Perception = reality. Look at the New York Yankees roster and you’re sold. Top to bottom, it’s stacked with the veterans and the up and comings, a potent mix for down the stretch in baseball. Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano, C.C. Sabathia, they’re all money. It’s hard not to buy into them. The perception of them being a great team is just so true. They are.

With the All-Star Game over, and teams back on the road for more series, I’m here to calculate some second half predictions. Because as we all know, it’s not how you start but how you finish. I’m feeling self-righteous. Will my perceptions turn into reality? Let’s get this underway:

1. The Boston Red Sox will finish with the third best record in baseball, but will miss the playoffs.
2. Ubaldo Jimenez will not win National League Cy Young for Colorado. Josh Johnson of Florida will.
3. The Cincinnati Reds will miss the playoffs, faltering on getting any decent pitcher during the trade deadline.
4. Adrian Gonzalez will be the biggest name dealt at the trade deadline as San Diego collapses in the National League West.
5. Josh Hamilton will win the triple crown, the most recent hitter in baseball to win since Carl Yastrzemski in 1967.
6. Stephen Strasburg will win National League Rookie of the Year, with 15 wins and 141 strikeouts.
7. The Houston Astros will finish as the worst team in baseball, five years removed from their 2005 World Series.
8. The Atlanta Braves will win the National League.
9. The New York Yankees will win 105 games, and be crowned back to back World Series Champions.
10. The Chicago Cubs will blow it up. Joe Girardi will walk away from the New York Yankees for the Cubbies after back to back rings.