Eighty-one games and counting.
Since every big league club has played at least half its season, we should, in theory, have a lot of answers by now. We should know which teams are good, which teams aren't. Who's having a great individual season, who isn't.
In reality, however, we still don't know a whole lot.
Much of what we've seen so far is just the framework for the changing picture that is baseball's stretch run. But that doesn't mean we can't enjoy what we've been watching. Here's a look at some of the first half's most intriguing stories:
New name, new era
In 1998, two new franchises played out their first MLB seasons. One won 100 games in it's second year, and then won a World Series in its fourth. One lost at least 90 games for a decade straight, averaging 97 loses per season.
In 2008, Arizona's franchise is still good, but the story has been the reincarnation taking place in Tampa Bay. Tampa has dropped the "Devil" from its Ray, and has been in heaven ever since.
As of July 1st, the Rays have the best record in all of baseball at 51-32. Yeah, you read that right -- the best record in the game. And the scary thing is that they could actually be better in the second half.
The three-headed monster that is Scott Kazmir, James Shields, and Matt Garza has made Tampa's front line about as formidable as any, while nine-game winner Andy Sonnanstine and a revitalized Edwin Jackson have been quality members of the rotation, as well. The key, however, has been a dominating bullpen. Closer Troy Percival is just one of many arms -- Dan Wheeler, J.P. Howell, etc. -- having a strong '08 campaign. The pitching staff also carries an ace in the hole in the form of David Price, who will be with the big club before season's end.
The offense has been strong, but could actually be that much stronger. With Carl Crawford doing nothing, Carlos Pena struggling -- and hurt -- and B.J. Upton in the midst of a season-long power outage, there isn't any reason to think the Rays offense can't improve from here on out. Just another reason why it's out with the old, in with the new in Tampa Bay.
One (hundred) and done?
In case you -- and generations of your family -- have been living under a rather large rock since 1908, the Chicago Cubs have been waiting a really, really long time for a World Series title.
Now, it appears that that wait could finally be approaching its end. Simply put, the Cubs have the best offense in baseball. And their pitching isn't exactly a weak link to say the least.
The North siders have the best run differential in the bigs (+100), thanks largely to an offense that leads the free world in both OBP (.362) and OPS (.807). Yeah, Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez are good, but everyone else has been just as impressive. Rookie Geovany Soto is slugging .517, Ryan Theroit leads MLB shortstops with a .392 OBP, 33-year-old Mark DeRosa is having his best year as a pro, and all is right in the world.
A dominant pitching staff starting taking shape when Kerry Wood and Ryan Dempster traded places this offseason. Saying the switch has been a success would be an understatement. Teaming the success of those two with starters Carlos Zambrano and Ted Lilly and relievers like Carlos Marmol, Bob Howry, and Co. means that Chicago has as good a shot as any to be the last team standing in November.
Good year to be an outfielder on a new team
I watched Milton Bradley play with the A's for a year and a half, and I really only had one question regarding the guy:
What would happen if he could piece all that talent together for a full season?
It hasn't been a full season yet, but Bradley has been giving us a glimpse with the Rangers this season. After signing with Texas as a free agent this offseason, the 6-foot, 220-pounder has gone .318/.437/.603 in 301 plate appearances.
Bradley isn't the only outfield face in a new place experiencing success. His teammate, Josh Hamilton, and a mess of other outfielders -- from Carlos Quentin to Kosuke Fukudome -- are enjoying their new surroundings this season.
Maybe it's just a good year to be an outfielder in general. See: Ludwick, Ryan and Nady, Xavier.
Chasing .400
Chipper Jones is hitting .394.
Apparently, that's a big deal. Now, I hate batting average, but even I will admit that that's an impressive number -- especially when paired with his .485 OBP. He also has a 46:32 BB to K rate, which is equally nuts.
Enjoy the .400 chase while you can, because it won't last. He'll be hitting .380, .360, and so on soon enough.
Year of the born-again starter
Justin Duchscherer has made an all-star team before, but never like this.
The Duke of Oakland leads the majors in WHIP (0.92) and ERA (1.91) as a reliever-turned-starter this year -- he hadn't started a game since 2003 prior to this season.
Pitchers need not make the transition from the pen to the rotation to become born again in '08. From Cliff Lee, Ervin Santana, and Todd Wellemeyer to Gavin Floyd and John Danks -- heck, even Jose Contreras was looking at the Cy Young for a while -- it appears that plenty of pitchers have returned to their once dominant forms, or are experiencing the kind of success that we thought they'd be having all along for the first time.
Or, apparently, it might just be a good year to be a White Sox starter.
Adam Loberstein wrote this column without mentioning how bad Barry Zito -- 3-12 record, 5.99 ERA, 1.84 WHIP for $14.5 million -- was in the first half. Oops, oh well. He can be reached at aloberstein@projectprospect.com.