The Good: The pitching is not what it used to be, but neither is the hitting, and that's good news for the Braves. Gary Sheffield, despite lots of competition, is having an MVP-type year (.327, 22 homers, 70 RBIs). And you want to talk strong up the middle? All-Star second baseman Marcus Giles (.291) and All-Star shortstop Rafael Furcal (.282) have cooled off, but they get on base at the top of the lineup and provide solid defense up the middle. All-Star Andruw Jones provides his usual great defense in center. And All-Star catcher Javy Lopez is having a renaissance, hitting .307 with 23 homers and 52 RBIs at the break. Pitching-wise, the Braves have All-Stars Russ Ortiz (12-4, 3.51) and John Smoltz (34 saves).
The Bad: Greg Maddux (7-8, 4.63) is not the Maddux of old. The jury is still debating Mike Hampton (5-5, 4.85) and Shane Reynolds (7-4, 5.46). The signing of Paul Byrd looks like a bad idea, seeing as he's gone for the season. Oh, and what's that? Bobby Cox got ejected again?
What's Next: The Braves have hit 140 homers, most in the majors, so they're capable of putting up a lot of runs in a hurry. And their pitching is good enough (watch out for rookie Horacio Ramirez) to keep them close in most games until the offense kicks in. This is the Braves' division to lose, and being a veteran team, with an 8 ½ game lead, the Braves aren't likely to lose it.
The Good: Pitching makes this team go. All-Star Randy Wolf is 10-4 with a 3.31 ERA. Kevin Milwood threw a no-hitter in May and is 10-6 with a 3.60. Young Brett Myers (9-6, 3.65) will be good for years to come, and Vicente Padilla (8-8, 3.81) can be just plain nasty. Jose Mesa makes people nervous, but he has 18 saves. And with Jim Thome heating up (23 homers, 67 RBIs), as well as young center fielder Marlon Byrd (.356 since the end of May), this team will be scary in the second half.
The Bad: Third baseman David Bell (.198) has been a free-agent bust, and whatever is wrong with Pat Burrell (.192), somebody needs to fix it. Jimmy Rollins' .309 on-base percentage is not going to cut it, either.
What's Next: The East may be out of reach, but the wild card is Philly's for the taking right now (they lead by a game over Arizona). Philadelphia's pitching, especially the starting rotation, is as deep as it comes and if Burrell or Bell wakes up at all to jumpstart that offense, the Phillies will do a lot of heartbreaking in the second half.
The Good: They've been to Puerto Rico and back, yet they keep on ticking. The Expos are just four back in the wild card standings. The offense is sparked by All-Star second baseman Jose Vidro, who is hitting .332, and shortstop Orlando Cabrera (.300 with 13 homers and 51 RBIs). Livan Hernandez (9-6, 3.63) has been a stud lately, giving up 10 total hits in his last two outings, both complete game wins. Montreal starters have a 3.92 ERA, fourth in the NL. Rocky Biddle has saved 22 games.
The Bad: Slugger Vladimir Guerrero has been on the disabled list for much of the first half. Pitcher Zach Day is hurt. The bottom part of the rotation is extremely iffy. They're awfully streaky.
What's Next: Given their schedule, this is a team that might fade after the break. But everyone always thinks that, and the Expos always stick around. Steady manager Frank Robinson is to be commended. If he can keep this team in contention in the second half, he ought to be named mayor. Does Puerto Rico have a mayor? Baseball may tell us what fate is in store for the Expos by September. Maybe.
The Good: New old skipper Jack McKeon is getting the most of his bunch, thanks to an All-Star year from third baseman Mike Lowell (28 homers, second behind Barry Bonds), a fine half-season from catcher Ivan Rodriguez (.300, 13 HRs, 59 RBIs, .402 with runners in scoring position), solid contributions from shortstop Alex Gonzalez (12 HRs, 53 RBIs), first baseman Derrek Lee (19 HRs, 52 RBIs), second baseman Luis Castillo (.311), right fielder Juan Encarnacion (58 RBIs) and the exciting play of Juan Pierre (.298, 44 stolen bases, tops in the majors). That kid Willis is pretty good, too.
The Bad: Carl Pavano (6-10, 4.41) has slipped. Brad Penny (8-6, 4.55) has had good outings and bad ones. A.J. Burnett is out for the season after elbow surgery (the injury may have been mishandled by management there). Josh Beckett is just now returning from the disabled list. The pen is ranked 13th in the league, with a 4.56 ERA.
What's Next: If not for Dontrelle Willis (9-1, 2.08) and Mark Redman (7-4, 3.26), this team would be in trouble. But those two have solidified the rotation, and now that the Marlins have traded for closer Ugueth Urbina, they have one of the more formidable staffs in the East. This is a team no contender wants to play in the second half, and one that could make a run at the wild card (they're 4 ½ out at the break).
The Good: Vance Wilson is proving to be a pretty good catcher, which could help this team in the immediate future. They're dumped some deadwood, including Roberto Alomar, Armando Benitez and Jeromy Burnitz. Cliff Floyd (15 HRs, 47 RBIs) is producing even through his gimpiness. Youngster Jae Weong Seo (5-5, 3.64) has shown promise. Youngsters like third baseman Ty Wigginton and shortstop Jose Reyes are getting plenty of playing time.
The Bad: This team is one big mess. Ex-Braves lefty Tom Glavine has struggled (6-9, 4.73), Al Leiter has a plus-5.00 ERA and has been achy and the starters as a whole have a 5.20 ERA. David Cone had to retire, Mike Piazza has been hurt, Mo Vaughn hasn't played and Roger Cedeno has only a .316 on-base percentage, though he's been hitting leadoff much of the season.
What's Next: After the firing of GM Steve Phillips, the Mets are tearing things apart under interim GM Jim Duquette. Their hopes lie with some of the youngsters, the return to health of Piazza and some help in the free-agent market this offseason. Right now, they're just counting the days until this season ends.
