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After six years of tertiary education and numerous part-time positions within sport and recreation, Daniel secured an ideal full time role within local government in November 2010.
Away from work, Daniel has 18 years of cricket experience under his belt and has coached and served on committees at numerous clubs. He also plays baseball in winter and is again a member of the club committee.
Sport and recreation is an obvious interest for Daniel and his articles reflect that, especially his knowledge of cricket and football.
The owner, manager and editor in chief of Pen & Paper Sports, Daniel hopes to see the site grow from strength to strength in the future.
A third of the 2012 MLB season has been completed however things are still sorting themselves out in each of the six divisions. There have been some marked improvers, in particular the Dodgers and the Orioles, whilst others have dropped away, in particular the Brewers, the Phillies and the Tigers.
American League East
This is the tightest division to date, with just 4 games separating all five teams. The Orioles are continuing to prove people wrong, especially on the road, whilst the Yankees are lurking just behind them. It's still hard to tell who will take the title and who may snatch a wildcard.
Orioles
Yankees -0.5
Rays -1.0
Blue Jays -2.0
Red Sox -4.0
American League Central
The White Sox have had an impressive start to the season after a poor 2011. The Tigers have struggled and are 6 games back already, however I still tip them to return to form and finish second in the division. Will they do enough to snatch a wildcard berth though?
White Sox
Indians -0.5
Tigers -6.0
Royals -6.5
Twins -9.0
American League West
The Rangers are continuing on from their good form of 2011 and are unlikely to be challenged for the divisional title. The other three teams in this division are unlikely to take a wildcard off the second and third best in the East.
Rangers
Angels -4.5
Mariners -8.0
Athletics -8.0
National League East
Another tight division where just 2.5 games separates the top four teams. The Nationals are surprising many whilst the Phillies are struggling to find their mojo of recent years. Despite the good start by the Nationals, I expect it to stop soon and the Braves to surge to the top, closely followed by the rebranded Marlins.
Nationals
Braves -2.0
Marlins -2.0
Mets -2.5
Phillies -6.0
National League Central
The Brewers have struggled big time thus far in 2012 and are already 6.5 games behind the Reds. Their impressive record of 96 & 66 from 2011 looks certain to be worse this season. The Cubs and Astros are all but out of it just like last season.
Reds
Cardinals -3.0
Pirates -3.0
Brewers -6.5
Astros -7.5
Cubs -12.5
National League West
The Dodgers have been the most improved team in all of baseball this season and there is no reason they won’t continue on to win the division. The Giants are unlikely to let a playoff berth slip and will probably secure a wildcard. The others are already too far back.
Dodgers
Giants -4.0
Diamondbacks -9.0
Rockies -11.5
Padres -17.0
Playoff Predictions
Divisional Winners: Yankees, White Sox, Rangers, Braves, Cardinals & Dodgers
Wildcards: Rays, Orioles, Marlins & Giants
Batting Statistics
Batting Average: .366 – Konerko (White Sox)
RBI: 58 – Hamilton (Rangers)
Home Runs: 21 – Hamilton (Rangers)
Pitching Statistics
ERA: 1.87 – Beachy (Braves)
Wins: 8 – Capuano (Dodgers), Dickey (Mets), Hamels (Phillies) & Lynn (Cardinals)
Strike Outs: 86 – Verlander (Tigers)
Fielding Statistics
1.000 with Most Total Chances: 480 (431 Put Outs & 49 Assists) – Gonzalez (Red Sox)
DJC
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Image courtesy of USA Today
