MLB

If you haven’t read I gave you my take on the American league all star rosters. For the most part I thought the fans got it right. So why not do the National league, I’ll give you guys my take on how the fans did in the National league voting.

The Texas Rangers came into the series hosting the Angels at the end of a terrible June.  For the month, Texas had a losing record, the worst hitting, and worst on-base percentage.  And worst of all they had lost their lead over the Angels.

Down 1.5 games to the Angels, and the Mariners only 2.5 behind Texas, the Rangers needed a big showing against the defending AL West champ Angels and defending AL champ Rays.

Monday: L, 2-5 (40-35)

Tampa Bay recovered from an extremely slow start to the season to pull above .500 in the second quarter. With 83 games in the books, the Rays have passed the midway point in 2009, and we begin to gear up for the second half of the season and hopefully a stretch run.

When we looked at the team at the quarter pole, the Rays were a measly 21-22. Since May 21, the Rays have gone 23-17. At times they have looked like the champions of the American League, defending their crown. At other times, they've looked like the "Devil" Rays. Consistency remains elusive for this ball club.

Despite the assertion that Detroit's minor league system is talent deficient, the future is looking bright in Double-A Erie.

Five SeaWolves were elected to play in the Eastern League All-Star game on July 15, suggesting the cupboard is not bare.

Catcher Alex Avila, first baseman Ryan Strieby, outfielders Brennan Boesch and Deik Scram, and right-handed relief pitcher Josh Rainwater will suit up for the 24-man Southern Division squad.

After a 21-7 June, the Colorado Rockies suddenly find themselves in a pennant race.

Less than three weeks ago, this was a team on the verge of trading away its best players, packing its bags and hoping for next year.

Now, the Rockies are a team poised to make a run at the playoffs.

As we sit three weeks from the July 31 trading deadline, what is the team’s next move?

This was, after all, a team stacked with potential trade bait only a few weeks ago. Now, most of these players look to be serious contributors to a potential Rockies playoff race.

All star snubs Kevin Millwood and Jared Weaver, will face off in a crucial division matchup in Los Angeles tonight.  Millwood of the Texas Rangers, and Weaver of the Los Angeles Dodgers, will face off for the second time this season, the Rangers winning the first meeting 9-7 on July 1st. 

Entering the holiday weekend, the Rays came in as one of the hottest teams in baseball. When it was over, the Texas Rangers were in first place and the Rays fell further behind in both the AL East Divisional race and the AL wildcard chase.

Texas swept Tampa Bay by silencing the red hot bats of the Rays, and taking advantage of uncharacteristic defensive lapses in their three game sweep.

Tampa Bay recovered from an extremely slow start to the season to pull over .500 in the second quarter. With 83 games in the books, the Rays have passed the midway point in 2009 and we begin to gear up for the second half of the season and hopefully a stretch run.

When we looked at the team at the quarter pole, the Rays were a measly 21-22. Since May 21, the Rays have gone 23-17.

At times they have looked like the champions of the American League, defending their crown. At other times, they've looked like the "Devil" Rays. Consistency remains elusive for this ball club.

On Sunday, July 5, it was announced that Orioles center fielder Adam Jones would represent his team in St. Louis, at the All Star Game. The 23-year old outfielder has made his mark so far, with a .308 average, 12 home runs, 46 RBI, 91 hits, a .364 on base percentage, and 17 doubles.