THE HOT CORNER

FALL CLASSIC FORECAST

Is it too early to make predictions on what the rest of the season will be like?
Can we skip to October already?
Are We There Yet?

If you really want to know the answer to all these questions the answer is....... NO!
But I can do you a small favor. I can give you a "Rundown"-

Do You Like That? Guess What.... Don't Care. Ha

AL EAST
Baltimore Orioles(41-53)- It''s really tough being 'a team' in the American League East. Because honestly scoring a lot of runs is what's going to get you a division title. If Markakis, Scott, and Jones are going to do all the work....this 'team' is going nowhere. It takes a ton of runs to be a contender in the EAST. And as a team, if you're going to bat .269.....how do you expect to score runs? By getting walked and plunked?- I rest my case. On the flip side, if youre team ERA is 4.99(13th in the AL)....lol spotting the team 5 runs isn't going helping the cause either. You can only hope to get help from your farm and maybe some inspiring words from your play-by-play man Gary Thorne.

Boston Red Sox(55-39)-I'm sorry. I think I being a hypocrit. I said it takes a lot of runs to be a Contender in the EAST. It also takes a lot of dominant pitching. They have two 11-game winners through the first half of the season(Beckett, Wakefield) Wakefield? How old is he? 42 How fast can he throw? Mid 70's... Say What?- So depth at pitching and batting .264(lower than the Orioles) gets you 55 wins? Well, Yeah. If you're not allowing runs.They have the 2nd best ERA in the american league. They're run differential(+82) is the best in the AL and the second best on the league behind the Dodgers. They're run production is better than average with Bay, Pedroia, and Youkilis leading the way and Big Papi is slowly coming back to normal. They won all of their games against the Yankees. There's no need to panic. Cruise Control your way to October. No need to sprint. Division title looms in their sight, but watch out for the Bombers.(Segue)

New York Yankees(57-37)-(Segue cont.)- Resume: They lead the AL in runs scored(502), on base percentage(obp) and slugging(slg). And when you add up obp+slg=it means you also have the best 'ops', it also doesn't hurt to bat .276 as a team(2nd in the AL). 26% of their runs are homers. Ridiculous? NO. Well with the best batting lineup in the American League and a 'wind tunnel' ballpark, you should be the best team in the league. Not so fast! They're ERA is in the middle of the pack...Does that win you division titles? No. You know what that does? It forces you to play catch up everyday. Not only in the game, but in the division. If they don't get a grip on that billion dollar mound...the Wild Card will be the only sniffable prize. Sniffable? Unreal Jerry

Tampa Bay Rays(52-44)-Young and Scrappy-to-Blue Collar. Honestly, I still think they have something to prove. This team doesn't let up or give up. Crawford, Longoria, Pena and a kid by the name of Zo' (Ben Zobrist). The lineup from top to bottom- Has nothing but 'Productivity. This team is blessed with young talent on both sides of the field(hitting/pitching). And to have this great talent for years to come....You can only hope that 'revenue sharing' saves them from dumping and trading great players. Expect, in the future, a Wild Card berth but no time soon.

Toronto Blue Jays(47-49)- Let's take a ride. 2 months ago today-The Blue Jays were in first with a game and a half lead on the Red Sox. 1 month ago today- The Blue Jays fell to third place in the division, 5 games back. Today, they are 10.5 games back. What happened? We were talking at one point that this team was going to become a legit contender . They fell off the table. Production was up in the beginning of the year, not they can't find it. And the funny thing is-is that this is a team that is batting(4th AL) and pitching well(5th ERA AL), but the production is way down. Now they are thinking about trading Halladay. I just think this awesome lineup can find it. The Most underrated lineup in the league Rolen, Lind, Rios, Hill, Wells, Barajas, Overbay, McDonald and Scutaro.

