Written by Robert Democh (Contact & Archive) on May 08, 2009
Seattle’s decent start (15-12 through Tuesday) has placed them atop the AL West. Its accomplishment is all the more remarkable considering Ichiro Suzuki missed the first week of the season and the usually dependable Adrian Beltre, averaging 25 homers each of the past three seasons, has yet to go deep. One key to Seattle’s early success is their success within the division: They are 9-5 against AL West foes. Feliz Hernandez is rewarding the patience of Seattle fans, maturing into an elite talent. Victorious in four of six starts, the 23-year-old Hernandez has been exceptional (a 45:10 K:BB in 40 innings). He and Erik Bedard provide the Mariners one of the AL’s top starting tandems. Seattle has also reaped the benefits of Russ Branyan’s sizzling start. The journeyman first sacker had stroked seven homers while batting .321 through Tuesday. Branyan has always exhibited good power (averaging 33 homers per 500 career at bats) but injuries have sapped his health and his playing time has been limited amid a plodding .233 career batting average. If Seattle is lucky, Beltre will begin heating up just as Branyan cools down.  Â
Jose Contreras nearly averages one earned run per inning
Photo by "_____", used under creative commons license.
Zack Greinke (6-0) is already being hailed as an AL Cy Young favorite, but the Kansas City Royals are no one trick pony. They finished Tuesday’s action leading the AL Central with a 15-11 mark. While it’s too early to bill them as a dark horse to win the division, with Greinke and Gil Meche anchoring the rotation and closer extraordinaire Joaquim Soria quenching fires, it’s not impossible. Soria missed a week with shoulder tenderness but showed lingering effects upon returning, earning a win Saturday and a save on Sunday. The Royals have been scoring nearly five runs per game, paced by second baseman Alberto Callaspo and outfielder Jose Guillen. Callaspo had hit in 18 of his past 20 games, batting a scorching .378 (28-for-74) while Guillen smacked three homers and had driven in 11 over his last eight games through Monday.
Tampa Bay figured to have a surplus of power this season with the addition of basher Pat Burrell. Although Burrell hasn’t mashed as hoped (one homer), the Rays have become power personified in the AL. Evan Longoria tops the league with 34 RBI while Carlos Pena is pacing the junior circuit with 11 long balls. Assuming Burrell awakens from his siesta and starts clubbing homers and with Carl Crawford stealing bases in bunches, the Rays are shaping up as the team to beat in the AL East.Â
NL Nuggets:
The Florida Marlins believed their 2009 starting rotation - led by 15-game winner Ricky Nolasco and the rapidly improving Josh Johnson - would be among the team’s strengths. Instead, it has proven to be an embarrassing weakness. Through Sunday, the Marlins had established a franchise record in futility by going 16 straight games without a starter recording a victory. Although part of the blame lay with scarce run support, the starters have also regressed, permitting the staff ERA to rise from 2.98 to 4.60 during that span. Opponents have already pillaged the Marlins staff with five grand slams this season.Â
We now know what Atlanta manager Bobby Cox has long understood: Atlanta cannot compete without Chipper Jones and Brian McCann shepherding the offense. McCann’s vision problems landed him on the DL last week. The question is how lengthy will his absence be? Little is certain at this stage as McCann experiments with contact lenses and eyeglasses. If neither successfully addresses the blurring in his eye, a repeat Lasik procedure would be considered as a last resort (since it would significantly prolong his absence). With McCann out, Cox has alternated Casey Kotchman and Jeff Francouer in the cleanup spot but neither has provided steady production. Jones meanwhile has grown increasingly brittle with age (he hasn’t exceeded 140 games played since 2003) but is still a difference maker when healthy. It’s no coincidence that Atlanta is 0-5 this year without Chipper in the lineup. The Braves have been blessed with quality performances from rotation newcomers Derek Lowe and Javier Vazquez. The two have combined to win five games, averaging six plus innings per start. Some of that success has rubbed off on Jair Jurrjens, who is 2-2 with a 1.89 ERA.Â
After completing a series of conditioning drills Monday, Phillies ace Cole Hamels’ ankle was pronounced healthy enough for him to take the hill Friday against the Braves. Hamels has struggled thus far, with a 7.27 ERA in 17 innings pitched. Unfortunately, his experience is far from unique. Through Sunday, Philadelphia’s starters had a collective 6.71 ERA, easily the worst in the majors. It would be no surprise if the Phils pursued a starter to help remedy the mess they’re in.  Shane Victorino’s bat is finally perking up. Victorino, who led the Phils with a .293 average last year, is riding a 14-game hitting streak during which he is hitting over .330. Ryan Howard tied Mike Schmidt’s franchise record Monday with his seventh career grand slam. The St. Louis native belted his shot in front of family and friends at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals wish Howard would just stay away, as he is averaging a smoking .381 in 17 career games at Busch.Â
With closer Jose Valverde and dependable short reliever Doug Brocail both on the DL, Houston is trying to cobble together an effective bullpen. LaTroy Hawkins got first crack at closing and has performed capably, converting two saves in as many tries. Lance Berkman’s struggles continue. Although he had six homers through Tuesday, his batting average languished below the Mendoza line (.189). Equally troubling is the diminished power. Berkman has just eight homers in his past 48 games dating back to last season.Â
The Weekender: Here are some intriguing pairings this coming weekend (May 8-10).
Cubs at Brewers:   Loss of Zambrano compounds Cubs’ pitching woes.
Braves at Phillies:  Atlanta needs a productive McCann to remain in division hunt.  Â
Giants at Dodgers: Los Angeles is steamrolling opponents at home (12-0 thru Tuesday).    Â
Rays at Red Sox:Â Â Â Tampa Bay has captured 4 of 6 from Boston this season.
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