It's the Middle of July, What Do You Expect Me To Write About?

It's the middle of July, of course I'm going to be talking about more baseball, what else is there? Anyway, here are some things to watch out for in the second half of the season.

Pedro Martinez. Yes, THAT Pedro Martinez. First of all let it be made clear that I may or may not be in love with Pedro Martinez, so any reports of his greatness in this blog while 99% accurate may be slightly exaggerated, but not much I swear. Anyway, if the Mets are going to get past the NLCS this year, Pedro is going to be the key. On a team that for the most part is full of players who can best be described as ancient, Pedro of all people could be a breath of fresh air for the ball club. Reports from Martinez's rehab say he is throwing as hard as he has in years. Now everybody knows Pedro's got the mind and secondary pitches to dominate because he still was great for the Mets his first year in New York when he was sitting around 89 MPH with his fastball. Can you imagine if the reports are true and he's really back up to 93-94 MPH? Pedro could dominate again like he did in his early days with the Red Sox, and all of a sudden the Mets are legit. They have a good lineup, and if they acquire any pitching before the deadline they could be headed for another NL upset in the World Series. New York is eyeing an August 1st return for Pedro, that should give him enough time to find his groove and be ready to roll for October baseball.

Look out for . . . the Yankees. I know, I know, I waffle more on the Yankees chances this year more than John Kerry did on political issues but they just have so much talent, they scare the living begeebees out of me. Especially because I am almost certain that they will go out and acquire someone big at the trade deadline. Or several someones for that matter. I just get that feeling. Not to say that it will save their season, but when Phil Hughes comes back, their starting pitching all of a sudden doesn't even look that bad. If Mussina can figure it out and somehow Wang, Clemens, Pettite, and Hughes stay healthy in the second half then it looks like the only hole on the team is bullpen depth and that can easily be fixed with a deal or two at the deadline. I know its probably just me being a paranoid Red Sox fan but the Yanks are scary. . . At least they are until next week when I will be claiming their knocking on death's door again.

Keep your eye on . . . Alex Gordon. After starting off the year as a collosal disappointment who spent his time battling the Mendoza Line, Gordon has been on a tear the last month or so. All of a sudden he looks like the player every thought he would be right out of the gate. He has started to hit and he's playing a pretty good third base as well. With the Royals youth movement they have going on right now they might be a .500 ballclub one of these days and have more than one all-star representative, but if they don't manage to have more than one, Gordon should be the mainstay for them for years to come. Luckily for those who follow KC, I think they will have the likes of Billy Butler and Luke Hochevar joining the former Husker at sometime in the near future though.

Well those are just a few things to look out for sports fans, enjoy the second half of what should be an entertaining season. That's all folks.