Stephen Strasburg isn’t expected to arrive in the majors until next month, but plenty of rookies already are getting their chances. Many of them already are making an impact, too.
The top three rookies from each league through the first five-plus weeks:
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Even with his strong start, David Freese is looking over his shoulder at a teammate.
Jason Heyward, RF, Braves: If you read Sporting News magazine, you knew the 20-year-old phenom had a chance to make an impact when he was named our breakout player for 2010. No one, however, figured he would be his team’s best player. Heyward leads the Braves in homers and RBIs and even moved into the 3 hole this week.
David Freese, 3B, Cardinals. Injuries cost him a chance to take over third base in 2009, but he is healthy and hitting this season. "I’m just going day to day trying to keep things simple," Freese says. Freese, 27, leads N.L. rookies in average (.310) and trails only Heyward in RBIs, but he might not be rookie of the year on his own team. Lefthanded starter Jaime Garcia also is off to a strong start with a 1.18 ERA after six starts.
Mike Leake, SP, Reds. While Reds phenom Aroldis Chapman refines his command in the minors, Leake is making a name as the first pitcher to skip the minors since 1995 (Cuban Ariel Prieto). Leake escaped a bases-loaded, no-out jam in his first start without allowing a run and has continued to show the ability to pitch out of trouble. He is 3-0 with a 3.10 ERA. "He gets the whole gig," teammate Bronson Arroyo says. "You don’t have to tell him twice about anything, whether it’s getting beer for the bus or being on the bench for nine innings. And the things he’s doing on the field are phenomenal."
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Austin Jackson leads the majors in hits. His next assignment is bat control.
Austin Jackson, CF, Tigers: Though he never had played in a major league game, Detroit made him its center fielder and leadoff hitter when it traded Curtis Granderson. Jackson hasn’t disappointed. He leads not only rookies in hits (51) but also the entire majors. He is far from a finished product, though. He also ranks among the major league leaders in strikeouts.
Neftali Feliz, RP, Rangers: He burst on the scene last season with a fastball clocked in the high-90-mph range and went to spring training with a chance to make the rotation. Feliz, 22, since has found his calling in the ninth inning, at least temporarily. Since taking over as closer, Felix has saved nine of 11 chances and recently enjoyed a 10-day stretch when he allowed only one hit and no runs while converting six consecutive save opportunities.
Mitch Talbot, SP, Indians: If the Rays hadn’t traded him to Cleveland, he still would be in the minors. Instead, Talbot is the majors’ winningest rookie (4-2), and his 3.43 ERA is second to Tampa Bay’s Wade Davis among AL rookies.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
Stephen Strasburg isn’t expected to arrive in the majors until next month, but plenty of rookies already are getting their chances. Many of them already are making an impact, too.
The top three rookies from each league through the first five-plus weeks:
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Even with his strong start, David Freese is looking over his shoulder at a teammate.
Jason Heyward, RF, Braves: If you read Sporting News magazine, you knew the 20-year-old phenom had a chance to make an impact when he was named our breakout player for 2010. No one, however, figured he would be his team’s best player. Heyward leads the Braves in homers and RBIs and even moved into the 3 hole this week.
David Freese, 3B, Cardinals. Injuries cost him a chance to take over third base in 2009, but he is healthy and hitting this season. "I’m just going day to day trying to keep things simple," Freese says. Freese, 27, leads N.L. rookies in average (.310) and trails only Heyward in RBIs, but he might not be rookie of the year on his own team. Lefthanded starter Jaime Garcia also is off to a strong start with a 1.18 ERA after six starts.
Mike Leake, SP, Reds. While Reds phenom Aroldis Chapman refines his command in the minors, Leake is making a name as the first pitcher to skip the minors since 1995 (Cuban Ariel Prieto). Leake escaped a bases-loaded, no-out jam in his first start without allowing a run and has continued to show the ability to pitch out of trouble. He is 3-0 with a 3.10 ERA. "He gets the whole gig," teammate Bronson Arroyo says. "You don’t have to tell him twice about anything, whether it’s getting beer for the bus or being on the bench for nine innings. And the things he’s doing on the field are phenomenal."
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Austin Jackson leads the majors in hits. His next assignment is bat control.
Austin Jackson, CF, Tigers: Though he never had played in a major league game, Detroit made him its center fielder and leadoff hitter when it traded Curtis Granderson. Jackson hasn’t disappointed. He leads not only rookies in hits (51) but also the entire majors. He is far from a finished product, though. He also ranks among the major league leaders in strikeouts.
Neftali Feliz, RP, Rangers: He burst on the scene last season with a fastball clocked in the high-90-mph range and went to spring training with a chance to make the rotation. Feliz, 22, since has found his calling in the ninth inning, at least temporarily. Since taking over as closer, Felix has saved nine of 11 chances and recently enjoyed a 10-day stretch when he allowed only one hit and no runs while converting six consecutive save opportunities.
Mitch Talbot, SP, Indians: If the Rays hadn’t traded him to Cleveland, he still would be in the minors. Instead, Talbot is the majors’ winningest rookie (4-2), and his 3.43 ERA is second to Tampa Bay’s Wade Davis among AL rookies.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
Stan McNeal analyzes three hot topics in Major League Baseball:
Strike 1: Eckstein and the Padres refuse to fade
David Eckstein still has a baby face but at 35 on a Padres club full of 20-somethings, he has become the old guy in the lineup. "Luckily, we have Matt Stairs, too," says Eckstein of the 42-year-old pinch hitter.
David Eckstein provides a veteran presence on the young Padres.
Eckstein continues to prove wrong all those who, as long ago as 2002, said he didn’t have enough game to play every day. Two World Series rings and a World Series MVP award later, Eckstein has moved from shortstop to second base but still is starting and remains as pesky as ever at the plate (two strikeouts in his first 121 plate appearances this season). He also has embraced his role as veteran leader.
"These guys make that enjoyable," Eckstein says. "I don’t have to remind someone to run hard when they hit a popup. It’s more like make sure you keep up that meanness on the field. I have guys on other teams come up to me and say, ‘You guys play the game the right way.’ "
Pegged for last in the NL West, the Padres have pitched and scratched their way to first place and, at 20-12, are off to their best start since they went to the World Series in 1998. Jon Garland has boosted a rotation that hasn’t completed a game but has a 2.78 ERA, though the real strength of the staff has been the NL’s best bullpen (2.58 ERA).
On offense, only Adrian Gonzalez figures to hit 20 homers. Yet for a small-ball team, the Padres don’t hit much for average (.243) and strike out too much (second only to the Diamondbacks in the NL). So far, though, their lack of production hasn’t caught up to them.
"We’re going to put pressure on the defense other than hitting doubles and home runs," Eckstein says. "That’s the biggest difference with this club."
The Padres lead the majors in steals and make the most of the runs they score. Consider how they beat the Giants in their first four meetings. They walked 12 times Tuesday night and won 3-2. Last month, they got one hit but won 1-0. The previous night, they won on a 10th-inning homer off the left-field foul pole from their most unlikely power source, Eckstein.
"I was more in shock than anything," Eckstein says. "I thought it was going foul but somehow, luckily, in that corner the wind blows it back a little bit and it stayed true."
Eckstein, too, has stayed true. When we talked the other day, it was three hours before first pitch. I told him that I bet he already had been to the batting cage, hit the weight room and had a massage. And that he was ready for batting practice.
"Well, I haven’t gone to the weight room yet because we don’t stretch for another hour. But I will," Eckstein said.
Strike 2: Porcello needs a break(ing ball)
If the Tigers want to stay in the AL Central race, their rotation needs to pick it up. Their league-leading bullpen and Miguel Cabrera-led offense can’t be expected to shoulder such a load for the long haul.
Rick Porcello needs a third pitch.
Dontrelle Willis has been the Tigers’ most effective starter but although he has provided a hopeful comeback story, a 3.99 ERA isn’t what you want leading your staff. Justin Verlander has overcome a slow start and lowered his ERA to 4.50, but Max Scherzer, Jeremy Bonderman and Rick Porcello have ERAs well north of 5.00. The result is a 5.72 for the AL’s worst rotation ERA.
Porcello was one of 2009’s feel-good stories when he won 14 games as a 20-year-old rookie just two years out of high school. Now there is talk that he could benefit from more time in the minors. Porcello has lasted six innings just once this season, and that was against the Royals. He took a 7.50 ERA into Wednesday’s start against the Yankees.
According to a scout, hitters have learned to take advantage of Porcello’s lack of a major league-quality third pitch to go with his fastball and changeup. "I don’t know if he had enough time to let his breaking ball develop," the scout said. "And when a hitter isn’t worried about a guy throwing a breaking ball, all of a sudden their ability to hit goes up."
Strike 3: Practice perfect etiquette
A’s lefthander Gio Gonzalez missed the first two innings of Dallas Braden’s perfect game Friday because he was working out. Once in the dugout, he spent the rest of the game not exactly sure what he was rooting for.
"I didn’t know it was a perfect game until after the game when it was announced," Gonzalez said. "I thought it was a no-hitter. Throughout the game, I’m saying to myself, ‘Come on Dallas, get the no-hitter. Get the no-hitter.’ "
Gonzalez’s teammates couldn’t correct him because they weren’t saying anything. "Nobody was talking," Gonzalez said. "Everybody was on one side of the dugout except Dallas and (backup catcher) Josh Donaldson. They were sitting next to each other, but I don’t think Josh said a word to him.
"You don’t move in a situation like that. You just keep doing what you’ve been doing the whole game. I had a baseball in my hand the whole time, and I didn’t let it go until we won and then I threw it in the stands. Like, ‘Yes, I can get rid of this ball already.’ "
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
Sponsored link: Padres tickets available
Stan McNeal analyzes three hot topics in Major League Baseball:
Strike 1: Eckstein and the Padres refuse to fade
David Eckstein still has a baby face but at 35 on a Padres club full of 20-somethings, he has become the old guy in the lineup. "Luckily, we have Matt Stairs, too," says Eckstein of the 42-year-old pinch hitter.
David Eckstein provides a veteran presence on the young Padres.
Eckstein continues to prove wrong all those who, as long ago as 2002, said he didn’t have enough game to play every day. Two World Series rings and a World Series MVP award later, Eckstein has moved from shortstop to second base but still is starting and remains as pesky as ever at the plate (two strikeouts in his first 121 plate appearances this season). He also has embraced his role as veteran leader.
