Top 10 stories from the first half
Posted: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 2:54 PM
THE NATIONAL LEAGUE – NOTHING’S CHANGED: Just as in 2007 -- when one torrid three-week streak enabled an average team, the Rockies, to represent the NL in the World Series -- the NL is again stuck in “parity.”
There’s one real good team (Cubs), several weak sisters and everyone else is jumbled in the middle. Some clubs may play well for a week or so and thrust themselves into contention (see the Mets) but the only the test of time will determine whether the NL can produce a legitimate World Series contender.
PLAYING WITH THE BIG BOYS: Meanwhile landing the AL wild card now demands a .585 winning percentage -- only the Cubs play to that level in the NL. At the All-Star break Tampa Bay holds the wild card despite its current seven-game losing streak.
The first two and what may end up being the biggest two July trades have seen AL teams move pitchers to the NL, the Indians shipping CC Sabathia to the Brewers and the A’s sending Rich Harden to the Cubs. As the July 31 trading deadline draws closer which will be the first AL contender to strike a significant deal? And will it prompt a high stakes game of “follow the leader?”
TAMPA BAY ISN’T THE BIGGEST AL SURPRISE: Blasphemy you may cry but look at Minnesota. The Twins have the AL’s fifth-best record and sixth-best mark in the majors. The Tigers started to surge leading up to the All-Star break but then the Twins simply went into Detroit and won 3 of 4 to close out the first half. And this is the team that traded a superior starter in Johan Santana and lost its cornerstone position player Torii Hunter to free agency. But overlooked in that sequence of events was the signing of their other key players (Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer and Joe Nathan) to long-term deals. In fact, the Twins have been fair to their fans while running a sensible, to their market, operation. And they find themselves the envy of every mid-market franchise.
HOW HAVE THEY DONE IT? Just look at St. Louis’ roster and ask yourself how the Cardinals have the NL’s second-best record. I know manager Tony La Russa well enough to be sure that he would challenge me on that comment, claiming it shows disrespect to his players. Perhaps, but I can’t assess it any other way. La Russa and his longtime aide, pitching coach Dave Duncan, are the top manager and top coach of the first half.
MILWAUKEE’S A BASEBALL TOWN: The Brewers have captured Wisconsin, playing to 85 percent of capacity in the first half. The great fans of Milwaukee have been starved for a winner, no postseason for the Brew Crew since 1982 and last year was their first season above .500 since 1992 so the Milwaukee faithful are responding to the team’s success.
It cuts both ways, however, the aura around the Brewers is more demanding, expectations have been created but ownership has clearly demonstrated its will to win. Here’s the clincher: CC Sabathia has been a bigger topic of conversation than Brett Favre in the last week.
DOES FLORIDA DESERVE MLB? Here’s the polar opposite to what’s happening in Milwaukee. The state of Florida is doing nothing to counter the growing legions who wonder why there are ANY major league teams in a state better suited to spring training baseball. The emerging Tampa Bay Rays are 27th in MLB attendance and the Marlins are dead last. Yes, both teams play in sub-par stadiums but the on-the-field product for both has been good enough that there should be more support for it. The organizations, and yes I include the Marlins here, are deserving.
ATLANTA’S AT A CROSSROADS: Let’s face it, the Braves era of dominating the NL East is over. This is the third year of mediocrity for the once-great and still proud franchise. It must hurt this year because expectation, including from this space, was so high. And it’s worse because a superb first half from the reborn Chipper Jones and the fine All-Star play of Brian McCann has not helped in the standings. Here’s the deal: At the trading deadline last year the Braves were buyers and now they may sell the man they bought, Mark Teixeira, with little hope of receiving value equal to that they gave up for him.
TEXAS IS ONE DIMENSIONAL: The Rangers crush the ball. They sent four hitters to the All-Star Game. And they have no chance to win because they can’t pitch a lick. Here’s the difference -- stats for their pitching: HOME, 6.19 runs per game, .880 OPS and AWAY, 5.06 runs per game, .757 OPS.
Wonder how often Kevin Millwood thanks his agent Scott Boras for the contract (terrific money) that landed him in pitcher’s hell?
A RECORD THAT COULD FALL: Francisco Rodriguez has 38 saves at the All-Star break, a true threat to Bobby Thigpen’s record of 57 set in 1990. K-Rod has handled a hefty workload in appearances (45) but not in innings and the Angels must hope that makes a difference in keeping him fresh.
HAS THE WORLD MISSED BARRY BONDS? For the first time in two decades, the game has been Bonds-free, at least for half a season. He still wants to play and his agent claims offers to sign for the minimum have been rejected. The agent is crying “conspiracy.” Bonds has been out of the public eye save for following Tiger Woods at last month’s U.S. Open. There is less buzz around the Giants without Bonds but I don’t sense the baseball public clamoring for more Bonds. More on this later in the week.
FOUR MORE SWINGS:
BEST STARTER IN THE NL...Tim Lincecum, San Francisco. Question: At 130 innings thrown already for a losing team, will the Giants end his season early?
BEST STARTER IN THE AL…Justin Duchscherer, Oakland. Just look at his numbers: 10-5, 1.82 ERA, 0.86 WHIP! Big question: He is arbitration-eligible and one year from free agency. How long does he figure to remain with the A’s?
I DIDN’T FORGET…the AL GM who told me in May that the Angels were the best team in the AL when healthy. They play a different brand of ball, evident in Sunday’s ninth inning when they beat A’s closer Huston Street with speed as the winning run came from Reggie Willits, who scored from second on an infield hit to short.
MOST OVERLOOKED YOUNG PITCHER IN THE NL…Chad Billingsley, Dodgers. While Lincecum and Edinson Volquez have received tons of attention, Billingsley has quietly become the Dodgers’ rock. His 13 strikeouts in seven innings Sunday helped the Dodgers avoid a home sweep at the hands of Florida.
