Memorial Day Pennant Chase Check...

Reminder on my opening day predictions:

Sox-Rockies WS with Heyward, Matusz, Tulo, and Longoria picking up hardware. No playoffs for Yankees or Dodgers with wildcards in Atlanta and Tampa

AL East

Rays in first by 3 over Yankees, 4.5 over Jays, and 5.5 over Sox

I predicted the Rays & Sox in the playoffs but didn't forsee the Rays being this good, although they've come back to earth over the last few weeks. The Jays are all power and pitching so far but will not be able to withstand the division as they've been fortunate to play outside the division more often than usual. My prediction stands but the Rays look like the division winner with Desmond Jennings and Jeremy Hellickson, both top 10 MLB prospects, on the way.

AL Central

Minnesota in first by 3.5 over Detroit

I'm really suprised the White Sox are 8 out, but looking deeper at their offense it's really no suprise. This race is a 2 team race and I wouldn't be suprised to see them go down the last week, but this one point to Minnesota due to their starting pitching. The Indians and Royals are just horrible at this point, but hey the draft is next week.

AL West

Oakland in first by .5 over Texas and 2 games over Angels

The Mariners are going to be sellers even though a lot of people liked the team in preseason. I had the Rangers from the beginning and am sticking with it as Schneppers is incoming to help thier pen and Vladdy is killing the ball down there. I'm suprised that Oakland is hanging in, but think the Rangers will run away with this as the Angels just lost Morales.

NL East

Braves up .5 games over Philly, 3 over Mets, 3.5 over Marlins

I'm looking good here. Heyward is a ROY frontrunner and the Phillies lack of a bridge (like the Yankees) is really hurting them. It's crazy to think the Marlins payroll is $46 million and still are in the ballpark consistently with the Phillies and Mets. Props to Loria on being the most profitable owner. I'm sticking with it my prediction as both make the playoffs

NL Central

Reds up 1 game over St. Louis

The Reds (and Padres) are the most suprising team so far. The team is for real. They have the #1 offense in the NL and are getting quality starting pitching. If they add an arm or too in the bullpen they can stay there until the end, but I have issues picking against a Wainwright-Carpenter-Pujols-Holliday led team.

NL West

San Diego up 2 games on Dodgers, 2.5 on SF, and 4 over Rockies

I'm picked the Rockies to go deep into the playoffs and stand by it. Ubaldo Jimenez is the best pitcher in the NL right now. They are a mere 4 games out without their #2 starter, closer, and setup man. June is when you'll see the swing due to the Interleague schedule as I documented here last year when the schedule was released as the Dodgers will falter and the Rockies/Giants will come up.

So to review: Rays, Red Sox, Twins, Rangers, Braves, Phillies, Cardinals, Rockies