Read Bleacher Fan’s argument that the American League Central is the best second-half divisional race, and Sports Geek’s argument that the National League Central is the best.
Well folks, MLB has reached the All-Star break. The all stars get to enjoy the festivities in St. Louis, rest, and get ready for the second half of the season.
Five of the six divisions are yet to be decided with exciting races up on the horizon (Loyal Homer has seeded the NL West to the Los Angeles Dodgers). This parity gives a lot of hope to many of the teams and keeps fans interested in these cities at a time when attendance is down six percent, as Sports Geek pointed out last week.
The Sports Debates has decided to give you a sneak peek at the second half of the season, as we’re excited about the next two and a half months. Sports Geek will argue that the NL Central is the most exciting division race in the second half of the season while Bleacher Fan will argue why the AL Central is the most exciting race.
Meanwhile, I have decided the NL East is the most exciting division race.
As it stands now, the world champion Philadelphia Phillies hold a four game lead over those pesky Florida Marlins. The Atlanta Braves are currently six games back, with the slumping/walking-wounded Mets six and a half games back.
This race was actually closer 10 days ago, before the Phillies went on a 9-1 tear that opened things up a bit. But, I don’t think those Marlins are going anywhere.
The Marlins, led by All-Star starting shortstop Hanley Ramirez, just keep hanging around. They aren’t supposed to be here, but yet, here they are. Ramirez is quietly having an MVP-type season. The youth and energy of this team is contagious. Too bad no one in Florida has caught the fever (see attendance numbers). I’m not sure this team is ready to take the next step yet, but they aren’t going away and they could steal this division. Keep in mind that the Marlins won a World Series in 1997 and in 2003. That’s six years apart. Six years after 2003 is 2009. Hmmmm????
The Braves, while maddeningly inconsistent offensively, can’t be counted out because of their starting rotation. Starting pitchers Derek Lowe, Javier Vazquez, Jair Jurrjens, rookie sensation Tommy Hanson, and Kenshin Kawakami form a rotation with a combined ERA under four. On offense, the Braves think they have added by subtracting the Jeff Francoeur with a recent trade. On paper, this team doesn’t have enough offense to catch the Phillies. However, there’s a lot of time left.
The Mets haven’t played with their regular team pretty much all season. First baseman Carlos Delgado hurt his hip early in the going, and he was joined on the disabled list by shortstop Jose Reyes and center fielder Carlos Beltran… among others. The Mets think they have provided a spark with the addition of Francoeur, and judging by the last two games, the spark is there. But, the Mets starting rotation is weak once you get past Johan Santana. However, once those guys come off the disabled list, they can certainly make a run.
The Phillies come into the break red hot. Shortstop Jimmy Rollins has finally broken out of his year-long slump and has been the catalyst to this recent hot streak. But, like the Mets, the Phillies rotation leaves a lot to be desired. Perhaps that’s why they are looking closely at Pedro Martinez. That offense is one of the best in the league, with Rollins, first baseman Ryan Howard, second baseman Chase Utley, outfielder Raul Ibanez, and underrated outfielder Jayson Worth. Then again, every offense would be stacked if they played in a homer friendly ballpark like the Phillies do. (Remember that 1995 Colorado Rockies team with the Blake Street bombers hitting balls out of Coors Field… in the pre-humidor days?)
The weakness of the starting rotation of the Phillies gives the other three teams a chance in this division. Also, the four teams will be beating up on each in September. Whatever team gets hot in September is the one that is going to take the division!
