Mid-Season Predictions

The All-Star game is this week, so MLB will begin the second half of the 2011 season this week So it!s
time to take a look at what we e"#ect to see in the second half and where we think things will end $#
come #ost-season time
NL Central
The %L &entral is definitel' going to be interesting in the second half %o other di(ision in baseball has
more teams that seem ca#able of winning the di(ision )hat looked like a * team race at the beginning
of the season has de(elo#ed into a fo$r team race that looks like it ma' be too close to call
The nat$re of the heated race means that 'o$ ha(e + good teams beating $# on each other lea(ing little
chance that an' team will catch $# with the Bra(es or the Phillies and ha(e a chance at the wild card
s#ot Most likel' ,$st one team between the &ardinals, -eds, Brewers, and Pirates will see the #ost-
season This ,$st makes that battle that m$ch more intense
.f 'o$ look at the #la'ers that each team fields and look at some of the in,$ries that ha(e ha##ened it
wo$ld seem that the Brewers and -eds are still the fa(orites to win, ,$st like the' were before the
season began B$t ine"#licabl' neither the Brewers or -eds ha(e showed the res$lts that their stacked
line$# cards wo$ld make 'o$ e"#ect Both teams are far more talented then the &ards or Pirates and
either team wo$ld seem to be a #owerho$se with chances for a #ennant r$n B$t des#ite all their talent
neither team has showed what the' sho$ld be ca#able of on the field The fact that neither team co$ld
#$t awa' the Pirates and the in,$r' laden &ardinals in the first half does not bode well for their chances
down the stretch .n A$g$st and Se#tember, 'o$ reall' see what a team is made off . don!t know if the
/fa(orites0 ha(e the g$ts and chemistr' to #ick each other $# on d$ring a bad stretch and get the gritt'
wins that are needed to take a di(ision title in s$ch a close race
.f La-$ssa and &lint 1$rdle are being considered for %L Manager of the 2ear for what the'!(e done for
their res#ecti(e teams, then 3$st' Baker and 3o$g Mel(in ha(e to be battling it o$t for worst managers
of the 'ear The fact that the Brew &rew with a starting rotation of 4reinke, Marc$m, and 4allardo and
hitting from Bra$n and 5ielder can!t seem to get a lead in the %L &entral is baffling And the -eds head
into the All-Star break with a losing record6 .!(e belie(ed for a long time that 3$st' Baker is (astl'
o(errated 1e has been handed great teams on a sil(er #latter and has ne(er accom#lished an'thing
The 4iants, &$bs, and now -eds ha(e all been h$gel' talented teams that ne(er met $# to their
e"#ectations
M' #rediction is that within the last month the field will be narrowed to two teams with the &ardinals
and Brewers battling it o$t Too close to call reall', b$t ob(io$sl' .!ll be rooting for the &ardinals
Altho$gh . wo$ld lo(e it if the Pirates can hang on and somehow win this di(ision