The National League presents different problems than the junior circuit because there are no powerhouse teams other than possibly the Atlanta Braves.

The Braves are surprising everyone with their offense. Rafael Furcal, Marcus Giles, Chipper Jones, Javy Lopez, Andruw Jones, and my MVP leader at the quarter pole, Gary Sheffield are simply crushing the ball every night.

Greg Maddux is still shakey, but Mike Hampton and Russ Ortiz have been solid and have been there before, so they give Bobby Cox a decent starter three of the five nights in the rotation. Horacio Ramirez has had his moments, too.

John Smoltz is automatic with help from Roberto Hernandez who is decent setting Smoltzie up.

The rest of the NL follows below. [Read more →]

It’s interesting to take a look at baseball in May, over the course of the game’s history, charting a team’s chances in spring rarely gives us a true read on how the race will end in October.

But, you can’t get to the finish line in first place unless you are showing some signs that you have what it takes to make it over the long haul.

So, any surprises so far? Using the immortal words that Jeff Kent used when answering the media’s questions, “You bet”.

Click below and find out how the races in the AL stack up. [Read more →]

I have an alternative plan for making Baseball’s All-Star game more meaningful.

Instead of having the potential of penalizing the team with the best over all record because their league lost the game, why not give the league that wins the game an extra Wild Card team?

This would not only bring meaning to the All-Star game but would increase the competition in the league during the second half of the season.

The All-Star Wild Card would be either a second place team with the second best record or could be the third place team from the division that has the Wild Card team.

There would be a one game playoff at the end of the season to determine that leagues Wild Card team.

This system would be rewarding the league that wins the All-Star game without penalizing the team that loses.

Imagine how much more the All-Star game would become if the All-Star Wild Card team makes it to the World Series or even won it all. It would also give the league an additional playoff gate.

Considering that every other major sport gives the team with the best overall record home field advantage, I feel that this alternative keeps that tradition for Major League Baseball.

It also will most certainly create excitement by giving teams an additional shot at making the playoffs.

I can’t think of any baseball fan who would be opposed to this proposal.

Mark Feigenbaum

Marlboro, New Jersey

[Read more →]

My daughter Bonnie is marrying Greg Barme on Sunday (we are thrilled), so no Dish tomorrow, but instead it’s the Sunday Morning Muse on Saturday.

The Mets are losing players and games at an alarming rate. With Mo Vaughn gone with a knee injury, Mike Piazza disabled with a pulled groin, and Jeromy Burnitz still out, Art Howe can give some playing time to his bench.

Raul Gonzalez can hit the fastball, finding an outfield spot for him may be more difficult since he doesn’t run very well. Vance Wilson is a nice catcher and can hit with some pop. So, all is not lost for the Mets if these two can develop as adequate replacements for the high priced vets.

I have the feeling that the Padres are going to be major players in the free agent market next season when they move into their new ballpark.

Americans will forget about the Yankees Hideki Matsui when the new Matsui comes over next season. This import plays shortstop with real power and is an impact player so say all the scouts who have seen him. The Padres want him big time. Miguel tejada is on their radar screen as well.

Mark Buehrle joined Al Leiter in the growing list of major league pitchers who have given up ten runs in one of their starts. With middle relief what it is (mediocre), managers leave the starter in until it is absolutely necessary to get him out of the game.

Click below for more thoughts. [Read more →]

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Congratulations Arturo Moreno

you are going to Disneyland !

Arturo Moreno is the first

Hispanic baseball owner

of a Major League franchise

and he brings a lot to the

table.

By Amaury Pi-González

[Read more →]

There is something about a Yankee Angel game that is unlike others that the New Yorkers play.

The Angels play the Yankees with alot of confidence, knowing that if they stay close somehow they hit enough to beat the Yankees in the late innings. I saw it last year when Scott Spiezio hit a extra inning homer to win a game after Troy Percival let it get away in the ninth inning before over 40,000 in the Bronx.

The Angels exposed the Yankee staff in the last year’s ALDS and have the upper hand now in 2003.

Aaron Sele who pitched quite well in his last start, but who rarely beats NY in the Bronx, goes today against Jeff Weaver.

At some point NY has to be concerned about the fact that the A’s, Angels, and Mariners can beat the heck out of George’s boys on a regular basis.

I’m on record now saying that the Red Sox will give the Yankees a run for their money this season in the AL East, too.

Ken Griffey Jr is back in the Reds lineup. Other good news for this team that is scoring some serious runs, is Danny Graves finally looks like his arm strength is sufficient to get him past the middle innings. Graves threw 117 pitches and nine shut out innings against the Cards Wednesday to open my eyes.

Click below for the rest of the Dish. [Read more →]

The Detroit Tigers don’t have much going for them this season other than some promising young pitching.

What they do have is a friendly groundskeeper at Comerica Park who has tailored the infield to help their sinker ball pitchers.

Not since the days of Candlestick Park in the early 60’s, when the Giants watered the basepaths to stop speedster Maury Wills, have I seen an infield that has been designed to stop the opposition offense like they are trying to do in Detroit.

First, the ground around home plate is so soft that any ground ball which strikes the area six feet or less in front of home plate immediately is slowed by the loose soft dirt.

Then the fun begins. The grass in the infield is so high that any grounder turns into an adventure for the fielder attempting to make the play. By the time the fielder is in position to stop the ground ball, the ball has virtually come to a halt in front of his outstretched glove. Each play is now made on the run in bang bang fashion on the throw to first.

The A’s worked two walks from Mike Maroth in the fateful seventh, then with two out Miguel Tejada scorched a Steve Sparks knuckleball over the head of Detroit’s stunned left fielder clearing the bases and giving the A’s a 3-1 lead they never relinquished.

Until that point both teams consistently pounded the ball onto the infield dirt leading to a 1-1 score heading into the seventh frame.

Wednesday night Tim Hudson, a sinker baller with a ground ball to fly ball out ratio thisd season of 109:45 goes for Oakland. This park is tailor made for Hudson who will be digging worms with his diving sinker all night.

The Tigers throw Gary Knotts, a finesse ground ball pitcher, his ratio is 50:34 ground ball outs to fly ball outs, so much of the same may be expected.

More to say click below! [Read more →]

I was looking at the standings in the NL West the other day and saw something that caught my attention.

Anyone feel that the dodgers are out of the race in that division? Didn’t think so.

So, if LA can catch the Giants take a look at Arizona, a team that trails LA by only 2 1/2 games. Puts the Diamondbacks in a better light even though they are 8 1/2 behind SF.

Point is this, figure out which teams wouldn’t surprise you if they won a particular division and then look at the teams closest to that team.

Can the Phillies win in the NL East? Absolutely, well, don’t overlook the Mets, they trail the Phillies by 5. Hardly, overwhelming in May.

Can Anaheim win the AL West? It’s not out of the realm of possibility, well, the Rangers are only three starters and 1 1/2 games behind the Halos.

Key is to get to .500 and then see what can happen. Summer trades, hot players, injuries to leaders, they all will be a part of the story of the 2003 season.

Today’s games tell a new story, click below!

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Giants return to Pac Bell

to open a seven-game

homestand against the

Expos and Mets.

Felipe’s ex team playing

with confidence while

Art Howe’s Mets team

playing …like last year !

By Amaury Pi-González [Read more →]