HOT AND COLD - Fourteen Days in Major League Baseball

Here we are in the final throws of another season. Around a month until post-season begins and still Tampa Bay lead the way in AL East, Angels continue their cruise in AL West and the Twins and the White Sox are fighting out AL Central to the bitter end. The Cubs are holding off the Brewers as much as they can in NL Central, the Mets and the Phillies are fighting tooth and nail for the NL East crown and in NL West quite frankly, I don't think anyone wants to win the division.
 
To expand a little on the NL West point, the D-Backs and Dodgers have been in a battle for the division for a long time now and it seems that their own ineptitudes in recent times has let the seemingly dead and buried Colorado Rockies come back to haunt them. A late 2007-esque surge from the Rockies might actually be enough considering how Laurel and Hardy keep falling over to give them a chance!
 
The Olympic Baseball was interesting in that we saw a bit of a shock winner of the gold. The Korean team stunned the mighty Cuba to take it and in the cold light of day, this probably makes the USA team's bronze medal seem pretty reasonable afterall.
On a personal note I was left fuming because i'd put a pretty hefty wager on the Cubans to do the business. Ah well, you win some and lose some. If all else fails, there is always alcohol for comfort!
 
Now lets take a lot at who's hot and who's not in the majors right now:
 
HOT AS HELL
 
CLEVELAND INDIANS - What a streak this team is on. Ten wins on the spin for the Indians and their charge seems to have no end. What a shame for them that they landed themselves so far back in the pennant and wildcard race this season. If they could win say twenty five out of their last thirty games (near miraculous, but you never know) then they have half a chance in the wildcard/pennant. Even though it will probably be fruitless for them, what a confidence boost this will be ahead of next season!
 
CHICAGO CUBS - What a terrific season the Cubbies are having. There are many people tipping them to end the hundred year curse and win the world series this year and you wouldn't discount their chances at all. With an extremely powerful offense, excellent rotation and razor sharp bullpen it is easy to see why so many are placing their faith in the Cubs. Lou Pinella and hiswealth of playing and coaching experience will be vital for their chances this year.
 
AUBREY HUFF - The Designated hitter for the Orioles has been on a hot streak in recent times and has hit .349 over the past fortnight which has included four homers and twelve runs batted in. Huff has been a shining light in an otherwise pretty mediocre season for the O's. But believe me, mediocre is very good for them considering what everybody predicted of them pre-season. Ride on Huffmeister!
 
NOT SO HOT
 
LA DODGERS - People are starting to think that perhaps Boston got the better of the Ramirez deal but Manny cannot be blamed for this Dodgers plight solely. A pitiful inability to get runs when they have men in scoring positions has cost the Dodgers dearly. They are one win from the last ten outings and have suffered the indignity of being subjected to a sweep by arguably the worst team in major league baseball, the Washington Nationals.
 
IVAN RODRIGUEZ - 'Pudge' was meant to be a solution to the problem presented by the injury to Jorge Posada but in the past fortnight he has registered just three hits, scored no runs and batted no runs in. It is fair to call this a slump for the former Detroit catcher. Things need to pick up for Pudge asap because the Yankees are falling flat at the wrong time in the season.
 
ADAM LA ROCHE - He started this last fortnight well enough by hitting a dinger on the sixteenth against the Mets, but since then the Pirates third baseman has registered just a single hit and only scored one run.
LaRoche has endured a woeful season and will need to look firmly over his shoulder in this last month of the season.
 
It's been a pleasure as always but I must say ciao to you all. Don't miss my Sunday recommendations, only on Priceform.
 
Keep well,
 
Crafty Stan