Another wild day of MLB action on Sunday (sorry, no perfect games today though). Let’s jump right into it!
Cardinals 9, Cubs 1

As a Cardinals fan, I’ve been spoiled over the last 10 years. I’ve been allowed to watch the best player in baseball day in and day out with incredible consistency. Albert Pujols is nicknamed ‘The Machine’ for good reason, but this year has been a little different. It’s not that Albert is bad – I would never, ever say that. But things just don’t feel the same in St. …

At the end of each month MLBtoday.net will be handing out these general awards (in theory only) and they are based upon our sole selection.  We reserve all rights to hand out trophies if we want to.
AL Player of the Month – Robinson Cano (Yankees) .371-.417-.732-23R-36H-9HR-21RBI
NL Player of the Month – Andre Ethier (Dodgers) .365-.432-.729-16R-9HR-26RBI

AL Runner Up – Evan Longoria (Rays) .347-.406-.621-23R-6HR-19RBI-4SB
NL Runner Up – Albert Pujols .333-.421-.626-17R-7HR-24RBI
AL Pitcher of the Month – Francisco Liriano (Twins) 36IP, 4-0, 36Ks, 1.50ERA, 1.08WHIP
NL Pitcher of the Month – Ubaldo Jimenez (Rockies) 41.1IP, 6-0, 44Ks, 0.87ERA, 1.02WHIP 

AL Runner Up – Phil Hughes (Yankees) 25IP, 3-0, 24Ks, 1.44ERA, 0.88WHIP
NL …

Although Frank Thomas hasn’t play a game since 2008 with Oakland, he wasn’t officially retired until now.  Thomas will hold a press conference at US Cellular Field today to make the official statement.  Thomas, aka The Big Hurt, spent 16 years of his 19 year career with the White Sox.  In the 90′s The Big Hurt was arguably the most dominant hitter in baseball and without a doubt the most intimidating, standing at 6’5″ 275 pounds.
From 1991-1999 Thomas averaged 32 HRs and 112 RBI a season.  In that same time …

Well, one of the last major free agents has finally been signed!  Matt Holliday announced on “The Doug Gottlieb Show” on ESPN Radio, that he was going to re-sign with the St. Louis Cardinals.  ESPN.com reports him saying, “Well, I think first of all, going into free agency I had in the back of my mind that I really liked my time in St. Louis and felt it was a good fit for me and my family…At the end of the day we decided that was best for us,” in …

Pittsburgh Pirates:
2009 Record: 62-99; 6th in the NL Central
2009 Key Players: Andrew McCutchen was huge in his rookie year.  He hit .286, had a.365 OBP from the leadoff spot and stole 22 bases (CS – 5) while scoring 74 runs in just 108 games.  28-year old rookie Garrett Jones had a great year as well.  In just 82 games he led the team with 21 HRs and a .293 BA.
2010 Needs: Everything; I’ll choose just one though.  Power hitter.  Granted Adam LaRoche was traded to the Braves and went on …

On Tuesday, Albert Pujols joined an elite group of men by winning his third Most Valuable Player award.  Among those men include Mike Schimdt, Alex Rodriguez, Stan Musial, Mickey Mantle, Jimmie Foxx, Joe DiMaggio, Roy Campanella, and Yogi Berra.  All who, except for A-Rod, are members of the Hall of Fame.  It’s also no surprise to me that the vote to make Pujols the MVP was unanimous and it shouldn’t have been to anyone who really knows baseball.  Albert Pujols’ nickname says everything that anyone needs to know about him …

Phillies 1, Giants 0 – Cole Hamels was a beast among men on Tuesday night throwing a two-hit shutout vs. the Giants.  This was by far the best game for Hamels this year coming at a great time down the stretch.  Hamels has really turned it on as of late and his ERA is now a semi-respectable 4.26.  Garko and Aurilia were the lone Giants hitters who got a hit against Hamels and Sandoval drew a walk.  Not only did Hamels pitch amazing but he stole his first base of …

Twins 11, Tigers 0 – Carl Pavano, the Tiger killer is 4-0 this season vs. them. This is literally the only reason the Twins got him and honestly I don’t care as long as he beats division rivals. He pitched 7 scoreless innings giving up just 5 hits, no walks and struck out 5. He got himself out of some tough jams, including a bases loaded one out jam in the 2nd. Mauer hit another HR, giving him 20 on the year which is a career high and Denard Span …

Doing his best Eva impression.

My AL pick to win the Wild Card got off to a good second half start.  The Rays beat the Royals 8-7 after scoring 2 runs in the 7th and 8th innings.  James Shields didn’t pitch well at all, 5.1 IP 7 ERs on 11 hits, but the bullpen pitched 3.2 IP giving up just 2 hits and a walk.  The Rays busted out the big bats gathering 12 hits including a HR from Pat the Bat Burrell and Evan Longoria.  Upton, Crawford, Longoria, Burrell,  and …

After much time and thought and some TERRIBLE pre-season picks, here is my updated second half list of who I think will win what.
American League Division Winners and Playoff Predictions
AL East – Red Sox
AL Central – White Sox
AL West – Angels
AL Wildcard- Rays
ALDS – Red Sox over White Sox; Angels over Rays
ALCS – Red Sox over Angels
National League Division Winners and Playoff Predictions
NL East – Phillies
NL Central – Astros
NL West – Dodgers
NL Wildcard – Giants
NLDS – Phillies over Giants; Dodgers over Astros
NLCS – Dodgers over Phillies
World Series
Dodgers over Red Sox …