Sure, it was great for a couple days. The cheers for Derek Jeter. The power of Giancarlo Stanton. The excellence of Mike Trout in the American League’s 5-3 victory.
Baseball’s All-Star party in the Twin Cities was a long series of smiles for players and fans. But the break is over now, and the real fun begins Friday night.
Heading into the second half of the season, there are all sorts of compelling stories from coast to coast.
It could be one fun summer in California, where Oakland begins the weekend with the best record in the majors, and the Angels, Dodgers and Giants are in prime playoff position. The trade deadline is in two weeks, and the recovery of several key injured players could dramatically affect a couple of divisions.
The A’s bearded collection of shaggy misfits and stars is looking for the franchise’s first World Series title in 25 years. Sensing an opportunity, general manager Billy Beane got an early jump on the deadline when he acquired pitchers Jason Hammel and Jeff Samardzija in a deal with the Chicago Cubs on July 4.
Boston pitcher Jake Peavy, Philadelphia second baseman Chase Utley, San Diego closer Huston Street and New York Mets right-hander Bartolo Colon are thought to be on the market as contenders shop for that missing piece that could pay off into October.
The recovery of Reds sluggers Brandon Phillips (left thumb) and Joey Votto (strained muscle above left knee) and indispensable Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (right thumb) could affect the bunched NL Central. The Pirates could get starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (tight lat muscle) in the first few weeks after the break.
Beyond the standings, the races for the individual honors will come into focus.
Trout could add the AL MVP award to his one from the All-Star game, especially if the Angels can run down the A’s in the competitive AL West. Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is among the favorites for the NL award, but he could be hurt by the Rockies’ poor play.
The NL Cy Young Award features an interesting duel between Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers and Adam Wainwright of the Cardinals.
Trying for a repeat, Kershaw had a 41-inning scoreless streak that ended last week and carried a 1.78 earned-run average into the break. But Wainwright is 12-4 with a 1.83 ERA in 138 innings, compared to 96 1/3 for Kershaw, who missed all of April with a back problem.
White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu, the overwhelming favorite for AL Rookie of the Year, could become baseball’s first rookie home run king since Mark McGwire with the Athletics in 1987.
“He’s continuing to make adjustments with what other teams are trying to do to him,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said last month.
