Midseason breakdown

The winners and losers at baseball’s halfway point

American League at the break

Best team: Angels.
In addition to getting superb first-half efforts from usual suspects like Vladimir Guerrero, Torii Hunter and Francisco Rodriguez, they’ve also found stars in pitchers Joe Saunders and Ervin Santana, who have combined for 23 wins. The Angels barely get the nod over the Rays, Red Sox and White Sox.

Worst team: Mariners.
A team with talents like Ichiro, Raul Ibanez, Kenji Johjima, J.J. Putz and Felix Hernandez — as well as an offseason that saw them acquire Erik Bedard — had some thinking that the M’s could challenge for American League supremacy. Instead, injuries and poor play have combined to leave them with easily the worst record in the AL at 37-58.

Biggest disappointment: Richie Sexson.
The worst thing about a very bad Seattle team, the 6-foot-8 Sexson stands tall as baseball’s biggest disappointment in 2008. According to ESPN, before he was released by the M’s, he was on pace to become the first player in baseball history to whiff 150 times without getting to 20 homers or 20 doubles. Sexson was signed to a $50 million contract in 2005, just another reason why Seattle’s GM was fired last month.

Biggest surprise: Rays.
Tampa Bay has managed to force themselves into the thick of the AL race with a combination of great young pitching (James Shields, Scott Kazmir and Matt Garza) and talented young position players (B.J. Upton and Evan Longoria, who should win rookie of the year honors in a landslide). They are also a great team under the dome — they’re tied for the most home wins (36) in the AL.

MVP: Josh Hamilton.
The Rangers’ outfielder had an MLB-best 95 RBIs entering yesterday’s action, and is in the AL’s Top 10 in batting average, slugging percentage, home runs and runs scored.

Cy Young: Mariano Rivera.
In what might amount to a lifetime achievement award (like Dennis Eckersley, circa 1992), the Yankees’ closer is 23-for-23 in save opportunities and has a microscopic WHIP ratio (0.64). In addition, his ERA this year when a save is on the line, is 0.37 (one earned run in 241⁄3 innings pitched).    

National League at the break

Best team: Cubs.
Not only are the Cubs leading the toughest division in the NL, but they also own the best record in baseball. Even more impressive — they’ve been winning without their best player (Alfonso Soriano has been out for the past month). With eight All-Stars fueling the charge, long-suffering North Siders may finally end their 100-year World Series drought.

Worst team: Nationals.
It’s no surprise the Nats own the worst record in the NL at 36-60. What little hope they had to salvage the season flickered out when Ryan Zimmerman went down June 3. When Aaron Boone is the most recognizable name on the roster, you’re probably not going to compete for any division titles. Washington ranks last in batting average (.240), OBP (.314), SLG (.359) and OPS (.673).

Biggest disappointment: Rockies.
The defending NL champions brought everyone back, including MVP runner-up Matt Holliday (.338, 14 HRs). But a shaky rotation — starters have compiled a 5.27 ERA — coupled with a rash of injuries have left them looking like the Rox of yesteryear. The good news? They play in the Senior Circuit’s Triple-A affiliate, the NL West, and are surprisingly still in the hunt for a division title.

Biggest surprise: Kyle Lohse.
The journeyman pitcher is quietly having a Cy Young caliber season for the St. Louis Cardinals. After showing signs of life during the Phillies’ playoff run last season, Lohse cashed in with a one-year deal worth $4.25 million. The All-Star snub posts an 11-2 record with a 3.39 ERA. Prior to this season his career record was 63-74.

MVP: Chase Utley.
Sure, the smooth-swinging lefty has cooled down considerably in recent weeks, but no one is more vital to his team’s success than Utley. Utley ranks in the top 10 in runs (68), home runs (25), OPS (.955), RBIs (69) and SLG (.582).

Cy Young: Tim Lincecum.
Hard to believe the “Freak” has more strikeouts (135) than Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard (129). The 24-year-old righty, who weighs a mere 172 pounds, is 11-2 with a 2.57 ERA. Opponents are hitting just .241 against him and his violent slingshot delivery.   

Burning questions Second-half predictions

Will Ryan Howard set the major-league record in strikeouts?
Howard has 129 strikeouts to go with his league-leading 28 homers. He will no doubt shatter his own record of 199 strikeouts he set last season. Howard had to be one of those kids who whiffed playing tee ball.

Will Alex Rodriguez lead the AL in home runs?
Grady Sizemore leads the league at the break, but A-Rod trails by only four in 84 fewer plate appearances. If Rodriguez starts lifting weights with Madonna, he could easily get to 55.

Will a Texas Ranger win the AL MVP?
Ian Kinsler, Milton Bradley and Josh Hamilton are all All-Stars, with each man carrying a batting average of .314 or higher. Kinsler leads the league at .333, while Hamilton’s comeback from drug problems is the best story of the season. If Texas makes the playoffs, one of these guys will be MVP.

Will the Brewers make the postseason?
Milwaukee would be a shoo-in for the postseason in the East or West. It’s the Cubs year to win it all, though, and that prediction is only cemented by the addition of Rich Harden. The Cardinals could fade, but if they get Chris Carpenter back they’ll be tough to leap for the wild card.