East
The AL East is shaping up to be a 3-team battle between the Hoplites, Wildlings, and "Mechanics". Each of these teams are within 2 games of each other and a total of 2 runs by measure of Run Differential. The Brews however, are on the outside looking in with a 10-17 record and a -35 RD.
Q1 - Greg Maddux (4-1, 1.84 ERA) is enjoying immense success in League Park (20 HR rate) but Kevin Brown (2-2, 6.23) and last year phenom Jerry Reuss (1-2, 7.11) are struggling. Will the Hoplite rotation recover or is this team in for a long summery of high scoring games.
Q2 - The Wildlings have about a league average offense (.271 / .320 / .405) but have done so with Willie McGee playing well over his head (1.018 OPS). Who will step up when McGee falters? Hopefully it is the new Gabby Hartnett, because he is struggling (.281 OBP) and the Wildlings will need him to keep pace with Sparta.
Q3 - With only 97 runs scored all year, the "Mechanics" are relying on their pitching to remain competitive. Their rotation, however, is innovative to use a kind word. Mordecai Brown is 4-1 with a fine ERA and reliever John Smoltz is getting starts. How long can this keep up and when it fails, can the offense improve? Cal Ripken has a .334 OPS.
Q4 - The Brews are getting by on offense just fine, just 5 runs off the pace to be considered above league average. The pitching staff on the other hand, is very bad. The new year for Randy Johnson is an apparent bust, and others are struggling too, but how long will Allen ride Fred Beene out of the pen? He has the most appearances and innings out of all relievers, yet has a 6.46 ERA and 1.76 WHIP. Waiver wire might be in order.
Central
Q5 - Early in the season, the talk of the AL has been the historic start by the Manetheren Red Eagles. At 23-5 they already have an 11 game lead in the division. They've scored 184 runs and frankly that is just not sustainable. The question? How good is Turkey Stearnes? He's cooled off from his hot start but with 13 doubles, 6 homers, and 6 triples no one really cares.
Q6 - With no team close to a .500 record, the rest of the division is struggling. With a recent run of success, Ball Four has vaulted into 2nd place. They score with the best of the league but the rotation has underperformed. How long do they stick with Zach Greinke (2-3, 8.06 ERA) and the new Lefty Grove (1-2, 5.61 ERA)?
Q7 - Ball Four is at +1 RD and have a half game lead on the Red Lectroids who are at -27. That is significant and a bad sign for Planet 10. The rotation has struggled but a bright spot has been Johan Santana. At 3-0 and a 1.94 ERA he has been among the best in the game, can he keep it up?
Q8 - Platte County is just 10-19 and have been outscored by 54 runs, by far the worst in the league. Not sure where to start here, a .302 team OBP or the 4.88 team ERA? Let's keep it positive and give kudos to Roy Halladay (3-1, 2.44 ERA) and Brandon Webb (3-2, 3.00 ERA). What happens to this squad if they return to normal?
West
Q9 - The race in the West looks to be a season long battle down to the wire. Rusty Kuntz is leading the way by 3 games but have relied heavily on Juan Padron (5-0, 2.54) and to a lesser extent Joe DiMaggio (.911 OPS). Can these two play at this level all year long?
Q10 - The Green Sox have been exiting to watch, on a 3 game winning streak they are now in second place and just a game under .500. Babe Ruth has been a monster (.408 OBP, .701 SLG) and others like Jim Gentile and Jason Giambi have played above their baseline. But as is the case with so many other teams, the success will come down to the rotation. Al Orth has been great, but Dick Ellsworth (5.65 ERA) and Bill McCall (7.01 ERA) have been busts. Are their Free Agent options to solidify the Green Sox starting five?
Q11 - After a quick start, Fanclub has come back down to earth and are currently enduring a 3 game losing streak. They have still outscored their opponents by 12 runs but has the Polo Grounds been a mistake? Sure, the 250+ home run rates are great, but the 70 singles and doubles is hurting the lineup - Alberte Belle, Ed Swartwood, and Mark McGwire each have on base percentages under .290 - is this sustainable for a winning team?
Q12 - Finally, the Beau Brummels. At 12-15 they are last in the division but just 4 games off the division lead and have a plus run differential. Their pitching has kept them in games (team 3.58 ERA) but there are warning signs to concern Leanne. Can Christy Mathewson (3-3, 2.89 ERA) and Pete Alexander (2-3, 3.05 ERA) keep up the pace? And what happens when Harmon Killebrew (.834 OPS) cools off?
Next week - the National League
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