hitting at .263. This is why Cincinnati has a 39-50 record.

     Managerial kudos for the National League go to rookie Gabe Kapler in Philadelphia; Brian Snitker in Atlanta; Torey Lovullo for keeping the D-backs from falling apart; ditto for Joe Madden with the Cubs; Bud Black has Colorado playing solid baseball; Dave Roberts, who righted the ship in LA; perennial Bruce Bochy thrives in San Francisco; Craig Counsell is doing well in Milwaukee; and Mike Matheny is keeping an average Cardinals team in the hunt.

     American League nods go to managers Alex Cora in Boston; Aaron Boone of the Yankees for the way he has handled his team's injuries (albeit he does have Giancarlo Stanton added to his lineup, a luxury which Joe Girardi did not have); Kevin Cash of Tampa Bay for being so innovative with his relievers as starters and getting the Rays to .500; Terry Francona of Cleveland because he is just so good; A.J Hinch in Houston; Bob Melvin of Oakland, who has the A's 9 games above .500; and Scott Servais of Seattle who is helping the undermanned Mariners win.

     Candidates for being fired include Jim Riggleman in Cincinnati; Don Mattingly for woeful Miami; first year manager Mickey Callaway of the Mets; Clint Hurdle of the Pirates; Andy Green in San Diego; Dave Martinez of the Nationals; Buck Showalter in Baltimore (I cannot fathom how he must feel with such pervasive losing); Rick Renteria of the White Sox; Ron Gardenhire in Detroit (who is helpless without Miguel Cabrera); Ned Yost of the KC Royals, who won the World Series in 2015; Paul Molitor in Minnesota (they made the playoffs last season); Jeff Bannister in Texas; and John Gibbons in Toronto.

     Special consideration must be given to Mike Scioscia in Anaheim, in his 18th season. Even with Mike Trout having an unbelievable year, the 2X AL Manager of the Year and World Series champion way back in 2002, 59 year old former Dodgers' catcher needs to move on. Scioscia's 1628-1404 overall record is very credible. His lack of steering Angels' teams into the post-season and his 21-27 record there isn't sufficient for him to stay, especially with this being his last season under contract with the Halos. I think he would make an excellent addition to any TV booth.

     My final point is this--with so many really good teams like Houston, Boston and the Yankees, there are some pretty bad teams in this MLB season. Miami, Kansas City, Baltimore. Chicago White Sox, the Mets and San Diego all could lose 100 games.

     Rhetorically, where is the competitive balance? Will there be enough excitement throughout MLB this season to keep people's attention in more than maybe 10 cities? Or will those 10 or maybe one or two more teams be sufficient to keep the nation tuned into baseball instead of waiting for the NFL pre-season to begin?

     A good time to revisit these issues will be in September. Right in the midst of pro football and college football.