HAL=
FTIME
REPORT FOR AL WEST
Div=
isional
rivals Baltimore and Pandora are at again in what has turned into a two team
race for the crown in the AL West.
Pandora won the division as Jupitor in 89 and Baltimore won the prior
two seasons. The Redbirds lea=
d by
three but Pandora has the top on base percentage and trails only Baltimore =
in
runs scored as both teams have very similar offenses. Brooklyn, Frankfort, Pocono and Ch=
icago
all have identical 36-44 records and are 16 games back.
Sec=
ond
half forecast-Two team race the rest of the way. Baltimore probably has the slight =
edge
because Pandora has to watch usage for it's top two hitters Clark and
Davis. Expect this one to go =
to the
wire. Frankfort couldn't parl=
ay
their bombadeers into a legitimate run thanks to weaker pitching but they c=
ould
play spoilers in their head to head's with the Birds and Boxers. Brooklyn, Chicago and Pocono will =
play
for draft position for the '91 draft.
BAL=
TIMORE
TOP
PLAYER-Barry Bonds, 15-48-.295, 15 SB's
TOP
PITCHER-Frank Viola, 12-4, 2.14
TOP
SURPRISE-Mickey Tettleton, The Mick is batting .289, 63 points higher than =
real
life.
TOP
DISAPPOINTMENT-Tony Gwynn is batting .237 with an on base of .297 and is
batting 7th.
KEY
OVERUSAGE-Catchers Tettleton and Quirk will have to rest more and Kevin Maa=
s,
who provides power from the left side will rest more too.
PAN=
DORA
TOP
PLAYER-Jack Clark, 18-47-.297, .430 oba
TOP
PITCHER-Rob Dibble, 3-2, 1.05, 25 saves
TOP
SURPRISE-Rick Dempsey, backup catcher hitting .408
TOP
DISAPPOINTMENT-Fernando Valenzuela, only 3 quality starts out of 18.
KEY
OVERUSAGE-Top two batters Jack Clark and Eric Davis will have to slow down.=
BRO=
OKLYN
TOP
PLAYER-George Brett, 6-39-.292
TOP
PITCHER-Tom Glavine, 7-6, 3.14
TOP
SURPRISE-Greg Gagne batting .325, 90 points higher than real life and showi=
ng
some power.
TOP
DISAPPOINTMENT-Matt Williams failure to hit righthanders is dragging his
potential numbers down.
KEY
OVERUSAGE-Brett and Alomar may have to sit a few but looks good overall.
FRA=
NKFORT
TOP
PLAYER-Cecil Fielder, 34-76-.286, league record of 49 homers in definite
jeopardy
TOP
PITCHER-Eric King, 8-6, 3.03
TOP
SURPRISE-Jim Eisenreich is batting 61 points higher than in real life.
TOP
DISAPPOINTMENT-Neal Heaton is weak link in rotation.
KEY
OVERUSAGE-Jeff Blauser will be given rest days at 2B.
POC=
ONO
TOP
PLAYER-Len Dykstra, 1-27-.291, 41 runs
TOP
PITCHER-Tim Leary, 8-4, 3.77
TOP
SURPRISE-Tim Leary, getting out righthanders at a nifty pace.
TOP
DISAPPOINTMENT-Roger McDowell, closer just getting hammered.
KEY
OVERUSAGE-Dave Winfield will have to sit a little and top backup slugger Bu=
hner
will be used sparingly.
CHI=
CAGO
TOP
PLAYER-Chris James, 9-41-.360
TOP=
PITCHER-Kevin
Appier, 11-2, 2.20
TOP
SURPRISE-Chris James, this guy was available prior to the season.
TOP
DISAPPOINTMENT-Dan Pasqua, hitting longballs but where are the doubles?
KEY
OVERUSAGE-Pete Incaviglia and Wally Joyner will have to sit more often.