Quarterly Report on Divisional Races --- NL CENTRAL

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