Parody, Predictions and previews for the second half.

As I sit here and watch the Subway Series I can't help but think of all the parody that rattles Major League Baseball. Here is Oliver Perez -- the definition of inconsistency (5-5, 5.29 era) --who makes "only" six digits on his pay check is dominating a Yankee payroll which is tops in the league.

Chicago, Florida, and Tampa Bay all teams slated to finish near the cellar of the league are either in first or second in their respective divisions.

Seattle, Cleveland, and Colorado teams which were all supposed to be playing in October can't find their way out of the cellar.

Then there's Arizona who sits atop of the NL West even though they are 13-34 in their last forty-seven games.  

No team in the NL East will finish June with a record above .500, the Mets who sit two games below five hundred are only four games out of first place.

Just down the Subway tracks the Yankees are seven games above five hundred yet they trail AL East leading Boston by five games. 

All that being said I look back at my pre-season predictions and chuckle, and wallow in self-pity and then I remember there's still a whole lot more baseball left for teams to turn things around. And if they get a second chance well than so do I, so without further ado here they are the second half predictions for America's past time.

National League

EAST

NOW: Philadelphia Phillies; they finished 2007 off in a fashion unlike any other team in the history of the sport and that's where they started off their '08 campaign. They've been helped out by the Mets poor performance -- that and Chase Utley -- 23 hr, 65 RBI his June slump is sure to end soon, I see Philadelphia making a run but until their starting rotation improves they won't make it too far in October.

THEN: New York Mets; what else is there to say about this seasons Soap Opera team -- they're not very good. The Mets are 93-97 since last September and sit in 4th place in the NL East. The way things are going, we won't see the Mets in the playoffs come October.

CENTRAL

NOW: Chicago Cubs - the big leagues best team is on a roll and not going to stop until they end their 100 year drought without a World Series title. The Cubbies don't necessarily need to add a Rich Harden or C.C. Sabathia; but, with the red hot Brewers catching speed Chicago is sure to be active before the August 15 trade deadline.

THEN: Chicago Cubs win division and Milwaukee Brewers take the wild card - Back when I first jotted down these predictions I flipped a coin to see which team will win the division and who will settle for the Wild Card -- Cubs came out on top and that's where they stand -- nothing like a good ol' fashion coin toss to make a difficult decision. This time when I ask myself who will represent the NL in the World Series -- the coin landed on tails -- in Milwaukee's favor.

WEST

NOW: Arizona Diamondbacks - They started off hot but have been anything but since, 13-34 in their last forty-seven games the young D-Backs are letting their youth show. Arizona will need Dan Haren to win more on the road he's 1-4 when pitching away from home; and Brandon Webb who started off 9-0 is 3-4 in his last seven games, and has watched his era jump from 2.45 to 3.21. It's up to that lethal 1-2 punch to get the Diamondbacks back on track and into another post-season appearance.

THEN: Los Angels Dodgers- Maybe it was the nostalgic feeling that Joe Torre or I felt smart predicting youngsters such as James Loney and Matt Kemp would have breakout years while catcher Russell Martin would be an MVP candidate -- and while those players haven't been totally disappointing they haven't lived up to the hype around them. Trade rumors surrounding those young names in hopes to land an ace such as C.C. Sabathia or a number two or three pitcher in A.J. Burnett. Don't count the Dodgers out -- Joe Torre is known for his second half magic.

AMERICAN LEAGUE 

EAST

NOW: Tampa Bay Rays - Did you see this coming? Did anyone except the Tampa Rays see this coming? I don't think so; but, with their plethora of one run wins and dominating defense the Rays are here to stay.  Not to mention that the Yankees and Red Sox are taking them more seriously -- the young Rays have brawled with both perennial power houses. What really takes the cake however, is Hank Steinbrenner telling his Yankees " We need to play more like the Rays." The question now for the Rays, can the youngsters keep up the momentum in the second half?

Then: New York Yankees win division and Boston wins AL Wild Card - Things don't look too bright in da Bronx, when Ching Ming Wang went down in Houston the Yankees might have seen their season go down as well as their 13 straight post-season appearances. Boston holds a half game lead in the AL East and will be heading back to the playoffs to defend their title.

CENTRAL

NOW: Detroit Tigers - Did he really just pick the 40-40 Tigers? OK, so they're nowhere near the expectations everyone set for them before the season started, but that doesn't mean the Tigers are done fighting for their livelihood. They're the best team in the majors in the month of June with an 18-8 record. Only one team from the Central is going to make it to the playoffs and Detroit is rolling as of late. 8-2 in their last ten games and at .500 for the first time this season -- if Dontrelle Willis can find his stuff in single A ball the Tigers will be hard to take down in the second half.

THEN: Detroit Tigers - Granted I kept my pick the same but I also said they were my choice to finish with the best record in baseball -- not going to happen. Detroit has been a disappointment and if they can't find their grove or some help in the bullpen the AL Central will be Ozzie Guillen's high flying White Sox for the taking.

