*MY* bold prediction

[Pavelb1]

The Rays will falter in their last series in Detroit as the Tigers slip into the WC spot.

[chuckwillard]

Only if they find a pitcher...or 5. My counter would be that the Tigers turn seller at the deadline and ship a number of bats out of town for some youth.

[dickay]

Boston takes the AL East, Tampa loses the WC by a mere half game to NYY.

[chuckwillard]

How would they lose it by a half-game? That's virtually impossible without a strike, since no matter what, MLB will make up a rainout if it has even the slightest chance to impact a race.

And a one-game playoff would put them both a half-game off from the rest of the division, and a full game from each other.

Personally, I think the Yankees regress in the second half. The people who are performing for them right now simply can't keep performing at the rates they are. Giambi and Mussina are playing so far beyond their...what does Mogul call it..."age-diminished skill level" it's not even funny. They'll come back to earth. And they have no pitching. They plugged Sidney freakin' Ponson into their rotation.

[dickay]

How would they lose it by a half-game? That's virtually impossible without a strike, since no matter what, MLB will make up a rainout if it has even the slightest chance to impact a race.

And a one-game playoff would put them both a half-game off from the rest of the division, and a full game from each other.

Personally, I think the Yankees regress in the second half. The people who are performing for them right now simply can't keep performing at the rates they are. Giambi and Mussina are playing so far beyond their...what does Mogul call it..."age-diminished skill level" it's not even funny. They'll come back to earth. And they have no pitching. They plugged Sidney freakin' Ponson into their rotation.

They had no pitching last year either and given another week or two may have passed Boston. Their offense will heat up. Giambi by no means is playing above his talent level IMO. Who knows exactly where that even is anymore with the time he's missed and the roids etc. He has glimpses, and could easily go on a long tear. Cano, Arod, Abreu, Matsui coming back, and a healthier Posada...there's no reason to think they won't put up gaudy numbers again. The Red Sox were amazed at the yanks second half offense last year, and shouldn't be comfortable in the least.

Pettite will more than likely give a quality second half...Mussina IMO has always been a little underrated and I see no reason why he'll regress much. Chamberlain is just finding his element and will have his ups and downs. I do expect Hughes to give them some OK starts though who knows, and Wang will be back at some point down the stretch. They will also acquire a pitcher...though not likely a superstar.

I've watched baseball too long to count out the yankees at the all-star break. And there's NO history in place that would lead one to believe that the Rays have staying power to hold the Yanks & Sox off....except for someones gut feeling.

[dickay]

Only if they find a pitcher...or 5. My counter would be that the Tigers turn seller at the deadline and ship a number of bats out of town for some youth.

I don't think the Tigers have the pitching either, but doubt they'll turn seller and fold one season after acquiring the big two FLA players. They have some young talent and will IMO give them another season to fix it. I think they will play good down the stretch, fall short and use it to build upon for next year.

[chuckwillard]

I think they're definitely going to dump Sheffield. Besides that, we'll see.

I agree that Mussina is one of the most underrated pitchers of our generation. But he's old. And that's the problem with the Yankees, period. They're old.

Last year they did catch fire towards the end of the season, but don't forget that the Sox stunk up the joint in at the same time. There's too many good teams ahead of the Yankees in the AL.

Not just the Rays and Sox, but the White Sox, Twins, Angels, A's, the Rangers...all contenders.

I'd guess the Sox win the division, the White Sox the Central, Angels the West, and I'm gonna go out on a limb and say the Twins scrap out the WC.

[Pavelb1]

I think they're definitely going to dump Sheffield. Besides that, we'll see.

I agree that Mussina is one of the most underrated pitchers of our generation. But he's old. And that's the problem with the Yankees, period. They're old.

Last year they did catch fire towards the end of the season, but don't forget that the Sox stunk up the joint in at the same time. There's too many good teams ahead of the Yankees in the AL.

Not just the Rays and Sox, but the White Sox, Twins, Angels, A's, the Rangers...all contenders.

I'd guess the Sox win the division, the White Sox the Central, Angels the West, and I'm gonna go out on a limb and say the Twins scrap out the WC.

Sox didn't stink up the joint...Yankees played .650-.700 ball.

[koolzach1]

chuckwillard = Yankee hater?

Chuck, come on, man. People have said that the Yankees are done for YEARS. It hasn't happened. Abreu has yet to play his usual baseball, Matsui is coming back here after the AS break, Cano is really heating up, Wang will be here soon, as will Hughes. There's Cox and Melancon waiting in AA/AAA and dominating, begging for a shot in the majors. Daniel McCutchen is waiting for his shot as a SP up in AA/AAA. Jeter has been heating up lately, Melky has been on awesome ever since Gardner arrived to steal his job and Pettite is one of the best 2nd half pitchers in all of baseball. There is also no reason to believe that Mussina will not hold up in the 2nd half. Wakefield is old also... I believe he will hold up.

About there being too many good teams ahead of the Yankees... I have to call BS on that one, chief. I mean come on! Not just the Rays and Sox, but the White Sox, Twins, Angels, A's, the Rangers.

Tampa has been fading FAST, the White Sox are solid, but still somewhat questionable (can Contreas, Danks, Floyd coming to pitch awesome?), the Twins were predicted to be a bad team in baseball (will they hold up in the 2nd half?), the Athletics just gave up their best SP (IMO, and Justin D. won't keep up that ridiculous 1.80 ERA). The Texas Rangers? Are you serious? Sure, very good offense, but terrible pitching staff.

I mean, you have you opinions man, but I will hate to have to tell you, "I told you so"... actually I won't

[CatKnight]

The Yanks are done. Their thong couldn't stop their wang from getting hurt.

I think the Rays have a shot....IF they can regain their momentum. Unfortunately that's a pretty big if.

[koolzach1]

The Yanks are done. Their thong couldn't stop their wang from getting hurt.

I think the Rays have a shot....IF they can regain their momentum. Unfortunately that's a pretty big if.

LMAO at another "The Yankees are done" post.

[Pavelb1]

Wang's coming back soon?

[QHowes]

I predict that Steinbrenner fires Girardi in favour of Billy Martin. Then finds out there is a land transfer tax on brining people back from the dead that costs more than A-Rod and rethinks the idea.

[RickD]

LOL....

My little girl knows I love the Yanks but doesn't follow the game. SHe has heard me talk about Yanks history quite a bit though. When watching the all-star game and watching all the HOF players come out she came in and said...where's Babe Ruth? I said Dead in the grave if they got him to make an appearnace it would be the most watched game in history.

[kingroman]

The Rays will falter in their last series in Detroit as the Tigers slip into the WC spot.

that's pretty bold, but look out for my rangers now.