The Diamondbacks hang in the race despite losing their top three starters. Desi Relaford is having a historic season for the Royals. Brett Myers has been the victim of lousy run support. Plus more news and notes out of Arizona, Kansas City, and Philadelphia.
Andruw Jones’ defense has declined, the imprisonment of Johan Santana must end once and for all, and B.J. Upton is showing the kind of plate discipline not usually seen among Devil Ray farmhands. Plus other news and notes out of Atlanta, Minnesota, and Tampa.
The buzzards are circling over Jerry Manuel, the Cards wouldn’t gain much by swapping Vina for Alomar, and the Rangers’ pitching woes continue. Plus news and notes on Billy Koch, Eli Marrero, and Colby Lewis.
The Astros sort through their mess at shortstop. The Brewers have gone high school-happy in the draft. Eric Byrnes creates a pleasant problem in Oakland. Plus news on Richard Hidalgo, David Krynzel, Barry Zito, and Tim Hudson.
The Expos shuffle their lineup, the Giants adjust to life without Robb Nen, and the Blue Jays are happy to have Frank Catalanotto. Plus reports on Brad Wilkerson, Tim Worrell, and Doug Davis.
Angels: Star Performer: Much like Dirk Diggler in the closing scene of Boogie Nights, the Anaheim Angels’ bullpen has been a bright, shining star this season. First in the AL in Adjusted Runs Prevented–and third in the majors, overall–the Anaheim relief squadron is essentially the only thing keeping the team afloat at this point, save Garret Anderson’s continuing quest to make statheads taste their own bile.
Cubs: Lineup: The biggest lineup concern continues to be at third base, where
Mark Bellhorn has not been able to get it going. Bellhorn provides two valuable skills–power and patience-which theoretically can trump a low batting average. Unfortunately, thus far he is showing no power at all (five extra base hits in 28 games) and is hitting just .214. Although I am sure this is making Jeff Bower giddy, Dusty Baker is less amused.
Tigers: Streaks: The Tigers stood at 3-20 in late April at the end of their road series with the AL West. But stop the presses! They’re on a four-game winning streak! Here’s how they have done against the AL East:
Home vs. Baltimore: 0-3, 9 runs scored, 22 runs against
Home vs. Tampa Bay: 1-2, 13 runs scored, 13 runs against
At Baltimore: 3-0, 22 runs scored, 11 runs against
Michael Wolverton looks at caught stealing rates, Clay Davenport clears up a debate, and Will Carroll wants more meaningful discussion of drug abuse in baseball. Plus other bits and bites.
The Mets need to blow up the team and start over. The Rockies swing through the NL East in a key two-week stretch. The Orioles could turn over 1/5 of the roster and improve based on their Triple-A talent. Plus notes on Mike Piazza, Shawn Chacon, and the Baltimore rotation.
The Red Sox channel the spirit of Jerry Remy to shake off their sloth-like ways, the Reds ask who’s on third, and the Padres would be nuts to convert Oliver Perez to closer. Plus more news and notes from Boston, Cincy, and San Diego.
The Yankees’ minor-league cupboard is nearly bare, but Drew Henson isn’t part of the solution. The Marlins play rotation Yahtzee after Burnett and Redman go down. Plus the Pirates’ offense continues to struggle sans Giles et avec Lofton.
Milton Bradley reminds us why we shouldn’t give up on good prospects, Fred McGriff has fallen off the face of the Earth, and Greg Colbrunn was last seen wearing cement sandals at the bottom of Puget Sound. Plus other happenings with the Indians, Dodgers, and Mariners.
Byung-Hyun Kim has done well as a starter, but you wouldn’t know it from his W/L record. The Diamondbacks offense can’t hit, while the Royals’ and Phillies’ bullpens are springing holes. Plus closer looks at Kyle Snyder and Marlon Byrd.
BP favorites Marcus Giles and Bobby Kielty finally get their due, but Johan Santana’s imprisonment threatens to start a new revolution. Plus notes on the Braves’ bullpen usage, Torii Hunter’s slump, the bizarre tale of Josh Hamilton, and Lou Piniella’s quest for an aura-emitting closer.
The Rangers work through the pleasant dilemma of Blalock, Teixeira and not enough space to play them both. The Cardinals have Albert Pujols learning underhand throwing drills. And the White Sox hope to limit the crazy people running on the field to Morganna and Ozzie Guillen on Sox Alumni Day.
Rich Harden’s hot start fills not one but two teams’ farm news. Daryl Clark may have just earned the only mention of his career alongside Barry Bonds. And Craig Biggio’s showing little with the bat and hurting his team in the field, surprising no one but his employer.
Jose Vidro is The Man in Montreal–or wherever the Expos are calling home these days. The best hitter on the planet might also be the fastest man on the Giants roster, and that fits right in with manager Felipe Alou’s baserunning philosophies. Frankencatcher is a valuable Jays contributor, while Kelvim Escobar might be a double-agent. Quick updates on minor-leaguers of note for each team.