This week the Detroit Tigers continue their reign as the best team in
baseball; nothing new there.
The team up the most spots since last week is the suddenly-surging Atlanta
Braves (8-2 Last 10 games). While they may be out of the NL East race they
haven't given up and are only five games out of the National League Wild Card
spot through Monday's games..
A pair of NL West teams take the prize as "Biggest Loser" as the
Los Angeles Dodgers (3-7 Last 10 games) and Colorado Rockies (2-8 Last 10 games)
both fell six spots this week.
Notice the ranking of the Oakland A's compared to it's American League West
counterparts. In the actual standings the A's (13th) are leading the
division. In these rankings, though, they rank behind both the Los Angeles
Angels (8th) and the Texas Rangers (11th). That race is sure to be an
interesting one right to the very end.
| Rank |
Last Week
(+/-) |
Team |
Record
(Last 10 games) |
Comment |
| 1 |
1
(-) |
 |
62-30
(6-4) |
188 2/3: That is the most innings pitched by rookie Justin
Verlander in any single season at the college or minor league level. It'll
be interesting to see how he performs when he passes that threshold.
Currently, he has pitched 117.7 innings. |
| 2 |
3
(+1) |
 |
54-36
(8-2) |
A recent sweep of the defending World Champion Chicago White Sox
spoke volumes about this 2006 Yankees team. Ravaged by injuries, the
Bombers still managed to outscore the Southsiders 26-12 in the three game
set. |
| 3 |
4
(+1) |
 |
55-36
(5-5) |
While a 4-0 record and 2.89 ERA definitely show that rookie SP
Jon Lester is pitching great so far in his Major League debut; a deeper
look will show you that the 22 year old has had luck on his side. In
37.3 IP he has a hefty 33 strikeouts, but they are accompanied by 25
walks. Also, an astounding 88% of runners he puts on base get left on (League
Average LOB% is 71%). |
| 4 |
2
(-2) |
 |
57-34
(4-6) |
As a team the White Sox seem to like hitting against
right-handed pitchers better than they do lefties. Against righties their
team OPS is .848; against southpaws that number drops to .784. |
| 5 |
5
(-) |
 |
55-37
(7-3) |
Now, this is the Carlos Beltran the Mets paid $119 million
for during the 2004 off season. After a sub par debut campaign for the
Mets in 2005 the switch-hitter is batting .277/.386/.597 with 25 HR, 69
RBI, and a 12/3 SB/CS (80%) in 2006. |
| 6 |
6
(-) |
 |
52-40
(6-4) |
After posting a 3.25 ERA in seven starts through the end of
May things have take a "turn for the worse" for Casey
Janssen. In eight starts since then the right-hander has a 6.45 ERA in
37.7 IP. |
| 7 |
8
(+1) |
 |
51-40
(5-5) |
The Twins are 10-21 in intra-divisional
games this season. |
| 8 |
12
(+4) |
 |
47-45
(9-1) |
While he isn't having a good season by any means (.707 OPS),
uber-utility player Chone Figgins has been hitting better
against right-handed pitchers (.720 OPS) than he has against lefties
(.690). |
| 9 |
11
(+2) |
 |
52-40
(7-3) |
The Cardinals offense seems to enjoy day games more than
night games. When the sun is out the offense has
posted a .809 OPS as opposed to a .753 mark in games played under the
lights. |
| 10 |
7
(-3) |
 |
49-43
(5-5) |
The 32 pitches that Trevor Hoffman was forced to throw this
past Friday night in a 15-12 loss to the Atlanta Braves were the most he's
had to throw in a single outing since September 12th, 2002. |
| 11 |
10
(-1) |
 |
47-46
(5-5) |
The Rangers have got to be hoping that Mark Teixeira's three
HR performance this past Thursday against the Baltimore Orioles is the
start of a rebound for the first baseman. After posting a .929
and .954 OPS in 2004 and 2005 respectively, the 26 year-old only has a .822
