Mid-Season Report
The Phillies find themselves in first place, as usual, at the season's mid-way point, but this looks like it will be a tight race to the finish. Four other teams are currently within 4.5-games of the lead. Philly leads the league in offense again, and they are #2 in pitching despite a 4th ranked bullpen.
Ned Garvin (9-2, 2.32 ERA) leads the rotation, and #5 starter
Jimmy Callahan (6-5, 2.78 ERA) is having a fine season.
Cardinals rookie
Mike Donlin (.330, 16 HR, 49 RBI) leads the batting race and is tied for 5th in home runs, but the St. Louis pitching staff is the primary reason for their early season success. They rank first in starters' ERA and runs allowed.
Amos Rusie (6-6, 3.14 ERA),
Joe Corbett (7-2, 3.05 ERA) and
Nig Cuppy (8-7, 2.86 ERA) lead the pitching staff. The Cardinals are also 2nd in the league in defensive efficiency, but their biggest concern so far is a 5th ranked bullpen.
Chicago is feeling well, just two games off the lead, considering the fact that they are ranked 4th in offense, pitching, and defense.
Clark Griffith (6-3, 2.71 ERA) is having perhaps the best season of his 9-year career, but if the team is to compete long term they need improvements from their 6th ranked bullpen.
Atlanta has done surprisingly well this season. Their 2nd ranked offense has helped cover for a struggling pitching staff up to this point. That said, ace
Kid Nichols (11-2, 2.06 ERA) has posted one of the best half-seasons of any starting pitcher in the league's history. Other members of the rotation will need to help pick up the slack though.
Vic Willis (2-10, 5.57 ERA) has had an awful beginning to his sophomore season. He earned a loss in each of his first eight starts, finally earning a victory in his 9th start, a 3-2 win at Cincinnati on May 17th. The Braves offense leads the league with 109 home runs. Rookie right fielder
Buck Freeman (.293, 56 RBI) leads the team with 20 long balls.
Standings
Batting Leaders
Pitching Leaders
