2009 MLB World Series

With the month of July quickly coming to and end and October fast approaching it is time to analyze the current playoff race in Major League Baseball. Late season trades in the past few seasons have helped teams to the playoffs but have done little in the way of winning the Pennant. Will the acquisition of Matt Holliday catapult the Cardinals to another World Series championship and if he can land on a new team will Roy Halladay produce a championship?

American League

In the American League the playoff picture is starting to tighten up, especially in the A.L. East where the race between the Yankees and Red Sox is separated by a mere one and a half games. The Yankees have started to really play as a championship contender since the All-Star break, winning eight of their last ten games and maintain a small but dominant lead over the Red Sox who have dropped five of their last ten games. The recent injury of Tim Wakefield has left a gap in their pitching rotation and late season struggles have hindered their winning chances. In the A.L. West the Angels are starting to run away with the division. With the longest current win streak in baseball the Angels have pulled away from the Rangers who in the beginning of the season looked to have the division locked down. With their pitching staff finally healthy and the rest of the division struggling in the second half of the season it is almost a sure bet for the Angels to win their division and our a front running contender to win the American League this year. The A.L. Central leading Tigers have played well as of late but do not appear to have a team that contend with the Yankees, Angels, or Red Sox. My prediction for the American League championship is the Angels unless a close competitor can snag Roy Hallway. Halladay could push any club with a weak rotation in to the playoff picture. A team with the ability score lots of runs and has a decent infield could easily guarantee a win every time Halladay starts. The Rangers or Boston would benefit the most from Halladay and would move either team into the fore-spot of the division.

National League

In the National League the acquisition of Matt Holliday to St. Louis has drastically changed the overall race. The Cardinals who were struggling to stay ahead of the Cubs have now added another explosive element to their offense and in his first game Holliday proved that he is well worth the money and prospects they spent to get him. The Central division looks to be close down the stretch but with the added life Holliday to the line-up I expect the Cardinals to win the division and make another championship run. In the N.L. East the Phillies are making a strong case for a repeat of last year's championship run. They hold a dominant lead in the division and barring any late season injuries I full anticipate them to win their division. The N.L. West also looks to be a sure bet for the Dodgers to win. With Ramirez back in the line-up and under the tutelage of Torre that ball club is easily running away with their division. I predict that it will be an interesting playoffs in the National League but the Cardinals thus far have pr oven they want to win the most by going out and making big time acquisitions. Unless another team steps up their game and makes a late season move I imagine the Cardinals will be heading to the World Series. Roy Halladay could definitely make an impact in the National League but with the Phillies and Dodgers unable to close a deal with time running out they may miss out on his expertise. Halladay's Blue Jays look to be well out of playoff contention at 12.5 games back and with his contract expiring after next season I expect they will try and get something out of him in a trade before the deadline.