"These guys make that enjoyable," Eckstein says. "I don’t have to remind someone to run hard when they hit a popup. It’s more like make sure you keep up that meanness on the field. I have guys on other teams come up to me and say, ‘You guys play the game the right way.’ "
Pegged for last in the NL West, the Padres have pitched and scratched their way to first place and, at 20-12, are off to their best start since they went to the World Series in 1998. Jon Garland has boosted a rotation that hasn’t completed a game but has a 2.78 ERA, though the real strength of the staff has been the NL’s best bullpen (2.58 ERA).
On offense, only Adrian Gonzalez figures to hit 20 homers. Yet for a small-ball team, the Padres don’t hit much for average (.243) and strike out too much (second only to the Diamondbacks in the NL). So far, though, their lack of production hasn’t caught up to them.
"We’re going to put pressure on the defense other than hitting doubles and home runs," Eckstein says. "That’s the biggest difference with this club."
The Padres lead the majors in steals and make the most of the runs they score. Consider how they beat the Giants in their first four meetings. They walked 12 times Tuesday night and won 3-2. Last month, they got one hit but won 1-0. The previous night, they won on a 10th-inning homer off the left-field foul pole from their most unlikely power source, Eckstein.
"I was more in shock than anything," Eckstein says. "I thought it was going foul but somehow, luckily, in that corner the wind blows it back a little bit and it stayed true."
Eckstein, too, has stayed true. When we talked the other day, it was three hours before first pitch. I told him that I bet he already had been to the batting cage, hit the weight room and had a massage. And that he was ready for batting practice.
"Well, I haven’t gone to the weight room yet because we don’t stretch for another hour. But I will," Eckstein said.
Strike 2: Porcello needs a break(ing ball)
If the Tigers want to stay in the AL Central race, their rotation needs to pick it up. Their league-leading bullpen and Miguel Cabrera-led offense can’t be expected to shoulder such a load for the long haul.
Rick Porcello needs a third pitch.
Dontrelle Willis has been the Tigers’ most effective starter but although he has provided a hopeful comeback story, a 3.99 ERA isn’t what you want leading your staff. Justin Verlander has overcome a slow start and lowered his ERA to 4.50, but Max Scherzer, Jeremy Bonderman and Rick Porcello have ERAs well north of 5.00. The result is a 5.72 for the AL’s worst rotation ERA.
Porcello was one of 2009’s feel-good stories when he won 14 games as a 20-year-old rookie just two years out of high school. Now there is talk that he could benefit from more time in the minors. Porcello has lasted six innings just once this season, and that was against the Royals. He took a 7.50 ERA into Wednesday’s start against the Yankees.
According to a scout, hitters have learned to take advantage of Porcello’s lack of a major league-quality third pitch to go with his fastball and changeup. "I don’t know if he had enough time to let his breaking ball develop," the scout said. "And when a hitter isn’t worried about a guy throwing a breaking ball, all of a sudden their ability to hit goes up."
Strike 3: Practice perfect etiquette
A’s lefthander Gio Gonzalez missed the first two innings of Dallas Braden’s perfect game Friday because he was working out. Once in the dugout, he spent the rest of the game not exactly sure what he was rooting for.
"I didn’t know it was a perfect game until after the game when it was announced," Gonzalez said. "I thought it was a no-hitter. Throughout the game, I’m saying to myself, ‘Come on Dallas, get the no-hitter. Get the no-hitter.’ "
Gonzalez’s teammates couldn’t correct him because they weren’t saying anything. "Nobody was talking," Gonzalez said. "Everybody was on one side of the dugout except Dallas and (backup catcher) Josh Donaldson. They were sitting next to each other, but I don’t think Josh said a word to him.
"You don’t move in a situation like that. You just keep doing what you’ve been doing the whole game. I had a baseball in my hand the whole time, and I didn’t let it go until we won and then I threw it in the stands. Like, ‘Yes, I can get rid of this ball already.’ "
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
Sponsored link: Padres tickets available
Stan McNeal analyzes three hot topics in Major League Baseball:
Ken Griffey has struggled mightily at the plate this year.
STRIKE 1: Mariners have been offensive
Milton Bradley needs help to deal with emotional issues. His team needs help, too. And soon.
The Mariners entered the season as a media favorite following a 24-game turnaround in 2009 and after making big move after big move in the offseason. All of those moves were made with a focus on pitching and defense. Now the Mariners find themselves in desperate need of offense. They need a slugger, or their next big turnaround will be one in the wrong direction.
Seattle isn’t interested in dealing prospects, partly because it doesn’t have many. The team’s best chance is to trade for a highly paid thumper from a team going nowhere that is looking to cut its losses.
Paul Konerko would be a great choice, though the White Sox probably think they still can get in the AL Central race. Kansas City’s Jose Guillen is another option, though his ability to maintain his early production is no certainty. Same goes for the Orioles’ Ty Wigginton, whose salary is reasonable enough ($3.5 million) that he might cost too much in terms of prospects. That likely would be the case with the Marlins’ Dan Uggla also.
Obtaining the bat is the first challenge. The next would be even more difficult: What would the Mariners do with Ken Griffey? If MVP awards were given for clubhouse presence, Junior would be a shoo-in. But as a DH, he is hurting his team as much as Bradley.
Griffey is hitting like he is every bit of 40: .212/.268/.242 with no homers. Time soon will be up on the "it’s early" excuse, and the club insists the knee problems that limited Griffey last season aren’t an issue. But he has about as much chance as hitting 19 homers — which he did last season in what was considered a mildly disappointing output — as Cliff Lee.
What can the Mariners do? Cutting the franchise’s all-time great player is out of the question. Releasing fellow clubhouse stalwart Mike Sweeney and moving Griffey into his pinch-hitter role would be difficult. Would the Mariners have the nerve to ask Griffey to step aside? Griffey most likely wouldn’t go for that. You don’t become a sure Hall of Famer without having a lot of pride.
But first things first. And the first thing the Mariners need to do is find a bat.
STRIKE 2: Rays are the new road warriors
Manager Joe Maddon spent spring training stressing the importance of a strong start for his Rays. With a majors-best 20-7 record, it seems the Rays listened to their manager. His words might not have been needed, though.
"We saw what happened last year when we got off to a slow start (9-14 in April) compared to the year before," righthander Jeff Niemann says. "It wasn’t a very good feeling to point back to that slow start in April as the reason. We wanted to come out of the gates good and get those April woes behind us."
In doing so, the Rays have overcome their other Achilles’ heel of a year ago: playing on the road. They won 14 road games after the break last season; they already have 11 road wins this season.
"I’m not sure you can really put your finger on a reason, but the comfort level is different," Niemann says. "A lot of these guys, including myself, have been around the league for a year longer and been to all the stadiums. The second and third time around to a stadium, you get a little more comfortable and that helps a lot."
STRIKE 3: It’s a pitcher’s world so far
Stats to confirm your suspicions that the first four-plus weeks definitely have favored the men on the mound:
• Through May 5, 35 starters had a sub-3.00 ERA this season. Through May 5 last season, only 16 did. In that same span, 19 starters averaged at least a strikeout per inning this season. Last season, only 12 did at this point.
• Through May 5 this season, the majors’ average batting average was .257, down six points from this point last season. On-base percentage, homers and runs also are down.
Don’t blame the weather because this season has seen much warmer temperatures across the land, and that would benefit hitters. It can’t be the ballparks because the only new one is Target Field, where the .270 batting average is higher than the MLB average.
Testing for performance-enhancing drugs must be working then, right? That is what many scouts and executives believe. But how does that take into account the fact that pitchers used performance-enhancers as much as hitters?
My take: Drug testing has improved defenses. The one-dimensional slugger types have been replaced by more athletic baseball players. The better the defense, of course, the better the pitching.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
Stan McNeal analyzes three hot topics in Major League Baseball:
Ken Griffey has struggled mightily at the plate this year.
STRIKE 1: Mariners have been offensive
Milton Bradley needs help to deal with emotional issues. His team needs help, too. And soon.
The Mariners entered the season as a media favorite following a 24-game turnaround in 2009 and after making big move after big move in the offseason. All of those moves were made with a focus on pitching and defense. Now the Mariners find themselves in desperate need of offense. They need a slugger, or their next big turnaround will be one in the wrong direction.
Seattle isn’t interested in dealing prospects, partly because it doesn’t have many. The team’s best chance is to trade for a highly paid thumper from a team going nowhere that is looking to cut its losses.
Paul Konerko would be a great choice, though the White Sox probably think they still can get in the AL Central race. Kansas City’s Jose Guillen is another option, though his ability to maintain his early production is no certainty. Same goes for the Orioles’ Ty Wigginton, whose salary is reasonable enough ($3.5 million) that he might cost too much in terms of prospects. That likely would be the case with the Marlins’ Dan Uggla also.
Obtaining the bat is the first challenge. The next would be even more difficult: What would the Mariners do with Ken Griffey? If MVP awards were given for clubhouse presence, Junior would be a shoo-in. But as a DH, he is hurting his team as much as Bradley.
Griffey is hitting like he is every bit of 40: .212/.268/.242 with no homers. Time soon will be up on the "it’s early" excuse, and the club insists the knee problems that limited Griffey last season aren’t an issue. But he has about as much chance as hitting 19 homers — which he did last season in what was considered a mildly disappointing output — as Cliff Lee.
What can the Mariners do? Cutting the franchise’s all-time great player is out of the question. Releasing fellow clubhouse stalwart Mike Sweeney and moving Griffey into his pinch-hitter role would be difficult. Would the Mariners have the nerve to ask Griffey to step aside? Griffey most likely wouldn’t go for that. You don’t become a sure Hall of Famer without having a lot of pride.
But first things first. And the first thing the Mariners need to do is find a bat.
STRIKE 2: Rays are the new road warriors
Manager Joe Maddon spent spring training stressing the importance of a strong start for his Rays. With a majors-best 20-7 record, it seems the Rays listened to their manager. His words might not have been needed, though.
"We saw what happened last year when we got off to a slow start (9-14 in April) compared to the year before," righthander Jeff Niemann says. "It wasn’t a very good feeling to point back to that slow start in April as the reason. We wanted to come out of the gates good and get those April woes behind us."
