| TEAM |
PVS |
RS/RA |
REC. |
ESPN.com SAYS |
| 1. Mariners |
1 |
551/396 |
66-26 |
Freddy Garcia is our Cy Young darkhorse. He's 11-1 with a 3.15 ERA and has pitched a complete-game shutout in two of his last three starts |
| 2. Twins |
2 |
475/410 |
57-35 |
The Rico says: "They don't have a single player in the top 10 in BA, HR, RBI or Slg. Pct., yet they continue to get it done. Amazing" |
| 3. Yankees |
3 |
461/397 |
54-37 |
The Yanks better shore up the defense. Their .979 fielding percentage ranks 12th in the AL and their 70 errors are the fourth-most in the league |
| 4. Red Sox |
6 |
458/368 |
54-38 |
How about some kudos for Hideo Nomo. He's second in the AL to Pedro with a .208 OPP BA, third in strikeouts (122), tied for third in wins (9) and the Sox have won 13 of his 19 starts |
| 5. D-Backs |
4 |
4465/389 |
54-38 |
Sure, Johnson and Schilling make their starting rotation formidable. But 'Zona relievers are third in the NL in OPP BA (.233), wins (18) and ERA (3.52) |
| 6. Cubs |
5 |
412/366 |
53-38 |
The longer Sammy has to carry this offense by himself, the longer the odds are that they can stay atop the division |
| 7. Astros |
9 |
511/474 |
51-40 |
Look out, Cubs. Alou and Berkman are hot at the same time while Biggio and Bagwell continue to be consistent |
| 8.Phillies |
8 |
449/436 |
52-40 |
The Phils are the only NL team that has seven players with at least 35 RBI each |
| 9. Braves |
7 |
423/377 |
51-41 |
They can't seem to pass the Phils in the standings, so we can't in good conscience continue to keep them above Philly in the Alley, either |
| 10. Athletics |
13 |
435/401 |
48-44 |
Don't count them out yet. The A's have won eight of their last 10 and are creeping up on the wild-card field |
| 11. Dodgers |
10 |
433/437 |
51-42 |
How LA responds with Andy Ashby, Kevin Brown and Darren Dreifort all out of the rotation at the same time could determine their postseason chances |
| 12. Indians |
11 |
520/457 |
51-39 |
Charles Nagy is allowing an astronomical .393 BA (33-for-84) against right-handed batters this season |
| 13. Giants |
12 |
435/456 |
48-45 |
Don't groove the first pitch to Rich Aurilia. He's batting .446 when putting the first pitch in play |
| 14. Marlins |
16 |
458/391 |
47-46 |
Righty pitchers Dempster, Penny are all holding lefties under a .250 average |
| 15. Cardinals |
15 |
428/420 |
46-45 |
Albert Pujols is finally tailing off: two homers in his last 27 games and a .195 BA in July |
| 16. White Sox |
20 |
398/433 |
45-45 |
The Rico says: "Jose Canseco wants to play in the outfield? Don't they have enough players on the DL already?" |
| 17. Angels |
18 |
393/393 |
44-48 |
What happened to Darin Erstad? .355-25-100 with a .541 slugging percentage in 2000, he's hitting .277 with a .396 slugging percentage and is on pace for 12 HR and 77 RBI this season |
| 18. Blue Jays |
19 |
456-447 |
44-49 |
Rookie reliever Bob File has been outstanding this season, posting a 3-1 record and a 2.23 ERA to go with a .189 OPP BA |
| 19. Padres |
21 |
481/468 |
44-49 |
Expect to see Sean Burroughs at 3B in '02 with Phil Nevin switching over to 1B and Ryan Klesko to the outfield |
| 20. Brewers |
14 |
432/397 |
43-48 |
David Weathers has yet to allow a homer against right-handed batters while holding them to a .182 average in 110 AB |
| 21. Mets |
26 |
439/356 |
42-52 |
Kevin Appier has allowed just three runs in his last three outings, but has just one win to show for it. Just an awful offensive club |
| 22. Orioles |
17 |
3396/445 |
41-51 |
The Os have lost eight of their last 10, scoring more than three runs just three times during that stretch and failing to score more than one run in their last four games |
| 23. Expos |
24 |
412-479 |
39-54 |
Jose Vidro is batting .410 over the last month and is fourth in the NL with a .369 average against left-handed pitching this season |
| 24. Rangers |
25 |
508/546 |
38-54 |
Mike Venafro has been one of the bright spots on an otherwise dismal staff, holding opponents to a .198 BA and posting a 2.60 ERA while allowing just two HR in 43 relief appearances |
| 25. Tigers |
26 |
428/505 |
39-50 |
They pitch in spacious Comerica Park, yet the Tigers' starters are still 12th in the AL in ERA (5.49) and OPP BA (.295) |
| 26. Rockies |
23 |
542/529 |
40-52 |
Juan Pierre has grounded into just one double play in 333 AB, but he also has just one home run in those 333 AB. C'mon, man, you play at Coors Field! |
| 27. Pirates |
27 |
385/491 |
35-56 |
Bucs pitchers have allowed just eight walks in the previous seven games |
| 28. Reds |
28 |
408/486 |
35-57 |
Memo to management: The season is lost and Junior is hurting. It's time to shut him down |
| 29. Royals |
29 |
412/490 |
36-56 |
3B Joe Randa and SS Rey Sanchez haven't hit a lick (combined 7 HR, 75 RBI), but they lead AL players at their positions with .973 and .993 fielding percentages, respectively |
| 30. Devil Rays |
30 |
373/572 |
30-63 |
Hey, they've won three of five since the break to assure themselves of their first winning road trip of the season. Thanks for staying on, Crime Dog! |
