2014 All-Star Break Standings

 In April I made some predictions for the MLB season. Some teams have lived up to them, while others have not. Plenty of time remains for teams to turn around, but this is how things are in mid July.
 

Rosters announced for Home Run Derby, All-Star Game in Minnesota

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The Home Run Derby for Major League Baseball is Monday, July 14, and the All-Star Game is the following day. Both are in Minnesota. The format for the Home Run Derby is changing this year, where the top American League and National League players will now end up facing each other in the finals, which was not always the case. Five Players from each league will participate, instead of the usual four, and each player is given less outs than 10.

Home Run Derby AL Players

Jose Bautista (Blue Jays), Josh Donaldson (Athletics), Brian Dozier (Twins), Adam Jones (Orioles) and 2013 Derby winner Yoenis Cespedes (Athletics). 

Home Run Derby NL Players

Troy Tulowitzki, Justin Morneau (both Rockies), Giancarlo Stanton (Marlins), Yasiel Puig (Dodgers), and Tod Frazier (Reds).

Go here to see which players are in the All-Star game.

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Colorado Rockie's Offense Displays Multiple "Fireworks Shows"

The MLB Season is still early, but it's been special, especially for a team like the Colorado Rockies (22-14). While they have a much better offense than pitching every year, this year they have dominated the scoreboard consistently. The Rockies scored 29 runs total in the last three games.

The Rockies lead in basically every offensive category. The team batting average is .310 percent, the next best team is Detroit with a .285 percent average! Colorado has hit 50 long bombs, 87 doubles (71 for second) and scored 215 runs, 36 more runs than the White Sox, at second place in the category.

What players in particular have contributed to the fireworks? Superstars Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez are doing great, where Tulowitzki leads the nation in batting average (.414%) and Gonzalez recently hit five for five in a game against Texas.

Several key young players are making a huge impact as well. First, Charley Blackman had a hot start, where he hit 6/6 in a game against Arizona in early April, and has maintained a high level of play. Next, third baseman Nolan Arenado has pushed a 28 game hitting streak, along with maintaining his even more talented defensive skills. Former Twins player Justin Morneau has also contributed substantially, who has replaced recently retired Todd Helton at first base.

While it's yet to see whether or not the pitching will be able to sustain the Rockies' success, the offense should consistently put points on the scoreboard.