Who needs tickets?

Almost half way through the baseball season and there a few things to point out before the All Star game in San Francisco, July 10. In the American League, Josh Beckett and the Boston Red Sox are looking very solid maintaining a big lead from the Yankees. Just last week, the Yanks made a push, winning nine straight games and bringing down Boston’s lead to 8. They then struggled in the series against Colorado and San Francisco, and once again trail the Sox by over 10 games.The addition of Clemens hasn’t been much of a factor. His bad starts in the minors are carrying over. He’s 1-2 with an ERA of over 5. NY is hoping that he can come back to the form he showed us all last year.

Other major contenders are the always consistent Angels and the Detroit Tigers who are hoping for another push towards the World Series. The Angels with Mike Scioscia are doing another outstanding job and have the team poised for another run this year. With John Lackey providing excellent pitching,

Francisco Rodriguez closing out games, and the heavy bats of Guerrero and the surprising Reggie Willits, look for the Angels to make some noise come October.

As far as the Tigers, well, they’re following last year’s run with consistent pitching and defense, but this year will be harder getting to the World Series, since both the Red Sox and Angels have improved significantly.

Meanwhile, the National League has been mediocre all around. No one has shown any dominance or supremacy over anyone else. Who has the best record? Milwaukee Brewers? Yes, the Brewers are in charge of not just the disastrous Central Division but the whole league. Times have changed now. Brewers are no longer a walk in the ballpark. With Prince Fielder providing heavy wood and J.J. Hardy keeping a steady bat, they’re hoping that Ben Sheets can lead the pitching staff and continue their good play. So far there are no serious threats from their own division. So it’s looking like they might have a great chance at the playoffs.

The Mets have not looked like contenders they were last year. They’ve been very inconsistent throughout this first half of the season, but I’m predicting big things in the second half. They should make it to the World Series nonetheless. I just can’t see another team giving them a run for their money. To round up the National League, the West is wide open and anyone can win it. It should come down to the last week of the season to figure that one out.

Arizona is looking pretty good right now, but the Dodgers and Padres had slow starts and should play better ball come the second half. To recap, the World Series is up for grabs this year. Inconsistency is the word for the first half of the season, and it has made teams to stay close together in the standings.

This will make for an exciting end of the season. Whoever gets hot towards the end, should be the one making it to the playoffs. One more thing, Bonds at 749 homers today. Does anyone care?

Contact Tickets of America if you’re looking for MLB tickets including All-Star game and Home Run derby passes.