NL EAST

Atlanta Braves(49-47)-How long do you expect this franchise to go without a division title? It can't be too long. With the acquisition of Nate McClouth, this 'young' looking Braves team finally seems like they're turning a page. But did they go to far in acquiring Ryan Church for Jeff Francoeur? Was giving Jeff Francoeur to a division rival the right idea?- McCann, Jones, Church, McClouth, Escobar, Backing up Lowe, Jurriens, Vazquez on the mound. This team looks pretty promising, but their record along with their stats sits them in the middle of the pack. If they can find some extra vigor, maybe they can capture glory again, but it might take a cold shower by a hot Phillies team. Give it a year. One Year! Trust me.

Florida Marlins(49-47)- I may be wrong, but didn't this team start out 12-1. What Happened? In the first 10 years of this team's existence the Marlins have won 2 championships. Can they do it again sometime soon? Not happening. With the new ballpark coming around next year, Dan Uggla, Hanley Ramirez, Cody Ross, and Jorge Cantu would need some backbone if this franchise wants another pennant. Young pitchers Josh Johnson and Ricky Nolasco would need a couple more pieces to stop the bleeding. They have the best scouts and farm system I have seen since ...umm ever. It can be done, but not for 2 years.

New York Mets(44-50)-The 'Amazins'- How do you have the 3rd best batting average in the NL, but can't score runs? On top of that I think this team averages 1 error a game. Most of the errors this year have costed them runs...sorry I meant to say games. You would figure that the Mets would become more exciting to watch, now from start to close it's becoming like a circus. The pitching is next to worst in the AL, and their playing the game, 'Who's the next franchise player to get injured'. It's not functioning, but they shouldn't get rid of the manager. It's just the bad luck of the draw. If this team is healthy, they obviously win more games. Contender to Pretender.

Philadelphia Phillies(53-39)- I haven't seen any team repeat as champion in a long time, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Phillies did it. Whoa Jerry.... You can't just make bold statements without points and reasons. OK! Last year the Phillies did it with pitching. Every pitcher gave you 7 strong and Lidge put it away. Actually, Brad Lidge was perfect last year. This year, they lose Pat Burrell's Bat and gains Raul Ibanez's...on top of a lights out lineup. Rollins, Utley, Howard, Werth, Victorino...and the list goes on. But for some odd reason their pitching is terrible this year, like the worst in the bigs.. and Lidge is on and off(mostly off) They are flat out beating teams with the long ball. Like the movie 'Rocky Balboa'(the last one) They take the hits, but they also hit back(and hard). They lead the NL in runs and hitting the long ball. They're definitely a playoff team. World Series? You know what, let's take it a round at a time. But again, I wouldn't be surprised. Watch out for rookie pitcher J.A. Haap.... and Pedro Martinez? Hamels needs to turn it up a notch. This team will be fun to watch towards the end of the year. I just don't see their offense letting up for any team to win the division..

Washington Nationals(28-66)-Short and Sweet- Guzman, Dunn, Zimmerman, w/Nyjer Morgan..... young pitching w/Strasburg in the minors. It might take a good 5-10 years and 2 more managers to witness success. ok. Patience is a virtue. Why did I rush this one? There's nothing to say about this team. But the future looks.....umm 'promising'(how many times am I going to use this word?

AL CENTRAL

Chicago White Sox(50-45)-Playing in the toughest division in the league must be really tough, but the Sox have done it before....Sorry Won it before(2005). Every year they have become a threat in the American League. But here's a reason why they won't be making the posteseason. Jose Contreras and Bartolo Colon? Washed up? Yes. You're not gonna be a threat if all you have is Mark Buehrle, mind you that he's a CY Young winner, but he can't work for the rest of them. If you had 5 of them...maybe. If the Sox can get to 9th with the lead...they can easily close the door with their lights out closer Bobby Jenks. They have been living on the 'comeback' this season. Veteran hitters can only do so much. Jim Thome and Paul Konerko are stepping up as captains. Dye, Posednik are contributing, but if you want to know their run differential...they don't have one. Because they give up as many runs as they score. That's sad. Thank God the trade deadline is coming up. Carlos Quentin or Jermaine Dye need to pack their bags. Get Pitching

Cleveland Indians(38-58)- Contender, Contender, Contender. No, No, NO!. Why? They seem to disappoint 'preseason hopeful analyst' every year. I just don't get it. Sizemore, Martinez, Choo, Peralta, Cabrera and Hafner are awesome. But they don't have any veterans. No one to make a statement consistently. On the mound also...the same problem. Cliff Lee needs to find his groove. This is a guy that won 22 games this year. He's not the only problem...Fausto Carmona is not working his magic either. In a division like this you need a 1-2 punch. They just don't have it together. And won't for a long time.

