There’s
been plenty of chatter about how bad, downright dreadfully weak, the National
League is this season. But that parity across the league sure has a lot of folks
across the country still thinking the playoffs are a possibility. The Mets might be running away with the
show, but everything else is up for grabs with about 50 games remaining. The
Cardinals lead in the NL Central is just 3.5 games over the Reds, and the
streaking Dodgers have pulled within a half game of the hanging-on Padres. In
the Wild Card battle, the Reds and Dodgers are dead even while eight other teams
remain within striking distance at no more than 5.5 games back. Heck even the
Nationals are just 8.5 games off the Wild Card pace, and even the Cubs have
narrowed the lead to 9.5 games. If we’ve learned anything this week, it’s that
any one team can catch fire like the Dodgers have and put together a 10+ game
win streak and be right in the thick of things, if not run away with it all. And
we all know what that Wild Card momentum can mean in the
playoffs.
Some
teams are definitely poised for a run better than others, but it’s still
anyone’s guess where the next six and a half weeks will take us. So let’s get
right to the latest and greatest from around the league:
East
Division
New
York
Mets (67-44)
To
boost the club’s confidence, as well as that of its fan base, the front office
locked up their stellar left side of the infield this week. Stud third baseman
David Wright signed a six-year, $55 million extension while shortstop Jose Reyes brought home his own extension, a four-year, $23.25 million deal.
There is not a better tandem of position players in baseball to build towards
the future with. But forget about the future, what about now? Well, the Mets
just keep rolling. To help them on that roll and add a left-handed bat to the
bench, the club picked up outfielder Ricky Ledee, who as recently put on waivers
by the Dodgers. And after blowing a save last week, Billy Wagner jumped
right back on the horse and nailed two conversions this week. Speaking of
horses, there’s been quite the buzz about catcher Paul Lo Duca, his
unfortunate pending divorce, and allegations of gambling problems. Nonetheless,
Lo Duca has denied any problems. His teammates have stood beside him. And the
Mets fans gave him a big round of applause during his first at-bat Tuesday
showing their support and refusal to let this become a
distraction.
Philadelphia
Phillies (54-58)
Chase Utley’s
run for the history books was stopped short last week in
New
York.
Still his remarkable 35-game hit streak was one great thrill after another.
Interestingly enough, the buzz he helped create has gotten the Phillies back on
track and in the playoff hunt. Funny how sometimes when a club appears to be
selling the farm, those left in the barn rally to do some amazing things. Ryan Howard is definitely one of those special players who will create magic
regardless of the circumstances. He’s just been on a tear lately. The young
slugger is tops in the league with 39 home runs and 101 RBI. And though Brett Myers and Jon Lieber have definitely been looking sharper lately,
Cole Hamels has been the story in the Phils rotation the past week or so.
Hamels is 2-1 in his last three starts and has posted 31 strikeouts in 19.2
innings.
Atlanta
Braves (52-60)
Pitcher
Horatio Ramirez, who has been plagued with injuries this season, has a
partially torn ligament in his left middle finger and will be heading to the DL
again, possibly for the remainder of the year. As the bad news broke about
Ramirez, something positive did happen. Tim Hudson, who was a miserable 2-6 in
his last two games, dominated the Phillies Tuesday. He tossed 7.0 innings of
shutout ball en route to his ninth win. Bob Wickman closed out the 3-1
victory for his sixth save since joining the Braves. The big, veteran closer
hasn’t given up an earned run as a Brave, and in less than three weeks in
Atlanta he has posted a save total just three fewer than Chris Reitsma,
who started the season as the club’s closer.
Florida
Marlins (52-60)
The
Marlins took a big hit in their improbably quest for the playoffs when they were
swept this weekend by a streaking Dodgers club. Manager Joe Girardi
reportedly kept the clubhouse doors closed for 90 minutes following that sweep
as he addressed his club. And it’s with that session that rumors started
circulating about a potential rift between Girardi and the Marlins owner,
Jeffrey Loria. Those rumors have been squashed by Girardi, and the
Marlins got back on the winning track with a 4-2 victory over the Nationals
Tuesday as Ricky Nolasco picked up his tenth win. Joe Borowski,
who has had one of the better comeback seasons this year, earned his
23rd save in 26 chances this season.