WEST

NOW: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of California of Orange County, United States of America - They may not be the best pitching staff but they are the deepest. Ervin Santana, John Lackey, Jon Garland, Jared Weaver, and Francisco Rodriguez have all been lights out as of recently and all a big part the Angels hold a 3.5 lead in the AL West. Don't look for the Angels to slow down anytime soon, they're deep in nearly every position and will have a chokehold on the west all the way to their first World Series  appearance since winning it all back in 2002.

Then: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of California of Orange County, United States of America - They were my pre-season favorite to go all the way and I'm going to keep it that way. Oakland has made a name for themselves with their young players and the emergence of Rich Harden as a number one ace -- if Harden makes a move before the trade deadline there willbe no one standing in the Angels way out west.

Post Season Predictions

Now Then

Phillies - East   Phillies - East

Cubs - Central           Cubs- Central

Diamondbacks - West Dodgers - West

Brewers - Wild Card    Brewers - Wild Card

Now Then

Rays - East Yankees - East

Tigers - Central Tigers - Central

Angels - West            Angels - West

Red Sox - Wild Card   Red Sox - Wild Card

Now Then

World Series: Brewers v. Angels Phillies v. Angels

World Champion: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of California of Orange County, United States of America in six games. 

If things go as planned they'll be hoisting the World Series trophy in Anaheim come October.

Sean Youngberg is a baseball analyst for ESPN Radio "1240 am The Boss"

He is the host of the weekly sports talk show "So You Think You Know Sports"

He is a staff writer for The Breeze whose works have also been published by several online publications including CBS Sports.

Ain't looking for trouble

Tim McGraw was putting on another one of his award winning concerts at Auburn's White River Amphitheater tuesday night when a drunken and disorderly fan abused a women standing near him. 

Without hesitation McGraw called for security and than took manors into his own hand when he reached into the crowd pulled the man up with one hand and brought him on stage -- security came within moments to restrain the fan, and when the fan threatened McGraw -- well the country star clinched his fist and was ready to roll.

The band continued to play during the entire ordeal, rocking out to their hit song "Indian Outlaw," when McGraw collected himself and got back on the mic his first words "I ain't looking for trouble..."

Bulldogs prove 'underdog' status wrong; Win CWS

It was a Cinderella story unlike any other--right up there with George Mason Basketball back in 2004--but more unbelievable.

When Fresno State right-fielder Steve Detwiller caught the final out in this years College World Series and stuck the ball into his back pocket, with a smile that went from ear to ear, I jumped off my couch and shouted "YES" as if I was a die-hard Bulldog fan whose long awaited misery was over.

Fresno State has only one championship in its schools history --none in baseball-- and none in mens sports. The Bulldogs only title came back in 1979 when their Softball team won it all.

It wasn't just the wait but how the Bulldogs got to Omaha that makes their story even better. 

Throughout their College World Series Fresno State prevailed with their backs against the wall; five elimination games they faced and give elimination games they won.

It has been described as the biggest underdog story in all of college sports, "if this were March Madness than Fresno State would be between a 12-14 seed," said Scott Van Pelt in his description of the game.

Georgia who came into this tournament rated number one was a poll favorite to win the series. Those Bulldogs had their chances as well when they took a 5-0 lead in last nights game; however, Fresno State came back in win game 2 by a softball score of 19-10. 

This game captivated my undivided attention; the heroism and excitement that Fresno State brought to the College World Series should remind us all why we began to cheer for sports back in the first place.

A wonderful reminder that you don't have to have a dog in the race to love a game.

Liberatore, Healey honored as weeks best

The Waynesboro Generals are at it again; with an impressive 10-3 victory over the Haymarket Senators on Tuesday night the defending Jim Limeweaver Cup champions are heading in the right direction.

With the win in Haymarket the Generals have now won eight of their last ten; including a two game sweep of the first place Winchester Royals. 

During the ten game stretch the Generals offense has been clicking on all cylinders; outscoring their opponets 59-22.

The early season success cannot be contributed to just one or two players. Take a look at the roster -- from top to bottom it is filled with potential all-stars-- Brandon Sizemore is in the midst of a twelve game hit streak, Jared Dobbs and Adam Liberatore have ERAs below 1.00, Daniel Wiltz is 3 for 3 in save opportunities, the list goes on and on. 

It has been a team effort all the way for the Generals who hold a North Division best 13-6 record; however, two Generals have been bestowed with the Valley Leagues top weekly honor for their individual contributions.

Jacke Healey (Potomac State) and Adam Liberatore (Tennessee Tech) were recognized as Valley League player and pitcher of the week, respectively for the week of June 23rd. 

Healey the Generals shortstop has started in 18 of the 19 games the team has played this season and while he has committed a team high nine errors, he has made up for the fielding miscues with his potent bat.

"Healey had a power-packed week with five doubles, two home runs, a batting average of .409, five runs scored, nine hits, and seven RBIs. The 20 total bases improved his slugging percentage to .909. He also recorded a stolen base with an on-base percentage of .458. Healey was third in the leage in slugging percentage, tied for first in RBIs, first in doubles, and first in total bases. Healey now has a .279 batting average with 12 runs scored, 19 hits, six doubles, two triples, three home runs and 16 RBIs."

