Major League Baseball is nearing the halfway point this season, and many storylines have dominated the first 81 games. There was Nelson Cruz’s home run streak, Masahiro Tanaka’s strong start and the two NL West no-hitters from Clayton Kershaw and Tim Lincecum.
Many of these storylines will continue on for the rest of the season, as teams jockey for playoff positioning. However, some stories are yet to rise. Maybe it’s a rookie or a batter waiting for his hot streak.
Whose name will rise up in this second half? Here are a few predictions.
Bryce Harper will come back strong
The name Bryce Harper hasn’t been as prevalent like in year’s past, but just a wait a few weeks and that will all change. Harper, who hasn’t played since April 25 because of a thumb injury, will be activated by the Washington Nationals very soon.
If his three home runs in a game for Double-A Harrisburg is any sign of what’s to come for Harper, the Nationals will find themselves comfortably atop the NL East. I expect Harper to be one of the offensive leaders in the league throughout the second half.
Mark Buehrle will fall back to Earth
Buehrle came out of the gates in 2014 like it was 2008 or so, as the 35-year-old jumped out to a 10-1 record and a 2.10 ERA. He led the Toronto Blue Jays to a first place standing and is in the race for AL Cy Young.
However, Buehrle is due for a slump, and it may have already started. The ace hasn’t won a game since June 1 and has seen his ERA pop up to 2.50. And with the Blue Jays not producing runs lately, it will be even tougher for Buehrle to rack up the wins.
The Red-Hot Boston Red Sox
The AL East was supposed to be a dominant division this year, yet no team is more than six games over .500 for the season. The Blue Jays lead the division, but the reigning World Series champion Red Sox sit just six games behind.
The Red Sox have the pitching (3.77 team ERA) and if the offense, which has been underwhelming this season, can produce, this team could make up ground quickly. I don’t expect any of the three teams ahead of Boston (Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles) to run away with the division, so a late run could put the Red Sox right back in the discussion.
Cincinnati Reds catching fire
Just yesterday, the Reds finished off a four-game sweep of the NL West-leading San Francisco Giants in San Francisco. The Giants were once the best team in the league, and the Reds complete a gutsy effort in the Bay Area.
The Reds have Johnny Cueto and surprise Alfredo Simon leading the way for the pitching staff, and Billy Hamilton and Todd Frazier providing some offense. If Joey Votto can return to form, the Reds could make up the 6.5 games that separate them from the Milwaukee Brewers.