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Note: All stats through July 3.
Sosa AP |
The Good ... Sammy Sosa (.307, 27, 76) is still Mr. Excitement. But the real excitement has come from a stellar pitching staff that includes Jon Lieber (10-4, 3.14), Kerry Wood (8-5, 3.39), Julian Tavarez (6-5, 3.74) and Jason Bere (5-4, 4.41). The 3.77 ERA among starters is second in the NL only to Atlanta.
The Bad ... The pitching has carried the Cubs because, other than Sosa and Rondell White (.302, 13, 36), the Cubs are hurting offensively. Gary Matthews Jr. (.231) hasn't helped much. Also, some possible trouble: Kevin Tapani has not won a game since June 2.
The Rest ... You're always waiting for the other shoe to drop with the Cubs. But they have the pitching this season. Opponents are hitting .161 off closer Flash Gordon. We're not predicting a Cubs pennant -- what're you, crazy? -- but they're in position.
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Berkman AP |
The Good ... Lance Berkman (.355, 22, 71) got a well-deserved All-Star nod, as did Moises Alou (.365, 18, 61). The Astros can pound the ball (as the league-leading 125 HRs attest). Craig Biggio (.304, 13, 37) is solid and the pickup of Vinny Castilla (.283, 6, 25) is paying dividends. Wade Miller is 10-3 with a 3.75 ERA.
The Bad ... It's hard to knock the team ERA in a park like Enron, but Scott Elarton is 4-8 with a 6.92 ERA -- which would be pretty bad in a bedroom. It's not a speedy team -- 12th in stolen bases -- but then again, with those bats, speed isn't all that critical.
The Rest ... This is a team that can get hot and make things miserable for the Cubs. The starting pitching is there. The hitting is there. Octavio Dotel is OK in the pen (2.13 ERA) while Billy Wagner has 18 saves. This team can win.
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Sheets AP |
The Good ... Jeromy Burnitz isn't hitting for average, but he's got power (.254, 18, 60). Tyler Houston (.320, 12, 36) had a nice first half. Richie Sexson (.264, 17, 53) was solid. But it was young Ben Sheets (10-4, 3.35) who stole the show and has the Brewers thinking the unthinkable.
The Bad ... Other than the few mentioned above and maybe one or two others, the Brewers don't hit particularly well. And they're on a record-setting strikeout pace. Their pitchers also have walked more batters than anyone in the league -- not a good sign. And when a rookie has become your ace -- that's another bad sign.
The Rest ... Another team that can get hot. The question is if the Brewers have the pitching to sustain it. The Brewers aren't likely to make any major moves before the trade deadline, but if Sheets can stay hot, they're solid and won't beat themselves.
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Pujols AP |
The Good ... All-Star Albert Pujols (.345, 21, 66) has been unbelievable. Matt Morris (10-4, 2.65) also is an All-Star. Placido Polanco (.327) is getting on base. And the Cards are hanging in there despite a myriad of injuries.
The Bad ... Those injuries start with Mark McGwire, but J.D. Drew (.330, 21, 49) was off to an All-Star start before he broke his hand. And Jim Edmonds (.282, 13, 45) has been bothered by injuries, too. Get them well and the Cards could be in it.
The Rest ... If the Cardinals do get everyone healthy, they won't need to make a move before the trade deadline. They have starters who could get hot (Andy Benes, Dustin Hermanson, Darryl Kile) -- or go stone cold. They need McGwire. They need Pujols to stay hot. That could be enough.
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Casey AP |
The Good ... Sean Casey (.330, 10, 58) is a solid All-Star, and the Reds get help from Dmitri Young (.320, 7, 30) and Alex Ochoa (.309, 7, 35). If Ken Griffey Jr. stays healthy and gets hot in the second half, the Reds could spoil some parties.
The Bad ... But not at home, where they've won only 10 times in the first half and never in consecutive games. There has been a lot of rancor concerning contract talks with some of the free agents-to-be (Pokey Reese, Casey, pitcher Danny Graves). Barry Larkin is hurt and could miss the rest of the season. Pete Harnisch is still on the shelf. Oh woe are the Reds.
The Rest ... General manager Jim Bowden already has made some moves and he's not done. At 16 1/2 games out, he's looking to dump as much salary as he can to make room to sign the likes of Reese, Casey and Graves (and there are others he wants). Reload time for the Reds in the second half.
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Giles AP |
The Good ... Thank goodness for Brian Giles (.341, 19, 51). Otherwise, other than that beautiful new PNC Park the Pirates play in, we wouldn't have anything at all to put under this category.
The Bad ... The pitching has been bad, bad, bad. The starters, who shall remain nameless, have a 5.76 ERA. That's Ranger-like. The 4.72 ERA in relief is better only than the Rockies in the NL. And hitting? Well, at .249 as a team, it's clear the Bucs are not. Jason Kendall (.261, 4, 28) has disappointed.
The Rest ... Skipper Lloyd McClendon is doing what he can with some on-the-job training, but the Pirates are clearly overmatched. They may get some help by trading outfielder John Vander Wal (.277, 9, 46), but it won't be much. They're on their way to a 100-loss season. Nice park, though.
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