NL =
WEST
HALFTIME REPORT
Thi= s 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 i= s last 8 behind. Kansas has the best pitching(4th in the NL in ERA) while the other five teams in the division s= it 8-12. The Storm also have the fourth best offense(Wabash and Red Bluff are 2-3).<= o:p>
Sec=
ond 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.&n=
bsp;
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%
OVE=
RUSAGE
PROBLEMS-Karkovice, Polonia and Schooler will have to be watched.
WAB=
ASH
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.
OVE=
RUSAGE
PROBLEMS-Starters look good but must watch several bench players.
CED=
AR
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
OVE=
RUSAGE
PROBLEMS-Carter, Puckett, Duncan and Walk need to be watched.
KAN=
SAS
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
OVE=
RUSAGE
PROBLEMS-Ripken, Candaele, Witt, Aquino will have to be monitored
BEA=
RD
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
OVE=
RUSAGE
PROBLEMS-Murray, McDowell, Justice will have to rest a little
KNO=
XVILLE
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
OVE=
RUSAGE
PROBLEMS-Miller, Surhoff will have to be watched