I’m very excited by the fact that I got an anonymous comment RE: last year’s GUEST post (by Matthew Minton, readable at http://www.newenglandfact.blogspot.com) about UNH QB RJ Toman. The fact that anyone came to my long-lost baby (Mid-Atlantic Bias) and felt the need to comment really does excite me a lot. Even if I didn’t write the post. I’m just glad whenever I’m reminded that Mid-Atlantic Bias exists.

Anywho, I’ve got a few weeks to prepare an FBS preview for 2009. I’m more than a little excited for the dawn of college football and week one provides a few A-list matchups (Georgia/Oklahoma State could be the game of the year and Virginia Tech/Alabama is a marquee game. Also, watch out for the Tennessee/UCLA and Nevada/Notre Dame games). If there is interest in this (and frankly, even if there isn’t) I’m likely going to have my preview up by week 1.

In other news, I’m likely going to revamp the look of the Mid-Atlantic Bias site. It ain’t pretty and was never intended to be, but I’d like to make it a little nicer to look at while still making it readable. So as it is, this is my final MAB post using this design. Who knows, maybe I’ll even put up pictures (not of me).

I can’t go without giving the littles some sports, so here goes:

Ridiculous News Story: Armanti Edwards, Appalachian State’s Senior God/QB nearly chopped his foot off yesterday in a lawn mowing accident. Now, I’ve mowed a lawn or two in my day and while I’m clumsy and injury prone, I can never remember stopping quick and thinking, “Jesus Christ. I nearly severed my toe there. Fuck. I need to be more careful.” Apparently, Edwards didn’t have enough time to react in this manner. He’ll apparently be okay to go for the Mountaineers’ Week 1 game against East Carolina (already a tough matchup, without the starting QB being out with a lawn mower cut to the foot). Needless to say, this is a story that can only come from below the Mason-Dixon line. And frankly, what the hell is a future NFL player (not necessarily QB) doing mowing the lawn? He’s the greatest athlete in the history of his school. And a Craftsman nearly ended his career.

We’re way past the half-way point in the MLB season, but I’ll hand out my award anyway, because really, who’s going to stop me? But first, here’s what I think will shake out in terms of the playoffs.

American League, I like the Yankees to win the East. They look like they’ve hit a stride similar to the Yankees of old. This summer reminds me of the summer of 1998, when after a slightly slow start (not nearly as slowly as this year) the Yankees went on a mission to destroy everything in their path and succeeded, en route to a World Series title and a legitimate argument at being the greatest team in baseball history. I’m not saying this team is that good. Their starting pitching isn’t terribly deep. Sergio Mitre is not going to be winning many playoff games. However, Sabathia, Burnett, Chamberlin, and Pettite will be. In the Central, I really think Chicago has the best team and the deepest rotation. And if Jake Peavy returns, well then that’s a gamechanger. Even without the country bumpkin, I like their rotation as much or more than Detroit’s and their lineup much more than the Tigers. And in the West, it’s the Angels.

The Wild Card is an interesting situation. It’s a three team race, between the Rays, Red Sox, and Rangers. One of those teams (guess which one) has no real pitching and has no shot at actually making the playoffs (guess which one…It’s Texas). The other two just wrapped up an interesting 2 game series (if those existed) where I think the balance in power in the AL completely shifted (in terms of the 2009 season). Coming into this year, as any loyal reader knows, I thought Boston was the AL’s best team. And really, in my heart of hearts, on paper, I think they still are. But with Jason Bay struggling, questions about David Ortiz, questions being asked to David Ortiz, David Ortiz in general, and John Smoltz pitching like a 42 year old the last 2 months (thank god he’s gone now) this team has built itself a hole that might be too deep to come out of. I know they’re still the Wild Card leader. But it’s August. And every drop of momentum is in possession of the team in West Florida. I’ll take the Rays. That gives us these AL matchups:

