| After a few weeks and with some surprises, | | | | home runs in six straight games early in the |
| the NL Central has begun to look a lot more | | | | year and Lance Berkman would be an MVP |
| as expected, particularly at the very top. | | | | candidate in a league without Pujols. Also, |
| | | | very quietly, Brad Ausmus has put together a |
| With a lineup containing the best player on | | | | very good year (.418 OBP). The Astros could |
| the planet, the Cardinals have recently | | | | stay in the wildcard race and may soon get |
| started to pull away andseem well on their | | | | the kind of help that could rocket them to |
| way to their third straight division title. | | | | the finish line. |
| Pujols' numbers are mind-boggling (22 homers | | | | |
| and 54 RBI). Barring an injury or a | | | | The Brewers are fun to watch. They lead the |
| stunning slump, he's practically locked up | | | | majors in home runs, and youngsters Prince |
| the MVP Award in May. Underrated David | | | | Fielder, Rickie Weeks, and Bill Hall mix |
| Eckstein has an OBP of .390 and provides the | | | | nicely with veterans Geoff Jenkins, Carlos |
| kind of spark few leadoff hitters can match. | | | | Lee, and Corey Koskie. The only thing is they |
| While injuries and age have slowed Jim | | | | may be too dependent on getting home runs and |
| Edmonds and Scott Rolen to some degree, they | | | | they strike out too much. A bit of small ball |
| are both still dangerous hitters. Juan | | | | might help them at times. Getting Ben |
| Encarcion and Yadier Molina have been | | | | Sheets healthy would help a rotation that has |
| disappointments, but the rest of the lineup | | | | one underrated star (Chris Capuano) and |
| has picked them up so far. Chris | | | | mostly back-of-the-rotation types. Derrick |
| Carpenter has continued to pitch like an ace | | | | Turnbow is showing he's no fluke, but the |
| and starters Mark Mulder, Jeff Suppan, and | | | | bullpen lacks depth. This year's trendy |
| Jason Marquis form a solid rotation that | | | | sleeper pick will stay around a while, but |
| always keeps the Cardinals in the game. After | | | | ultimately doesn't have enough for the |
| a slow start, closer Jason Isringhausen has | | | | playoffs. |
| rounded into form. Only injuries will | | | | |
| keep the Cards from playing in October. | | | | First the Red Sox, then the White Sox, now |
| | | | the Cu ... stop right there. Derrek Lee's |
| Losers of 10 of their last 15, the "Big Red | | | | injury has revealed just how impotent the |
| Mirage" are starting to play like their | | | | rest of the Cubs lineup is. Juan Pierre has |
| talent level indicates they should. | | | | an OBP of .271. Aramis Ramirez is hitting |
| Bronson Arroyo has been an outstanding | | | | only .231. It's ugly on the North Side. |
| acquisition and is obviously thrilled not to | | | | Greg Maddux's May has been very different |
| have to face those tough NL lineups, but you | | | | than his April and still no sign of Mark |
| simply can't send out such a mediocre | | | | Prior. Dusty Baker must be on edge. No |
| starting rotation and expect to stay in the | | | | playoffs here, folks. |
| race. I told you a few weeks back to bet | | | | |
| against them and those who listened are a bit | | | | The Pirates were expected to be an improved |
| richer today. | | | | team this year, but their starting pitching |
| | | | has failed them. Zach Duke has hit a bit of a |
| The Astros got off to a hot start before | | | | tougher time facing teams the second time |
| their starting pitching went through a horrid | | | | around, and whatever happened to Oliver |
| stretch. Roy Oswalt remains one of the | | | | Perez, who was thought to be a fast rising |
| league's top pitchers and Wayne Rodriguez has | | | | star? Not much hope in the Steel City either. |
| been a nice surprise, but Andy Pettitte has | | | | |
| struggled, Brandon Backe is out for the year, | | | | So early on, it looks like it's the Cards |
| and the rest of the rotation has been | | | | division to lose and the Astros waiting for |
| inconsistent. Brad Lidge has struggled | | | | Roger Clemens to make them serious wildcard |
| (mostly with his control), but expect him to | | | | contenders. |
| turn things around. Morgan Ensberg hit | | | | |