Preview/Prediction

Until Monday, the Mariners were rolling.

They were coming off a comeback-riddled series with Oakland, in which they came out on top. Wakamojo was at full force.

Since then, the Seattle Mariners have lost four games in a row, and in a very disheartening manner.

Half of these losses came in the form of a 2 game sweep at the hands of the now division leading Texas Rangers. During the Texas series, we also lost one of our top performing relievers in Sean Kelley. It's looking like he's going to be on the DL for an extended period of time.

The timing could not be better for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Of course, they would always prefer to have Manny Ramirez in the lineup, but the team's hot start, a weak division and a very easy schedule over the next 50 games, still make LA a playoff team and likeliest National League Champion.

Before the season, when Manny and the Dodgers were working on a contract, we conducted an analysis to show how important Ramirez could be to the Dodgers.

Controversial former No. 1 pick Matt Bush was cut from his hometown San Diego Padres  to clear room for Cliff Floyd.

Although a pretty lame draft class, Bush was taken ahead of Justin Verlander, Jeremy Sowers, Homer Bailey, Jered Weaver, Billy Butler, Stephen Drew, Josh Fields, Glen Perkins, Phil Hughes, and Huston Street (like I said, a pretty crappy draft class).

Bush's professional career got off to a rough start.

Welp, here we go again.

Another superstar caught with a failed PED test. Another person Jose Canseco has busted before an official leak came out.

By this time today, you've all heard the story.

Manny Ramirez has tested positive for a banned substance and will be suspended for 50 days by Major League Baseball.

Let's see here...

Pitching, check.

Defense, get back to me in two weeks.

Offense, ehhh.

There you go—the first month report card for the Atlanta Braves.

We all know what's happened, B-Mac and Garret Anderson are hurt, and we are relying on utility guys to spell out upper-mid-tier guys (*ahem* Kelly Johnson) when the others should be playing

What to do, what to do?

Well, the biggest question mark is with the bats, so that should be the focus as the July 31 trade deadline draws closer.

And so the first month of the 2009 baseball season comes to a close.

The Marlins opened the season hotter than Jessica Alba and Megan Fox combined, and have sputtered a bit since while hanging onto a slim division lead. The Padres, Blue Jays, Mariners, and Pirates have all pleasantly surprised their fans than being much better than the pundits claimed.  

"There was absolutely no doubt that he (Wakamatsu) had the capabilities to one day manage in the big leagues," Mike Scioscia once said. "He was a terrific teacher, communicator, and he knew the game."

Who will win AL manager of the year?

I say not Garnedhire, not Maddon, not Girardi, and not Francona.

Who?

Don Wakamatsu.

Believe it or not folks, this is a critical time of year.

Right now is when the free agent and trade moves you make can define your season. We have all sat around and watched the first month of the baseball season.

In most cases, teams have given their players time to work out of early season slumps. This has worked out well for players such as Justin Upton and Chris Davis. For others such as Derek Lee and Matt Holliday, we are still waiting for the turn-around.

After a winning series against Baltimore, the Jays will look to continue their series-winning ways against the Cleveland Indians, in a quick two game series.

The Indians have badly struggled at the start, going 9-15 early on.

Since the last time the Jays and Indians met, Trevor Crowe and Travis Hafner have either been injured or been sent to the minors. In their place, David Delucci, Matt LaPorta, and Luis Valbuena have joined the team, after strong starts in AAA Columbus.