HALFTIME
REPORT FOR AL WEST

Divisional
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 lead 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 Chicago
all have identical 36-44 records and are 16 games back.

Second
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 parlay
their bombadeers into a legitimate run thanks to weaker pitching but they could
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.

BALTIMORE

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 Maas,
who provides power from the left side will rest more too.

PANDORA

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.

BROOKLYN

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 showing
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.

FRANKFORT

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.

POCONO

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 Buhner
will be used sparingly.

CHICAGO

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.