2005 CFOD MID-SEASON REVIEW ******************************************************************************************************* Mantle Division ******************************************************************************************************* 1st (Predicted 1st) - Angry Candy (51-36) - The mighty Candy machine rolls on. Young Jason Bay is having a fine season, hitting .335 with 17 home runs, 64 runs scored and 63 RBI. Chipper Jones has 17 home runs with 62 runs scored, and CF Aaron Roward is hitting .335 with 50 RBI's. Victor Zambrano has a 3.80 ERA and a 8-5 record. Salomon Torres has 10 saves so far in a saves-by-committee approach (total team saves is 24). 2ND HALF OUTLOOK: The hitting is great and the pitching can keep up. Barring an unforseen collapse, look for the Angry Candy to win the pennant this year. ******************************************************************************************************* 2nd (Predicted 3rd) - Mechan Syndicate (47-37) - Barry who? The Syndicate have not lost a step with Bonds' departure. Young 3B David Wright is hitting .356 with 17 home runs, 72 runs scored and 54 RBI, while young OF Miguel Cabrera is hitting .354 with 20 home runs, 67 runs scored and 64 RBI. Jay Gibbons and Jhonny Peralta both ahve over 50 RBI. Adam Dunn is hitting only .215, but the 25 homers to his credit has resulted in 62 RBI. The pitching as usual could have been better, with Kris Benson having an 11-4 record despite a 11-4 ERA. Justin Duchscherer has been one of the better closers in the league, saving 15 games with a 1.41 ERA. 2ND HALF OUTLOOK: Great hitting, medicore pitching, but the Syndicate are in a driver's seat for a playoff spot. ******************************************************************************************************* 3rd (Predicted 4th) - Bakersfield RamJets (47-39) - John Lackey (10-3, 3.14 ERA) and Jason Johnson (8-2, 3.41) have helped Bakersfield to an upper division placement at mid-season. Closer Cliff Politte has saved 23 games with a 2.45 ERA. Derek Lee has 15 home runs, 52 runs scored and 60 RBI, while SS Miguel Tejada is hitting .317 with 48 RBI. 2ND HALF OUTLOOK: If the pitching holds up, and the RamJets are able to secure some additional hitters (as a team they are only slugging .419) they have a shot at the post-season ******************************************************************************************************* 4th (Predicted 2nd) - San Francisco Shriners (43-40) - Johan Santana has been untouchable (11-0, 2.28 ERA), and Randy Johnson has been great as well (8-5, 3.22 ERA) but the rest of the pitching has been curiously average (4.14 team ERA). Closer Trevor Hoffman has not been getting it done, going 0-7 with 11 saves and a 6.03 ERA. 1B Chris Shelton has provided some pop, hitting .338 with 17 home runs, 58 runs scored and 61 RBI. Gary Sheffield has 58 runs scored, while veteran catcher Mike Piazza is slugging .520 with 17 home runs and 56 RBI. 2ND HALF OUTLOOK: The closer situation needs to be figured out, but it's not too late to make a run for the playoffs. ******************************************************************************************************* t-5th (Predicted 5th) - Arlington Arthropods (35-49) - The Ramirez's are having their usual good years (Aramis has 27 homers, 54 runs scored, 69 RBI, and a .606 slugging average, while Manny is hitting .302 with 16 home runs and 55 RBI), but the team's 4.83 ERA has hurt their campaign this year. 2ND HALF OUTLOOK: Wait 'til next year! ******************************************************************************************************* t-5th (Predicted 6th) - Springfield of Shelbyville 'Topes (35-49) - The 'Topes have some good pitchers (Mark Buehrle is 9-8 with a 3.63 ERA, Casey Fossum is 9-5 with a 4.00 ERA, Aaron Heilman has 12 saves and a 1.56 ERA), but the lack of hitting has hurt their cause. As a team they are hitting only .258 with a .382 slugging average. 2ND HALF OUTLOOK: Wait 'til next year! (If you combined the 'Topes pitching with the Arthropods hitting they'd be a force to be reckoned with!) ******************************************************************************************************* Koufax Division ******************************************************************************************************* 1st (Predicted 1st) - Missouri Mudfish (48-37) - The worst to first story continues. 