MLB Thoughts Down the Stretch

While I hate to admit that the Brewers are out of things down the stretch, there have been some things to encourage Milwaukee fans in September. The play of Lorenzo Cain, Casey McGehee's solid season, solid starts by Narveson and Capuano, and the Trevor Hoffman 600 save saga. They still have work to do in the offseason to contend in the NL next year, but there are things to be encouraged by heading into 2011.

With this post, I'd like to shift my focus of teams I like and talk about story lines that I've been excited by this season. In no particular order...

1. The Atlanta Braves

I really really like Jason Heyward, possibly because he's pretty much my age, but largely because he's an outstanding talent that plays the game the right way. As I write this, the Braves sit a half-game behind the Phillies for the NL East league, and I really hope they overtake Philly for a few reasons: 1) I don't like the Phillies and 2) I want Atlanta to succeed in Bobby Cox's last hurrah.

2. The Texas Rangers

An exciting team that has all the ability in the world on their team with the likes of Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, Ian Kinsler, Cliff Lee, Neftali Feliz, etc. They have the biggest division lead of any team in the big leagues, and I'm excited to see this team return to the postseason. The feel good story is the re-emergence of Vlad Guerrero, and frankly how he's raked this season and is a definite candidate for AL MVP.

3. Joey Votto and Carlos Gonzalez

The Triple Crown talk is nice and exciting, but the only way that it is going to happen is if CarGo stays on his HR tear and overtakes Pujols. Regardless, these two players were young talents that have exploded into bona fide superstars in the league, and as an NL guy myself, I'm excited to see these players come to Miller Park for years to come, and perhaps earn the Brewers home-field advantage by helping the NL in the all-star game.

4. Surprise Guys

Jose Bautista sits on the league lead for homers at 43, seven ahead of Pujols. I've never really heard of this guy before this year, but I snagged him on my fantasy team and he's carried me into the playoffs. Mat Latos is a surprise leading the NL in ERA, especially considering the elite talent (Halladay, Lincecum, Carpenter) in the National League.

Predictions for the Postseason

AL Division Winners:

Minnesota Twins (Central)

Texas Rangers (West)

New York Yankees (East)

Tampa Bay Rays - Wild Card

NL Division Winners:

Cincinnati Reds (Central)

Atlanta Braves (East)

San Francisco Giants (West)

Philadelphia Phillies - Wild Card

ALCS - Rays over Twins

NLCS - Braves over Reds

World Series: Rays over Braves in 6

NL MVP: Joey Votto, Reds

AL MVP: Miguel Cabrera, Tigers

NL Cy Young: Mat Latos, Padres

AL Cy Young: David Price, Rays

NL ROY: Jason Heyward, Braves

AL ROY: Neftali Feliz, Rangers