Midsummer MLB Predictions - AL

No Major League team is scheduled to play another game until July 16. Three days away. That can only mean one thing. Well, two actually: 1) It's the All-Star break, and 2) It's time for my predictions for the rest of the MLB season. I'm going to give you the final standings, playoff forecasts, and some statistical leaders for this season's end. So what should you expect from now through the October Classic? Today, we'll cover the American League. Take a look:

AL East

As a Red Sox fan, I have believe they're going to hold onto this division. If you're the Yankees, with all of the money spent on big-name acquisitions in the offseason, playing in a stadium that basically doubles as a wind tunnel, and you don't have a hold on the division at the break, you won't. Not this year. The Rays won't catch the Yanks and will remain in the 3-hole, despite a strong finish. Toronto's woes will only worsen as the Jays look to ship ace Halladay out of Canada, eh. Their offense will keep them out of last though. And I say it year after year: the Orioles bring up the rear. Promising young talent there though.

AL Central

The Royals and Indians are well out of this race, the latter being the far more disappointing of the two clubs this season. Hey, anyone down in KC will tell ya, if their team is looking to have a shot to climb out - and stay out - of last in the Central, that spells success! Detroit has a ton of weapons on the mound and simply refuses to lose at home, so they remain at the top. My heart lies with Minnesota, so I give the Twins the slight edge over the White Sox for second place. Mauer, Morneau, and Kubel really fuel this team. Detroit emerges as the only playoff-bound team.

AL West

Out west, the Angels are playing great ball this season, but Seattle and Texas are playing the Emmy-worthy part of annoying little brothers; they're always around! In probably my boldest prediction for the American League, I like the Rangers to jump the Angels for first place. Head-to-head, Texas dominates, and I love their power at the plate. I can't let L.A. drop past second though, which puts the promising Mariners in the 3-spot. The Athletics (ironic) can barely rely on Triple-A-sized crowds showing up to their contests. If it wasn't for the Nationals, the A's would be the worst team in baseball.

Playoffs

There will be a tight race for the Wild Card spot, which will include the Yankees, Angels, and maybe the Twins. It's been sort of a "below expectations" kind of year for New York, and the complete opposite for L.A. The Angels are the better team, and frankly, they'll be pissed that they're not atop the AL West at season's end. Anger is good fuel, so L.A. wins the race, setting up an Angels-Red Sox Wild Card series (Boston will finish with the most wins of the division champions). I'll say it now: meeting the Red Sox in the playoffs if you're the Angels spells trouble. Red Sox win. The 2-3 series then matches the Rangers and Tigers. Both teams play horribly on the road, so advantage home team here. The Rangers should win in four or five games. I like my Sox to return to the World Series, especially with home field advantage over Texas, something they lacked in the regular season, playing six of the nine games in Arlington.

National League and statistical leader predictions coming soon!