SI

X-factors and records to watch for when second-half begins

For this week's issue of Sports Illustrated, I projected the full end-of-season standings. One spoiler: look for the Nationals to make a late surge. Not only

Joe Lemire

X-factors and records to watch for when second-half begins
X-factors and records to watch for when second-half begins /
Matt Harrison hasn't pitched since April 6 but he could make a big impact if he rejoins the Rangers' rotation.
Matt Harrison hasn't pitched since April 6 but he could make a big impact if he rejoins the Rangers' rotation / AP

For this week's issue of Sports Illustrated, I projected the full end-of-season standings. One spoiler: look for the Nationals to make a late surge. Not only have they underperformed their talent level, but they also have a favorable second-half schedule: from Aug. 19 through Sept. 22, they play only three of 33 games against clubs with winning records.

Published
Joe Lemire
JOE LEMIRE

Staff Writer, Sports Illustrated Staff writer Joe Lemire is in his seventh year at Sports Illustrated and his fourth season covering baseball full time. Lemire writes features and analysis for SI and SI.com and is responsible for the website's weekly MLB Power Rankings. He has profiled Pirates star Andrew McCutchen and Braves rookie sensation Evan Gattis for the magazine. Lemire's penchant for covering America's pastime is to be expected considering his inspirations, Tom Verducci and Peter Gammons, are among the most well-known writers in the sport. Before his current role, Lemire spent his first three years with SI oscillating between baseball, college basketball, high school football and sports business. This came on the heels of a summer internship with the magazine in 2004 and a tenure as a stringer with SI: On Campus. Born in Richmond, Va., and raised in Lowell, Mass., Lemire graduated from the University of Virginia in 2005 with a B.A. in government and a minor in economics. Before joining SI he covered high school and college sports for the Daily News-Record in Harrisonburg, Va. He earned two Virginia Press Association awards for his work, one while a student writing at University of Virginia's Cavalier Daily and one at the Daily News-Record.

Home/MLB