NL at the break

[gmoney55]

Seems like a lot of NL fans in here, what's everyone's feel at the break.

I think it's much different than the AL with three or four very good teams. You can probably take the top six or seven, maybe more, teams in the NL and throw them in a hat for who makes the playoffs and gets to the WS. I just don't see much difference between NY, ATL, Philly, MIL, SD, LA, ARI and Colorado. All have big holes and seem to be very streaky. Wouldn't be surprised if no one gets over 92 or so wins.

I don't know as much about the Central and West. In the East, I've thought for the past month that the winner will be whichever power hitter gets going out of Delgado, A. Jones and Burrell. Degaldo and Jones have shown some signs, Burrell not so much yet.

[gmoney55]

Throw in the Cubs in that jumbled mix as well.

[NE MT GRIZZ]

If Carpenter and Mulder throw well coming off the DL, St. Louis could make up the 7-8 games and get back into the hunt.

[813Jag]

The West is still open San Diego, Los Angeles or Arizona could win it. Arizona is only 3 games back. But of course I'm holding out hope for the Dodgers.

[UNHWildCats]

Washington and Cincinati are the only NL teams with no chance. Houston is 10.5 out in its division but is know for some strong second halfs.

[ngineer]

Seems like a lot of NL fans in here, what's everyone's feel at the break.

I think it's much different than the AL with three or four very good teams. You can probably take the top six or seven, maybe more, teams in the NL and throw them in a hat for who makes the playoffs and gets to the WS. I just don't see much difference between NY, ATL, Philly, MIL, SD, LA, ARI and Colorado. All have big holes and seem to be very streaky. Wouldn't be surprised if no one gets over 92 or so wins.

I don't know as much about the Central and West. In the East, I've thought for the past month that the winner will be whichever power hitter gets going out of Delgado, A. Jones and Burrell. Degaldo and Jones have shown some signs, Burrell not so much yet.

Burrell had a very good road trip, 3 HR's in 6 games and raised BA 20 points (ALL THE Way to .215!). I think he presses too much at home with all the fans on him and we'd be fortunate if he could climb to .240..I'd expect a platoon with Dobbs--PLUS Play Nunez All the Tme at Third! Helms is a liability in the field . Cost the Phils two runs in Colo. game by failing to tag out runner who was beaten by a good second by Rowand's throw.xsmhx

[GannonFan]

Burrell had a very good road trip, 3 HR's in 6 games and raised BA 20 points (ALL THE Way to .215!). I think he presses too much at home with all the fans on him and we'd be fortunate if he could climb to .240..I'd expect a platoon with Dobbs--PLUS Play Nunez All the Tme at Third! Helms is a liability in the field . Cost the Phils two runs in Colo. game by failing to tag out runner who was beaten by a good second by Rowand's throw.xsmhx


I would buy into that except for the fact that when Burrell was mired in that season where he struggled to bat .175 the Philly fans couldn't have been more supportive - everyone just blindly buys into the fact the Philly fans are uncompromisingly tough but he played an entire year, sucked the whole year, but was cheered every step along the way because people liked him and it looked like he was trying. However, those days are long gone - he sucks, and worse, it doesn't seem to bother him anymore. He deserves whatever negative fan response he gets.

[Zoo]

GO BREWERS! xrotatehx xrotatehx xrotatehx xrotatehx xrotatehx

[grizband]

Washington and Cincinati are the only NL teams with no chance. Houston is 10.5 out in its division but is know for some strong second halfs.

As a Giants fan, I feel comfortable admitting that San Fransisco is done. Too many years of signing aging free-agents past their prime is catching up to the team, as the Bonds saga continues. The only hope is to trade Bonds for young prospects, continue to develop the young pitching, and prepare for a couple more lean seasons ahead.

[tribe_pride]

As a Giants fan, I feel comfortable admitting that San Fransisco is done. Too many years of signing aging free-agents past their prime is catching up to the team, as the Bonds saga continues. The only hope is to trade Bonds for young prospects, continue to develop the young pitching, and prepare for a couple more lean seasons ahead.

Sorry Grizband. Good luck finding someone who would want to trade for him. He is hurting a little right now and at his age, he will not feel great or better for the rest of the season. Even with his league leading OBP (which I think is more important than average), he is a detriment in the OF. Maybe a team in the AL would consider trading for him as a DH but I doubt they will get the young prospects for him.

[Go...gate]

Mets have stuggled against LH pitching without Moises Alou, but hopefully he will return soon after the All-Star break. Hopefully the pitching will hold up enough that Pedro can ease his way back in.

Best thing that happened to Mets came last week when Willie Randolph benched Reyes for quitting on running-out a short ground ball. Reyes got back to work in earnest after Randolph's action. Reminded me of Gil Hodges pulling Cleon Jones out of a game against Houston in 1969 when Jones dogged a fly ball during a rout of the Mets by the Astros in the 2nd game of a doubleheader. Jones never failed to hustle again.

[grizband]

Sorry Grizband. Good luck finding someone who would want to trade for him. He is hurting a little right now and at his age, he will not feel great or better for the rest of the season. Even with his league leading OBP (which I think is more important than average), he is a detriment in the OF. Maybe a team in the AL would consider trading for him as a DH but I doubt they will get the young prospects for him.

I agree, and the only team who I think would be able to take him, the Angels, seem to be linked to Alex Rodriquez by every media outlet in the country. New York shouldn't sign him, too many aging players (although that may not stop them), Boston has a DH in Ortiz, and I don't see any other AL teams shelling out the money to sign Bonds. Its a shame, but his career may be over after this season.

[ngineer]

I would buy into that except for the fact that when Burrell was mired in that season where he struggled to bat .175 the Philly fans couldn't have been more supportive - everyone just blindly buys into the fact the Philly fans are uncompromisingly tough but he played an entire year, sucked the whole year, but was cheered every step along the way because people liked him and it looked like he was trying. However, those days are long gone - he sucks, and worse, it doesn't seem to bother him anymore. He deserves whatever negative fan response he gets.

I don't disagree with your observation. I don't think the Philly fans have been unduly harsh on Burrell. I do think that some players 'press' too much at home in order to please the fans and, subconsciously, are more more relaxed on the road.