MLB teams try to capitalize before the All-Star Break

With the 2009 All-Star game in St. Louis next Tuesday, several teams will be doing their best to position themselves to close with a flourish before the break. A number of teams can set themselves up in good spots to start the second half of the season by playing well or be undermined with doubt if they don’t play as good as they had hoped. Here is a look at four specific teams with intriguing schedules before taking a few days off to start next week.

St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals have been in and out of first place the last couple of weeks in the National League Central and can create distance amongst its fellow rivals with a strong week of play. It won’t be easy for St. Louis, as they continue nine-game road trip against the teams in the division that are their closet competitors. Fresh off a series triumph in Cincinnati, the Redbirds are 21-19 as visitors, good for +1.1 units. Manager Tony LaRussa’s club has built a little momentum, winning four of five, after closing out June out with six losses in seven previous. Their mission starts in Milwaukee, with a three-game set. The Brewers come home after losing three of four to the Cubs and have been weaker than expected at Miller Park with 22-18 record. The Cardinals have won two of three in Milwaukee this season. After finishing up with the Brew Crew, they take the short jaunt down I-94 to Wrigley Field for three with the Cubs. Though no division title is going to be wrapped up before the All-Star game, a 4-2 week or better by the Cardinals provides a little working margin to start second half.

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs were supposed to run away with the NL Central, but because of injuries, lack of consistent hitting and shaky late inning relief, Chicago is looking up at other teams within the division. The Cubs bats have shown signs of coming around, especially at home, where they are 24-14 (+3.7 units). The North-Siders are respectable fifth in ERA in the National League and have 50 quality starts, the most in the senior circuit. They are matching up with Atlanta presently and after a day off Thursday, play host to rival St. Louis. Though the Cubs have been mediocre all season, a potential 7-3 homestand has them right in the thick of division race. Series losses to Atlanta or the Cards, only raises more questions about how good this year’s Cubs team really is.

Tampa Bay Rays

The defending American League champions gladly return home after lost weekend wipeout in Texas facing the Rangers. Tampa Bay is fighting to close the gap between themselves, Boston and the Yankees. The Rays are in potentially outstanding situation to do just that with six home games, in which they should be favored in each one. Tampa Bay is 26-13 (+6.7 units) at Tropicana Field, leading baseball in runs scored at home (5.8 per game), and has Toronto and Oakland coming in. The Blue Jays and A’s both have losing records on the road this season. Tampa Bay has juicy home numbers that have any sports bettor salivating. The Rays are 89-40 at home the last two years and are 54-19 against the money line as a home favorite of -125 to -175. When favored as -150 or more on the ML at home, Joe Maddon’s squad is terrific 47-11. A 5-1 week gives the Rays back the momentum, as they try and hunt down the AL East favorites.

Los Angeles Angels

The Angels have won 16 of last 22 games to be back where most thought they would be in the AL West. They are matched up with other division front-runner Texas to start the week, with the series winner emerging as first place leader come Thursday. Los Angeles leads the American League in hitting at over .280 and plays a style of baseball that is reminiscent to craps. For those not familiar with the game, a point is established and many try and wager on the five remaining numbers to win money and build up bankrolls. The Angels play in much the same fashion, getting a couple of base-runners to start and cashing in with base-hits that keep the Halos runners moving on the base paths and runs being compiled. Besides being tested by Texas, the Yankees come to town for weekend series, having won 10 of 12 contests. Though starting rotation lacks more familiar names, skipper Mike Scioscia has gotten by and previously horrific bullpen is improving, getting Halos back to among the best in the American League. A 4-2 week against still competition keeps momentum building.