More baseball jabber

Four. That's the number that the Red Sox have right now.

The Red Sox got shut out by the Texas Rangers 0-4 in Texas today. They have yet to win a game played against them this season. Four losses in four games. And the Red Sox only managed four hits, facing CJ Wilson who is a contender for the CY Young award of the year, besides CC Sabathia and Justin Verlander in my opinion. The Red Sox are playing the Rangers in a four game series till Thursday. Then they play them again next weekend in Fenway Park for a three game series.

The Yankees open a three game series at home versus the struggling Oakland A's. They really need to sweep to maintain a lead and stability in the AL East race. The Red Sox cannot overtake them. We need home field advantage. Need to chase for it. Keep the Red Sox in check, they'll likely get the wildcard.

AJ Burnett needs to be demoted. Every day the more I think of it, he really does not deserve a spot in the rotation as a starting pitcher. He makes about 17 million a season and throws too many wild pitches. Reminds me of Jeff Weaver back in the early 2000s, who had a few star outings and the rest of them were starts to forget. The only memorable and worthy start that AJ Burnett has pitched in was in game 2 of the 2009 World Series, when he pitched 7 innings and gave up one earned run to the Phillies. That very year, the Yankees won it all.

The Phillies are really THIS good. With about 30 or so games left in the regular season, they have the highest probable chance of winning a hundred games. 82 games won so far. Next up would be the Yankees, Red Sox, Braves and Brewers (oh really?!) with 77 games won apiece.Possibly the only team in the majors to do so this year. Their pitching has been top notch, signing Cliff Lee has paid off. Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, Roy Oswalt and Cliff Lee will be enshrined in the hall of fame when they retire. Dream team for every general  manager. Lets see how they fare in the playoffs.

If Atlanta was not in the NL East, they would easily win their division. Sadly they are relegated to the wild card and will win it for sure, based on the standings so far. The Milwaukee Brewers are extremely strong too. Prince Fielder, Rickie Weeks and Ryan Braun are dangerous and could explode for home runs and rack up hits in a jiffy when hot.

Teams likely to lose a hundred games this season: Houston- it will definitely happen. Next up, the Baltimore Orioles.

Predictions for who makes the playoffs: Yankees, Texas Rangers, Red Sox, Phillies, Braves, Brewers

AL Central- Either Detroit or the White Sox. Although Detroit has a 5.5 game lead over the White Sox, anything could happen. The Tigers are an inconsistent team.

NL West- I'm thinking the Giants. Arizona's inexperience due to their youth will have them falter and not be able to withstand the final push through the final weeks of the regular season.