MLB 33.3% season report

by Steve

National League

The class of the NL thus far has been none other than the 'mazins, the New York Mets. With injuries to their outfield, infield, and starting pitching, the Mets continue to win and by far have the best winning percentage in the so called quadruple A league. Here is a quick break down of each team at the 1/3 point of the season.

West

L.A. Dodgers (32-23)
The old adage that pitching wins is quite apparent in Los Angles right now with their top 3 arguably the best in base ball with Wolf, Penny and Lowe all with ERA's below 3.70 yikes. The offense needs to pick it up though with only the catcher, Russel Martin above .300 on the season. Couple questions, when are people going to realize Juan Pierre is not great, when is Matt Kemp gonna be a regular, and when is Chad Billingsley gonna be a starter????

San Diego Padres (32-23)
Wow Adrian Gonzalez is a beast, and Jake Peavy is showing his true colors after a checkered 2006. With a spectacular top 3 rotation and drunkard veteran David Wells as a 4th this team will be alive through September. Lacking a true stick in the line up and an over hyped Kouzmanoff continueing to scuffle at the plate take the under every chance you get with this team involved.

Arizona Diamondbacks (33-24)
Solidifying potentially the strongest division in baseball is the D'backs. With five 7+ start pitchers with ERA's below 4, yes shocking, this team is young and can toe the rubber with anyone. Potential phenoms like Chris Young, Conner Jackson, Stephen Drew, and liquid mercury hot Mark Reynolds this team has a young nucleus that should scare any NL West fan. This division is up for grabs straight up.

S.F. Giants (26-28)
Barroid has cooled off, and Matt Cain just isn't getting the run support. But with a solid rotation, albeit wayyyy over paying for Zito, this team will be around throughout the summer. Although Dave Roberts .283 OBP isn't helping anyone, this team has some bats in the line up with 3 regulars over .300, Klesko, Winn, and Molina. Hopefully Barry retires 1 shy of the all time record, then again maybe i'll get a domer from Paris Hilton.

Colorado Rockies (26-30)
With a bunch of no-namer youngins like Fogg(31), Francis(26), Hirsh(25), and Cook(28), maybe this team is building something decent for the future, or they have a bunch of 3's and 4's and clearly no ace of the staff. Either way Helton and Holliday can flat our rack, and Troy Tulowitzki is a balla at SS. But what happen to .329 29 and 120 Garret Adkins? And don't look now but Kazuo is hitting .311. See you in 2 years Rockies...

Central

Milwaukee Brewers (31-25)
The Brew crew have some beasts, JJ Hardy, the Prince, and if Ricky Weeks can find his stroke this team will remain at the top of the Central division. Although this division contains the most teams it currently is the most pathetic division. Either way, the Brewers hold a strong lead on the mediocre to terrible competition and with Sheets and Capuano holding down the fort look for this team to stay atop the central throughout the summer.

Pittsburgh Pirates (24-31)
Six and a half back and seemingly in this thing, the Pirates have a potentially stellar rotation led by Ian Snell, Tom Gorzellanny, and Zack Duke. It appears the trade, and a some what shocking one, trading a steady bullpen guy, Gonzalez, to the Bravos for Adam LaRoche, has benefited neither team. LR is hitting .217 with 5 dingers while G-z is on the DL. The Pirates probably don't have the offense to make a run but if Zack Duke can be fixed the Pirates should stay within reach of the Brewers.

St. Louis Cardinals (23-30)
This team is what you would called a classic World Series hangover team. The death of a team mate is tough, coupled with the manager also getting a dooee and shit aint right in the club house. Carpenter should create a lift, and if Albert is right this team will contend amongst this mediocre group of teams in the central United States.

Houston Astros (23-32)
No hope for Roger the dodger Clemens in the second half this time. Winning a solid 2 out of their last 10 and only losing 1 game on the division leading Brewers is some consolation for a team that flat out sucks. Little big man Roy Oswalt can't carry the team every night and free agent bust Carlos Lee whoaa hold on he's actually batting .317 and leads the NL in runs batted in with 49 apparently isn't the problem. Well then it must be the rest of the team, so i'll blame Morgan Ensberg (.226) and Brad Lidge. At least they have Hunter Pence, hot shot rookie.

Chicago Cubs (22-31)
To quote Shea Hillenbrad, "This is a sinking ship" Fuck the lovable losers no one is lovin' them.

Cincinnati Reds (22-35)
Well Bronso Arroyo has fallen off the face of the Earth. Clearly pitching is the problem, the team lacks a starter with a sub 4 ERA and little to back up Aaron Harang as the ace. Wait, does Alex Gonzalez really have 11 dingers already? Who needs strike out king Adam Dunn when you have 11 dingers from the short stop position. One regular near or above .300 doesn't help much but at least they have KGJ who is looking to get 600 hr's this season. Well that and the shitty division where no one is dead.

East

NY Mets (34-19)
Currently playing with a makeshift outfield, Delgado batting below .230, D Wright struggling at the dish, the surprise thus far has been the consistent pitching of Oli Perez, Maine, Sosa and Co. Thought to be the weakness of the team heading into the season the starting pitching is the main reason the Mets have the best record in the National League.

Atlanta Braves (31-23)
Very much alive in the division race and currently 2 games back of the Wild Card, the Braves are battling in the N.L. East. With one of the stronger top of the rotation pitchers in Hudson and Smoltz, expect the Braves to be around all season. Doing what they always do, plugging in young players like Kelly Johnson and catcher Saltalamacchia, there seems to be a never ending stream of talent from the farm. The health of Mike Golazalez in the bully and heart attack inducing closer Bob Wickman must stabilize the 'pen if the Bravos will be playing in October.

Philadelphia Phillies (26-28)
Inconsistancy at the dish from players like Jimmy Rollins, who is expected to kick start this offense, and a scuffling Ryan Howard are keeping this team from playing up to expectations. A really mediocre 2,3,4 in the rotation are really holding this team down as well. Expect the offense to come alive as summer approaches as this team is too talented to fall out of playoff contentions just yet.

Florida Marlins (26-29)
Hanley Ramirez is a beast, and Migele Cabrera continues to mash as he appears to be the heir apparent to Manny Ramirez as the top hitter in the league. Injuries to the starting rotation including Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco, Sergio Mitre, Anibal Sanchez holy smokes, this team is some how still alive and only 3 games under five hundred. The offense hasn't been immune to injuries either. Expect big things from this club as the team recently acquired a bonified closer and injured players return.

Washington Nationals (23-32)
A young team who has recently gotten hot is still a year or two away. Good news recently as the owner has announced he will be greatly expanding upon the teams salary number for next season. The move to a new ballpark soon is also something to look foward too. Look for Ryan Zimmerman and the young players to continue to grow and mature throughout the season.



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