Now that we are heading into the AllStar break last week, let's look at the current contenders and see what they need to do to be successful in the second half and beyond.

American League East:
- Yankees: The Yankees are in great shape and have done much to improve themselves. They need to stay healthy, continue to get good performances for the revamped bullpen and have their old starting pitchers hold up along the way. In the meantime, Bernie Williams will be back and hopefully Norm Johnson as well. Johnson was a big loss as his defense and OBP meant that the bases were always clogged up.

- Red Sox: The Red Sox addressed their biggest need with Kim becoming the closer. That makes the rest of their bullpen better (despite today's meltdown against the Devil Rays). They certainly have the best hitting in the league. The starting staff has to perform well down the stretch.

- The Blue Jays need pitching, pitching, pitching. They can hit with the best, but besides Halliday, they don't have the guns they need to stay in the race.


American League Central:
- Twins: The Twins are really in trouble. They look bad lately and they need to start pitching and they need to start hitting. They have the players. Those players just need to perform. I think they will fall out of it.

- Royals: The Royals helped themselves with Leskanic but need one more starter and they need Mike Sweeney back. Sweeney is their heart and their big bat. He has a back injury which is a very scarey prospect if you remember what happened to Don Mattingly.

- White Sox: The White Sox really made a statement and their concern now remains in their relief pitching. Their bullpen has been suspect so far.


American League West:
- Mariners: The Mariners seem to be in charge and with Boone (argh!) and Ichiro leading the way will score often. Their major concern is closing as Nelson just isn't a closer. Suzuki won't be much help the rest of the way.

- Oakland: The A's defense is hurting them as their offense. We all know about their pitching, but they need a big bat.

- Angels: The Angels are over and out. They will not be a factor.


National League East:
- Braves: The Braves don't seem to have any holes except for starting pitching (who ever thought we'd ever say that!). The Braves offense is also inconsistent although it shouldn't be.

- Phillies: The Phillies look great and all they need is for Pat Burrell to become the force he is supposed to be in the middle of that lineup. I still say that Burrell should bat third and Thome fourth. Then Burrell will get his pitches and start mashing.

- Expos: The Expos need a home and they need Vlad back. They also need one more bat. I don't think they will be able to do much to help themselves to contend.


National League Central:
- Cardinals: This is a three team race and none of the three wants to take control. The Cards need to find enough starting pitching and if so, will pull off a streak and win this thing.

- Cubs: The Cubs need the pitchers behind Prior and Wood to step up. They also need Sosa to become a force again and they need to take the ball away from Alfonseca at the end of the game. The Cubs are the one team that can use Benitez from the Mets.

- Astros: The Astros need to get Biggio out of centerfield and to get their starters healthy. Their relief pitching is great but their arms are going to fall off the way they are going.

- Reds: If the other three teams keep messing around, the Reds could sneak in a winning streak. They hit well enough. Their pitching is their question mark.


National League West:
- Giants: The Giants look fine but I still am suspect of their lineup around Bonds. They could use one more big bat I think.

- Dodgers: Hitting, hitting, hitting. Shawn Green needs to get going and they need two more good hitters. Their pitching is fine.

- Diamondbacks: They need their young players to continue to perform as surprisingly well as they are. That's a tough task to ask. I think they will cool off soon.