10 burning MLB questions heading into the trade deadline...

1. Will we see another surge from the Tampa Bay Rays?

I don't think so. Though the Rays have been hot as of late, the struggles of Scott Kazmir, B.J. Upton and an unreliable bullpen, seem like to much to overcome this season. On top of that the Yankees are a much better team this year, and although Boston is slumping I still think they have an edge over Tampa. The Rays will be most likely the best 3rd place team in baseball.

2. Will Roy Halladay remain a Blue Jay?

Every indication right now is pointing to him either staying with Toronto or going to Philly. Though the Blue Jays would be smart to deal him, they are just asking for way to much. They want 4 top prospects in return for a guy, who while still on top of his game is ageing and up for a new contract in 2010. I think he will stay put, unless the asking price goes down.

3. Does Matt Holliday make St.Louis the team to beat in the NL Central?

I believe so yes. If Chris Carpenter can stay heathly and at ace status, and the rest of the starters and bullpen remain consistant like they have, I could see the Cardinals even winning the entire National League. The 3-4-5 of Ludwick, Puljols and Holliday is hands down the best in baseball. Nothing is better then having Albert Puljols batting in front of you, expect great things from Holliday the rest of the season.

4.Will the Mets turn it around this season?

No.... Between injuries, lack of motivation and lack of leadership, this Mets team will be lucky to place any better then 4th in the division. Playoffs are a long way away from the team with the second highest payroll in baseball. Being a Mets fan, before this season is over I will blog exactly how the Mets can regain championship form.

5. Are the Rockies the real deal?

I believe so. If you look at my blog from earlier this season when the Rockies originally began to surge, they have done exactly what I said they needed to. The top end of the rotation in Cook, Marquis and De La Rosa have been great and who would be expecting the numbers we have seen out of Brad Hawpe and Todd Helton? Everything is working for the Rockies right now and they may just sneak their way back into the playoffs. Hats off to Jim Tracy with what he has done for this team.

6.What team is destined to make a run?

It has to be the Cubs... They have simply too much talent to struggle as much as they did the first half of the season. You don't go from 8 All-Stars and being one game away from the World Series, to a sub .500 team with one all-star in Todd Lilly, who only went because one player has to go from every team. With names like Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Zambrano, Aramis Ramirez, Rich Harden, Derek Lee, Milton Bradley and more, the Cubs have the talent to be one of the best teams in the national league. Don't be surprised to see them to go on some big streaks to end the season.

7.Who is this years long-shot to win the World Series?

After picking up Matt Holiday I really think St.Louis is the long-shot. If Chris Carpenter can stay healthy he is one of the best aces in this league. He has been pitching great this year with a sub 3 era and looks to be back in old form. Ryan Franklin has also been almost unhittable at the closer role and even earned himself an all-star spot this season. Yes the bottom of the lineup is a bit weak, but the power in middle of this lineup makes up for it. I also like their rotation from front to back, though no one is really that over-powering, everyone in the rotation is capable of winning games.

8. Texas, San Francisco, both or neither?

Ill take Texas. This is my biggest upset... The injuries Boston are currently facing and the struggles of players like David Ortiz and J.D. Drew worry me with the Red Sox. While Beckett and Lester have put together great seasons, Wakefield just went down, who knows what is going to happen with Dice-K and the Penny/Smoltz combination is up in the air every start. I could be totally off on this one and Boston may just be in a slump, but what I have seen from them lately make me feel like a big dropoff is coming. As for Texas, they have put together names like Scott Feldman and Kevin Millwood, to come up with a very admirable rotation. We all know how well this team hits and I think they could steal the last playoff spot away from the Sox. As for San Francisco, Pablo Sandoval has been terrific but I still think they are very weak as a hitting team. They have one of the best pitching rotations in the bigs, but I think their lack of hitting will put them just short of the playoffs.



9. Who are your early playoff predictions?

NL West- LA Dodgers

NL Central- St. Louis

NL East- Phillies

Wildcard- Colorado (it will be very close with San Francisco)

AL West- LA Angels

AL Central- Detroit

AL East- Yankees

Wildcard- Rangers



10. Who is your early picks for the World Series?

It has to be the Dodgers and Yankees with the Dodgers winning in 6. The Dodgers line-up has been unreal this year and they currently are sitting at 26 games over .500. Expect Manny and crew to lead the team to the promise land as long as all goes right. Something seems different about the Yanks this year... Every year I always say the Yankees are all about business, and while baseball is a game of numbers, team chemistry is also huge, something the Yankees have been lacking. If you have watch them play at all this season something looks different, they look like they are having fun, they are flowing well as a team and you may finally see them get back to the world-series this year.