NL =
EAST
HALFTIME REPORT
Nis=
kayana
sits it the catbird seat with a five game lead over Ruppert and seven over
Kitsilano. The MicroMets are =
an
amazing 25-10 in one run games, living life on the edge. With a league average offense it's
pitching driving the Mets. Th=
ey
have the second best ERA in the league.&nb=
sp;
Ruppert meanwhile is scoring runs at over 5 per game and hopes to po=
wer
it's way to the division title.
Kit=
silano
is playing Jeckyll and Hyde with the leagues best pitching and it's worst
offense. Making up seven game=
s may
be a tall order. Cleveland at=
10
back will need a miracle finish to get in the race and Colorado and Gross
Pointe are out of it.
Sec=
ond
half outlook-Looks like Niskayuna and Ruppert will battle it out unless
Kitsilano has a lot of offensive overacheivers in the second half. If Ruppert continues to hit like t=
he
first half and improves the pitching up a notch they could grab the title.<=
span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Niskayuna has to keep winning the =
close
games and their pitching must maintain first half levels. Cleveland, Colorado and Grosse Poi=
nte
look to be out of it.
NIS=
KAYUNA
TOP
BATTER-Hal Morris, 4-41-.336
TOP
PITCHER-Ramon Martinez, 12-4, 2.54, leads NL in wins
TOP
SURPRISE-Mike Devereaux, 63 points above real average and on pace to slam 21
homers after hitting only 12 in the real deal.
TOP
DISAPPOINTMENT-Steve Sax, hitting terribly but he isn't making a ton of err=
ors.
OVE=
RUSEAGE
PROBLEMS-Top hitter Morris only has 74 more at bats. Tartabull and Gibson will have to =
cut
back slightly.
RUP=
PERT
TOP
BATTER-Ryne Sandberg, 29-72-.318, .019 shy of triple crown
TOP
PITCHER-Zane Smith, 9-5, 3.14
TOP
SURPRISE-Edgar Martinez, even better than advertised
TOP
DISAPPOINTMENT-Bob Welch, stud is third best starter
OVE=
RUSAGE
PROBLEMS-Van Slyke, Martinez will all have to be watched as well as pitchers
Acker and Mercker.
KIT=
SILANO
TOP
BATTER-Brett Butler, 0-15-.273, 55 runs, 16 steals
TOP
PITCHER-Doug Drabek, 10-7, 2.23
TOP=
SURPRISE-Chuck
Crim, pitching like a stud closer
TOP
DISAPPOINTMENT-Gerald Perry, not that a lot was expected, but he's hitting =
like
a pitcher
OVE=
RUSAGE
PROBLEMS-Wally Backman will have to sit more, but everyone else looks good.=
CLE=
VELAND
TOP
BATTER-Tom Brunansky, 14-54-.307
TOP
PITCHER-Mark Williamson, 4-2, 0.95, doing great job as closer
TOP
SURPRISE-Brunansky, playing well above real life level
TOP
DISAPPOINTMENT-Kevin Elster, it's bad when he can't even hit his own weight=
OVE=
RUSAGE
PROBLEMS-Larry Walker and Williamson will have to be rationed.
COL=
ORADO
TOP
BATTER-Jose Canseco, 22-59-.264
TOP
PITCHER-Dan Petry, 7-2, 2.11
TOP
SURPRISE-Craig Biggio, hitting 52 points above real life.
TOP
DISAPPOINTMENT-Raffy Palmiero needs good second half to match real life eff=
ort.
OVE=
RUSAGE
PROBLEMS-Mack, Sheet, Jacoby, Samuel will have to scale back.
GRO=
SSE
POINTE
TOP
BATTER-Rickey Henderson, 8-33-.296, 47 runs, 22 SB
TOP
PITCHER-John Tudor, 6-3, 3.61
TOP
SURPRISE-Gary Gaetti, all offensive indicators above normal
TOP
DISAPPOINTMENT-Kent Hrbek, power is sorely missed in lineup.
OVE=
RUSAGE
PROBLEMS-Melvin, Ray, Jackson will need monitoring