Washington
Nationals (49-63)
Farewell,
Livan. Nationals staff ace Livan Hernandez was dealt to the Arizona Diamondbacks this week as the club takes a huge step closer to packing it up for
good this season. Alfonso Soriano is still swinging away, though. No
matter how much he might claim to want to stay in
Washington,
Soriano definitely loves the big stage, and you can be guaranteed that teams are
still salivating over his 35 home runs, 72 RBI, and 28 stolen bases he’s
carrying right now.
Central
Division
St. Louis
Cardinals (61-51)
The
Cardinals snapped an ugly eight-game losing streak on Saturday as they knocked
off the Milwaukee Brewers. The team jumped out to a 4-0 lead, and managed to
hold on to a 4-3 victory despite not getting a hit after the third inning.
Jim Edmonds saved the game with a bases-loaded, inning-ending diving
catch of a sinking liner hit by Prince Fielder in the seventh inning.
That play arguably jumpstarted a three-game win streak, which included a 13-1
pounding of Cincinnati
on Monday to open a huge four-game set. Jeff Weaver definitely showed he
fits in well with the Cardinals rotation. After giving up a combined 11 runs in
his last two starts, Weaver tossed 6.0 strong innings of one-run ball for the
Redbirds in his best outing as a Cardinal. His solid effort was not duplicated
by Jason Marquis in the second game of the series. Marquis, whose ERA has
risen to 5.82, gave up four runs and nine hits as he was chased with one out
still remaining in the third inning.
Cincinnati
Reds (58-55)
The
Reds crept within 2.5 games of the Cards this weekend, but could not close the
gap any further. As they began the big four-game series in
Cincinnati
with the division leaders, the Reds were sitting just 3.5 games out. That 13-1
beating dropped them 4.5 back, but Ryan Freel and Eric Milton led
the charge Tuesday as the Reds won 10-3 and evened the series at a game a piece.
Milton
kept the ball in the yard and allowed just one run in 6.0 innings of work. Freel
was 3-for-4 on the night with three runs scored. Most notably though, he made a
ridiculous diving catch in right-center field on an Albert Pujols drive, which will make
highlight reels for months to come. With Aaron Harang taking on
Anthony Reyes Wednesday and Bronson Arroyo up against Chris Carpenter Thursday in the finale, the series definitely has two marquee
matchups to intensify the competition for first place.
Houston
Astros (54-58)
Brandon Backe
has definitely shined in October, but the starting pitcher has had his share of
health issues and just hasn’t been consistent during the regular season. Backe
returned from an extensive stint on the disabled list this past week, and he’s a
perfect 2-0 in his return having given up just two runs in 14.2 innings of work.
With Roy Oswalt, Roger Clemens, and Andy Pettitte in that
rotation, you better believe that the Astros have the tools to make a serious
run for the playoffs, especially if Backe is bringing his A-game. Still closing
games out has been no easy feat for Brad Lidge who has been temporarily
demoted from closer multiple times this season. But while Dan Wheeler has
picked up three saves this season, Lidge is still the Astros main man, and he
earned save number 25, striking out the side in a scoreless ninth Tuesday
night.
Milwaukee
Brewers (52-60)
After
losing four of their last five, the Brewers have sunk to a season-low, eight
games under .500. They’re slipping out of the playoff race, partly due to lack
of run production. You can tell that Carlos Lee’s departure is being felt
now. Kevin Mench is just 8-for-32 as a Brewer, and recently acquired
third baseman David Bell has yet to drive in a run for the Brew Crew. On
a side note, starting pitcher Ben Sheets was pulled from Saturday’s game
in St.
Louis
after just one inning of work. He reportedly has a strained chest muscle but is
expected to miss no more than one start, if that.
