NL Mid-Season Report
The Cubs have taken the early lead this season thanks to a pitching staff that is surprising the league with the fewest runs allowed, best bullpen ERA and second best rotation ERA in the National League. No single pitcher is dominating, but instead just about every pitcher on the roster is having a great first half. Four of the team's five starting pitchers have ERA's at 3.05 or lower. Meanwhile, the team also ranks 1st in defense and 3rd in offense.
The Pirates and Phillies are tied for second place currently. The Pirates have come on strong lately by winning 18 of their last 24 games. The team's offense and pitching staff are both ranked 4th in the league while their defense - believed to be a strength - is only ranked 6th. Expect those numbers to improve now that they seem to have their act together after a slow start. The Phillies, on the other hand, lead the league in offense but their pitching staff is ranked just 5th.
Nap Lajoie (.295, 15 HR, 69 RBI) and
Elmer Flick (.307, 13 HR, 39 RBI) lead the offensive attack, while
Ned Garvin (7-2, 2.99 ERA) and the ageless
Ben Sanders (5-5, 2.97 ERA) lead the rotation. Rookie
Doc White (9-4, 3.77 ERA) has also been impressive in his debut.
The Cardinals are floundering so far this season. Their offense is tied for just 5th in the league with only
Mike Donlin (.320, 17 HR, 62 RBI) performing at a high level. The pitching staff is ranked third with
Cy Young (7-4, 2.84 ERA) and rookie
Bob Wicker (7-5, 2.84 ERA) surprisingly leading the staff. Closer
Willie Sudhoff (7-6, 12 SV, 6.27 ERA) has struggled and is barely holding on to his job after winning last season's Fireman's Award.
Both the Braves and Giants were near the top of the standings early in the season before recent swoons. The Braves lead the league in starters' ERA but they rank last in bullpen ERA. They also rank next to last in offense, so expect them to continue sliding downward. The Giants, however, rank 4th in starters' ERA, 6th in bullpen ERA and 7th in defense but they rank 2nd in offense. That may be enough to get their first winning season since 1886.
Standings
Batting Leaders
Pitching Leaders
