SHL: American Atlantic Weekly Overview

Checking in with the American Atlantic division.

Bos Red Sox-The Boston Red Sox are the best team in the Seamheads Historical League thanks to an 8-2 record over their last 10 games.  The Red Sox hot streak comes at a perfect time for them as the former Atlantic Divisional leading A’s have lost 4 in a row and are 4-6 in their last 10.  Boston has been able to win at home (29-16) and on the road (26-13) and are strong offensively and defensively.  The top of Boston’s rotation is 25-4 while fifth starter Roger Clemens has gone 9-1 this season despite posting a 5.12 ERA.  Boston’s 3rd and 4th starters, Lefty Grove and Joe Wood, have ERAs much lower but haven’t been as lucky with the offensive support.  Boston’s top three hitters in the AVG dept. are all at the .329 mark or above while sluggers Ted Williams,  David Ortiz, and Manny Ramirez have all slugged more than 10 home runs so far this season.  Boston’s pitching and offense have been steadily improving as the season’s progressed and as the teams come together, they’ve been able to prove they’re the best in baseball.

Phi-KC-Oak Athletics-It’s panic time for the A’s and their fans.  For a good chunk of the beginning of the season, the A’s had a strong hold on first place in the Atlantic and at one time held the best record in baseball.  Time has reared its ugly head and the long season has shown its effects as the A’s are now looking up at the Red Sox.  The A’s have fallen 7 games in the standings in 19 games and were just swept by the red hot Yankees in a series in which the A’s were outscored 36-17.  The combination of both pitching and hitting slumping and other teams in the division going on hot steaks has spelled disaster for the A’s and it could get worse before it gets better.  The A’s will travel to Philadelphia to play a first place Phillies team that could extend the A’s string of tough luck.

Was-Min Twins-The Twins have been hit or miss so far in July.  Some days the offense shows up and some days their pitching shows up, but they’ve had trouble getting on the same page except on days when neither shows up.  Sitting at 6 games back in the standings and a healthy roster the only thing that needs to happen is for the Twins’ players to step up and play better.  You can’t blame it on a star player being lost for the season or a manager making bad decisions.  The Twins simply may not be good enough to compete in their division.  A significant change may been coming and it will likely come from within the organization.  Torii Hunter, Cecil Cooper, and Chuck Knoblauch are all offensive players who are major league ready and their minor leagues are stacked with major league ready arms.  Of the 7 major league ready arms in the Twins minor league system, Jim Katt holds the highest ERA at 2.88.  He also has a 14-5 record with 111 K’s and just 28 BB.  Byleven and Viola’s days may be numbered.

Bal-NY Yankees-9-1…9-1 in their last 10 games.  DiMaggio is back, Pettitte has been called up, and struggeling closer Mariano Rivera has been replaced by John Wetteland who has been perfect since taking over for Mo, notching 3 saves in his first 3 innings pitched. During their current hot streak, the Yankees have swept 2-game series with the Blue Jays and Astros and a 4-game series with the A’s.  New York remains 10 games back in the standings but has the most upside of any team not named the Red Sox.  Making up the 10 games is a significant possibility with the A’s struggling and the Twins playing unimpressive baseball.  The last place Texas Rangers are up for New York.  Expect the Yankees to pass the Twins or be close to passing the A’s and Twins this time next week.