Top Five Storylines of the MLB Season So Far

Although the actual half way point of the MLB season was a few days ago, I figured it would still be appropriate to share my top season storylines.1- Pittsburgh PiratesThe Pittsburgh Pirates are everyone's darlings of the first half. A full two games up on St. Louis in the central and the best record in baseball at 51-31. The question as always with the Buccos is can they keep this going all season. Last year they had a record of 59-44 at the halfway point. They ended the season 79-83. They have a lot going for them this season, their bullpen is one of the best if not the best with Jason Grilli shutting the door, a perfect 27-27 in save opportunities. The offense has come alive as well behind Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte and Pedro Alvarez. Even their starting pitching has been good behind #1 overall pick in 2011, Gerrit Cole, Jeff Locke and Fransisco Liriano. It might take one more starter for the Pirates to be stable in the pennant race. They have a long road ahead with the Cardinals and Reds hot on their tail two and four games back respectively. 2- PuigmaniaIs there a better individual story in baseball right now than Yasiel Puig? Probably not. He is right now the most exciting player in the game. Off to a historic start, only Joe Dimaggio had more hits in the first of month of his pro career than Puig. Dimaggio had 48, Puig, 44. He is hitting .443 with eight home runs and 17 RBI's. His OPS is 1.218, which is unreal even this early into a career. The dodgers are making a push for him to make the NL All-Star squad, Jonathan Papelbon has been quoted as saying it would be a joke for Puig to make it over someone else. Remember this is the same guy who said he should close the 2008 All-Star Game over Mariano Rivera. What it most likely will come down to is the MLB will probably put him on the last man in vote, which he should run away with, that way the fans and the MLB get what they want. And aside from the All-Star craze, since joining the dodgers they are 16-11 and only 2.5 games out of first place in the west.3- Crush DavisChris Davis is leading the world in home runs right now. He has 31 and the next closest is Miguel Cabrera with 26. He is on pace to hit 62 home runs. Doubtful he will make it there but if he can keep this hot streak going anything is possible. It's not just the power numbers either he's hitting .329 which is way above his career high of .270 last year. He is just one part of an unreal Orioles offense. He and Manny Machado could become the first pair of teammates to lead the league outright in home runs and doubles since Ruth and Gehrig, Heard of them? This home run race could go right down to the wire between him and Cabrera, Davis has to slow down at some point right?4- The Woeful YankeesOh the poor Yankees, they aren't in first place, everyone feels bad for them right? Didn't think so. But seriously the Bombers have been decimated with injuries, losing Jeter, A-Rod, Granderson, Teixeria, Youkilis, should I go on? They have legitimate AAA players on the left side of the infield, i.e. David Adams, Alberto Gonzalez. Reinforcements are coming, A-Rod started his return in Charleston last night, Jeter is coming back as well as Granderson. Teixeria and Youkilis are done for the year. This means it's time for Brian Cashman to go shopping. Justin Morneau, and Alex Rios make sense as well as Michael Young. Michael Pineda is on his way giving them depth in the starting rotation as well. They have won their last two against Minnesota and will be playing Kansas City next all games that should be "winnable" then three against the Orioles in the Bronx. If they can stay afloat until reinforcements come in either trade or their own, they have a shot at winning the division and or the one of the wild cards.5- #HarveyDayMatt Harvey has been one of the bright spots of the 2013 season for the New York Mets, and in most peoples opinions deserved of starting the All-Star Game in Citi Field. He is 7-1, with a 2.00 ERA .07 away from Clayton Kershaw's league lead. He leads the NL with 132 strikeouts and leads the MLB with an 0.85 WHIP. Bruce Bochy the manager of the NL club says their is a good shot that Harvey will start the All-Star Game. Now Harvey may not be eligible for the Rookie of the Year, he is obviously eligible for the CY Young award. This could be a back to back CY Young's for the Mets. Although the record may not show it, Harvey has helped change the culture of the Mets. He wants to win every time he goes out, he is one of the most competitive athletes around. He doesn't care that he plays for the Mets, he wants to win every single time he goes out there. Although they may not be contending this year Matt Harvey looks like he will be a very special player for the Mets for years to come. 
Source:http://floriofacts.blogspot.com/2013/07/top-five-storylines-of-mlb-season-so-far.html

Top Five Storylines of the MLB Season So Far Images

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