In doing so, the Rays have overcome their other Achilles’ heel of a year ago: playing on the road. They won 14 road games after the break last season; they already have 11 road wins this season.
"I’m not sure you can really put your finger on a reason, but the comfort level is different," Niemann says. "A lot of these guys, including myself, have been around the league for a year longer and been to all the stadiums. The second and third time around to a stadium, you get a little more comfortable and that helps a lot."
STRIKE 3: It’s a pitcher’s world so far
Stats to confirm your suspicions that the first four-plus weeks definitely have favored the men on the mound:
• Through May 5, 35 starters had a sub-3.00 ERA this season. Through May 5 last season, only 16 did. In that same span, 19 starters averaged at least a strikeout per inning this season. Last season, only 12 did at this point.
• Through May 5 this season, the majors’ average batting average was .257, down six points from this point last season. On-base percentage, homers and runs also are down.
Don’t blame the weather because this season has seen much warmer temperatures across the land, and that would benefit hitters. It can’t be the ballparks because the only new one is Target Field, where the .270 batting average is higher than the MLB average.
Testing for performance-enhancing drugs must be working then, right? That is what many scouts and executives believe. But how does that take into account the fact that pitchers used performance-enhancers as much as hitters?
My take: Drug testing has improved defenses. The one-dimensional slugger types have been replaced by more athletic baseball players. The better the defense, of course, the better the pitching.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
A glance at the standings last week showed that 28 teams had records no worse than three games under .500. That’s a lot of teams playing decent baseball. That’s good for parity, but not so good for power pollsters who have to, for example, decide where to rank five 11-14 teams.
Pulling names out of a hat would be too easy. Instead, we studied the trends, analyzed the numbers, consulted with our editor and then … flipped a coin. Just kidding about the coin, of course. Onto the poll.
How good is Adam Wainwright and the rest of the Cardinals’ rotation? We may find out this week.
1. Cardinals (5). These next four days will give us a much better idea of just how good is the Cardinals’ rotation, which leads the majors with a 2.55 ERA. The Cardinals face the mighty Phillies in Philly.
2. Rays (1). Losing two of four at home to the Royals was enough to drop them from the top spot. But they’ll be back if they perform on their nine-game journey to the West Coast like they did on their first trip of the season (9-1).
3. Padres (4). We don’t believe they’re this good, either. But after a 5-2 week that included three shutouts of the Brewers, they deserve to be here.
4. Yankees (3). Four regulars — A-Rod, Mark Teixeira, Nick Johnson and Curtis Granderson — have combined for just nine homers yet the Bombers still are 16-8. That is a deep lineup, one that will be without Granderson for at least 15 days (strained groin).
5. Twins (2). This is a deep organization: Joe Mauer is out with a bruised left heel and his replacement, top prospect Wilson Ramos, becomes the first Twin since Kirby Puckett to have a four-hit debut.
6. Giants (8). Who says these guys can’t hit? The Giants scored at least five runs in five of six games last week, enough to give them series wins over the Phillies and Rockies. Yet they still only rank 12th in runs in the NL.
7. Phillies (6). Brad Lidge served a homer to the first batter he faced after coming off the DL, which happened to be the same day his fill-in, Ryan Madson, went on the DL for kicking a chair and breaking a toe. No wonder there is concern about their bullpen.
Johnny Damon has performed for the Tigers.
8. Tigers (11). They knew what they were doing this off-season: Johnny Damon and Austin Jackson both are top five in runs and top 10 in OBP in the AL.
9. Rangers (24). Yes, moving up 15 spots is a big jump but the Rangers did win five of seven, including their first sweep at Safeco Field. Whatever Colby Lewis learned in Japan, it’s working. He’s 3-0 with a 2.76 ERA.
10. Rockies (9). Jim Tracy’s pre-game "talk" on Sunday and a strong start by rookie Jhoulys Chacin (one hit in seven innings) has the Rockies primed for better play. They’ll need it this week with series at San Diego and L.A.
11. Mets (11). That winning streak was nice but it sure ended with a thud. They were outscored 21-5 in dropping two at Philly.
12. Marlins (13). Jorge Cantu is much like his team: Largely unnoticed but pretty darn good. He has a hit in 23 of 24 games and leads the NL with 25 RBIs.
13. Nationals (12). Ho-hum. Another .500 week for last year’s doormats. And Stephen Strasburg is getting closer. Predicted debut: June 4, home, vs. Reds.
14. Cubs (18). They better win now. They’re in a three-series stretch against the NL’s worst-pitching clubs. They won three against the Diamondbacks (5.90 ERA), with Pirates (6.79) and Reds (5.46) next.
15. Angels (15). Mickey Hatcher on struggling youngster Brandon Wood: "I think his computer is overloading." The poll gets that same feeling when trying to figure out the Angels.
16. Red Sox (20). We’re focusing on J.D. Drew’s three-game hitting streak with three homers and Josh Beckett’s bounce-back start, not being swept at Baltimore.
17. Dodgers (16). Winning three of four at home against the Pirates doesn’t make up for being swept at New York.
Veron Wells has been great, but he can’t do it alone for the Blue Jays.
18. Blue Jays (14). Vernon Wells and Alex Gonzalez both rank among early-season surprises with eight homers each. But they need help.
19. A’s (7). Bet they’re glad to return home. Last week’s trip to the East did little for their place in the poll as they dropped five of six. It did even less for the team ERA, which shot to 4.04 from 2.93.
20. Braves (23). They’ll be even better when Bobby Cox moves Jason Heyward up another spot or two in the order.
21. Reds (28). They reeled off a five-game winning streak following Dusty Baker’s closed-door tirade. Asked if it made a difference, Dusty replied, "You can’t take credit for that. That’s a delicate thing. They could fall further in the depths." Translation: Those three games against the Astros were nice.
22. Mariners (17). Their recipe for pitching and defense would have a better chance if they could get just a little offense. Their designated hitters have yet to homer, no small reason why the team has been out-homered, 20-9.
23. Diamondbacks (25). They scored at least five runs in six of seven games last week. Too bad their pitching gave up double figures in four games.
24. Brewers (22). You know things aren’t going their way when they lose two at home to the Pirates and are shut out in three of four games at San Diego.
25. Royals (27). We’re not sure whether to be more impressed by Zack Greinke’s pitching (he didn’t allow a run in 14 innings last week) or his grace when defending his teammates (after not getting a win in either start). Doesn’t it bother you? "Not because it’s me personally," he said. "I feel like we’re playing better than every team we’ve played so far. We hit better and pitch better but we’ll have one bad inning or one situation where we will ruin a good opportunity. We’re playing good but not getting the job done and it’s cost us."
26. White Sox (19). Juan Pierre ranks seventh in runs and eighth in OBP on his own team. No wonder Ozzie Guillen dropped him out of the leadoff spot.
27. Orioles (30). Maybe they’ve hit bottom. After starting 2-14, they’re gone 5-4 in a 12-game stretch against the Red Sox and Yankees, with three at New York starting today.
28. Indians (26). They remain on pace to finish with more wins than the Cavs (67-61), that is, as long as only the Cavs’ regular season is included.
29. Pirates (29). They’ve already tried eight different starters, and only two of them have an ERA under 6.00.
30. Astros (21). The ever-streaky Astros’ six-game skid has them back at the bottom.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
Sponsored link: Cardinals tickets available
A glance at the standings last week showed that 28 teams had records no worse than three games under .500. That’s a lot of teams playing decent baseball. That’s good for parity, but not so good for power pollsters who have to, for example, decide where to rank five 11-14 teams.
Pulling names out of a hat would be too easy. Instead, we studied the trends, analyzed the numbers, consulted with our editor and then … flipped a coin. Just kidding about the coin, of course. Onto the poll.
How good is Adam Wainwright and the rest of the Cardinals’ rotation? We may find out this week.
1. Cardinals (5). These next four days will give us a much better idea of just how good is the Cardinals’ rotation, which leads the majors with a 2.55 ERA. The Cardinals face the mighty Phillies in Philly.
2. Rays (1). Losing two of four at home to the Royals was enough to drop them from the top spot. But they’ll be back if they perform on their nine-game journey to the West Coast like they did on their first trip of the season (9-1).
3. Padres (4). We don’t believe they’re this good, either. But after a 5-2 week that included three shutouts of the Brewers, they deserve to be here.
4. Yankees (3). Four regulars — A-Rod, Mark Teixeira, Nick Johnson and Curtis Granderson — have combined for just nine homers yet the Bombers still are 16-8. That is a deep lineup, one that will be without Granderson for at least 15 days (strained groin).
5. Twins (2). This is a deep organization: Joe Mauer is out with a bruised left heel and his replacement, top prospect Wilson Ramos, becomes the first Twin since Kirby Puckett to have a four-hit debut.
6. Giants (8). Who says these guys can’t hit? The Giants scored at least five runs in five of six games last week, enough to give them series wins over the Phillies and Rockies. Yet they still only rank 12th in runs in the NL.
7. Phillies (6). Brad Lidge served a homer to the first batter he faced after coming off the DL, which happened to be the same day his fill-in, Ryan Madson, went on the DL for kicking a chair and breaking a toe. No wonder there is concern about their bullpen.
Johnny Damon has performed for the Tigers.
8. Tigers (11). They knew what they were doing this off-season: Johnny Damon and Austin Jackson both are top five in runs and top 10 in OBP in the AL.
9. Rangers (24). Yes, moving up 15 spots is a big jump but the Rangers did win five of seven, including their first sweep at Safeco Field. Whatever Colby Lewis learned in Japan, it’s working. He’s 3-0 with a 2.76 ERA.
10. Rockies (9). Jim Tracy’s pre-game "talk" on Sunday and a strong start by rookie Jhoulys Chacin (one hit in seven innings) has the Rockies primed for better play. They’ll need it this week with series at San Diego and L.A.
11. Mets (11). That winning streak was nice but it sure ended with a thud. They were outscored 21-5 in dropping two at Philly.
12. Marlins (13). Jorge Cantu is much like his team: Largely unnoticed but pretty darn good. He has a hit in 23 of 24 games and leads the NL with 25 RBIs.
13. Nationals (12). Ho-hum. Another .500 week for last year’s doormats. And Stephen Strasburg is getting closer. Predicted debut: June 4, home, vs. Reds.
