5 Mid Season Story-lines - American League

American League

1. By far the biggest story of the American League is incredible success of Otterville Valley.  On pace for an unthinkable 121 wins, the Otters are making a claim as one of the best teams in ATB history.  Led by Fred Dunlap (on pace for 154 RBI) and Vern Law (on pace for 24-2 record), all other teams will be measured against this Jason B's franchise for the rest of this season.
2. The race for the AL Central Title.   With the recent surge of the AL East's Critical Failures, coupled with some poor play out of the AL Central, winning the division may be the only avenue to the playoffs for this solid division.  One of two divisions with each team above .500, every day at the park is a crucial event, every lineup change meaningful.  Currently the Red Eagles cling to a 2.5 game lead over the surging Bivalves, with the early leading Cole Trains in 3rd, and the Miners in 4th.  The latter of which always seems to be on the cusp of a breakout, but can never quite put a string of wins together to justify the leagues 3rd best Run Differential.
3. Turkey Stearnes of Ohio, the dude mashes baseballs.  Sure he could do with a walk every once in a while, but purely from a fan enjoyment standpoint, Stearnes is the most exciting player in ATB.  This year - the OF/DH is on pace for 187 RBI and ... 21 walks.
4. How many runs can the Tiger Kings give up as a team.   Wynnewood already has the leagues worst offense, but if you couple that with a historically poor pitching staff (yielding 5.7 runs per game!) it makes for a long season.
5. Does anyone want to win the AL West?  Birmingham has led the division for most of the season, but at 2 games over .500 they are hardly unbeatable.  The issue?  The next best team is 13 games under .500 and on a 4 game losing streak.  Odds are Birmingham can hold on, but if Fox City or Ohio go on a 20-10 run at one point, this division could look very different by September.