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