Boston began the season well, slumped due to inconsistent pitching, then rallied as Curt Shilling and Josh Beckett rebounded to establish what many consider one of the top one-two pitching punches in the Major Leagues. Manny Ramirez and “Big Papi,” David Ortiz, are both having great offensive years and the Red Sox defense, very suspect in past seasons, has become one of the best in the American League. The addition of Mike Lowell at third and Mark Loretta at second have helped considerably.

New York can never be counted out, what with the most prolific offense in baseball and the deepest pockets. Still, erratic pitching and injuries to Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui have caused the Yanks to sputter at times. Toronto is breathing down the Bronx Bombers’ neck and the race in this division should be quite entertaining by the time September rolls around.

In the American League Central, Detroit has been the biggest surprise of the season. The Tigers got off to a hot start and, despite the predictions of experts of every stripe, refused to fold. At the All-Star break, Detroit had the best record in baseball.

The Tigers have wrought this miracle due to great starting pitching, a solid bullpen, consistent offense, and savvy managing. Jim Leyland is one of the best managers in baseball and figures to keep the Tigers in the hunt well into October.

The World Champion White Sox are hanging close, right behind the Tigers. Chicago has the best starting rotation in the league and is putting up solid offensive numbers. I suspect Chicago may overtake the Tigers by September, barring a major injury to the pitching staff. Much of the Sox’ success can be attributed to the rebirth of slugger Jim Thome, who is a virtual lock for Comeback Player of the Year. Thome is close to the 30-homer mark at midseason.

Minnesota got off to a miserable start but has rebounded. Francisco Liriano came out of nowhere to establish himself as perhaps the best pitcher in the league during the first half of the season. Combined with staff ace Johan Santana, Minnesota has two stellar lefthanders at the top of its rotation and veteran Brad Radke is coming back as well, pitching better out of the number three hole. Catcher Joe Mauer has shocked the baseball world. Mauer, a virtual unknown, was hitting .391 at the end of last week and leads a Twin offense that is scoring runs by playing smart baseball. Further, Ron Gardenhire is one of the most underrated managers in the game. Gardenhire is a smart baseball man and knows how to toy with a lineup to get maximum offensive production.

Cleveland, predicted to be solid contenders, have slumped badly. Although the Indian offense remains one of the most prolific in baseball, the pitching staff has been woeful. Cleveland is typically a strong second half team, but this season, it will be tough for the Tribe to dig out of the hole they have created. It would take a meltdown of major proportions for the Indians to vault past Detroit, Chicago and Minnesota.

In the West, Oakland has risen to the top of a very strange division. The Angels, predicted by most to win this race, have been in a season-long slump and are currently mired in last place. Texas has been hot, then cold, then hot, then cold. The Rangers and Oakland figure to fight it out for the top spot and my guess is Oakland will win.

Over in the National League, things are not so clear. Other than the Mets, no team is without a major weakness.

In the East, the Mets can put it on cruise control and coast to the pennant. Atlanta, winners of 14 straight division titles, will be lucky not to finish in fourth or fifth place. Indeed, Turner Field is a most unhappy place these days.

The Central Division is shaping up to be a four-team race. St. Louis is faltering, despite having one of the best teams in the Senior Circuit. The Cardinals entered the All-Star break staggering. The Red Birds lost what was once a sizable cushion and are being pressed by the Reds, the Astros and even the Brewers. The pitching staff in St. Louis, usually a strong point, is very inconsistent. Unless manager Tony LaRussa and pitching coach Dave Duncan figure out some way to right the ship, September could be a cold month in St. Louis. Keep in mind that for the past two seasons, Houston has been very strong in the second half of the season and, with the late addition of a rested Roger Clemens, could mount a charge to the top of the heap.

In the West, things are very unclear. All five teams are hovering around the .500 mark and slightly above. Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco figure to fight it out over the last month of the season. At this juncture, it is hard to say who will come out on top.

Yes, fans, the second half of the 2006 season should prove entertaining. Stay tuned.