Detroit Tigers(49-44)-Take a look at your division champion. They do it right. The Tigers are 11th in hitting and scoring in the American League, but they score just enough runs to win. Why? Pitching. It starts with their 'Ace' Justin Verlander. Make that statement at the top of the rotation- then take notes. It trickles down to Edwin Jackson, and even rookie pitcher Rick Porcello...Joel Zumaya will come around, his 100 mph fastball just needs to be controlled. I don't know why their offense is slumping. Lineup Card: Granderson, Cabrera, Thames, Thomas, Inge(HOT),...Magglio Ordonez will come around, but there is no reason why you can't score more runs but that's not their game. They have allowed 395 runs in the AL. That's ridiculous, awesome and the best in the league. No worries until the ALDS.

Kansas City Royals(37-57)- I really thought this team was going to come around. They had an explosive beginning...then they fell off the table. There's nothing wrong with the team they're just young. Watch out for: Butler, Tehean, DeJesus, Callaspo in the future....the same for pitchers Meche and Greinke. Just wait 3 years. For right now, sit on the back-burner and take your rightful position at the bottom of the division.

Minnesota Twins(48-47)If it ain't the Tigers, It has to be the Twins. not just because of M&M(Mauer and Morneau)...everyone else is following suit. Crede, Cuddyer, and Kubel are making this team a legit contender. The Twins are 4th in batting, 6th in scoring, 7th in slugging. As far as pitching is concerned. Middle of the pack. But again..their young. If they can keep a lead. Joe Nathan can close really well. Playoff bound, if the Tigers can't claim Watch out for pitchers Blackburn and Slowey to beast up the 2nd half of the season. Liriano will come around.

NL CENTRAL

Chicago Cubs(48-45) I don't understand how you can contend in a division if the only category you rank in the top ten is slugging. Derek Lee, Soriano, Ramirez, Fukudome Theriot? I just don't get it...but maybe I can. Pitching Pitching Pitching. Zambrano, Harden, Lily, and Dempster,. You should win hopefully 3 games, if not, definitely 2. But I can't see the Cubs making the playoffs this year. They are so inconsistent. Nothing is clicking on both sides of the field. the only thing going is they don't allow many runs...but you have to score runs to win games. And this was a 97 game winning team last year? Ain't happening this year.

Cincinnati Reds(44-50)- The funny thing about this team is they are never out of it. It takes one streak to turn things around. They're near the bottom of not only in the division, but scoring also. They're right behind the Cubs in the NL in offense(overall). I like the look of this offense, and dumping Griffey was the best thing that happened to the Reds. Phillips, Bruce, and Votto just needs to lead this young team to glory. Pitching- Arroyo is finshed, but Cueto, Volquez, Owings, and Harang can all win if they get run production. It just takes ONE STREAK.

Houston Astros(49-46)- 3rd in batting-12th in scoring. Pence, Berkman, Tejada, Bourn, and Carlos Lee all control their own destiny. They need to make a trade to pick up a pitcher. Wandy Rodriguez and Roy Oswalt can't do it alone. That's all I have. Seriously, They have just been average. But every team in the NL Central are all in it. Nothing different.

Milwaukee Brewers(48-47)- Fielder, Bourn, Hardy, Cameron, Kendall, Hart and company are 10th in batting and 4th in scoring. They're doing it with the long ball. This team isn't out of it at all, but they won't win the division. Why? They give up more runs than they score. Run differential (-7). Suppan, Looper, and Gallarado need to tone it down a little bit. I know that the ballpark can't hold most balls, but if you expect the young pitchers to excel you have to step it up. Being 14th in ERA, isn't gonna get you anywhere. I think the key to a playoff run for this team is only run production.

