Brian Buscher is one of the Twins' "average joes" with the potential to post decent numbers.

Boston Red Sox (57-40)

The Red Sox managed to get themselves back into a half-game lead in the AL East, partly thanks to the collapse of the Tampa Bay Rays over the last seven games. The Red Sox have everything going for them, unless, of course, you consider the fact that David Ortiz is still out of the line-up, Clay Buckholz is a shell of his former, no-hitter, self, Hideki Okajima is no longer “okey-dokey”, and the bullpen is imploding like Eric Gagne with an 11 run lead. Did I mention that Jason Varitek, the captain, managed only 12 hits in 100 at bats prior to the closing of the first half of baseball?

I know that all Red Sox fans are overly critical, but truth is truth.

Daisuke Matsuzaka has returned to his four-innings of excellence, then walks everyone he sees pattern, and the only real change offensively is that J.D. Drew is leading the team to victories? There is no doubt that they have enough talent to make it to the playoffs, but the real question is, (I realize how times/expectations have changed), how far will they go?

Ideal Situation: Varitek resumes his lifetime batting average of .256, both Josh Beckett and Dice-K stay off the disabled list, Big Papi returns at or near 100 percent, and the bullpen miraculously pulls their heads from out of their backsides.

Tampa Bay Rays (55-39)

Heading into All-Star weekend, there has been much speculation as to whether or not the Tampa Bay Rays, with their youth, can continue to produce the same product that they have in the first half of the season or is the last seven games indicative of what is to come next.

Personally, I think that is what the media is saying because it “sells”. No one is taking into consideration that they lost their closer, Troy Percival twice to the disabled list with hamstring issues, their biggest bat, Carlos Pena, to a wrist injury, as well as veteran presence, Cliff Floyd to what seems like every ailment under the sun; yet, they have come this far.

The short-sighted fan (I call them fantasy owners and Tampa Bay residents) sees this as something to concern themselves with, when in actuality, this is a team that is in year one of what appears to be many productive and promising years to come. Take into consideration the young arms of Scott Kazmir, whom they stole from the Mets, Matt Garza, pillaged from the Twins, and the homegrown talents of Andy Sonnanstine, Ricky Nolasco, and dare I to speculate, the newest member of the pitching staff, David Price? (Sorry Edwin Jackson, but you have been relegated to long relief!)

May we also consider that their outfield consists of five-tool depth with B.J. Upton, Carl Crawford, and a World Series Champion and resurgent Eric Hinske? Or how about the emergence of rookie third baseman and All-Star representative Evan Longoria? This team is speedy, hungry, and ready to make a splash in the playoffs now.

Chicago White Sox (54-40)

Here is a team that is heating up just as they are getting players back from the disabled list: They call that “timing”.

Paul Konerko rejoined his teammates this past week by going four for four with a homerun and two runs batted in. This team has some thump in their line-up and they are ready to show the rest of the AL that they will accompany their strong pitching with some solid wood.

When I look across the league, then back at a line-up that has young Carlos Quentin (Arizona, ChiSox fans thank you!), Jermaine Dye, Jim Thome, Konerko, Joe Crede, Orlando Cabrera, Nick Swisher, emerging second baseman Alexei Ramirez, and the most under rated hitting catcher in my opinion, A.J. Pierzynski, I have to sit back and say that many are under-estimating what this Chicago team is capable of.

The troubles of Bobby Jenks is yet another kink in the armor that the team must overcome in the coming days, but with a serviceable Octavio Dotel, Scott Linebrink, and one of my favorite relief pitchers, Matt Thornton (4-1, 2.33 ERA, 48 SP, 38 INN, 1 S), it is possible that they can hold down the fort long enough for a solid stretch run at the end. There is no doubt in my mind that this team will be in the hunt, regardless of who else steps up in their division.

I would not feel safe from my fellow writers if I did not mention the capable pitching staff. Although they are not exactly “wowing” you at the moment, you have to consider the kind of winning streaks that these starters are capable of. On any given night, Mark Buerhle, Javier Vazquez, John Danks, Gavin Floyd, even Jose Contreras, can overwhelm the best of teams. Watch out Minnesota fans! You too you Tiger fanatics, the White Sox are the real deal.

Minnesota Twins (53-42)

Smoke and mirrors you say? I do not think so! Here is a team that is just a handful of years out of being contracted (disbanded), yet, here they are, making another run at the divisional title.

The team is littered with great talent. Names you will know are Justin Mourneau, Joe Mauer, Michael Cuddyer, and for those who read Burning up the Bases, Carlos Gomez, who was received in the Johan Santana trade. Then there are the lesser known players, unless of course, you are a fantasy baseball manager, such as Delmon Young, Jason Kubel, and a second baseman coming into his own, Alexi Casilla.

What I love about the Twins are the “average Joe” players that you do not see leading in any statistical category, but play an integral role in the winning ways of this franchise.

Take, for instance, Craig Monroe, who came from the Tigers and platoons with Gomez and Kubel in the outfield. Monroe has produced eight home runs, 28 runs batted in, and 21 runs scored, in only 148 at bats this season. There is also the combination of Nick Punto and Mike Lamb at third base. These guys are what would be considered “hometown favorites” or “dirt dogs”. The guys who get down, do it the best they can and what they lack in superstar talent, they make up for with grit and determination.

Another player that I think has the potential to do great things is Brian Buscher. A South Carolina Gamecock Alumni, this back-up first baseman has made the mmost of his limited opportunities, batting .313 with 17 runs batted in, 13 runs, slugging just over .400, and only 11 strikeouts. It is the depth of this team that keeps them in contention.

Well…. that…. and the pitching of young stars such as Kevin Slowey, Nick Blackburn, and Scott Baker with the veteran presence of Livan Hernandez acting as the team ace. The team is backed by the quiet performance of Joe Nathan, who has had less of a spotlight (and fantasy impact) than recent years, but is still producing at a high level, 27 saves in 29 attempts.

This is a team that you want to get into the playoffs, if you are a fan of the game; however, if they do make the playoffs, there will be mass pandemonium at every major T.V. network in America, what with the potential for low ratings and the almighty dollar at stake.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (57-38)

With the best record in the AL (.600 winning percentage), I still think they win the award for “Stupidest Name in Baseball”….”The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim”.

Thank you Arturo Moreno for the alliteration!

Now, on to baseball talk. The…Angels…seem to have talent coming from every direction. Some of it may be “older” talent, but talent, nonetheless. How many teams do you know can have their three starters on the bench or injured and still field an outfield that consists of talent such as Reggie Willits, Juan Rivera, and Gary Matthews Jr.?

As what seems to be the modus operandi of the organization, they have dealt with the injury bug early and often. Vladimir Guerrero, Garret Anderson, Torii Hunter, Gary Matthews, Maicer Izturis, Erick Aybar, Howie Kendrick, Chone Figgins, John Lackey, Kelvim Escobar, and now pitcher Joe Saunders and catcher Mike Napoli are injured.

Yet…. the team has the best record in the AL? There is something to be said for solid starting pitching (Lackey, Ervin Santana, Saunders, Jon Garland, Jered Weaver) and a remarkable one-two punch at the back of the rotation (Scott Shields, Francisco Rodriguez).  In my opinion, Mike Scioscia is the best manager in baseball, getting the most out of his players, using the entire roster to give people needed rest, and working the game, “real-time”, whether it is playing West Coast small ball, or digging in and trying to throw the armada at the pitcher with the heavy lumber. Either way, there is no doubt that the Angels want to be there when the National Anthem is being sung at the opening game of the World Series, and the team appears to be a force to be reckoned with.