AL Report: Where teams stand on the 4th of July

There are three distinct marking points in every baseball season: Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day. These American holidays have historically been linked with our great American pastime because of their occurence every year when the sport is in full swing. Now that we have reached Fourth of July weekend, let's assess the six division races currently taking place in major league baseball. The first segment posted today covers the American League. The second segment covering the National League will be posted Monday.

AL Central

White Sox: Despite a pitching staff that has finally looked human the last few weeks, it is still the backbone of a team much too reliant on the home run ball. The offense has finally shown signs of stringing together base hits to manufacture runs, and it will have to continue to do that to stave off the surging Twins and now respectable Tigers. Having Jim Thome and Paul Konerko in the middle of the lineup is great--if it was 2004. The duo must break out of a seasonlong slump. Thome needs to continue to go opposite field, while the DL stint for Paulie may have helped his ailing right thumb. Sox fans also must hope the tightness in Bobby Jenks' upper back/left shoulder area is not an issue. Despite the fact that GM Ken Williams said most of the team's heavy lifting was done in the offseason, I still see the never satisfied Kenny GM making a shrewd move for a reinforcement at the deadline.

Twins: Livan Hernandez over Johan Santana? I wouldn't do it, either. But that's essentially what the Twins did in the offseason, and it has positioned themselves to be breathing down the necks of the White Sox. Oh, that's right. I forgot about Carlos Gomez, the gem of the Santana deal with the Mets. Despite his lack of plate discipline, the center fielder has helped ease the loss of Torii Hunter by playing excellent defense and swiping 21 bags. His power is in the early development stages, but look for him to easily hit 20 HR's in the near future. Rookies Kevin Slowey and Nick Blackburn have helped stabilize a shaky rotation, which is huge because Boof Bonser blows. If Francisco Liriano can return to form--or at least slightly resemble his dominant former self--the Twins can be a dangerous player in the second half. However, the bullpen has been down this year, making the bridge to closer Joe Nathan less than stable.

Tigers: The sexy pick to represent the American League in the World Series this year has finally started to show some signs of life. Miggy Cabrera probably will never be able to live up to that contract, but he is putting together a solid season nonetheless. They have been shut out 10 times to lead all of baseball, however. And their bullpen--despite having a collection of talented arms--remains an enigma that will ultimately cost the Tigers any chance of a postseason berth. Nate Robertson and Kenny Rogers don't go late enough into games to make the bullpen a nonissue. It's a shame, too, because Todd Jones has been rather good this year.

Royals: While they are out of postseason contention, it will be interesting to see if Billy Butler can hit--and hit for power--at the major league level in the second half. I also am intrigued by Mike Aviles, as the Royals try to solve their never-ending hole at short. I'd also like to see Alex Gordon and Mark Teahen continue to make strides. It's a shame the Royals plummeted so fast during their 12-game losing streak because they finally have some semblance of a bullpen this year.

Indians: So I hope that this Matt LaPorta kid is the real deal. Or perhaps the real gem in the deal is 3B Taylor Green, the Brewers Minor League Player of the year last season who is rumored to be the PTBNL (RFTR says pay no attention to those J.J. Hardy rumors). In any event, the Indians no longer have their ace just days after saying goodbye to their "closer." The fans surely are counting the days to shorts and pads season.

AL East

Rays: This team has been devilishly good past the midway point, and I'm sold. I've been a big fan of Matt Garza for a few years, and he's part of a solid rotation one through three. As well as Ed Jackson and Andy Sonnanstine have been pitching, I think they need to add a pitcher at the deadline because I still think Kazmir throws too many pitches to be an ace. They still don't scare me offensively, either, but I'll take a team with pitching and defense. Iwamura has been playing a great second base all season.

Red Sox: To quote Ric Flair, "To be the man, you've got to beat the man." Still the team to beat until another squad holds the World Series trophy. Dice-K still walks too many batters for my liking, but I think Clay Bucholz can have a nice second half once he gets recalled. Their organizational depth will make them major players at the deadline. I think a bat is needed in case J.D. Drew goes into a tailspin or Big Papi isn't completely healthy. The bullpen remains a disaster; I love the arms of Delcarmen and Hansen, but they have struggled at crucial times. Timlin is done and Okajima has not produced like he did in '07.

Yankees: The Wang injury was a near fatal blow. Every team will be looking for pitching at the deadline, so the Yanks will have to wait in line. I can see them getting a Randy Wolf, but Joba remains crucial to their playoff hopes. I don't want to buy too much into the hype, but he's no longer on a pitch count. He must throw strikes, though. The bullpen has started to pitch a little better, but I don't know how much longer the team can stay afloat without Wang and a healthy Jorge Posada.

Orioles: Will they finally decide to move Peter Angelos favorite Brian Roberts? Will Kevin Millar go back to the Sox? That's about the only intrigue left for this team, but not because they've played terrible baseball. Once again their division will keep them near or in the basement, but this team has played real hard for manager Dave Trembley.

Blue Jays: I don't get the A.J. Burnett love. I'll be interested to see which team gives up a bundle for him at the deadline. I think J.P. Ricciardi will be making his final deadline moves with this organization. Expect Cito Gaston to put his mark on this team in the second half.

AL West

Angels: Perhaps the most balanced and well constructed team in the American League, specifically for the playoffs. I think Jose Arredondo has a chance to step in for K-Rod when he leaves as a free agent after the season. The fact that they don't miss Kelvim Escobar speaks volumes. Jered Weaver can be such a key factor for them. I still think they need to grab a bat at the deadline, however. But this, in my opinion, is the best team in the league.

Athletics: GM Billy Beane keeps doing it. Seemingly every year his team is picked to be just ahead of the Rangers, but every year he manages to construct a competitive club. Will he deal Harden? I don't think he will considering they hold an option for 2009 and they are still in the AL West race. But Beane is a maverick and a gunslinger, so I'm sure he has a surprise move up his sleeve. If he does deal Harden to the Cubs, look for Beane to acquire either Sean Gallagher or Sean Marshall. Something tells me he wants Matt Murton, who I believe has been overvalued by major league scouts the last couple of years.

Rangers: I think team president Nolan Ryan's presence really lit a fire under Ron Washington's Rangers beginning in May. And it certainly doesn't hurt that the club has the best player in baseball. The oft-repeated Josh Hamilton story will never get old for me. What does get old is seeing such a porous Rangers pitching staff being thrown out there every night. David Murphy looks like he is ready to win the AL Rookie of the Year award, though I feel that Evan Longoria will somehow win the crown.

Mariners: Ichiro...a cancer? Seems his act is wearing real thin in the Seattle clubhouse and ownership would love to have management find a taker for his huge contract. I feel sorry for those fans because they are some of the best in baseball and they deserve a winning product. Just won't happen, however, when you sign undeserving Carlos Silva and Richie Sexson to rich contracts.