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1928 AL midseason standings
AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST
New York Yankees (50–34)
“Yankees are in first. Shouldn’t surprise anybody. They’re not perfect — the bullpen’s been shaky, they don’t hit in the rain, whatever excuse you wanna throw at ’em — but they’re the class o’ the division. They are clearly the best roster.
If they don’t win this division? That’s on them. That’s a failure. Plain and simple.”
Toronto Blue Jays (47–35, 2 GB)
“Toronto… listen… I give ’em credit. They’ve played well. But they’re one o’ these teams — and I say it every year — they look great in June, July… and then you look up in September and they’re three games back wonderin’ what happened.
They’re a nice lil’ team. Yankees are better.”
Boston Red Sox (45–40, 5.5 GB)
“Boston… they’re hangin’ around. That’s all they’re doin’. They’re hangin’. Y’know? They’re not dangerous. They’re not scary. They don’t have that guy you circle and say, ‘WE can’t let HIM beat us.’
They’ll be .500-ish, maybe they sneak into the wild card conversation if everyone else collapses.”
Baltimore Orioles (31–51)
“Baltimore’s terrible. That’s it. I got nothin’ else.”
Tampa Bay Rays (30–52)
“And Tampa’s worse. They don’t hit, they don’t pitch, they don’t draw, and they don’t win. Other than that they’re doin’ great.”
AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL
Detroit Tigers (46–38)
“Detroit’s the real deal. This isn’t a fluke. This team plays hard, they pitch, they got some guys who can hit in the clutch. This is a team that believes.
They’re not great, but they’re solid. And in this division? That’s enough.”
Cleveland Indians (41–43, 5 GB)
“Cleveland… they’re the same team last last year, the dynasty's over, folks.
Every. Single. Year.
Win a couple, lose a couple, win three, lose four. They’re allergic to momentum. They’ll finish 81–81 or somethin’. Seen it a million times.”
Kansas City Royals (37–45, 8 GB)
“Kansas City? Not ready. They got some talent, I’ll give ’em that, but they’re not there yet. They don’t know how to win these tight games. Maybe in two years.”
Chicago White Sox (34–47, 10.5 GB)
“White Sox? Lost. Completely lost. No identity. No direction. No pulse.”
Minnesota Twins (28–53)
“And Minnesota… they’re a disaster. They should get relegated. Ship ’em to another league.”
AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST
Texas Rangers (57–27)
“Texas is a MACHINE. They are poundin’ everybody. They’re the best team in baseball right now, it’s not even close.
When you win 57 games by the halfway mark? You’re elite. Absolute elite. They hit, they pitch, they run — they do everything well.
If they don’t win the pennant? Biggest choke job of the decade.”
Houston Astros (51–33, 6 GB)
“Houston’s excellent. Excellent. But they’re behind a juggernaut. Six back is nothin’ to sneeze at, though. They’d be in first in any other division.
This race isn’t over… but Texas is not slowin’ down.”
Seattle Mariners (44–41, 13.5 GB)
“Seattle… I mean, folks… what do ya want me to say? This team’s exhausted. They had another deep playoff run last year, they’re emotionally fried, they’re physically fried, and they got no consistency.
They’re good… but they’re not great. And in this division? Good doesn’t cut it.”
Oakland Athletics (38–46)
“Oakland wins a couple nice games here ’n there — but they’re not serious. They’re a spoiler team. That’s it.”
Anaheim Angels (31–53)
“And the Angels… oh PLEASE. Don’t even get me started.
Every year it’s the same thing: ‘This is the year they figure it out.’ No it’s not! It ain’t the year! It’s never the year!”
WRAP-UP (FRANCESA STYLE)
“Alright so here’s the bottom line: Yankees should win the East. Detroit’s good enough to win the Central because nobody else wants it. And Texas — Texas is the best team in baseball, and if they don’t get to the World Series, somethin’ went horribly wrong.
We’ll see what happens. But right now? That’s the landscape. That’s what it is. You don’t like it? Win more games.”
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