Kuzul

With the second half of the Major league baseball season under way, here are some predictions as to what could end up happening when the regular season is all said and done. There will also be two bold predictions at the end, those of which would shock the sports world, and could happen if events fall a certain way.

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NFL betting players don’t have to worry about crowning a Triple Crown winner, but in Major League Baseball, the Triple Crown is a big deal.  Here’s a look at five players who have the chance to write their names in baseball history.

Miguel Cabrera, Detroit

At the break, Cabrera leads the American League in RBI, he’s tied for first in average, and he’s tied for second in homers. Even by his high standards, Cabrera is on pace to set career highs across the board, which would put him in a very good position to be the first American League hitter since Boston’s Carl Yastrzemski in 1967 to win the Triple Crown.

Josh Hamilton, Texas

Cabrera’s competition for the Triple Crown is Hamilton, who is actually tied with Cabrera in average. They’re both tied behind Toronto’s Jose Bautista in homers, and Hamilton is fourth in RBI.  However, he may be hurt by the fact that Vladimir Guerrero hits in front of him, and he’s second to Cabrera in RBI, which takes RBI away from Hamilton. NCAA football betting players would compare this to having two 1,000-yard rushers, which isn’t a bad problem to have, but it’s not good for Hamilton’s Triple Crown odds.

Josh Johnson, Florida

Johnson is going to have to get some help from his teammates in terms of wins, as he has just nine, but he is sixth in the National League in strikeouts and his 1.70 ERA is far and away the best in the entire major leagues. But playing in the tough East division with Atlanta, the Mets, and Philadelphia could throw a wrench in Johnson’s plans to catch up in wins. He’ll pitch well and hold up his end, but can the Marlins help him out?

Roy Halladay, Philadelphia

“Doc” has lived up to the hype in Philadelphia, and it’s not his fault that the Phillies’ MLB betting odds are falling.  Halladay is 10-7 with a 2.19 ERA (including a perfect game against Johnson and the Marlins), and he would have more if the Phillies gave him run support. Halladay is third in wins, fourth in ERA and tied for second in strikeouts, but he’s going to need a massive second half to beat the final player on the list to the Triple Crown.

Ubaldo Jimenez, Colorado

Jimenez is trying to become the third National League pitcher this decade (Randy Johnson in 2002, Jake Peavy in 2007) to win the Triple Crown, and he has a no-hitter as well. Jimenez’s 15 wins leads the majors, he’s fifth in the league in ERA, and he’s ninth in strikeouts, which is the category that he needs the most work in, especially to catch the two-time defending strikeout and two-time defending Cy Young winner champ, Tim Lincecum, in San Francisco. But the way he’s pitching, I wouldn’t lay a bet against him. 

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There is no questioning Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera’s effort in 2010.

Last season was marred by personal issues, and by all accounts, Cabrera has put his demons behind him this year.

Cabrera leads the majors with 77 RBI and a .346 batting average.

He’s tied for second with four others with 22 home runs. Cabrera has been a key component in the Tigers’ quest to win the AL Central, and they are a half-game behind the Chicago White Sox going into the All-Star break.

“My drinking was a problem and I feel good without it, I feel like a new man,” Cabrera told reporters last winter. “I never played drunk, but there were times when I was very tired or my body just felt lazy. I wake up every day and thank God for giving me the opportunity to do what I do.”

Cabrera is working a 19-game hit streak , which began June 19, and has driven in 18 runs in the process. He has cooled off a bit in the power department, and has just three home runs since late June.

With his recent All-Star Game selection, Cabrera, whether he knows it or not, has the potential to make history within the storied Detroit organization in regards to single-season RBI total.

In 1940, the legendary Hank Greenberg knocked in 150 runs. That is the third highest tally by a Tiger ever. The franchise-record is 183, which Greenberg set in 1937.

Being aware of a history-chase is often considered a bad omen for players. Having that pressure can interfere with their day-to-day operations, and more times than not, the mark isn’t met.

But that’s not the only record he’s chasing.

Cabrera has the opportunity to become the first Tiger since Ty Cobb to win the Triple Crown. Cobb claimed the coveted honor in 1909. He hit nine home runs, drove in 107 runs and hit .377.

Major League Baseball’s last Triple Crown winner was Carl Yastrzemski . The legendary Boston Red Sox left fielder hit .326, belted 44 home runs and drove in 121 runs in 1967.

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