Well, it's been a while between posts, but we're back. Last week, we restarted Divisional Play, so teams that may have hit the skids a little have a shot to get back into their respective division races. Entering Week 11, we're just about halfway through the season. As of right now, the playoff races are very close, but a few teams have jumped out to the head of the pack. The Red Sox have the largest divisional lead of the 4 division leaders, holding a 3.5 game lead over the Rays and a 4 game lead over the Yankees. Still, there is a lot of divisional play left, so anything can happen. The Phillies remain out in front in the NL East holding a 2 game lead over the Reds and a 3 game lead over the Braves. The two West divisions have been extremely unpredictable, with changes in the division standings almost every week. As of right now, the Angels, the ADBL surprise team of the first half, lead the AL West, but the Tigers are just 1 game out. In the NL West, the Dodgers and Giants are tied atop the division at 5-5 with the Rockies and D-Backs just 1.5 games out, despite their 3-6-1 records.
According to the current playoff teams from the AL are the Red Sox, Angels, Rays, and Tigers, but the Yankees are still very much alive, just a 1/2 game back of the two Wild Card teams. As of right now, it looks like some combination of these 5 teams will be fighting for a shot at representing the AL in the ADBL Championship game. As for the NL, the Phillies, Reds, Braves, and Dodgers/Giants would be the playoff teams, but the NL West looks like it will come down to the wire. All 4 teams will be in it until the end. Just a few weeks ago, the Diamondbacks were leading the division and the Dodgers were in the basement, so anything can happen out there. As for the East, it looks like they will send 3 teams to the playoffs, unless a couple teams out West get hot down the stretch here. Should be an interesting summer as teams try to jockey for position.
Taking a quick look at the scores as of right now for this week's match-ups, there are a lot of tight match-ups. Starting in the NL, the Reds have jumped out to an early lead over the Braves. The offense for the Reds has started hot and the pitching has always been there in Cincy. The Braves bats need to wake up to try and make this thing a little closer. The Mets and Phillies are currently locked in a tight one, as Cory's team continues to play better than their 1-9 record indicates. Early on here, the Phillies pitching has let him done. Keep a close eye on this match-up, because if the Phillies lose and Matt wins, he'll pull to within a game out East. In the NL West, it's been more of the same: unpredictable. The guys tied at the top of the division are both currently trailing, but both match-ups are tightly contested. The Diamondbacks are holding on to a slim lead over the Dodgers, while the Rockies have snuck out to an early lead over the Giants.
In the AL, the Yankees have jumped out to a pretty comfortable lead over the Red Sox, but it's early right now, so anything can happen. I'm pretty sure last time I played the Sox, the same thing happened, and he managed to come back to force a tie. The Rays and White Sox are locked in a close one, but the Rays currently hold a one category lead over the ChiSox. The Angels and Royals are knotted up, while the Tigers have fallen behind to the Rangers early on here. However, the Rangers have yet to register a start yet, so their lead over the Tigers in ERA and WHIP may be short-lived.
We'll probably be looking at another shake-up for the playoff picture when all is said and done this week.
In other news, our draft is well underway. We're currently in the Second Round. The First Round went pretty much as expected, however there were a few surprises. The Dodgers went with Rendon first overall, Cole went to the Mets at number two, while the Rockies took the HS outfielder Bubba Starling third. The Angels took probably the best high school arm in the draft with Dylan Bundy at number four. The Rockies rounded out the Top 5 with the second pick in the draft, taking Trevor Bauer. Not a bad haul for Archie, just 5 picks into the draft. Heck, he had two of the first five picks, and I have yet to make one selection 30 something picks into the draft. I'm pretty sure Archie will have a videocast for more draft coverage so stay tuned for that. Live up-to-the minute draft results can be found at out league site.
We've had a little more trade activity as teams try to deal with injuries, or try to sell to stock up the farm. The most recent trade involved the Red Sox and Dodgers, two teams that are expected to be Buyers as the deadline approaches. The Red Sox picked up SF Closer Brian Wilson, who has just a year left on his deal, in exchange for a couple of relievers in Kenley Jansen and Joaquin Benoit, as well as the 17th pick overall in this year's draft. Definitely an interesting trade. For the Red Sox, it addresses a major need for them, as they get one of the best closers in the game for a couple of holds guys. Obviously the Dodgers wanted that draft pick, as they look to continue to stock up the farm after taking Rendon this year number 1 overall. That pick turned into another stud hitting 3B in Javier Baez. However, the deal is pretty balanced considering that the Red Sox address a huge need, while the Dodgers continue to stockpile picks and players as they look to rebound from their disappointing showing last year, while continuing their promising start this year.
Another trade made recently involved the Rockies and Braves. Again, these two teams expect to be in the race for the playoffs as we enter the heart of the season. The Rockies sent Ricky Nolasco, one of their many arms, and and Fabio Mesa of the Angels to the Braves in exchange for a couple of prospects in Drew Pomeranz and Edward Salcedo. Plus the Rockies love their draft picks, getting a first rounder in the 2012 draft. Again, another trade that addressed needs for both teams. The Braves got a starter to help solidify their rotation, while the Rockies continue to build an already strong farm team. Plus, we all know how much Archie values his draft picks. Another solid trade here.
Finally, there was one other trade of note that went down recently. The Yankees sent Dellin Betances to Arizona for 1B Mitch Moreland. This trade was made primarily out of necessity on my part, than actually wanting to deal Betances. I needed to pick up another bat with Wells and LaRoche on the Disabled List. So, I dealt one of my better prospects to Arizona for Moreland. Definitely a trade, that is balanced on both sides. The Diamondbacks had plenty of 1B/OF types, while the Yankees needed a guy to bolster the offense with a couple of guys banged up.
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