14. Cubs (18). They better win now. They’re in a three-series stretch against the NL’s worst-pitching clubs. They won three against the Diamondbacks (5.90 ERA), with Pirates (6.79) and Reds (5.46) next.
15. Angels (15). Mickey Hatcher on struggling youngster Brandon Wood: "I think his computer is overloading." The poll gets that same feeling when trying to figure out the Angels.
16. Red Sox (20). We’re focusing on J.D. Drew’s three-game hitting streak with three homers and Josh Beckett’s bounce-back start, not being swept at Baltimore.
17. Dodgers (16). Winning three of four at home against the Pirates doesn’t make up for being swept at New York.
Veron Wells has been great, but he can’t do it alone for the Blue Jays.
18. Blue Jays (14). Vernon Wells and Alex Gonzalez both rank among early-season surprises with eight homers each. But they need help.
19. A’s (7). Bet they’re glad to return home. Last week’s trip to the East did little for their place in the poll as they dropped five of six. It did even less for the team ERA, which shot to 4.04 from 2.93.
20. Braves (23). They’ll be even better when Bobby Cox moves Jason Heyward up another spot or two in the order.
21. Reds (28). They reeled off a five-game winning streak following Dusty Baker’s closed-door tirade. Asked if it made a difference, Dusty replied, "You can’t take credit for that. That’s a delicate thing. They could fall further in the depths." Translation: Those three games against the Astros were nice.
22. Mariners (17). Their recipe for pitching and defense would have a better chance if they could get just a little offense. Their designated hitters have yet to homer, no small reason why the team has been out-homered, 20-9.
23. Diamondbacks (25). They scored at least five runs in six of seven games last week. Too bad their pitching gave up double figures in four games.
24. Brewers (22). You know things aren’t going their way when they lose two at home to the Pirates and are shut out in three of four games at San Diego.
25. Royals (27). We’re not sure whether to be more impressed by Zack Greinke’s pitching (he didn’t allow a run in 14 innings last week) or his grace when defending his teammates (after not getting a win in either start). Doesn’t it bother you? "Not because it’s me personally," he said. "I feel like we’re playing better than every team we’ve played so far. We hit better and pitch better but we’ll have one bad inning or one situation where we will ruin a good opportunity. We’re playing good but not getting the job done and it’s cost us."
26. White Sox (19). Juan Pierre ranks seventh in runs and eighth in OBP on his own team. No wonder Ozzie Guillen dropped him out of the leadoff spot.
27. Orioles (30). Maybe they’ve hit bottom. After starting 2-14, they’re gone 5-4 in a 12-game stretch against the Red Sox and Yankees, with three at New York starting today.
28. Indians (26). They remain on pace to finish with more wins than the Cavs (67-61), that is, as long as only the Cavs’ regular season is included.
29. Pirates (29). They’ve already tried eight different starters, and only two of them have an ERA under 6.00.
30. Astros (21). The ever-streaky Astros’ six-game skid has them back at the bottom.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
Sponsored link: Cardinals tickets available
Ready for some baseball drama? With Albert Pujols and Ryan Howard in the same park, you could get plenty. But we’re not talking about the hyperbole surrounding Pujols’ next contract with regards to Howard’s five-year, $125 million extension. Pujols says he won’t discuss that.
We’re talking about something much juicier: a week full of series between playoff contenders. Seven of the eight clubs to reach the postseason in 2009 face a fellow playoff team this week. The one who doesn’t? The Twins face the Tigers, the team they beat in a one game play-in to reach the playoffs last year. Have a look:
Cardinals at Phillies
The Cardinals get their first taste of Roy Halladay in a Phillies uniform this week.
These clubs are too savvy to get worked up about a four-game set in May. "This is a good team we’re facing but our goal remains the same: We want to win the series, just like every series," Cardinals right-hander Kyle Lohse says.
Behind a rotation sporting a 2.55 ERA and the slugging of Pujols — who else? — the Cardinals have won seven of their eight series and built a five-game lead in the NL Central. The club also has boosted by better-than-expected contributions from two rookies, lefty starter Jaime Garcia and third baseman David Frese.
Garcia, 23, already has held his own in duels with Johan Santana and Tim Lincecum, and does not figure to be ruffled by the NL champions. "They’ll test him. They have an outstanding offensive team," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "He’ll go out there and try to make his pitches."
The Cardinals come to Philly after winning six of seven on a home stand, including two of three against the Reds. While the Cardinals refuse to get overly amped about a trip to Philadelphia, Reds manager Dusty Baker perked up when he was told about the Cardinals-Phillies series.
"Is (Roy) Halladay going?" Baker quickly asked.
Yes, the Phillies new ace (5-1, 1.47 ERA) will start Thursday’s day finale against Lohse. Halladay has given the Phillies everything they expected and more at a time the club has needed it all. His brilliant beginning has helped cover for what has been an injury-filled first month for the NL champs.
Joe Blanton (oblique) returns to make his first start on Monday and Brad Lidge (knee) came back Friday, the same day the club placed reliever Ryan Madson (toe) on the disabled list. Shortstop Jimmy Rollins (calf) and lefty starter A.J. Happ (forearm), however, remain out and neither is expected back this week.
Tigers at Twins
The Twins last month got off to a strong start at new Target Field with a 6-3 opening home stand that solidified their spot atop the AL Central. Their play wasn’t all that was hotter than expected. April weather in the Twin Cities was the warmest in 85 years, with an average temperature of 54.9. Temperatures are expected to be in the high 40s for night games Monday and Tuesday and warmer for Wednesday’s afternoon game.
The Twins are coming off a 5-4 trip that included losing two of three at Detroit. The Tigers are still rolling behind the AL’s leading offense, which has been lifted by rookie Austin Jackson and newcomer Johnny Damon. Hitting first and second, respectively, they enter the week with identical .420 OBPs. Cleanup hitter Miguel Cabrera has taken advantage by driving in 27 runs in Detroit’s first 26 games.
Twins catcher Joe Mauer missed games in the past week with a stiff back and bruised left heel. He could sit at least one more game after the Twins called up their top catching prospect, Wilson Ramos.
Angels at Red Sox
John Lackey faces his old team Wednesday when the Red Sox host the Angels.
These frequent playoff combatants have not played much like postseason teams so far. Both begin the week under .500 after being swept in weekend series.
The Angels have found replacing starter John Lackey and third baseman Chone Figgins to be difficult as new starter Joel Pineiro (5.76 ERA) and third baseman Brandon Wood (1.89, five runs) have struggled.
The Red Sox have dealt with injuries to Jacoby Ellsbury (chest bruise) and Mike Cameron (kidney stones), the continuing decline of David Ortiz (.159 average), a rough month by ace Josh Beckett (6.31 ERA) and a defense that hasn’t played as well as advertised.
Both clubs need to get right against each other because they have division rivals coming next. The Red Sox will play host to the Yankees and the Angels will travel to Seattle.
Rockies at Dodgers
These teams, who meet this weekend at Dodger Stadium, figured to be on top of the West by now. Instead, they are at the bottom. Three of the Rockies’ five projected starters and closer Huston Street are out. L.A. put Manny Ramirez (calf), starter Vicente Padilla (arm) and reliever Jeff Weaver (back) on the DL on the same day last week.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
Ready for some baseball drama? With Albert Pujols and Ryan Howard in the same park, you could get plenty. But we’re not talking about the hyperbole surrounding Pujols’ next contract with regards to Howard’s five-year, $125 million extension. Pujols says he won’t discuss that.
We’re talking about something much juicier: a week full of series between playoff contenders. Seven of the eight clubs to reach the postseason in 2009 face a fellow playoff team this week. The one who doesn’t? The Twins face the Tigers, the team they beat in a one game play-in to reach the playoffs last year. Have a look:
Cardinals at Phillies
The Cardinals get their first taste of Roy Halladay in a Phillies uniform this week.
These clubs are too savvy to get worked up about a four-game set in May. "This is a good team we’re facing but our goal remains the same: We want to win the series, just like every series," Cardinals right-hander Kyle Lohse says.
Behind a rotation sporting a 2.55 ERA and the slugging of Pujols — who else? — the Cardinals have won seven of their eight series and built a five-game lead in the NL Central. The club also has boosted by better-than-expected contributions from two rookies, lefty starter Jaime Garcia and third baseman David Frese.
Garcia, 23, already has held his own in duels with Johan Santana and Tim Lincecum, and does not figure to be ruffled by the NL champions. "They’ll test him. They have an outstanding offensive team," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "He’ll go out there and try to make his pitches."
The Cardinals come to Philly after winning six of seven on a home stand, including two of three against the Reds. While the Cardinals refuse to get overly amped about a trip to Philadelphia, Reds manager Dusty Baker perked up when he was told about the Cardinals-Phillies series.
"Is (Roy) Halladay going?" Baker quickly asked.
Yes, the Phillies new ace (5-1, 1.47 ERA) will start Thursday’s day finale against Lohse. Halladay has given the Phillies everything they expected and more at a time the club has needed it all. His brilliant beginning has helped cover for what has been an injury-filled first month for the NL champs.
Joe Blanton (oblique) returns to make his first start on Monday and Brad Lidge (knee) came back Friday, the same day the club placed reliever Ryan Madson (toe) on the disabled list. Shortstop Jimmy Rollins (calf) and lefty starter A.J. Happ (forearm), however, remain out and neither is expected back this week.
Tigers at Twins
The Twins last month got off to a strong start at new Target Field with a 6-3 opening home stand that solidified their spot atop the AL Central. Their play wasn’t all that was hotter than expected. April weather in the Twin Cities was the warmest in 85 years, with an average temperature of 54.9. Temperatures are expected to be in the high 40s for night games Monday and Tuesday and warmer for Wednesday’s afternoon game.
The Twins are coming off a 5-4 trip that included losing two of three at Detroit. The Tigers are still rolling behind the AL’s leading offense, which has been lifted by rookie Austin Jackson and newcomer Johnny Damon. Hitting first and second, respectively, they enter the week with identical .420 OBPs. Cleanup hitter Miguel Cabrera has taken advantage by driving in 27 runs in Detroit’s first 26 games.
Twins catcher Joe Mauer missed games in the past week with a stiff back and bruised left heel. He could sit at least one more game after the Twins called up their top catching prospect, Wilson Ramos.
Angels at Red Sox
John Lackey faces his old team Wednesday when the Red Sox host the Angels.