Chicago
Cubs (48-64)
Carlos Zambrano’s
win streak was snapped by none other than the Pittsburgh Pirates, but that
hasn’t slowed the Cubs down. They’re young pitching staff is far from the likes
of the Detroit Tigers, who have three rookie pitchers 5+ games over .500, but
they’re starting to develop a swagger. Rookie pitcher Rich Hill, who at
26 years young, is the oldest member of the starting rotation. Hill showed great
stuff in the minors, and that stuff is finally starting to take form. He’s 2-0
in his last two starts having given up four runs in 15 innings of work, while
also striking out 15 batters. As for that Mark Prior guy, well, he
managed to earn his first victory of the season Saturday lasting 5.2 innings
against the Pirates, giving up just two earned runs on five
hits.
Pittsburgh
Pirates (42-71)
Shawn Chacon
pitched 5.0 innings in his first start as a Pirate, and he gave up just one
earned run. He brought home a victory in that first start, and his reward is
that he gets to go head-to-head with Roy Oswalt for his second start. As for the
Freddy Sanchez watch, the rookie sensation has seen his average drop to
.339, but he’s still the front runner in the league for that batting
crown.
West
Division
San
Diego
Padres (58-54)
The
Padres have slipped a bit, and Jake Peavy continues to struggle. The
staff ace is just 5-11 this season, and in his past 10 starts is just 1-5. So
just how has this club stayed above .500 and in first place? Well, Dave Roberts has a lot to do with it. This week Roberts had three games with
three hits, and the Padres won all three of those games. Roberts batting average
is now up to .312 as he continues to compete with hot-hitting Adrian Gonzalez (.306) for top honors on the club.
Los
Angeles
Dodgers (58-55)
Anyone
who thought this Dodgers team wouldn’t be inspired by the trades for Greg Maddux and Julio Lugo at the non-waiver trade deadline clearly need
to think again. The Dodgers have run off 11 straight wins and are riding atop
cloud nine. Nevermind that Brad Penny didn’t offer up his jersey number
so future Hall of Famer Maddux would have his No. 31. Nevermind that Nomar Garciaparra is back on the disabled list, and Jeff Kent has just
recently come off it. Penny has won his last two starts after dropping his past
three decisions. Maddux, wearing number 36, tossed 6.0 scoreless innings before
a rain delay snuffed his chances for a no-hitter in his debut as a Dodger. And
Tuesday night the Professor tossed another 6.0 solid innings of two-run ball in
a no-decision that ended in a Dodger victory. As for
Kent,
he returned from the DL Tuesday with a three-run homer in his first at-bat. Oh,
and let’s not leave out rookie Andre Ethier who has a 12-game hit streak
alive and is carrying an impressive .350 batting average.
Arizona
Diamondbacks
(57-56)
Brandon Webb
is dealing with a sore pitching elbow due to inflammation. He’s having a season
worthy of Cy Young Award consideration with a 12-4 record and 2.74 ERA, but this
injury is expected to keep him out at least one start. With the uncertainty
around Webb and the clear picture that the Dodgers got a lot better at the trade
deadline, the D’Backs added Livan Hernandez to their rotation, who should
definitely help them out.
Colorado
Rockies
(54-58)
The
Rockies
have seen their offense fizzle on this road trip, scoring just two runs in each
of their past four contests. Starting pitcher Jason Jennings may only be
1-3 in his last eight starts, but he’s tossed no fewer than 6.0 innings in each
trip to the mound and has lowered his ERA from 4.02 to 3.48 in that time doing
his best to give his club a solid chance for victory each time. And if you
haven’t noticed, Garrett Atkins has taken over the club’s RBI lead.
Despite an impressive .310 batting average, Atkins now has 73 RBI on the
year.
San
Francisco
Giants (54-59)
You
look at the Giants lineup and rotation and can’t help but wonder how they are
staying alive in the playoff hunt. Then you realize how balanced the NL West is
and how weak the league is as a whole. Jason Schmidt came back to life
this week posting two victories, giving up a combined four runs in the two
outings, while striking out 12 in 12.2 innings of work. And courtesy of seven
multi-hit games in his last eight, Omar Vizquel has picked his average up
to .319, showing the Fountain of Youth hasn’t run dry just
yet.
Got
questions or comments? Sound off to pete@petekhazen.com.