Confidential to the Rocket Surgeon

From Fox Sports...


Baltimore Orioles

So the O's bring in pitching Mahatma Leo Mazzone to help the staff. The results? Baltimore ranks 28th in the majors with a 5.59 starters' ERA and 25th in bullpen ERA, and they're on pace to give up almost 900 runs this season. You can't hemorrhage runs like that and be a team of consequence.

Midseason Grade: F


Boston Red Sox

It's by no means a secure one, but Boston's lead in the East is the largest of any divisional pace car in the AL. They're scoring runs in bunches (thanks mostly to MVP-caliber seasons from David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez and the on-base chops of Kevin Youkilis), and the front of the bullpen (i.e., Jonathan Papelbon and Mike Timlin) has been exceptional. The back end of the rotation remains a concern, but expect that to be addressed at the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline.

Midseason Grade: A-