Pittsburgh Pirates(42-52)-I was very upset when they gave away Nate McClouth, but this young franchise is looking into the future. The Aaron LaRoche, Freddie Sanchez, Jack Wilson, and youngin' McCutchen can produce runs. They are 2nd the division with run production. The pitching isn't bad, younlings Duke and Maholm are coming around. The only problem I think is at closer. Matt Capps is inconsistent. His blown saves this season is costing them a division title. Matter of fact they would be 2nd or 3rd in the division if it wasn't for his inconsistent deliveries. But he can turn on the heat like no other.

St. Louis Cardinals(51-46)- Here's your division winner. No other team wants to make a run. The funny thing is they're doing it on the mound. Pitchers Wainwright, Carpenter and Pineiro, Motte, and Loshe can give you give you 7 strong and alone can win you 3-4 out of 5 w/production...Closer Ryan Franklin is breaking out fast and finishing games with a fury. There's no reason that I need to tell you that the offense is awesome. Pujols looks like he will win the triple-crown and it's trickling down to the rest of his teammates. All he needs is people on base.With the addition of Matt Holiday look for more runs after the constant intentional passes to Pujols. And also look for Ludwick to return to form. There's no problem with giving them the division crown.

AL WEST

Los Angeles Dodgers(55-38)- In the American League- The Angels are 1st in batting, 2nd in scoring, 3rd in on-base percentage and 4th in slugging. They have been on the ball all year. But off the mark in pitching. Like I said earlier in the year on my podcast, if you can get to Fuentes you can win the game, Brian earlier in the year was struggling, but composed himself and started locking up games. It's funny because everyone was injured. The offense wasn't clicking. They finally caught back up with Texas and now they're pitching is off. If they can find some consistent starts...maybe they can keep the division lead, but you can't do it alone with just Jered Weaver(10-3)

Oakland Athletics(40-54)- There's really nothing to say about this team. They're rebuilding and it shows by the recent trade to the Cardinals. They need pitching, and they weren't hitting the ball well anyway. The Oakland A's were last in the division in batting and slugging and next to last in run production. So why not ship their best hitter(Matt Holliday) for some good prospects. Nomar and Giambi aren't going to help a club, they're only going to make them worse....maybe some leadership or some morale booster points... they are washed up. What happened to this franchise these past 4-5 years?

Seattle Mariners(51-44)- This whole time I've been talking about how pitching can improve a ball club. This organization started off real hot and trailed off the course. There's nothing wrong with this team,... you can just look at their record. In the AL, you need runs to win ball games. A lot of runs. This Mariners team is a legit contender in the AL West. Why? They have given up the least amount of runs in the AL. But if you can't score more than you give up...obviously that is a problem. The Mariners are next to last in scoring runs..with a run differential of -13. You can't even Pretend to Contend if you don't score. Franklin Gutierrez and Russell Branyan need more than just the hottest hitter ever in baseball to win more games(Ichiro). And I hope that pitchers: Hernandez, Washburn and the rest of that pitching staff can keep up the hard work.

Texas Rangers(52-41)- At the beginning of the year..they were the hottest hitting team in the league..now they have cooled off, but I hope not for long. Cruz, Bryd, Young, Kinsler, Hamilton. That's just 5 of the 9. That's a pitchers 2nd worst nightmare besides the Yankees. But truthfully, That lineup is not working for them...and it won't win them a division title. Another reason, is because Kevin Millwood can't rally a troop of young pitchers. They only thing working on their staff...is their closer Frank Francisco. He's 5th in the AL in saves. But before you close...you must give 7 strong..and right now the Rangers can't and won't do that. They're average. In the AL, average will give you 2nd place in the division.

