MLB Notes at All-Star Break

Believe it or not we are at the half way point of the 2010 MLB season.

Here's a summary of what has occurred in each division of each league.

AL East

Loathe as I am to say it, the New York Yankees are the best team in MLB. But the Tampa Bay Rays aren't far behind.

The Boston Red Sox are five games out and have been plagued with injuries. Add Adrian Beltre to the list of those infirmed which also includes Dustin Pedroia, Clay Buchholz, Victor Martinez, Jason Varitek and Josh Beckett.

The Toronto Blue Jays are hitting homeruns but are hovering just under .500.

Meanwhile, the Baltimore Orioles own the worst record in MLB. However, they did just complete a four game sweep of the Texas Rangers on the road. It is the highlight of their futile season.

AL Central

The Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers have battling it out for top spot in the division.

On June 9th, the Chicago White Sox were nine and a half games behind the Twins. Since then they have won 25 of their last 30 games and are now in first place by a half game over the Tigers and three and a half over the Twins. The Chisox have also won eight in a row.

Although the Kansas City Royals are well under .500 they have played slightly above .500 ball since Ned Yost took over as manager in mid-May.

The Cleveland Indians, meanwhile, bring up the rear of the division.

AL West

Despite being swept at home by the lowly Baltimore Orioles, the Texas Rangers have a four and a half game lead over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

The Oakland Athletics got off to a good start in April but fizzled quickly and the Seattle Mariners have arguably been the biggest disappointment in MLB. So much for that World Series prediction.

NL East

The Atlanta Braves are making the most of Bobby Cox's last year as manager. They own the best record in the NL. They lead the East by four games over the New York Mets and four and a half games over the defending NL champion Philadelphia Phillies.

The Florida Marlins continue to underachieve. Even with Stephen Strasburg, the Washington Nationals are a last place team. Since May 15th, the Nats are 19-35.

NL Central

Well, not all of my predictions have been wrong. The Cincinnati Reds have a one game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals in the division. It was a four game lead but the Reds were swept by the Phillies over the weekend. The Reds are enjoying their first winning season since 2000.

The Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs have underachieved. The Houston Astros are in a rebuilding year while the Pittsburgh Pirates are enconsed in mediocrity having lost six straight games.

NL West

Aside from the Reds, the San Diego Padres are the biggest surprise in MLB. They are leading the NL West but three teams are clipping close at their heels particularly the Colorado Rockies who are 19-10 since June 11th. The Padres hold a two game lead over Rockies and the Los Angeles Dodgers while the San Francisco Giants are four out.

Anyone who wants to organize a boycott against the Arizona Diamondbacks over the Arizona immigration law need not bother. The D'Backs haven't given anyone any reason to show up at Chase Field. They are 17 and a half games behind the Padres and own the second worst record in the NL. Only the Pirates have fewer wins this season.