MLB Baseball Report Cards - Volume 1

by Bodog Sportsbook | Jun 30 2008

We’ve reached the midpoint of the MLB season which means it's report card time. Find out which teams are making the grade and which teams need to pick up the slack.

MLB Report Card

Chicago Cubs

Hitting: A
Pitching: B+
Comments: Despite being swept by Chicago’s other team during interleague play, the Cubs have looked impressive this year and they lead NL Central by 2.5 games. Wrigley Field has been home sweet home for the Cubs; they lead the majors with a 33-10 home record. But if the Cubs want to be a true World Series contender, Sweet Lou is going to have to find a way to get his club to win on the road. A 16-23 road record for this ball club is just not getting it done.
Overall: A-

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St Louis Cardinals

Hitting :B+
Pitching :B-
Comments: What a difference a year makes. The Cardinals are a volcano that can erupt at any time and despite their inconsistencies with their pitching and hitting this year, they remain only 2.5 games back of the Cubs. One of the reasons the Cardinals remain in contention is their strong road record. They are one of the few teams in the majors that have been able to win on the road consistently. Another big reason for the Cards success is the stellar play of Albert Pujols, who is back from injury and has been swinging a hot bat. If the Cards can get some consistent pitching they are a dangerous second half team.
Overall: B

Boston Red Sox

Hitting: A
Pitching: A
Comments: The Red Sox just keep finding ways to win. It doesn’t seem to matter who they rotate in through their roster, they just keep rolling. The Red Sox have been consistent at Fenway and despite a recent hick-up which saw them lose the division lead to the upstart D’Rays; Red Sox fans can’t be worried because their team is just too solid. The Red Sox are usually a good road team and you can expect them to turn it on in the second half of this season as they gear up to defend their title.
Overall: A

New York Yankees

Pitching: C+
Hitting: A-
Comments: You can never really count out the Yankees. Despite a horrid start to the season, the Yankees have picked themselves out of the basement in the AL East and are gearing up to fight for a Wild Card spot. If the Yankees get consistent pitching in the second half of the season they could be dangerous and definitely compete for not just the Wild Card, but the division.
Overall: B-

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New York Mets

Pitching:C
Hitting:C+
Comments: The Mets have been average at best for much of the season and mediocre in other stretches of the season. With Willie Randolph gone, the onus now lies on the Mets players to get the job or they can expect some major changes perhaps sooner than later with the trade deadline looming. The Mets will have to improve in all areas to have a chance, starting with their hitting. The Mets needed a spark and they may have got it after beating the Yankees in interleague play. Nothing can spark a New York team more than coming off a huge win over the Yankees in the Subway Series.
Overall: C

Detroit Tigers

Pitching: C+
Hitting: A-
Comments: Don’t look now, but here come the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers have enjoyed interleague play and have recovered from their atrocious start to sit above .500, just 5 games back in the AL Central. The power packed lineup is finally starting to flex its offensive muscle. The Tigers sit in the top ten in the Major in almost every hitting statistical category. It has been a lack of quality starts from the Tigers pitching staff which has been the crutch of this team. They are showing signs of righting the ship and that is bad news for the rest of the AL Central.
Overall: B

Philadelphia Phillies

Pitching: B-
Hitting: A
Comments: Despite being one of the better hitting teams in the Major Leagues the Phillies just can’t seem to get any breathing room in the NL East. The Phillies would likely have a little more wiggle room if their pitching staff could keep the ball in the park. The Phillies are tied for 5th in the Majors in home runs given up with 90. If last year was any indication, this team is a second half team but they will have to start protecting their home field because 22-18 just isn’t good enough.
Overall: B+

Arizona Diamondbacks

Pitching: A
Hitting: C-
Comments: After starting the season on fire the Arizona Diamondbacks have completely cooled off. The hitting firepower the Diamondbacks exhibited earlier in the season has completely diminished. The D’backs are one of the worst hitting teams in baseball and their anemic offense is beginning to put a lot of pressure on their pitching staff. The saving grace for the D’backs aside from their pitching, is the fact that they are in worst division in all of baseball. In a division where a .500 record lands you a spot in first place the D’Backs should consider themselves fortunate, but they could be in trouble if the Dodgers ever pull it together.
Overall: C+

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Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Pitching: A-
Hitting: A
Comments: The Tampa Bay Devil Rays continue to impress and answer the question of whether they are for real or not with a resounding “yes”. This is a young team with a lot of talent. They may be overachieving right now because there is a fine line between winning and knowing how to win. Knowing how to win usually comes from years of winning and sometimes years of losing. The second half of this season will be the true test for this young team as they will have to battle with the defending world champions the Boston Red Sox, for the top spot in AL East.
Overall: A

Florida Marlins

Pitching: B-
Hitting: A-
Comments: The Marlins have gotten off to an impressive start this season. No one thought that the Florida Marlins would be in contention this year, but they have rallied behind strong hitting a quality pitching staff and now sit only one game back of the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East. The Marlins have a couple of allstars that have taken ownership if of the team. Hanley Ramirez has established himself as one of the premier players in Majors and behind his play and the big bat of Dan Uggla, the Marlins are a team to be reckoned with.
Overall: B

Be sure to check out the other MLB Report Card Volumes:

• Next: MLB Report Cards - Volume 2