The MLB trade deadline is just several days away so
contending baseball teams are scrambling in order to get that final piece of
the roster puzzle that will help them contend for the 2013 World Series. However, even with all the trades, there is
still a realization that this is pretty much the team you’ve got, and how the
season will pan out depends largely on the players already on the roster. Several teams have come together in the last
few weeks and should figure to contend this year. Here are my 5 World Series favorites:
1. Boston Red Sox –
The team is currently ahead of the jam-packed AL East, and will be in a
dogfight for their post-season lives, but the Red Sox are starting to play with
passion. As anyone who witnessed David
Ortiz attack a dugout telephone can attest to, the madness sprung a surge, and
Ortiz went 4-4 the next day.
Additionally, the Red Sox have solid hitters in Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby
Ellsbury, and decent pitching. Jon
Lester and John Lackey are formidable while if the injured Clay Buchholz can
return and build off of his 1.71 ERA before his injury, the Red Sox may just
have all the ingredients for a World Series run.
2. Los AngelesDodgers – This team has all the talent and is getting really hot. Since early June they are 26-6, while bats
have come alive and pitching has been incredible. Yasiel Puig injected a bit of passion into
this team, while other hitters like Adrian Gonzalez and Hanley Ramirez have
also worked magic. With a starting
pitching tandem of Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers are the best
team in the league. Will they keep up
the heat through October and win the World Series? Perhaps, but there will certainly be more
tests along the way!
3. Detroit Tigers –
Although the Cleveland Indians are breathing down their necks in the AL
Central, the Tigers are the premier team in this division as usual. Miguel Cabrera is one of the league’s best
hitters and is already approaching 100 RBI on the season. Other hitters like Prince Fielder, Torii
Hunter, and Johnny Peralta add both power and consistency to the lineup. Pitcher Max Scherzer is having an incredible
year while Justin Verlander has also been dominant. The Tigers are built to win now, and will be
quite hungry come the MLB Playoffs.
4. Tampa Bay Rays –
Not supposed to be anything special, the Rays are on the move. With players emerging from all over the place
to produce, the team is hot on the Red Sox’s AL East heels and could nab the
division or a wildcard spot. Their team
doesn’t look special, but players like Matt Moore, David Price, James Loney,
and Kelly Johnson are producing and giving the team wins. Youngster Wil Myers has been superb, and
suddenly the Rays are back in contention.
They could claim this division and do more if Evan Longoria can
re-discover his bat!
5. St. LouisCardinals – One of the most successful teams in recent years, the Cardinals are
facing a tough race against the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds in
the competitive NL Central. I presume
that the Cardinals will edge out through their recent experience and October
heroics. The team is loaded with
unspectacular and unflashy, yet very talented players. Their hitting power from Yadier Molina,
Carlos Beltran, and Allen Craig is formidable while their stable of pitchers is
great top to bottom and features Adam Wainwright, Lance Lynn, and newcomer
Shelby Miller. The Cardinals have been regulars
in recent MLB Postseasons, and I expect them to be another team fully capable
of lifting the 2013 World Series.
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