These frequent playoff combatants have not played much like postseason teams so far. Both begin the week under .500 after being swept in weekend series.
The Angels have found replacing starter John Lackey and third baseman Chone Figgins to be difficult as new starter Joel Pineiro (5.76 ERA) and third baseman Brandon Wood (1.89, five runs) have struggled.
The Red Sox have dealt with injuries to Jacoby Ellsbury (chest bruise) and Mike Cameron (kidney stones), the continuing decline of David Ortiz (.159 average), a rough month by ace Josh Beckett (6.31 ERA) and a defense that hasn’t played as well as advertised.
Both clubs need to get right against each other because they have division rivals coming next. The Red Sox will play host to the Yankees and the Angels will travel to Seattle.
Rockies at Dodgers
These teams, who meet this weekend at Dodger Stadium, figured to be on top of the West by now. Instead, they are at the bottom. Three of the Rockies’ five projected starters and closer Huston Street are out. L.A. put Manny Ramirez (calf), starter Vicente Padilla (arm) and reliever Jeff Weaver (back) on the DL on the same day last week.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
What to expect in the major leagues today:
Reds’ phenom off to strong start
Cincinnati’s Mike Leake looks to continue his strong start against a hot Mets team.
While Aroldis Chapman was attracting the buzz in spring training, fellow rookie Mike Leake was busy making the team. The Reds righthander became the first player since Xavier Nady in 2000 to completely skip the minor leagues. In his first start, Leake allowed the first three Cubs he faced to reach base, but none scored. He has been dodging trouble since with the poise of a veteran. Leake, 22, takes a 2-0 record and 3.25 ERA into Monday’s start against the Mets in Cincinnati. He isn’t overpowering—his fastball reaches 90 mph—and he has allowed 39 base runners in 27 2/3 innings. "His stuff can get him into trouble but he has the ability to pitch his way out of it," a scout said.
Padres take a test at home
Strong pitching and a revamped offense focused on speed have helped the Padres to a strong start. They lead the majors with five shutouts, including back-to-back blankings of the potent Brewers last week. On offense, they lead the NL in steals and Chase Headley is providing a solid bat behind Adrian Gonzalez. But are the Padres a legitimate contender? Monday’s game in San Diego should provide more than a clue. They face Rockies’ ace Ubaldo Jimenez, who is 5-0 with a no-hitter, 0.79 ERA and working on a 23 1/3-inning scoreless streak. The Padres will counter with their four-game winner, Kevin Correia.
Peavy tries again
Someone tell the White Sox’s Jake Peavy he’s not in pitching spacious Petco Park anymore. He’s in the American League now. Peavy, like fellow NL alum Ben Sheets, is not enjoying the success he did before changing leagues. Peavy has been roughed up for 13 runs over his past two starts as his ERA has ballooned to 7.85 even though he says he’s healthy. Peavy will go for his first win Monday at home against the Royals, a club that just won a series against the majors’ hottest team, Tampa Bay.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
What to expect in the major leagues today:
Reds’ phenom off to strong start
Cincinnati’s Mike Leake looks to continue his strong start against a hot Mets team.
While Aroldis Chapman was attracting the buzz in spring training, fellow rookie Mike Leake was busy making the team. The Reds righthander became the first player since Xavier Nady in 2000 to completely skip the minor leagues. In his first start, Leake allowed the first three Cubs he faced to reach base, but none scored. He has been dodging trouble since with the poise of a veteran. Leake, 22, takes a 2-0 record and 3.25 ERA into Monday’s start against the Mets in Cincinnati. He isn’t overpowering—his fastball reaches 90 mph—and he has allowed 39 base runners in 27 2/3 innings. "His stuff can get him into trouble but he has the ability to pitch his way out of it," a scout said.
Padres take a test at home
Strong pitching and a revamped offense focused on speed have helped the Padres to a strong start. They lead the majors with five shutouts, including back-to-back blankings of the potent Brewers last week. On offense, they lead the NL in steals and Chase Headley is providing a solid bat behind Adrian Gonzalez. But are the Padres a legitimate contender? Monday’s game in San Diego should provide more than a clue. They face Rockies’ ace Ubaldo Jimenez, who is 5-0 with a no-hitter, 0.79 ERA and working on a 23 1/3-inning scoreless streak. The Padres will counter with their four-game winner, Kevin Correia.
Peavy tries again
Someone tell the White Sox’s Jake Peavy he’s not in pitching spacious Petco Park anymore. He’s in the American League now. Peavy, like fellow NL alum Ben Sheets, is not enjoying the success he did before changing leagues. Peavy has been roughed up for 13 runs over his past two starts as his ERA has ballooned to 7.85 even though he says he’s healthy. Peavy will go for his first win Monday at home against the Royals, a club that just won a series against the majors’ hottest team, Tampa Bay.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
Three-plus weeks into the season, it is surprising that Zack Greinke doesn’t have a win, Albert Pujols has more strikeouts than walks and the Red Sox haven’t figured out they need Jason Varitek to play more. But enough with not-so-pleasant surprises.
The top 10 pleasant surprises (among players):
So far, Livan Hernandez has rewarded the Nats for taking a chance on him.
Livan Hernandez, SP, Nationals
Washington signed Jason Marquis to a two-year, $15 million deal to lead its young rotation. Conversely, Hernandez didn’t have a job when spring training began, and he had to settle for a minor league deal. Marquis lasted 8 1/3 innings (three starts) and posted a 20.52 ERA before going on the disabled list. Hernandez has worked at least seven innings in each of his first four starts and has a 0.87 ERA. Go figure.
After he beat the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Tuesday, Hernandez told reporters he is using the offseason snub as motivation. "I want to show the people that I’m not done," he said. "I do everything they asked me to do. I pitch every five days; I haven’t missed a start for 14 years. No matter what happens, no matter how you feel, I’m always there."
Hernandez averaged an MLB-best 220 innings over the past decade. Listed at 35, he says he wants to pitch "for a long time." Don’t be surprised when he someday is called the righthanded Jamie Moyer.
Kelly Johnson, 2B, Diamondbacks
Major leaguers don’t like to be snubbed. Or, in Johnson’s case, dumped. The Braves preferred Martin Prado at second base, so they non-tendered Johnson, who was snatched by Arizona two weeks later. Good move by the Diamondbacks.
Johnson is showing the Braves what they are missing. Displaying better patience at the plate, he hit seven homers in his first 19 games — he finished with eight in 106 games last year — and raised his OBP nearly 100 points.
Jose Guillen, DH, Royals
Because of serious leg injuries — Guillen told the Kansas City Star that a bout with blood clots left him hospitalized for 20 days this past offseason — he missed 81 games last season while hitting only nine homers. The Royals relegated him to DH duty after signing Rick Ankiel and Scott Podsednik. Guillen wasn’t happy about that. He isn’t saying much about it these days, preferring to let his bat do his talking.
And his bat is saying plenty: seven homers, 18 RBIs and a .349 average. A scout who has known Guillen since his minor league days in Pittsburgh asked me to give him a message: "He should be doing this every year." Replied Guillen: "I could do this every year if I was healthy."
If he keeps this up, don’t be surprised if Guillen is traded to a contender in need of an angry bat.
Vernon Wells, CF, Blue Jays
Wells never will live up to his contract, but don’t hold that against him. It isn’t his fault Toronto overpaid him. At least he is healthy again after offseason wrist surgery.
Wells paid for playing through discomfort last season. He missed only three games but hit .250 with 15 homers, a .311 OBP and a .400 slugging percentage. He hit four homers in the first three games this season and hasn’t cooled much.
C.J. Wilson has impressed since his move to the Rangers’ rotation from the pen.
C.J. Wilson, SP, Rangers
The lefthander has something to prove, too. He wants to show his team it made the right decision by giving him an opportunity to start after he was the team’s most consistent reliever in 2009. The evidence continues to pile up in Wilson’s favor: He has a 1.75 ERA and is the first Ranger to open the season with four consecutive quality starts since 1993.
Andruw Jones, OF/DH, White Sox
After a miserable 2008 with the Dodgers, Jones, 33, continues to find his way back. The White Sox signed him to be a platoon DH and reserve outfielder, but a scout who has watched the club believes Jones, who dropped 25 pounds in the offseason, can be more. "Alex Rios is playing better — he was a dog last year — but I believe Jones will end up hitting more," the scout says. He has so far. In 19 fewer at-bats, Jones has six homers to Rios’ three and a .393-.323 edge in OBP.
Mike Pelfrey, SP, Mets
No Met has rebounded better from a miserable 2009 than Pelfrey — and that includes a bunch of Mets who needed to bounce back. Pelfrey has won all four of his starts, hasn’t allowed a run since the second inning of his 2010 debut and leads the majors with a 0.69 ERA. What’s changed? He is pitching with more confidence, he is throwing a quality split-finger fastball, and he has improved the command of his secondary pitches. No wonder his outlook has done a 180.
"I related last year to having a bad day at work every day," he says. "Nobody wants to go to work and have those days. Now I look forward to getting back out there. It’s tough to sit around for four days (between starts)."
Doug Fister, SP, Mariners
If you predicted that Fister would be the Seattle starter ranked among the AL ERA leaders, you should consider a career change to fortune-telling. This is a staff that figured to be led by Felix Hernandez and Cliff Lee. It will be. Hernandez has been Hernandez, and Lee finally will debut Friday night.
After four starts, however, Fister has been the Mariners’ stingiest starter. The 6-8 righthander sports a 1.67 ERA and has held opponents to a .208 average. "Coming out of spring training without Lee, we talked about someone needing to step up," Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu says. "He’s done that. He’s pitching aggressively and keeping the ball low."
Sergio Santos, RP, White Sox
Don’t worry if you haven’t heard much about Santos. You’re not alone. This time a year ago, Santos was toiling in the minors after making the switch from the infield to the bullpen. The conversion didn’t take long. He made the White Sox out of spring training and has emerged as Ozzie Guillen’s most reliable reliever, featuring a high-90-mph fastball and good changeup. In eight outings (eight innings), he has struck out 10 and has allowed two hits, three walks and zero runs.
