Talking Baseball

I know it is a little over a week old but I am trying to catch myself up on my writing, not writing on baseball news, but my personal opinion writing about baseball.

This is a perfect time to do that.

With the All-Star Game in the rear-view mirror and the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline looming in less than one week, it is time for me to recognize first-half award winners within the National League.

Tomorrow morning will recognize my winners within the American League.

But first we must delve into the National League.

The 2008 Manager of the Year in the National League is Lou Piniella. He has led the Cubs to a 60-43 record and a first place spot in the NL Central division. The Cubs are the talk of the National League and are poised to win the division and head to the NLCS, maybe even earn a trip to the World Series for the first time in decades.

Our National League MVP is Mets third baseman David Wright. Wright has sparked a rejuvenated Mets lineup that has helped the team take a 2 game lead over the Phillies and Marlins in the NL East.

The National League Rookie of the Year is Cubs catcher Geovanny Soto. Soto became the first rookie to start at catcher for the National League in the All-Star Game.

The NL Cy Young Award winner is, and this is a shocker, Brewers starting pitcher Ben Sheets. He has stayed healthy all season long and has kept the Brewers in contention within the NL Central and the Wild Card. He is 10-3 with a 2.87 ERA and 115 strikeouts in 135 innings pitched.

Sheets, because of his health and stellar season, is being named our NL Comeback Player of the Year as well.

The National League Gold Glove winners for 2008 are as follows:

Catcher-Geovanny Soto (Cubs)

First Base-Lance Berkman (Astros)

Second Base-Chase Utley (Phillies)

Short Stop-Yunel Escobar (Braves)

Third Base-Chipper Jones (Braves)

Outfield-Alfonso Soriano (Cubs)

Kosuke Fukudome (Cubs)

Aaron Rowand (Giants)

Pitcher-Brandon Webb (Diamondbacks)

Those are our awards for the National League at the midway point of the season.

Now, here are our division winners and playoff winners.

NL West-Dodgers

NL Central-Cubs

NL East-Marlins

NL Wild Card-Brewers

NLCS

Cubs over the Brewers in six games.

We hope you enjoyed these picks and check back tomorrow morning for the American League version plus the World Series winner based on the first half of the season.

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