We are underway in the 2nd half of the Major League baseball season, and there already some crucial games going down this weekend.
New York Yankees at Tampa Bay Rays-This a huge series for both teams. The AL East is the toughest division in baseball with arguably baseball’s three teams in New York, Tampa Bay, and Boston. However, with the Red Sox are devastated by injuries, and it is crucial for the Yankees and Rays to get as much as distance as possible from the Red Sox.
The key for the Yankees, however is getting Joba Chamberlin back on track. Indications from Andrew Marchand of ESPN.com this morning are that the Yankees may be even willing to shop Joba. With the Yankees missing out on Cliff Lee, you can expect the Yankees will still be willing shop players for another front line starter.
Texas Rangers at Boston Red Sox-The Rangers have already gotten off to a great start in the 2nd half by bombing the Red Sox last night by a score of 7-2. This is was big win for Texas after ending the 1st half in horrible fashion by getting swept by the lowly Baltimore Orioles.
On the other hand trouble is looming for Boston. Tim Wakefield has only won 3 games this season and his ERA has plummented to nearly six (5.65). It is remarkable that the Red Sox have been able to hang in this division with the devastating injuries they have suffered. The key for Boston will be to hang around enough until they get Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz back in the rotation. However, it is still unknown when key players such as Dustin Pedroia and Victor Martinez will rejoin the team.
New York Mets and San Francisco Giants-This is crucial series for the Mets, because it appears the Atlanta Braves could be pulling away in the NL East.
The Braves made moves this week to solidfy first place in the NL East and make a move to capture a World Series title in Bobby Cox’s final season. On Wednesday, the Braves acquired SS Alex Gonzalez in trade with the Toronto Blue Jays earlier in the week.
The Mets are already 5 games out after being shut out by Tim Lincecum 2-0. Carlos Beltran is back in the lineup for New York, but the lingering oblique injury that Jose Reyes continues to fight is a concern.
The Mets also must worry about the Philadelphia Phillies who ended the 1st half with a 4 game sweep of the Cincinatti Reds. The Phillies are playing much better and are also looking to acquire a front line starter before the trade deadline. If the Mets are not careful, they could be out of the NL East running by August.
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