Matt Capps, RP, Nationals
A Nationals starter opened this top 10, so it makes sense to close it with the Nationals’ closer. Few were wowed when Washington signed Capps after his unimpressive 2009 (five blown saves and a 5.80 ERA). Everyone should be impressed now. Capps leads the majors with nine saves in nine tries and has allowed only one earned run in 12 1/3 innings.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
Three-plus weeks into the season, it is surprising that Zack Greinke doesn’t have a win, Albert Pujols has more strikeouts than walks and the Red Sox haven’t figured out they need Jason Varitek to play more. But enough with not-so-pleasant surprises.
The top 10 pleasant surprises (among players):
So far, Livan Hernandez has rewarded the Nats for taking a chance on him.
Livan Hernandez, SP, Nationals
Washington signed Jason Marquis to a two-year, $15 million deal to lead its young rotation. Conversely, Hernandez didn’t have a job when spring training began, and he had to settle for a minor league deal. Marquis lasted 8 1/3 innings (three starts) and posted a 20.52 ERA before going on the disabled list. Hernandez has worked at least seven innings in each of his first four starts and has a 0.87 ERA. Go figure.
After he beat the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Tuesday, Hernandez told reporters he is using the offseason snub as motivation. "I want to show the people that I’m not done," he said. "I do everything they asked me to do. I pitch every five days; I haven’t missed a start for 14 years. No matter what happens, no matter how you feel, I’m always there."
Hernandez averaged an MLB-best 220 innings over the past decade. Listed at 35, he says he wants to pitch "for a long time." Don’t be surprised when he someday is called the righthanded Jamie Moyer.
Kelly Johnson, 2B, Diamondbacks
Major leaguers don’t like to be snubbed. Or, in Johnson’s case, dumped. The Braves preferred Martin Prado at second base, so they non-tendered Johnson, who was snatched by Arizona two weeks later. Good move by the Diamondbacks.
Johnson is showing the Braves what they are missing. Displaying better patience at the plate, he hit seven homers in his first 19 games — he finished with eight in 106 games last year — and raised his OBP nearly 100 points.
Jose Guillen, DH, Royals
Because of serious leg injuries — Guillen told the Kansas City Star that a bout with blood clots left him hospitalized for 20 days this past offseason — he missed 81 games last season while hitting only nine homers. The Royals relegated him to DH duty after signing Rick Ankiel and Scott Podsednik. Guillen wasn’t happy about that. He isn’t saying much about it these days, preferring to let his bat do his talking.
And his bat is saying plenty: seven homers, 18 RBIs and a .349 average. A scout who has known Guillen since his minor league days in Pittsburgh asked me to give him a message: "He should be doing this every year." Replied Guillen: "I could do this every year if I was healthy."
If he keeps this up, don’t be surprised if Guillen is traded to a contender in need of an angry bat.
Vernon Wells, CF, Blue Jays
Wells never will live up to his contract, but don’t hold that against him. It isn’t his fault Toronto overpaid him. At least he is healthy again after offseason wrist surgery.
Wells paid for playing through discomfort last season. He missed only three games but hit .250 with 15 homers, a .311 OBP and a .400 slugging percentage. He hit four homers in the first three games this season and hasn’t cooled much.
C.J. Wilson has impressed since his move to the Rangers’ rotation from the pen.
C.J. Wilson, SP, Rangers
The lefthander has something to prove, too. He wants to show his team it made the right decision by giving him an opportunity to start after he was the team’s most consistent reliever in 2009. The evidence continues to pile up in Wilson’s favor: He has a 1.75 ERA and is the first Ranger to open the season with four consecutive quality starts since 1993.
Andruw Jones, OF/DH, White Sox
After a miserable 2008 with the Dodgers, Jones, 33, continues to find his way back. The White Sox signed him to be a platoon DH and reserve outfielder, but a scout who has watched the club believes Jones, who dropped 25 pounds in the offseason, can be more. "Alex Rios is playing better — he was a dog last year — but I believe Jones will end up hitting more," the scout says. He has so far. In 19 fewer at-bats, Jones has six homers to Rios’ three and a .393-.323 edge in OBP.
Mike Pelfrey, SP, Mets
No Met has rebounded better from a miserable 2009 than Pelfrey — and that includes a bunch of Mets who needed to bounce back. Pelfrey has won all four of his starts, hasn’t allowed a run since the second inning of his 2010 debut and leads the majors with a 0.69 ERA. What’s changed? He is pitching with more confidence, he is throwing a quality split-finger fastball, and he has improved the command of his secondary pitches. No wonder his outlook has done a 180.
"I related last year to having a bad day at work every day," he says. "Nobody wants to go to work and have those days. Now I look forward to getting back out there. It’s tough to sit around for four days (between starts)."
Doug Fister, SP, Mariners
If you predicted that Fister would be the Seattle starter ranked among the AL ERA leaders, you should consider a career change to fortune-telling. This is a staff that figured to be led by Felix Hernandez and Cliff Lee. It will be. Hernandez has been Hernandez, and Lee finally will debut Friday night.
After four starts, however, Fister has been the Mariners’ stingiest starter. The 6-8 righthander sports a 1.67 ERA and has held opponents to a .208 average. "Coming out of spring training without Lee, we talked about someone needing to step up," Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu says. "He’s done that. He’s pitching aggressively and keeping the ball low."
Sergio Santos, RP, White Sox
Don’t worry if you haven’t heard much about Santos. You’re not alone. This time a year ago, Santos was toiling in the minors after making the switch from the infield to the bullpen. The conversion didn’t take long. He made the White Sox out of spring training and has emerged as Ozzie Guillen’s most reliable reliever, featuring a high-90-mph fastball and good changeup. In eight outings (eight innings), he has struck out 10 and has allowed two hits, three walks and zero runs.
Matt Capps, RP, Nationals
A Nationals starter opened this top 10, so it makes sense to close it with the Nationals’ closer. Few were wowed when Washington signed Capps after his unimpressive 2009 (five blown saves and a 5.80 ERA). Everyone should be impressed now. Capps leads the majors with nine saves in nine tries and has allowed only one earned run in 12 1/3 innings.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
You know it’s been an eventful season when there’s a no-hitter, a 20-inning marathon, a 20-0 blowout and an Albert Pujols’ slump before there’s a single rainout.
So what’s next? Well, the end of that Pujols’ skid, no surprise. The Cardinals slugger went 3-for-4 with a homer Sunday in the finale of a trip that he started 3 for 20. Slumping or not, Pujols always is worth watching.
Three others to keep a close eye on this week:
Jose Reyes has made an immediate impact since rejoining the Mets lineup.
Rookie Ike Davis is getting the hype and pitching is reason No. 1 the Mets had won seven of 10 before Sunday night (they allowed two or fewer runs in every win). But the return of Reyes has been big, too.
His numbers have been slow to come but look for them to climb as his at-bats mount. "Physically, I’m good," he said last week, "but this is spring training for me."
Reyes reached base in seven games last week and scored in six. He had two triples and three stolen bases without getting caught and Jerry Manuel deemed him ready for the three-hole. Not coincidentally, the Mets reached .500 for the first time since July as they head into a big week with series against the Dodgers and at first-place Philadelphia.
What Reyes would like next is a return to his normal diet. He has been ordered to stay away from his preferred seafood until doctors deem his thyroid levels at a healthy enough level.
"I have to eat a lot of chicken and pasta, and I don’t like pasta," said Reyes, who is examined by doctors weekly. He can’t wait for the visit when he’s told he stop eating something besides poultry.
"Chicken is not bad but when you eat it every day, you get tired of it," he said. Don’t tell him how many ways it can be prepared, either. "Chicken is chicken no matter what way you cook it," he said.
A look at AL ERA leaders is full of surprises. Of the seven with sub-2.00 ERAs, five are lefties. One of the leaders, Andy Pettitte (1.29), wasn’t sure he wanted to pitch this season. Two others, Francisco Liriano (1.29) and the Mariners’ Doug Fister (1.67), had to secure their jobs during spring training.
At least they were assured of having an opportunity. Rangers lefty C.J. Wilson, the club’s most consistent reliever a year ago, practically had to beg for his shot and didn’t find out he would be given one until he reported to Arizona.
"When I showed up, I spoke with our GM (Jon Daniels) and assistant GM (Thad Levine) and they told me I had to pitch really well to get the spot," Wilson replied in an e-mail. "I took that as my official ‘don’t make any mistakes’ chance."
He hasn’t made many, during camp or since. He was the Rangers’ best pitcher in spring and in two of his three regular-season starts, he hasn’t allowed a run. That included a 6 2/3-inning outing at Fenway Park that stopped Texas’ six-game losing streak. His next start comes Tuesday against another lefty, Mark Buehrle, in Arlington.
The A’s second-year closer takes a major league-best streak of 23 consecutive save conversions into Tampa Bay. That could be trouble for a couple of reasons. One: Across the majors, getting the final three outs has been tougher than usual this season. Only 10 closers have been perfect in all of their save chances, compared with 16 at this time last season.
Second: The Rays are the game’s current comeback kings. They already have won three times this season with rallies after the seventh inning and they lead the majors with nine such comebacks since last year’s All-Star Game.
The way the Rays have been playing, Bailey will be fortunate to get a save opportunity. The Rays have outscored the opposition 113-63 in running out to a 14-5 record.
Oakland also is off to a strong start, sitting atop the A.L. West behind the league’s stingiest pitching staff. Bailey has yet to allow a run in six outings, though only two have been in save situations and he has allowed three of four inherited runners to score.
After Bailey, Angels right-hander Fernando Rodney owns the longest active consecutive-saves streak, at 21, including five with his new team. At 18 straight are Jonathan Papelbon and Houston’s Matt Lindstrom, who saved four games last week.
Astros GM Ed Wade was criticized for spending so much to redo his bullpen but Houston relievers have been huge in helping the club turn around after an 0-8 start. They retired 22 consecutive hitters in one stretch and had allowed only one run in their past 14 innings.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
You know it’s been an eventful season when there’s a no-hitter, a 20-inning marathon, a 20-0 blowout and an Albert Pujols’ slump before there’s a single rainout.
So what’s next? Well, the end of that Pujols’ skid, no surprise. The Cardinals slugger went 3-for-4 with a homer Sunday in the finale of a trip that he started 3 for 20. Slumping or not, Pujols always is worth watching.
Three others to keep a close eye on this week:
Jose Reyes has made an immediate impact since rejoining the Mets lineup.
Rookie Ike Davis is getting the hype and pitching is reason No. 1 the Mets had won seven of 10 before Sunday night (they allowed two or fewer runs in every win). But the return of Reyes has been big, too.
