What clubs stay focused heading into the break?
By JOSH NAGEL
Similar to employees who are approaching a vacation, Major League Baseball players and teams seem to fit into one of two categories.
There are those who make a point of taking care of business before catching a needed respite, and there are those who get a head start on their rest and relaxation before they are officially off the clock.
With the MLB All-Star break just around the corner, bettors need to become conscious of what teams will remain focused in this final week and which ones are booking their vacation spots.
From 2004-08, the top teams in MLB record-wise in the week before the break are the Atlanta Braves (22-11), New York Yankees (22-11), Detroit Tigers (21-12), St. Louis Cardinals (21-12) and Boston Red Sox (20-13). The Texas Rangers also are 20-13 in this span, but lose a tiebreaker to the Red Sox based on their 8-6 record pre-All Star week over the past two seasons compared to Boston’s 9-4.
These teams all share one glaring trait: they are led by veteran managers such as Atlanta’s Bobby Cox and Tony LaRussa of St. Louis who have ways to keep their clubs focused on the task at hand.
Here’s a brief look at the current state of affairs and slate ahead for these teams in the week before the All-Star break.
Atlanta Braves (22-11 week before break in the last five seasons)
Despite a pitching staff that ranks in the Top 5 in most major categories, the Braves’ 23rd-ranked offense has cost them plenty of close games. They head into the break with road trips at the Chicago Cubs and Colorado Rockies. They have won four straight to counter a four-game skid.
New York Yankees (22-11 week before break in the last five seasons)
The surging Yankees always seem to pick up steam this time of year, and this season has been no exception. They have won eight of their past 10 games behind the league’s second-ranked offense (5.51 runs per game), which has carried their disappointing pitching staff. They head into the break with three-game road swings against the Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Angels.
Detroit Tigers (21-12 week before break in the last five seasons)
Veteran skipper Jim Leyland has the Tigers back on top of the division on the heels of a disappointing 2008 season. The Tigers have upcoming three-game home stands against the Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Indians. The Tigers are 23-11 at home this year.
St. Louis Cardinals (21-12 week before break in the last five seasons)
Led by MVP favorite and triple-crown threat Albert Pujols and an overachieving pitching staff, the Cardinals have enjoyed a strong start but have dropped seven of their last 11 games. They visit the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs ahead of the All Star break.
Boston Red Sox (20-13 week before break in the last five seasons)
The explosive Red Sox are third in the majors at 5.27 runs per game, fifth in home runs and are in the Top 5 of most major offensive categories. However, their pitching has been the story lately. They have yielded four or fewer runs five times in wining seven of their past 10. They finish up with a home stand next week against the Oakland A’s and Kansas City Royals before the break.