Published: 12 Sep 08, By Crafty Stan

Hello all. First of all I would just like to congratulate the LA Angels for securing the American League West division, the first team to secure any divisional title this season. They have pitched brilliantly throughout and backed that up with some excellent hitting. Going into post-season, they should realistically be the favourites for the competition because in my opinion, they have been the very best team. The West was won in some style...!

 

In a pretty dramatic turn of events, the LA Dodgers have almost completely wrestled control over the National League West division. It seemed that nobody wanted to win this one but the Dodgers have pulled out some top form at just the right time in the season. If I'm being brutally honest though, it would be a massive shock if they were to win the World Series. The roster really lacks depth.

 

You can't help but be pleased for the Tampa Bay Rays who have had their credentials picked up on so often. The club has shown that it has the longevity of performance for the season and now (with a 2.5 games lead in American League East division) going into the final throws of the season, they just need to maintain their energy levels to see things through. Now they are a team which could cause a shockwave or two come post-season.

 

The New York Mets seem like they have done just about enough to see off the fight of the Philadelphia Phillies in National League East division and therefore will be a feared unit. With a pretty decent rotation (Santana, Maine, Perez, Pelfrey and Martinez) and the offensive line up starting to get hot at just the right time. Mets veteran hitter Carlos Delgado for one, has been absolutely red hot in recent times. Twice over the last week Delgado has belted two homers in one night.

 

The battle for American League Central shows no signs of dying down as the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins are still battling it out. The loss of Carlos Quentin was huge to the Sox but the Twins seem to be losing a little form at a crucial time. Truth be told though, neither time should really worry anybody in terms of winning the World Series. It may seem harsh but both teams are good solid units that lack the wow factor. I suppose it is a little like the Rockies team of last year. Even when they got to the World Series, nothing struck you as being 'great' about their team.

 

Last but not least is the National League Central. It seems likely that two teams will come out of this division into post season and with the Chicago Cubs pretty much set as divisional champions, the Milwaukee Brewers are fighting hard to make sure that they hold onto the Wildcard spot. Both teams are very dangerous because they have both excellent pitching rotation and more than useful offensive stats for the season. All season long I've liked the look of the Cubs and the signing of CC Sabathia was huge for their season.

 

Who has set the baseball world alight in the past two weeks? Here goes:

 

TORONTO BLUE JAYS - They have burst into form with a a real bang recently have the Jays. Having been pretty mediocre for so much of the season it is easy to see why the Jays can be oh so irresistible when on top of their game.

'Doc' Halladay and AJ Burnett are two top class pitchers and when you throw in rising star young pitcher Jesse Litsch into the equation you can see why it is tough for teams to put runs on the board against them. The return of Vernon Wells is huge for the hitting staff because of his ability to regularly hit deep. Such a crying shame that they didn't start winning sooner and really upset the Yankees-Red Sox apple cart.

 

MANNY RAMIREZ - The Dodgers are now seeing what all of the fuss was about. Having hit seven homers over the past fortnight, Manny is in absolutely scintillating form. The recent resurgence in NL West can be very definitely be at least part attributed to the hot hitting of the former Red Sox left fielder. It must leave the D-Backs feeling pig sick but it is just 'Manny being Manny'..!

 

CARLOS DELGADO - Not so long ago the Mets fan were booing Delgado like crazy, now isn't that ironic. A lot of the Mets' chances of winning the World Series rest on their hitters and no less so than this veteran First Baseman. The fans now love Delgado and he is once again becoming a feared name on the team sheet as he was so during his many years at the Blue Jays. This man can hit it miles.

 

Who has had a less pleasing time during the past fortnight? Check it out:

 

ARIZONA DIAMONDABACKS - If the D-Backs fail to make post season then they only have themselves to blame. Having looked like genuine World Series contenders early doors, they are now looking like a set of wooden spooners. With two genuine aces in Dan Haren and Brandon Webb in their starting rotation they will always be close and it is not unfair to say that it is pretty much those two alone that have kept them in the hunt. The hitters have not lived up to expectations and this will go down as a pretty disastrous season the way things are looking.

 

MATT HOLLIDAY - If not the best hitter in the National League, certainly one of. Matt Holliday has been hitting below .200 over the past fourteen days and it is pretty remarkable considering just how good he is. His form pretty much sums up life for the Rockies. He has been brilliant for the majority of the season but just when things got close and wins were huge for the team, Holliday's form went amiss. He'll bounce back strongly no doubt but it is little consolation for Rockies fans.

 

Well that's me done. Enjoy the baseball and check out my recommendations every Sunday and Wednesday, albeit not for much longer this season!