His numbers have been slow to come but look for them to climb as his at-bats mount. "Physically, I’m good," he said last week, "but this is spring training for me."
Reyes reached base in seven games last week and scored in six. He had two triples and three stolen bases without getting caught and Jerry Manuel deemed him ready for the three-hole. Not coincidentally, the Mets reached .500 for the first time since July as they head into a big week with series against the Dodgers and at first-place Philadelphia.
What Reyes would like next is a return to his normal diet. He has been ordered to stay away from his preferred seafood until doctors deem his thyroid levels at a healthy enough level.
"I have to eat a lot of chicken and pasta, and I don’t like pasta," said Reyes, who is examined by doctors weekly. He can’t wait for the visit when he’s told he stop eating something besides poultry.
"Chicken is not bad but when you eat it every day, you get tired of it," he said. Don’t tell him how many ways it can be prepared, either. "Chicken is chicken no matter what way you cook it," he said.
A look at AL ERA leaders is full of surprises. Of the seven with sub-2.00 ERAs, five are lefties. One of the leaders, Andy Pettitte (1.29), wasn’t sure he wanted to pitch this season. Two others, Francisco Liriano (1.29) and the Mariners’ Doug Fister (1.67), had to secure their jobs during spring training.
At least they were assured of having an opportunity. Rangers lefty C.J. Wilson, the club’s most consistent reliever a year ago, practically had to beg for his shot and didn’t find out he would be given one until he reported to Arizona.
"When I showed up, I spoke with our GM (Jon Daniels) and assistant GM (Thad Levine) and they told me I had to pitch really well to get the spot," Wilson replied in an e-mail. "I took that as my official ‘don’t make any mistakes’ chance."
He hasn’t made many, during camp or since. He was the Rangers’ best pitcher in spring and in two of his three regular-season starts, he hasn’t allowed a run. That included a 6 2/3-inning outing at Fenway Park that stopped Texas’ six-game losing streak. His next start comes Tuesday against another lefty, Mark Buehrle, in Arlington.
The A’s second-year closer takes a major league-best streak of 23 consecutive save conversions into Tampa Bay. That could be trouble for a couple of reasons. One: Across the majors, getting the final three outs has been tougher than usual this season. Only 10 closers have been perfect in all of their save chances, compared with 16 at this time last season.
Second: The Rays are the game’s current comeback kings. They already have won three times this season with rallies after the seventh inning and they lead the majors with nine such comebacks since last year’s All-Star Game.
The way the Rays have been playing, Bailey will be fortunate to get a save opportunity. The Rays have outscored the opposition 113-63 in running out to a 14-5 record.
Oakland also is off to a strong start, sitting atop the A.L. West behind the league’s stingiest pitching staff. Bailey has yet to allow a run in six outings, though only two have been in save situations and he has allowed three of four inherited runners to score.
After Bailey, Angels right-hander Fernando Rodney owns the longest active consecutive-saves streak, at 21, including five with his new team. At 18 straight are Jonathan Papelbon and Houston’s Matt Lindstrom, who saved four games last week.
Astros GM Ed Wade was criticized for spending so much to redo his bullpen but Houston relievers have been huge in helping the club turn around after an 0-8 start. They retired 22 consecutive hitters in one stretch and had allowed only one run in their past 14 innings.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
To erase the disappointment of a lousy 2009, Mets righthander Mike Pelfrey had to do something.
"Last year got to the point where baseball stopped being fun," says Pelfrey, who had a 5.03 ERA and averaged fewer than six innings in 31 starts. "When the offseason came, my response was, ‘I can’t go through that again. What do I have to do to get better?’ "
First step: "I told myself I was going to lose 20 pounds." At 6-7, 250, Pelfrey wasn’t exactly Pablo Sandoval-like, but after a season in which "I didn’t achieve any of my goals," he viewed losing weight as a goal as much as a way to improve his fitness.
"To set your mind to something and be able to achieve it builds confidence," he says.
Mike Pelfrey lost more than 20 pounds during the offseason.
After taking off a month, Pelfrey headed to the YMCA near his home in Wichita, Kan. Two months of pickup basketball and twice-weekly, hour-long swims, along with "eating right for the first time in my life," helped drop his weight below 230. One goal was met. The real objective of turning around his season — his career, really — awaited.
Three weeks into the 2010 season, he is meeting his other goal, too. Pelfrey is 3-0 with a 0.86 ERA and will take a 19-inning scoreless streak into his next start (Sunday against the Braves). The last-place Mets have had a multitude of problems, but Pelfrey hasn’t been one of them.
"He’s confident and in control," manager Jerry Manuel told reporters after Pelfrey beat the Cubs in his most recent outing. Manuel added that Pelfrey, 26, is pitching his best since running off a 17-inning scoreless streak in July 2008.
The early success has been about more than a successful diet. Pelfrey also devoted his offseason to improving his secondary pitches, including a split-finger fastball that has come a long way in a short time. "That’s the secondary pitch I’ve been missing," he says. "I owe (pitching coach) Dan Warthen a lot of credit for that."
Before spring training, Pelfrey tested the splitter on players at his old school, Wichita State, and left for Florida feeling good about it. He was not deterred even though he was banged around in spring training for 37 hits, including eight homers, in 26 1/3 innings.
"Everybody was making a big deal out of it, but I threw my secondary stuff (which also includes a slider and curve) more than I threw my fastball at times, which I had never done," says Pelfrey, whose best pitch remains a power sinker. "I felt the ball was coming out of my hand great and I could feel my confidence in the secondary pitches growing."
Another change in Pelfrey has been as obvious as his improved numbers. He is working with a purpose, not wandering around the mound between pitches like he’d rather be shooting hoops in Wichita.
"Last year was not the kind of year I wanted to have, but it happened," he says. "After going through that, I’m better prepared to handle adversity. I feel like I’m a lot more in control when I’m on the mound. I have a clear head and that allows me to execute a pitch and worry about that instead of something else."
While Pelfrey clearly is pleased with his April, 30-plus starts remain on his docket if all goes well. How he handles a bad outing also will determine how much he has changed. He took his struggles home in the past to the point where "I would not talk to my wife if I had a bad game because it ate me up inside."
After having a son last August, Pelfrey says he leaves the park these days with a new perspective. "When I go home, it’s family time," he says. "I’m going to sit and play with him after a bad game or a good game. He doesn’t care what happened. He’s smiling."
Dad has had just as much reason to smile so far this season.
THREE STRIKES
STRIKE 1: Carlos Zambrano wasn’t the only one surprised when Cubs manager Lou Piniella sent him to the bullpen. Said one scout: "Over (Tom) Gorzelanny? Hmm. That’s their decision. We’ll see how long it lasts."
STRIKE 2: After Zack Greinke’s first four starts last season, he was 4-0 with two complete games and a 0.00 ERA. After four this season: 0-2 with no complete games and a 3.28 ERA. But don’t worry. "His stuff is the same," says a scout who has seen him pitch. "I just don’t look for him to have that kind of dominating season this year. That’s not easy to do." One thing that hasn’t changed is Greinke’s lack of support. He left both of his no-decisions with a lead.
STRIKE 3: What do Prince Fielder, Carlos Lee, David Ortiz, Jason Bay, Brandon Inge, Ben Zobrist and Adam LaRoche have in common? Each hit at least 25 homers last season but went into Thursday’s action still looking for No. 1 this season.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
To erase the disappointment of a lousy 2009, Mets righthander Mike Pelfrey had to do something.
"Last year got to the point where baseball stopped being fun," says Pelfrey, who had a 5.03 ERA and averaged fewer than six innings in 31 starts. "When the offseason came, my response was, ‘I can’t go through that again. What do I have to do to get better?’ "
First step: "I told myself I was going to lose 20 pounds." At 6-7, 250, Pelfrey wasn’t exactly Pablo Sandoval-like, but after a season in which "I didn’t achieve any of my goals," he viewed losing weight as a goal as much as a way to improve his fitness.
"To set your mind to something and be able to achieve it builds confidence," he says.
Mike Pelfrey lost more than 20 pounds during the offseason.
After taking off a month, Pelfrey headed to the YMCA near his home in Wichita, Kan. Two months of pickup basketball and twice-weekly, hour-long swims, along with "eating right for the first time in my life," helped drop his weight below 230. One goal was met. The real objective of turning around his season — his career, really — awaited.
Three weeks into the 2010 season, he is meeting his other goal, too. Pelfrey is 3-0 with a 0.86 ERA and will take a 19-inning scoreless streak into his next start (Sunday against the Braves). The last-place Mets have had a multitude of problems, but Pelfrey hasn’t been one of them.
"He’s confident and in control," manager Jerry Manuel told reporters after Pelfrey beat the Cubs in his most recent outing. Manuel added that Pelfrey, 26, is pitching his best since running off a 17-inning scoreless streak in July 2008.
The early success has been about more than a successful diet. Pelfrey also devoted his offseason to improving his secondary pitches, including a split-finger fastball that has come a long way in a short time. "That’s the secondary pitch I’ve been missing," he says. "I owe (pitching coach) Dan Warthen a lot of credit for that."
Before spring training, Pelfrey tested the splitter on players at his old school, Wichita State, and left for Florida feeling good about it. He was not deterred even though he was banged around in spring training for 37 hits, including eight homers, in 26 1/3 innings.
"Everybody was making a big deal out of it, but I threw my secondary stuff (which also includes a slider and curve) more than I threw my fastball at times, which I had never done," says Pelfrey, whose best pitch remains a power sinker. "I felt the ball was coming out of my hand great and I could feel my confidence in the secondary pitches growing."
Another change in Pelfrey has been as obvious as his improved numbers. He is working with a purpose, not wandering around the mound between pitches like he’d rather be shooting hoops in Wichita.
"Last year was not the kind of year I wanted to have, but it happened," he says. "After going through that, I’m better prepared to handle adversity. I feel like I’m a lot more in control when I’m on the mound. I have a clear head and that allows me to execute a pitch and worry about that instead of something else."
While Pelfrey clearly is pleased with his April, 30-plus starts remain on his docket if all goes well. How he handles a bad outing also will determine how much he has changed. He took his struggles home in the past to the point where "I would not talk to my wife if I had a bad game because it ate me up inside."
