updated 8:26 p.m. ET July 22, 2008

Let's get nit-picky. We'll have to in order to find fault with the Angels and Cubs — Sporting News' midseason picks to reach the World Series. Each team cleared the necessary hurdles to reach the All-Star break sporting the best record in its league.

The Angels aren't strangers to this position — they won baseball's biggest prize in 2002 and have made the playoffs three times since. The Cubs aren't quite postseason veterans, but with the most talented roster in the National League, they're driving the cart these days.

"I just think they're probably the least vulnerable team out there, as far as getting to the World Series," one major league scout says.

Least vulnerable. Not invulnerable.

The Cubs' greatest strength is their balanced lineup, anchored by their corner infielders — first baseman Derek Lee and third baseman Aramis Ramirez. Lee has been his usual consistent and productive self, and Ramirez has shown more patience at the plate — he already has more walks this year (47) than he had all of last season (43).

"I know that's something they've been trying to do, to get him to be more selective and have more consistent quality at-bats," an NL scout says. "He's in great shape this year. He's leaner, his bat's quicker through the zone. He looks really good."

Chicago manager Lou Piniella has the experience of five division titles and a World Series championship under his belt. And the Cubs addressed their rotation issues by trading for Rich Harden, who has ace potential and a history of injuries. But he's healthy for now — he struck out 10 in each of his starts with the Cubs. The rest of the staff, though, is a bit of a question.

"I know it's been strong, but the bullpen could be the Achilles' heel," the NL scout says. "There's been mileage put on Bobby Howry, and there's some mileage and always the injury concern with Kerry Wood. Carlos Marmol is electric but can be erratic at times. From the left side, Scott Eyre has been on the DL, and Neal Cotts is very inconsistent."

If the Cubs make it to the World Series, they might wish that Wood, their closer, had been able to pitch in the All-Star game (he had a blister and might go on the DL).

The NL could have used his power arm in the 15-inning marathon in which the AL once again wrapped up home-field advantage in the World Series. The Cubs are 37-12 at Wrigley Field and just 20-28 on the road.

The Angels, meanwhile, are better on the road (31-18) than at home (28-20). And there's reason to believe they'll be even better in the second half: Their disabled list has been fitted with a revolving door — leadoff man Chone Figgins has been there twice — testing manager Mike Scioscia's genius repeatedly. Yet here they are, atop the American League.

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Despite their consistent winning ways, there are issues that need to be addressed. Middle relief is shaky, and the Angels are 21st in the majors in runs per game, which puts constant pressure on the rotation.

"They have good speed and some power, but they seem to run very hot-and-cold with scoring runs," the major league scout says. "They could use another left-handed hitter, though I don't know where they'd put him."

And that's part of the problem with the offense. Every player in Scioscia's clubhouse plays an important role; there isn't really a way to marginally improve anywhere. Giving the offense a jolt would require trading for an MVP-type hitter such as the Rockies' Matt Holliday, and the Angels never have been willing to pay that high a price in prospects.

Chances are the Angels will make do with what they have, which will be enough if everyone stays healthy.

"The strength of the Angels is they have lots of interchangeable parts and a manager who knows how to use all 25 guys," the major league scout says. "And they have very good starting pitching and a closer (Francisco Rodriguez) who could end up setting the record for saves in a season. That's pretty compelling."

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