New York vs. Chicago
LA Angels vs. Tampa Bay

I like New York and Tampa Bay. It’s very simple. New York is much better than the White Sox. And Tampa Bay is both healthier and better (on paper) than LA. I’m very intrigued by a NY/TB ALCS. There would be a lot of drama surrounding that matchup. The teams don’t like each other. The Yankees have this thing with throwing at Evan Longoria’s head and Tampa’s pitchers aren’t about to let that slide. And they match up more evenly on paper than you’d think. Akinori Iwamura is the wild card. If he can come back healthy and play 2B, moving Ben Zobrist to RF full-time, I like Tampa to take the Yankees. If not, I’m less hopeful. But for now, I’m going to go out on a limb and take the Rays, who, mind you, if the playoffs began today, would not be in the picture. So there.

In the National League East, there is but one team. If I had to bet my life and the life of the person I love the most (also me) on one team to win their division, it would be the Phillies. Best rotation in the division. Best lineup. Best bullpen (for what that’s worth). Reigning champs. Florida and Atlanta just don’t have enough frankly. The Central, to me, is between the Cubs and Cardinals and only one is making the playoffs. The reason why I think it’s the Cardinals is not Matt Holliday. Oh wait, sorry. It is Matt Holliday. Once Albert Pujols gets out of his slump for good, and gets on a hot streak, their offense will be very good and St. Louis will overtake the Cubs. The front of the Cardinals rotation (Wainwright and Carpenter) is much better than the Cubs (um, Carlos Zambrano and, uh, Rich Harden if he stays healthy? Ryan Dempster (5-5 this year)? Ted Lilly (he’s hurt right now)?). And if I was in a bad mood here, I’d go on an anti-Alfonso Soriano and Milton Bradley rant, but lets just agree to agree that they’re both way too disconnected and apathetic to ever be championship players. Out west, the Dodgers are better than the Giants and have a comfortable lead. So that seems simple. As for the Wild Card, it’s likely going to be between the Giants and Rockies and I’ll take pitching (Lincecum, Cain, Sanchez, Zito vs. Jason Hammel, Aaron Cook, drawing a blank, oh Jorge de la Rosa, and eh, what does it matter) over hitting. The bats can go cold, but Cain and Lincecum won’t.

Philadelphia vs. San Francisco
St. Louis vs. Los Angeles

Right now, I definitely like the Phillies to win the NL. Not that I like the Phillies. But with Hamels, Lee, Blanton, and Happ, they’re stacked with solid, maybe not great, but solid, major league pitchers. Oh, and their offense is other-worldly. San Francisco could give them a tough out in the first round with their pitching, but I think Philly has enough to throw (pun intended, sort of) at the Giants. And I don’t frankly care about the other matchup. For now, I’ll take the Cardinals over the Dodgers. It’ll be irrelevant in October.

That gives us a rematch of the 2008 World Series (you know, the worst World Series in baseball history). And really, I think we’re destined for a similar outcome. I’ll take the Phillies to repeat. I love the Cliff Lee trade.

Let’s hand out some hardware. If you need an explanation, you probably should be watching baseball and reading about baseball a little more.

MVP
American League: Mark Teixeira (suck it Joe Mauer)
National League: Albert Pujols (a vote or two though to Pablo Sandoval. If you don’t agree, think about it and look at his numbers. If you still don’t agree, there may be something wrong with you).

Rookie of the Year
American League: Elvis Andrus (It’s a weak pool and I’m not about to give it to Matt Wieters. Gordon Beckham is, however, thhhhis close to winning the award. Ultimately, he’ll overtake Andrus in my book.)
National League: Tommy Hanson (by default. This has not been a great year for breakout rookies)

Cy Young
American League: Zack Greinke (I just wish he didn’t play for this team)
National League: Cliff Lee (just kidding…It’s Tim Lincecum)

Let’s make this interactive. Give me your awards for the season.

Thanks for reading. And to the anonymous commenter: Thank you very much. I had no intention of writing a post today. Wasn’t even on my radar. But really, it always feels good to come back to the Mid-Atlantic (Bias).