As for Liberatore, he has been lights out all season long -- and that did not change last week.

"The left handed junior from Tennessee Tech ended his week with an impressive 18 strikeouts and only six hits against him while pitching 13 1/3 innings. He was credited with two victories, both combined shutouts, in the two games that he started. He was the only VBL pitcher to earn two wins last week. The Golden Eagle soared high this week while his opponents had a combined batting average of .125 in 48 at bats. Liberatore is 3-0 with a 0.62 era and 32 strikeouts in 29 innings pitched."

While the Generals are already stacked with potential all-stars a little more help won't hurt. Waynesboro is eagerly awaiting the arrival of two more potential perennial superstars from Louisiana State University. 

Starting pitcher Daniel Bradshaw and catcher Micah Gibbs are expected to arrive to Waynesboro within the next couple of days and join the team over the weekend. 

With the caliber of players that make up the Generals roster it should be no surprise if the Valley League has its first defending champions since the Winchester Royals won in 2003 and 2004.

Waynesboro is off on Wednesday -- the Generals will be back on the field Thursday at Kate Collins Field to take on division rival Harrisonburg Turks.

Player of the week stats courtesy of ValleyLeagueBaseball.com

Liberatore leads Waynesboro over Winchester

In a battle of two first place teams, the Waynesboro Generals (11-6) got the best of the Winchester Royals (12-6)  in a contest dominated by pitching.

Waynesboro came into the game winners of five of their last seven. As for Winchester no team in the Valley League has been hotter; winners of eight of their last ten and debuting earlier this week at #13 in PGCrosscheckers.com top 16 Collegiate Summer Teams.

In a game being promoted as a possible "Championship Preview" both teams lived up to the hype. 

The score line was the same going into the bottom of the sixth inning 0 runs 2 hits 1 error. Neither pitcher would budge, and the hitters could not find their way on base.

That was until the bottom of the sixth when Generals first basemen Ryan Adams (Elon) drew a leadoff walk, followed by Jacke Healey's (Potomac State) double, the scoreless game was broken up by Grant Buckner's (West Virginia) two run double.

That was all Waynesboro would need as they capped off their sixth win in eight games by a score of 3-0 over the visting Winchester Royals. 

Adam Liberatore got the start for the Generals. The Tennesse Tech southpaw came into the game with a miniscule 0.83 ERA in 21.2 innings pitched this season. 

Liberatore continued his hot streak against the Royals; going 7 1/3 innings,

striking out nine, while only allowing two hits in the shutout performance. 

His counterpart was second time starter Chris Rigo (Ohio University). Unlike Liberatore, Rigo had struggled most of the season, allowing three earned runs in 4 2/3 innings pitched, his 5.79 was the second worst era on the Royals roster.

There was no struggling for Rigo this evening as he went six innings; struck out nine, allowing only two runs on four hits. But in a game where even the slightest mistake could change the outcome Rigo got marked with his first loss of the season.

With the loss Winchester moves into a tie for first in the North Division with the Luray Wranglers, the win improves Waynesboro's record to 11-6 half a game ahead of Covington for first in the South.

The Generals and Royals will meet again tonight at Bridgeforth Stadium in Winchester, VA to make up for the matchup that got postponed due to rain back on June 10th. The game can be heard on ESPN Radio 1240 AM and on FutureMediaWorld.com

NOTES: Brandon Sizemore (Charleston) extended his hit streak to ten games with a single in the third.

Daniel Wiltz (Tennessee) picked up his team best third save of the season. 

The game was postponed for an hour do to heavy thunderstorms that hit most of the valley.

Lance Baxter tosses no-no

In his first start of the season Staunton Braves pitcher Lance Baxter (South Alabama, 1-0) threw a no hit shutout against the Waynesboro Generals on way to a 2-0 victory.

"The bullpen refused to warm up" said Braves head coach Laurence Mack, "After the fourth [inning] I would go out there every inning but no one wanted to warm up, they new Lance had something special going" he added.

Baxter struck out six, walked only one, and preserved his no hitter when Rhett Stafford's eighth inning infield single was overturned and ruled an error on Braves second basemen Josh Wenderoth.

The start was Baxter's first of the season, who was scheduled to start three nights ago against Faquier and two nights ago against Harrisonburg but rain delays postponed both of the games.

Braves first basemen Blake McDade doubled in the fourth and scored Generals shortstops Jacke Healey's error. 

Centerfielder Max Most hit a routine ground ball in the fifth but an overthrow by Generals second basemen Aaron Bonomi allowed Most to reach second, after Most stole third he scored off right fielder Matt Hamlet's sacrifice fly.

That would be all the Braves would need as Baxter finished the final four innings with one walk and three of his six strikeouts.

The Braves travel to Haymarket tonight to take on the 1-3 Senators.