The big story in baseball at the halfway point of the season is multi-layered but the success of the Cubs and Sox is right at the top. Both teams are in first and looking to stay there for a long time. Both are great bets to make the post season. So with that said, here are my picks for everything MLB as the game heads toward the three-day party known as the All-Star Game.

Biggest surprise: American League The Tampa Bay Rays are in first place. That's enough right there. Joe Madden is Manager of the Year at this point as he's taken a bunch of very talented young players, mixed in some vets and is going toe to toe with the Red Sox in the AL East. Evan Longoria is my pick for Rookie of the Year while Troy Percival is again among the best closers in the game. If baseball is a game of patience, Taopa Bay is the epitome of that quality in 2008.

Biggest disappointment: American League Cleveland is tied with the Royals for last place in the AL Central. I know the Tribe has had injury problems but a team with that talent should not be as bad as Cleveland has been.

Mid-point AL award winners:

Cy Young: There are a lot of candiates but right now Francisco Rodriguez is on pace to break Bobby Thigpen's saves record. I'll go with K-Rod despite his constant histeronics.

MVP: Carlos Quintin of the Sox is having a banner year on a very good team. But he's not that well known a name. If his second half matches his first, he's right there. Josh Hamilton of the Rangers is a great story with his comeback from off-field problems. His numbers are huge but he's got to stay healthy.

Playoff teams: Boston, Tampa Bay, Sox and Angels

Mid-point NL winners:

Cy Young: If Ryan Dempster could win on the road, he'd be in the discussion. Brandon Webb was fantastic early but his team is struggling. He can go back to the top of the list if the D-backs are revived. Edson Volquez of the Reds has been tougher than tough for a terrible team while Tim Lincecum is in the same boat. I'll go with the Giants right as of now.

MVP: OK, let's put the big hitters to the siad. Berkman, Pujols, Howard, etc. If you really want the player who has been the most valuable to his team, it's the Cubs Giovanny Soto. The rookie has done everyting and more that's been asked of him. But catrcher's numbers usually fade in the second half, so the Cubs have to stay atop the division which they should

Biggest surprise: The Cardinals. What in the wide,wide world of sports is a team with a starting rotation made up of Kyle Loshe, Brandon Looper,Mitchell Boggs, Todd Wellemeyer and who knows whom is standing 11 games over .500 and within 2 1/2 of the best team in the league ? . This just shows you how good Tony LaRussa and Dave Duncan (pitching coach) really are. The bullpen will probably keep St. Louis from catching the Cubs but a predicted disaster of a season has turned into a very pleasant summer (s far) in Birdland.

Biggest disappointment: The entire AL West 

What do you think ? Let's hear it