OPS so far in 2006. |
| 12 |
16
(+4) |
 |
49-44
(5-5) |
Yes, if you we're thinking that the recent Nationals/Reds
trade was one of the worst in recent history (for the Reds), you'd be
right. |
| 13 |
14
(+1) |
 |
48-45
(4-6) |
In his last 100 starts when he has received at least four runs
of support SP Barry Zito has a record of 78-4. |
| 14 |
18
(+4) |
 |
46-46
(6-4) |
When he hit his 523rd double this past Sunday, Luis Gonzalez
moved into a tie with Willie Mays for 32nd on the all time doubles
list. |
| 15 |
9
(-6) |
 |
46-47
(3-7) |
What a pleasant surprise rookie catcher Russell Martin has
been for the Dodgers this season. In 195 AB's the backstop is hitting
.282/.352/.441 with 4 HR and 35 RBI. Also, very impressively, he's
thrown out 29% of potential base stealers (NL average: 27%). |
| 16 |
21
(+5) |
 |
44-49
(8-2) |
This was supposed to be a breakout year for Marcus
Giles. Coming into the 2006 season the 28 year old second
baseman had a career OPS of .831 in 1964 AB's. To say the
least, things haven't gone according to plans. In 335 AB's this season his OPS sits at
.716. |
| 17 |
15
(-2) |
 |
46-47
(3-7) |
Considering how old their team is it shouldn't be surprising
that the Giants rank second in the National League in double plays
grounded into (88). |
| 18 |
19
(+1) |
 |
46-48
(5-5) |
It shouldn't be long before the Brewers get Ace Ben Sheets
back from the DL; and boy do they need him. Currently, the Brew Crew
ranks dead last in the NL in ERA (5.01). |
| 19 |
13
(-6) |
 |
44-48
(2-8) |
One of the "quieter" better seasons in baseball
this year belongs to Colorado SP Jason Jennings. In 128.7 IP the right-hander
has posted a 3.64 ERA, including a 3.48 ERA at Coors Field. |
| 20 |
20
(-) |
 |
44-49
(2-8) |
The Mariners are a much better offensive team in the late
innings. In innings 1-6 their team batting line is .264/.314/.421
(.735 OPS). After the seventh inning though, that line improves to
.272/.339/.423 (.762 OPS). |
| 21 |
17
(-4) |
 |
41-51
(2-8) |
Against right-handers this season CF Grady Sizemore has
posted a 1.006 OPS. Against lefties that number falls to an
unbelievable .634. (I had to look at that split twice before
publishing it!) |
| 22 |
22
(-) |
 |
45-48
(4-6) |
As a team the Astros have the worst batting average in the
National League when playing on the road (.244). |
| 23 |
23
(-) |
 |
44-51
(5-5) |
With their recent victory against the Oakland A's the
Orioles had their first three-game winning streak this season. |
| 24 |
24
(-) |
 |
42-49
(6-4) |
In the midst of his current 19 game hit streak Chase Utley
is batting .405/.433/.690 with 4 HR and 13 RBI. |
| 25 |
25
(-) |
 |
41-50
(5-5) |
The Marlins have hit 51 HR's since June 1st. That is
good for fourth best in the National League during that stretch. |
| 26 |
26
(-) |
 |
39-54
(3-7) |
SS Julio Lugo has reached base in the first inning in eight
of his last nine games played (Through Sunday). |
| 27 |
28
(+1) |
 |
35-56
(5-5) |
After starting the season 5-0 with a 1.35 ERA Greg Maddux
has gone 2-10 with a 6.43 ERA since. |
| 28 |
27
(-1) |
 |
39-55
(3-7) |
In their recent three game series loss against the
Pittsburgh Pirates the Nationals left a total of 38 men on base. |
| 29 |
30
(+1) |
 |
33-61
(4-6) |
RP Mike Gonzalez has pitched 11 consecutive scoreless
innings. A span that stretches 10 games. |
| 30 |
29
(-1) |
 |
32-60
(4-6) |
Since joining the Royals on June 21st CF Joey Gathright has
been a great on-base threat. Even though his batting average is only
.231, his OBP is a very good .394. He has drawn 11 walks and been
hit by a pitch three times in 66 plate appearances as a Royal. |
