Watching the All Star game makes me reflect on a somewhat turbulent but very successful 1st half of the season. They had a very nice run going into the break winning back to back series for a 48-39 record and a 3.5 game lead in the division. The pitching and defense has been very solid overall and the offense just needs to do a little bit. It is a formula that worked out well for them in 2006 and I see no reason why that formula can't work again.
The pitching got a very nice boost thanks to the lopsided trade of Edwin Jackson for Matt Joyce. He has been apart of the best 1, 2 starting pitching duo in the league with his 2.52 ERA good for 2nd in the league and our ace Justin Verlander having a 10-4 record good for 2nd in wins for the league. Combine this with the surprise run of the rookie Rick Porcello and it helps make up for the very sad state of the #4 and #5 starters. It is nice seeing Armando Galarraga come around lately and Luke French coming up from the minors and snagging a couple of wins. Of course the bullpen has been solid-shaky by my account. Fernando Rodney has not blown a save as the closer but his non save ERA is quite elevated. As odd a statistical annomaly this may be I will not fault him for doing his job as "closer".
All the offense needs to do is ride the big bat of Miguel Cabrera and have some stalwarts like Placido Palonco and Carlos Guillen trend up to there career averages. In the mean time the line up has gotten a nice shot in the arm from the Clete Thomas's and Marcus Thames of the world. As long as line up regulars Curtis Granderson and Brandon Inge (both All Stars tonight) continue there solid seasons the offense should be just fine.
Here's to some exciting pennant chase baseball leading us into the Playoffs!!!
Jason
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