No clear favorites?

[BSN07]

To be honest with you guys, I think I believe this season could be one of the most level across many boards. This is IMO, but I figured it be a good conversation starter.

 

Lets look at the Playoffs first.

 

TB,LAA,BOS,CWS,MINN are the contenders in the AL. Yes there are teams that can make a late push some way or some how, but there's going to be alot off what if's in this thread as it is.

 

Out of the teams mentioned, I don't see a clear cut favorite. Every team has its own flaws. TB has been great all season, and really helped shake things up in the ALE. But we all know experience has it's role in Post Season play. It doesn't seem that injuries will slow this team up any. I think there only ? is can they keep it together mentally in the PO with so little exp.

 

LAA is probably best on paper. They have solid pitching, both SP and RP. There lineup can score runs, and they play pretty good D. But they have had issues when it comes to the PO. And they have shown this season, they can get into a funk and stay in it for stretches. Maybe they have gotten lathargic because of being so out far infront of there division. This has hurt teams before.

 

BOS,CWS, and Minny all have there own issues, but have all showed if hot they are very tough teams to beat.

 

 

Let's look at MVP race

 

Quentin,Mauer,Pedroia,KROD,Hamilton are the favorites. I looked on the Rays, but I honestly don't see anyone there getting alot of consideration, although someone should. Pena has carried this team recently, Longoria had a shot before getting injured.

 

Quentin is probably the favorite if the CWS make the PO. If they don't, the writters will look down on that. Same thing goes for Mauer.

 

Hamilton is having an awesome season. Throw in the HR Derby( I know it doesn't count for anything, but that 1st round was a highlight and a big moment for MLB) and hes had a season where alot of the writters might fall in love with him, well atleast the Story of Josh Hamilton. His team being so far out of contention will not help, but Arod pulled it off.

 

Pedroia is an interesting case, and I'm not just saying that as a Sox fan. Ever since the many trade, this team seems to have alomost adopted more of a Pedroia type attitude. Alot of the players seem to be playing with a bit of a chip on there shoulder. And Pedroia is right in the middle of it. If he hits 20 HR, wins the batting title, has 80+ RBI, 20 steals, more extra base hits the K's and the Sox make the playoffs, hes going to be very hard to over look.

 

But again no clear cut favorite, each has it's own postive things, while each has a flaw.

 

 

So whats everyone else think?