NL WEST
HALFTIME REPORT

This is
clearly a division where the team that loses the least will win the
division.  The '73 Mets would be
quite at home here.  .500 Red Bluff
is the leader, Wabash is 2 back, Cedar Rapids and Kansas sit 4 back,  Beard is 8 behind, and Knoxville is last
8 behind.  Kansas has the best
pitching(4th in the NL in ERA) while the other five teams in the division sit 8-12.
The Storm also have the fourth best offense(Wabash and Red Bluff are 2-3).

Second half
outlook-Whoever gets hot for a month could grab the crown.  The top four teams are all in the race
and while Beard and Knoxville are a bit back they could close the gap with a
hot July and be a contender on August 1.
Although it's the weakest division they should have the most diverse and
interesting race to the pennant.

RED BLUFF

TOP
BATTER-Ron Gant, 23-67-.322

TOP
PITCHER-Andy Benes, 8-5, 4.16

TOP
SURPRISE-Gant, on pace to hit 14 more homers than real life.

TOP
DISAPPOINTMENT-Fred McGriff, homers and average down by over 50%

OVERUSAGE
PROBLEMS-Karkovice, Polonia and Schooler will have to be watched.

WABASH

TOP
BATTER-Alan Trammell, 7-48-.313

TOP
PITCHER-Mike Boddicker, 6-5, 3.22

TOP
SURPRISE-Mitch Williams, blowing away righthanders in setup role.

TOP
DISAPPOINTMENT-Paul Molitor, playing well below expectations.

OVERUSAGE
PROBLEMS-Starters look good but must watch several bench players.

CEDAR
RAPIDS

TOP
BATTER-Kirby Puckett, 11-51-.287

TOP
PITCHER-Julio Navarro, 5-2, 3.30

TOP
SURPRISE-Navarro, shutting the door on lefties has made the difference

TOP
DISAPPOINTMENT-Don Slaught, can't hit righties worth a lick

OVERUSAGE
PROBLEMS-Carter, Puckett, Duncan and Walk need to be watched.

KANSAS

TOP
BATTER-Ken Griffey, Jr., 16-49-.297

TOP
PITCHER-Norm Charlton, 7-4, 2.54, 7 saves

TOP
SURPRISE-Mike Witt, righthanders can't touch him

TOP
DISAPPOINTMENT-Dick Schofield, good on base man isn't getting on base

OVERUSAGE
PROBLEMS-Ripken, Candaele, Witt, Aquino will have to be monitored

BEARD

TOP
BATTER-Dave Justice, 9-50-.319

TOP
PITCHER-Roger Clemens, 8-5, 2.67

TOP
SURPRISE-No big overacheiver

TOP
DISAPPOINTMENT-Lee Smith, not the hammer he was in real life

OVERUSAGE
PROBLEMS-Murray, McDowell, Justice will have to rest a little

KNOXVILLE

TOP
BATTER-Lonnie Smith, 4-34-.311

TOP
PITCHER-Jason Grimsley, 4-4, 3.20

TOP
SURPRISE-No big surprise

TOP
DISAPPOINTMENT-Mark Grace, 58 point drop in average

OVERUSAGE
PROBLEMS-Miller, Surhoff will have to be watched