MLB First Half Review

Baseball is on its summer break so it is time for TheBostonInsider's annual look back at the first half and for some fearless predictions for the rest of the season. In case you missed it, here are my predictions from April. First Half Review AL MVP: Joe Mauer, Twins NL MVP: Albert Pujols, Cardinals AL Cy Young: Zack Greinke, Royals NL Cy Young: Tim Lincecum, Giants AL Rookie: Ricky Romero, Blue Jays NL Rookie: Colby Rasmus, Cardinals AL Manager: Mike Scioscia, Angels NL Manager: Joe Torre, Dodgers Five Fearless Predictions Prediction #1: The Phillies will be the one team willing to give up its best prospects in exchange for Roy Halladay, making them the team to beat in the National League. By adding Halladay to a rotation that already features young ace Cole Hamels - and will also include future Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez - the Phillies would have the best pitching staff and the best lineup in the Senior Circuit. A Phillies-Dodgers rematch in the NLCS would be inevitable. Prediction #2: The Giants will give up some of their young pitching to acquire Victor Martinez of the Indians, giving them just enough offense to steal the NL Wild Card. The Giants have great pitching but their offense leaves a lot to be desired. Martinez would give them an impact bat in the middle of their order and he could push them to the Wild Card in the weak National League. Prediction #3: Albert Pujols will become the first Triple Crown winner since Carl Yastrzemski in 1967 and will win his third NL MVP award in the process. With all of the steroid scandals that have haunted baseball over the past decade, Pujols is the clean hero that the sport needs. His production is amazing - if he were to be injured today and never play another game, he would be a Hall of Famer - and he is not surrounded by a phenomenal lineup. He currently leads the NL in homeruns and RBI and is third in average so the Triple Crown is well within his reach. Prediction #4: The Yankees and Rays will battle the Red Sox into September for the AL East title but in the end, the Sox will take the division and the Yankees will join them in the playoffs as the Wild Card winner. The AL East is the best division in baseball but only two teams will advance to the playoffs. Boston's combination of pitching, hitting, and defense will win them the division title. The Yankees powerful lineup and solid starting pitching will give them the edge for the Wild Card over the defending American League champs. Prediction #5: On the 20th anniversary of his lifetime suspension, Pete Rose will be allowed to be considered for the Hall of Fame by commissioner Bud Selig. Rose should never be allowed to work in the game again as a result of his gambling on games while he was manager of the Reds but his production on the field - all-time hits leader (4256), 1973 NL MVP, seventeen-time All-Star (at five positions), three-time World Series champion (1975, 1976, 1980) - should put him in Cooperstown. Selig will announce his decision on before the playoffs begin, forcing the media and fans to concentrate on baseball at a time when the NFL season will be heating up. Rose's induction next summer will be the most anticipated Hall of Fame ceremony since the building opened in 1936. Division Winners/Playoff Predictions AL East: Boston Red Sox AL Central: Detroit Tigers AL West: Los Angeles Angels AL Wild Card: New York Yankees NL East: Philadelphia Phillies NL Central: St. Louis Cardinals NL West: Los Angeles Dodgers NL Wild Card: Chicago Cubs ALDS: Red Sox over Angels, Yankees over Tigers NLDS: Dodgers over Cubs, Phillies over Cardinals ALCS: Red Sox over Yankees NLCS: Dodgers over Phillies World Series: Red Sox over Dodgers Award Winners AL MVP: Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox NL MVP: Albert Pujols, Cardinals AL Cy Young: Josh Beckett, Red Sox NL Cy Young: Tim Lincecum, Giants AL Rookie: Elvis Andrus, Rangers NL Rookie: Colby Rasmus, Cardinals AL Manager: Terry Francona, Red Sox NL Manager: Charlie Manuel, Phillies