MLB Update

Major League Baseball is on it All-Star break and while some players are getting ready to play in the game tomorrow, others are simply taking the time to enjoy a much-needed break. While they do so, we’ll take a look at the top teams in each division, and see just what it is that they’re doing so right.

American League

New York Yankees
The Yankees sit above every other team in the East, and it’s not hard to see why. With Robinson Cano leading the way in hits and stepping up to play the best second baseman the Yankees have seen in a while, it’s clear that Cano is the driving force of today’s Yankees. Cano’s unbelievable performance, both at home plate and second, will most likely give the Yankees a great year next year, as well, as Cano has a club option on his contract.

Chicago White Sox
Everyone knows what the driving force is behind the Chicago White Sox, and his name is Paul Konerko. There’s just no denying the fact that Konerko isn’t only outstanding at his first-base position, but that he also puts up phenomenal numbers at the plate time and time again. If you’re wondering why the White Sox are the number one team in the Central division, you need to look no further than Paul Konerko.

National League

Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are the best in the East for the National League, and Ian Desmond is the reason why. Still reeling from his successes in the MLB over the past two years, Desmond is on track to give the same stellar performances, both as shortstop and at home plate, this year. Throw in Gio Gonzalez’s elite pitching style, and the fact that their backup pitcher, Strasburg, holds an outstanding record for number of strike-outs, and you’ve got the reason for the Nationals being number one in the West.

Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh is the number one team in the Central division and if you look at their offense, you might wonder why. But look at the pitching mound, and James McDonald makes it all clear. Their earned run average is ranked fourth in the National League, and it doesn’t look as though McDonald is going to be slowing down any time soon.

Los Angeles Dodgers
The L.A. Dodgers are the best in the west in the National League currently, but if Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp stay on the disabled list for too long, that may not be the case. Luckily they have Chris Capuano on the mound for them, and that could make the difference if Etheir’s and Kemp’s DL stay is too long. Capuano has outstanding stats in both earned runs average and his 100 strikeouts should have put him in the All-Star game. Instead, Clayton Kershaw, who also plays for the Dodgers, will play in the big game tomorrow.

Categorized in: MLB