[Nick Soulis]

Season 4
May



Awards
Batter of the month AL: Joe Jackson (1919 White Sox)
Batter of the month NL - Andrew McCutchen (2015 Pirates)
Pitcher of the month AL - Dicke Kerr (1919 White Sox)
Pitcher of the month NL - Claude Passeau (1944 Cubs)

Injuries
Brian Moehler - 2008 Astros - Tommy John (Season)
Jeremy Beasley - 2021 Diamondbacks - Elbow (Season)

American League East

1999 Chicago White Sox - Frank Thomas has upped his game and is hitting .370 as the Sox look to maintain their slim lead in the East. Mike Sirotka is 8-2 and the Chicago rotation has held its own while the offense sizzles. Along with Thomas, Paul Konerko and Ray Durham both hit over .400 for the month.

1969 Pittsburgh Pirates - After a slow start, the Bucs mean business winning 19 games in May and making a move for the top. Willie Stargell is hitting .333 and Roberto Clemente is a clutch man at the plate with 36 RBI. Bob Veale and Bob Moose both caught fire at the end of the month as the Pirates lead the league in FIP at 3.51.

1985 Texas Rangers - The Rangers pen has been a headache but Bob Sebra stepped up as a stand in ace keeping an 1.87 ERA in his last 6 starts. Gary Ward has 10 home runs and is hitting .330 while Buddy Bell is making a case for an allstar season. Still it is a bit of a Texas stretch to think this team can compete.

1975 Kansas City Royals - The Royals are suppose to be much better then this but they honestly haven't hit the way they should; even George Brett is under .300 as of June 1st. John Mayberry is making the case for the home run crown with 20 already but the club remains last in runs and is hitting .229 collectively.

American League West

2013 Arizona Diamondbacks -Quite the ride in the desert for the snakes as they win 19 games in May and seem to be much more confident then the favored Black Sox. Aaron Hill and Paul Goldschmidt have both driven in over 40 runs each while David Hernandez and JJ Putz have made a formidable combination out of the pen. Arizona is first in OPS and runs scored.

1919 Chicago White Sox - People are still scratching their heads about this team. All the talent in the world but a -5 game difference from actual to pythagorean records. Joe Jackson is hitting .403 in a monumental season while Eddie Cicotte has a 2.12 ERA. Still, the Sox find ways to lose games, which opens up many more questions then answers.

1985 Montreal Expos - Last in home runs but first in steals, the Expos try and stay relevant to no avail. The offense is steady with Tim Raines and Andre Dawson producing in the middle of the order but the starting pitching has fell off for Buck Rodgers and there remain few answers. The Expos are 9-20 away from home and are the oldest team by age in this league.

2002 San Diego Padres - Ryan Klesko hit .400 in May and Phil Nevin has 35 RBI but the Padres are still scaring no opposing pitcher with their lineup. Jake Peavy is looking strong with a 2.39 ERA but that's where the good news ends for Padres pitching. The Padres have surprised by losing 14 one run games already with the strong pen the team has on paper.

National League East

2018 New York Mets - The Mets still hold a healthy lead in the east as Yoenis Cespedes has 12 home runs and is hitting .337 as the Mets are hitting .284 as a team. JaCob DeGrom has 9 wins and Zach Wheeler is coming into his own as New York starting pitching is their strength. Amed Rosario is batting .343 at the top of the order.

1954 Detroit Tigers - Finding themselves in second place, the Tigers feel like there is a summer run in them to make this a true race in the East. Bob Nieman leads most offensive categories and Al Kaline has fit in well in the leadoff spot. The Tigers have only 2 wins against lefties, making them vulnerable, especially to the first place Mets.

2015 Pittsburgh Pirates - A team that lost its confidence and its way completely losing 14 games in a row and digging a hole deep into the season. Bad defense was a big culprit and little support on offense other then Andrew McCutchen who did his all to turn things around winning hitter of the month honors. The season is still early but the pen is disheartened and the Bucs will need a complete change in approach if they are to turn this around.

2008 Houston Astros - Miguel Tejada and Lance Berkman and that is all for this Astros team that is in between winning generations and isnt competing on the pitchers mound. Already 16 games out, it could be a very long season deep in the heart of Texas.

National League West

1924 New York Giants - Steady as can be the Giants are sailing finally reaching in first place. It does appear that they will have a fight on their hands all season from the 1944 Cubs. Frankie Frisch is a managers dream hitting .322 and Hack Wilson has 15 home runs and 36 driven in. The team is first in home runs with 96. This club can also pick it leading in defensive efficiency and double plays.

1944 Chicago Cubs - The Cubbies mean business winning 19 games in May. Bill Nicholson and Andy Pafko are driving everyone in while Stan Hack and Phil Cavarretta get it done at the top of the order as Chicago leads in OBP. Claude Passeau and his offspeed stuff is playing well while Hy Vanenberg has settled in as closer with 10 saves. The Cubs believe they can win this.

1914 St. Louis Cardinals - Quietly playing well, the Cards are only 4.5 games back, right where they want to be after two months. Bill Doak is an ace no one has heard of but has won 8 of 10 starts. Dots Miller is chasing Joe Jackson with a .381 average and 44 driven in. The Cards have stolen an even 100 bases and are a fun group to watch.

2021 Arizona Diamonbacks - Slight improvement from the Dbacks but they are still lagging in the NL West. Their starting pitching seems like it has lost its way as the team ERA is at 4.78. Much more is needed from Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly. Katel Marte is having an allstar season but the power isnt really present and thats bad news in this division. Madison Bumgarner has a 7.62 ERA and lost his job in the Arizona rotation.