Mid-Season Report
Five teams are within 5.5 games of first at the halfway point of the season. The Dodgers currently sit in first thanks to their #1 ranked offense, led by 3B
Denny Lyons (.318, 24 HR, 68 RBI) and RF
Oyster Burns (.326, 12 HR, 51 RBI). Their pitching staff continues to surprise many with the 3rd fewest runs allowed. They have the 2nd best bullpen ERA as well. The pen is once again led by
John Cattanach (2-4, 15 Sv, 2.77 ERA).
The Phillies are right on their heels. Their pitching staff is 2nd best in runs allowed and has the best ERA from any starting rotation in the league. However, their bullpen is once again a problem, ranked 6th in ERA. Closer
Hardie Hernderson (3-6, 10 Sv, 5.19 ERA) has once again struggled and may be replaced.
Despite my refusal to discuss Cincinnati's potential once again this preseason (or perhaps because of it), the Reds sit just four games off the lead. They were actually in first place briefly in early May. Their pitching staff has struggled somewhat, but their offense is ranked #2 in runs scored and #1 in home runs. Six of their everyday players have already hit 10 or more homers, led by RF
Sam Thompson's 19. Then you have the Cubs, who have scored just the 4th most runs and whose pitching staff is ranked last in the league. But they have found a way to win games.
Al Spalding is finally showing his age. The 38-year-old is just 2-7 with a 6.34 ERA. The Cubs' pitching must improve though if they expect to truly compete in the second half.
Pittsburgh rounds out the top five teams. Their offense has scuffled this season, but their pitching staff is ranked #1 and is keeping them in games.
Will Sawyer (2-1, 18 Sv, 2.08 ERA) continues to be a solid closer and 34-year-old starter
Jim McCormick, the 1883 PoY, has mounted a comeback after three straight seasons in the bullpen. He returned to the rotation as the #5 starter and is 5-6 with a 3.34 ERA so far this season.
Standings
Batting Leaders
Pitching Leaders
