Some Second Half MLB Predictions

Here are three predictions - some might consider them bold - for the second half of, what should be a very entertaining baseball season:

Mike Trout wins AL MVP. I know the Angel's center-fielder has missed a bunch of games - 45 to be exact - but hear me out. He currently holds a .337 batting average to go along with 16 homers and 36 RBI's. Those aren't great numbers through nearly 100 games, but it's a solid base. Aaron Judge is currently in the lead for AL MVP and is the new "face of baseball", at least according to Commissioner Manfred. But what people have failed to discuss is the epic collapse that the Yankees are in the midst of. After being 17 games over .500 a month ago, at the All-Star break they are just 4 games over even. If Mike Trout can will the Angels into the postseason, and the Yankees slide continues, Trout staking claim to yet another MVP award is not out of question.

The Cubs don't make the playoffs. No one has said much in regards to the Cubs slow start, but they're currently 5.5 games out of first place in the NL Central, and entirely out of the Wild Card picture. I am here to say that the Cubbies won't get it figured out and that the World Series hangover is real. They broke the century-long curse last year, so maybe they're entitled to an off season, but to think it is a forgone conclusion that the Cubs will get back on track is a mistake. They won't. They'll be watching the playoffs from the couch.

Manny Machado gets traded. WHAT? Yeah, it makes sense. The Orioles are out of it and Machado will be a free agent after next season. There has long been speculation that he will depart Baltimore once he hits the open market. If the Orioles want to be compensated for his departure by moving him now they could secure a king's ransom and then some. When it happens, I called it here first.