NL WEST

Arizona Diamondbacks(41-55)- I wouldn't think that a pitching combo like Brandon Webb, Dan Haren, Jon Garland, Matt Scherzer would be on an absolute garbage club. Brandon Webb's injury has lost some fire that this former playoff team had. But this franchise has always done it with pitching. ALWAYS. Example, most of Dan Haren's losses this season is because his team hasn't given him 1 or 2 to win games. 1-0, 2-0 losses. Com'on. This team is 20+ games back because of the bats. Mark Reynolds, Justin Upton and Stephen Drew can't do it alone. If they make a trade for hitting. I can see them making a run next season. But I wouldn't trade anything for that amazing pitching staff either. That's why we have farm systems and drafts.

Colorado Rockies(52-43)- This Rockies team is currently 9 games back in the division, but in 2nd place. This '9-game back 2nd place' team is leading in the NL Wild Card race. Weird? Yes. The Rockies are 2nd in run production and slugging. They've got the right amount of leadership with veteran Todd Helton and young talent with up and coming hitters Troy Tulowitzki and Brad Hawpe. The numbers may not show it but their young pitching is on the rise. Studs Marquis, Jimenez, and Cook...with Huston Street to close. from start to close... they scrap and claw away to win games. If they can hold off the Giants they could easily win the Wild Card....but there's no way they will win the division(segue).

Los Angeles Dodgers(61-34)-(segue cont.) Speaking of the division winner... The Dodgers have started off the season hot and have coasted. They dealt with the Manny ordeal and moved on and cruised. And big ups for the manager...for keeping cool. But when has Joe Torre ever been on any other "emotional planet". In the naitonal league they're 1st in the following categories: Hitting, On-base percentage, ERA, batting average-against, whip, and saves. 2nd place: stolen bases. 3rd place: Runs, OPS. 4th place: slugging.
Kemp, Pierre, Ramirez, Loney, Hudson, Blake, Furcal, Either (what a batting lineup). But the stars of the show are pitchers: Kershaw, Wolf, Weaver, and Billingsley...with Broxton with the keys to close the door. They will win the division and make a World Series appearance. Joe Torre will win NL Manager of the Year and possibly a date with the Yankees in the Fall Classic.

San Diego Padres(37-59)- The Padres are last in almost in every category in the national league: batting average, runs, slugging, ops. They are also next to last in "ERA". All-Star 1st Baseman Adrian Gonzalez is the triple crown leader on his own team. In runs, rbi's and average. Come on! Jake Peavy has been injured for a month and he's still the team leader in pitching wins(6). They need help badly. And I don't have the cure. I don't have a clue. I'm just being honest

San Francisco Giants(51-44) Meet the other contender for the NL Wild Card. It's funny because Colorado and San Diego are also contending in the division. It might come down to a head-to-head one game playoff. Didn't The Rockies do this with the Padres not that long ago. Well, anyway, the Giants have been riding a Panda to get where they are right now.(I'll explain the Panda thing later). The Panda isn't thing only motivation for the Giants' success. It's their pitching staff. You thought the Dodgers had dominant pitching. Of course they were first in everything, but guess whose 2nd. The Giants are 2nd in earned run average, runs against, and whip. It starts with veteran leader Randy Johnson-Then the greatness trickles down to Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain.... Barry Zito is another 100+ million dollar story. I'm assuming they're taking notes from Johnson. Because they have been lights out. Especially last year's Cy Young winner. $650,000 isn't enough for this kid. But back to the Kung Fu Panda. If the Giants want to be a legit Wild Card contender, Rowand, Molina, Winn and company have to rally around their soon to be team captain, Pablo Sandoval. He has been the guiding light, but that lineup needs to take some notes from him also because he's the only one hitting above .300. Pitching can only do so much just ask the Arizona Diamondbacks.

I hope you enjoyed this.... if I said some bad words towards your favorite team. I have no care in the world. Scratch your booty and move on. Next Monday. I will be back to my weekly top-5 blog. Until then, Enjoy the music and show(The Hot Corner). You can find tons of deals of MLB Gear if you need a promotional code for a discount on anything on this page...Just ask me at http://twitter.com/JerryKnowsBest Just by tweeting me. You can get discounts. The more you tweet the more stuff you get.
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