After having a son last August, Pelfrey says he leaves the park these days with a new perspective. "When I go home, it’s family time," he says. "I’m going to sit and play with him after a bad game or a good game. He doesn’t care what happened. He’s smiling."
Dad has had just as much reason to smile so far this season.
THREE STRIKES
STRIKE 1: Carlos Zambrano wasn’t the only one surprised when Cubs manager Lou Piniella sent him to the bullpen. Said one scout: "Over (Tom) Gorzelanny? Hmm. That’s their decision. We’ll see how long it lasts."
STRIKE 2: After Zack Greinke’s first four starts last season, he was 4-0 with two complete games and a 0.00 ERA. After four this season: 0-2 with no complete games and a 3.28 ERA. But don’t worry. "His stuff is the same," says a scout who has seen him pitch. "I just don’t look for him to have that kind of dominating season this year. That’s not easy to do." One thing that hasn’t changed is Greinke’s lack of support. He left both of his no-decisions with a lead.
STRIKE 3: What do Prince Fielder, Carlos Lee, David Ortiz, Jason Bay, Brandon Inge, Ben Zobrist and Adam LaRoche have in common? Each hit at least 25 homers last season but went into Thursday’s action still looking for No. 1 this season.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
You know it’s early when you look at struggling teams and neither the Pirates nor Nationals are on the list.
But there is no shortage of clubs to assume their spots:
Red Sox
David Ortiz and the Red Sox offense have struggled, but that’s only part of the problem.
The problem: The offense has struggled with runners in scoring position, but that stat is bound to improve. More concerning is the lackluster defense. The Red Sox allowed nine unearned runs in their first 13 games, third-most in the majors. Four (in one inning) were the result of an error by center fielder Mike Cameron, who hasn’t displayed the defense expected of him. The Red Sox lost that game to the Rays, 6-5, en route to being swept in the four-game series. "I’ve made that catch a thousand times, but that time I didn’t," said Cameron, who had a tough week. He passed a kidney stone Friday, returned to the lineup Saturday, sat out Monday because of similar symptoms and was placed on the disabled list Tuesday with an abdominal strain.
Panic level: 6 (out of 10). The Red Sox have too much talent and resources to not win. Their real problem is the Rays, who have an even better team than the one that went to the World Series two years ago.
Cubs
The problem: A veteran scout likes to tell me, "The team that figures out its bullpen first is the team that wins." The Cubs have much figuring to do, specifically in the seventh and eighth innings. They already have lost six games in which they led or were tied going into the seventh inning. John Grabow was supposed to be Carlos Marmol’s setup man, but the lefthander already has lost two games with eighth-inning failures. Jeff Samardzija continues to disappoint and lost a game to the Brewers when he unwisely tried to throw a fastball past Ryan Braun. Bringing in Marmol in the eighth hasn’t worked, either. His only blown save came when he allowed an inherited runner to score in the eighth.
Panic level: 7. The pitching should get a lift later this week when Ted Lilly returns to the rotation (and Carlos Silva or Tom Gorzelanny is sent to the bullpen). Offensively, Aramis Ramirez is hitting .157 with 17 strikeouts in 51 at-bats, and Ryan Theriot, who has a .271 on-base percentage, was dropped from the leadoff spot Monday night in favor of Marlon Byrd. Byrd is only Cubs with a double-digit RBI total.
White Sox
The problem: They aren’t reaching base, which is important considering their desire to play small ball. With new leadoff hitter Juan Pierre yet to warm up, the White Sox rank near the bottom of the majors in batting average and OBP. Pierre isn’t the only straggler. The White Sox didn’t have a regular hitting .300 after their first 13 games. "A bad road trip," manager Ozzie Guillen told reporters after Chicago totaled eight runs and was swept in a three-game series at Cleveland. "We continue to struggle at the plate."
Panic level: 5. They aren’t striking out much, which means the hits could start falling. The pitching has been solid, the relievers outstanding. The bullpen leads the AL in ERA with rookie Sergio Santos and Tony Pena both off to strong starts.
Brett Myers and the Astros have reason to be concerned.
Mets
The problem: Jason Bay is off to a lousy start, Jose Reyes hasn’t returned to form and Jerry Manuel isn’t quite on his game. One example: Manuel admitted that he had Francisco Rodriguez warm up so often in Saturday’s 20-inning game that the righthander almost was unable to pitch. One estimate had Rodriguez making 100 warmup pitches. "If we had lost that game, you guys would have had plenty to question," Manuel admitted.
But those woes pale compared to what has happened at first base. Going into Tuesday’s action, Mets first basemen were hitting .192 with two runs and four RBIs, and that was after a successful debut by 23-year-old Ike Davis. Such a lack of production shouldn’t be surprising after the club neglected the position in the offseason.
Daniel Murphy was supposed to be the guy, though he did not take to the position last season. When Murphy injured his knee this spring, the Mets turned to journeymen Fernando Tatis and Mike Jacobs and started Davis, who hit .480 in spring training, at Class AAA. The Mets quickly gave up on Jacobs and promoted Davis on Monday, but not until he had warmed up and dressed for an afternoon game in Buffalo. Maybe they finally got it right; Davis had two hits and an RBI in his major league debut.
Panic level: 8 (for the minority who thought the Mets had a chance to contend). Finishing ahead of the Nationals figures to be challenging enough.
Astros
The problem: They hit three homers and averaged 2.3 runs in their first 12 games. Cleanup hitter Carlos Lee had yet to drive in a run.
Panic level: 7. Lance Berkman’s return will help, but not much.
Orioles
The problem: How about everything? Baltimore was outscored 74-44 in its first 14 games as the offense scuffled, the bullpen blew more than its share of leads and the defense was responsible for 12 unearned runs.
Panic level: 8. This was supposed to be the season the Orioles escaped last place, but they already are 10 games under .500.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
Sponsored link: White Sox tickets available
You know it’s early when you look at struggling teams and neither the Pirates nor Nationals are on the list.
But there is no shortage of clubs to assume their spots:
Red Sox
David Ortiz and the Red Sox offense have struggled, but that’s only part of the problem.
The problem: The offense has struggled with runners in scoring position, but that stat is bound to improve. More concerning is the lackluster defense. The Red Sox allowed nine unearned runs in their first 13 games, third-most in the majors. Four (in one inning) were the result of an error by center fielder Mike Cameron, who hasn’t displayed the defense expected of him. The Red Sox lost that game to the Rays, 6-5, en route to being swept in the four-game series. "I’ve made that catch a thousand times, but that time I didn’t," said Cameron, who had a tough week. He passed a kidney stone Friday, returned to the lineup Saturday, sat out Monday because of similar symptoms and was placed on the disabled list Tuesday with an abdominal strain.
Panic level: 6 (out of 10). The Red Sox have too much talent and resources to not win. Their real problem is the Rays, who have an even better team than the one that went to the World Series two years ago.
Cubs
The problem: A veteran scout likes to tell me, "The team that figures out its bullpen first is the team that wins." The Cubs have much figuring to do, specifically in the seventh and eighth innings. They already have lost six games in which they led or were tied going into the seventh inning. John Grabow was supposed to be Carlos Marmol’s setup man, but the lefthander already has lost two games with eighth-inning failures. Jeff Samardzija continues to disappoint and lost a game to the Brewers when he unwisely tried to throw a fastball past Ryan Braun. Bringing in Marmol in the eighth hasn’t worked, either. His only blown save came when he allowed an inherited runner to score in the eighth.
Panic level: 7. The pitching should get a lift later this week when Ted Lilly returns to the rotation (and Carlos Silva or Tom Gorzelanny is sent to the bullpen). Offensively, Aramis Ramirez is hitting .157 with 17 strikeouts in 51 at-bats, and Ryan Theriot, who has a .271 on-base percentage, was dropped from the leadoff spot Monday night in favor of Marlon Byrd. Byrd is only Cubs with a double-digit RBI total.
White Sox
The problem: They aren’t reaching base, which is important considering their desire to play small ball. With new leadoff hitter Juan Pierre yet to warm up, the White Sox rank near the bottom of the majors in batting average and OBP. Pierre isn’t the only straggler. The White Sox didn’t have a regular hitting .300 after their first 13 games. "A bad road trip," manager Ozzie Guillen told reporters after Chicago totaled eight runs and was swept in a three-game series at Cleveland. "We continue to struggle at the plate."
Panic level: 5. They aren’t striking out much, which means the hits could start falling. The pitching has been solid, the relievers outstanding. The bullpen leads the AL in ERA with rookie Sergio Santos and Tony Pena both off to strong starts.
Brett Myers and the Astros have reason to be concerned.
Mets
The problem: Jason Bay is off to a lousy start, Jose Reyes hasn’t returned to form and Jerry Manuel isn’t quite on his game. One example: Manuel admitted that he had Francisco Rodriguez warm up so often in Saturday’s 20-inning game that the righthander almost was unable to pitch. One estimate had Rodriguez making 100 warmup pitches. "If we had lost that game, you guys would have had plenty to question," Manuel admitted.
But those woes pale compared to what has happened at first base. Going into Tuesday’s action, Mets first basemen were hitting .192 with two runs and four RBIs, and that was after a successful debut by 23-year-old Ike Davis. Such a lack of production shouldn’t be surprising after the club neglected the position in the offseason.
Daniel Murphy was supposed to be the guy, though he did not take to the position last season. When Murphy injured his knee this spring, the Mets turned to journeymen Fernando Tatis and Mike Jacobs and started Davis, who hit .480 in spring training, at Class AAA. The Mets quickly gave up on Jacobs and promoted Davis on Monday, but not until he had warmed up and dressed for an afternoon game in Buffalo. Maybe they finally got it right; Davis had two hits and an RBI in his major league debut.
Panic level: 8 (for the minority who thought the Mets had a chance to contend). Finishing ahead of the Nationals figures to be challenging enough.
Astros
The problem: They hit three homers and averaged 2.3 runs in their first 12 games. Cleanup hitter Carlos Lee had yet to drive in a run.
Panic level: 7. Lance Berkman’s return will help, but not much.
Orioles
The problem: How about everything? Baltimore was outscored 74-44 in its first 14 games as the offense scuffled, the bullpen blew more than its share of leads and the defense was responsible for 12 unearned runs.
Panic level: 8. This was supposed to be the season the Orioles escaped last place, but they already are 10 games under .500.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
Sponsored link: White Sox tickets available