3B Morgan Ensberg is the team leader in hitting, with only 47 runs scored and 45 RBI, but the offense has been enough to win games. That's because their pitching (ERA of 3.65) is best on their conference. Francisco Cordero has 17 saves and a 1.55 ERA. Barry Zito is 7-4 with a 3.67 ERA. 2ND HALF OUTLOOK: The Mudfish are winning with a team-based effort, and there's no signs that will stop in the 2nd half. They have Jim Edmonds in their lineup to look forward to for the rest of the season. Look for the Mudfish to win their first ever pennant this year. ******************************************************************************************************* 2nd (Predicted 2nd) - Boston Brewins (43-42) - As opposed to the Mudfish, who have few stars, the Brewins are packed with them. 1B Albert Pujols has 24 home runs, 69 runs scored and 72 RBI. Troy Glaus has 20 home runs, while Alfonso Soriano has 18 home runs, 50 runs scored and 55 RBI. Roger Clemens has a 3.04 ERA, but is only 7-11. Gustavo Chacin is 9-5 with a 4.36 ERA. One source of their relatively medicore record is closer Danys Baez. He's been a disaster at closer, saving 16 games but sporting a 7.03 ERA and leading the league in blown saves with 6. 2ND HALF OUTLOOK: A closer change is in order, but the Brewins still have a lot of talent to contend. ******************************************************************************************************* 3rd (Predicted 5th) - Somerville Sluggers (43-43) - The Sluggers are still in the thick of things, and a lot of that has to do with the play of CF Andruw Jones. Jones is slugging .530 with 27 home runs, 56 runs scored and 80 RBI. Grady Sizemore is hitting .350 with a .575 slugging average, 47 runs scored and 48 RBI. Cliff Lee has put in a decent effort at starter (6-4, 3.53 ERA), as has Roy Halladay (5-2, 2.50 ERA), but the rest of the pitching staff leaves much to be desired (team ERA: 4.83) 2ND HALF OUTLOOK: If Andruw Jones can keep up the pace and they get a few more talented players in the lineup, they could make a run for the playoffs. ******************************************************************************************************* 4th (Predicted 3rd) - Cincinnati Rock (42-44) - The perennial contenders are currently sitting in the bottom half of the division. Journeyman Reggie Sanders has 19 home runs and is slugging .626 and has 40 RBI in 195 at bats. SS Derek Jeter has 50 runs scored, and 2B Chase Utley is hitting .319 with 54 runs scored and 53 RBI. Carl Crawford is slugging .473 (thanks to 8 triples) and has 21 stolen bases. Closer Neal Cotts has 15 saves with a 2.36 ERA. Jake Westbrook is 9-6 with a 3.62 ERA. 2ND HALF OUTLOOK: Add another slugger (the team slugging average is only .415) and the Rock could see themselves shooting upwards in the standings. ******************************************************************************************************* 5th (Predicted 4th) - Oregon Wet Sox (35-51) - Juan Encarnacion is their top slugger, hitting .463 with 48 RBI, but the rest of the hitting isn't that good. As a team they are hitting .237 with a .357 slugging average. Billy Wagner has been making the most of save opportunities, saving 14 games with a 1.36 ERA. 2ND HALF OUTLOOK: Contending for a high draft pick this year. ******************************************************************************************************* 6th (Predicted 6th) - Hillsborough Regulators (23-63) - 2B Jorge Cantu has been a bright spot in the offense, hitting .311 with 20 home runs, 56 runs scored and 55 RBI. But a team ERA of 5.49 has constrained the Regulators to the bottom of the standings. 2ND HALF OUTLOOK: Contending for a high draft pick this year. ******************************************************************************************************* Ruth Division ******************************************************************************************************* 1st (Predicted 1st) - Paxtang Pitbulls (56-29) - Everything is going right for the Pitbulls this year. Their offense is doing wonders. Alex Rodriguez has 30 home runs, 78 runs scored and 92 RBI. 2B Marcus Giles has scored 80 runs, Jermaine Dye has 64 RBI and 20 homers while Carlos Delgado has 19 home runs and 59 RBI. Jose Contreras is 12-2 with a 2.34 ERA, Jake Peavy is 8-6 with a 3.19 ERA and Derek Lowe is 7-5 with a 3.64 ERA. BJ Ryan has saved 14 games with a miniscule 1.39 ERA. 2ND HALF OUTLOOK: Very, very bright. The Pitbulls are the team to beat this year. ******************************************************************************************************* 2nd (Predicted 3rd) - Topeka MooseDogs (49-35) - The MooseDogs are having their finest season yet, staying at or near the top of the Ruth division all year. David Roberts is hitting .329 with 53 runs scored, and Johnny Damon is hitting .319 with 60 runs scored. Mark Teixeira is slugging .487 with 17 home runs, 54 runs scored and 66 RBI, while Cliff Floyd has 48 runs scored and 55 RBI. Andy Pettitte is 10-5 with a 2.97 ERA, while Shawn Chacon is 8-5 with a 3.76 ERA. Derek Turnbow has saved 16 games while sporting a 1.73 ERA. 2ND HALF OUTLOOK: A playoff spot is pretty much secured. But can they overtake the Pitbulls for the division lead? ******************************************************************************************************* 3rd (Predicted 5th) - San Diego Termites (50-38) - The Termites are doing pretty good this year. Jason Varitek is slugging .488 with 16 home runs, 46 runs scored and 57 RBI. Brady Clark has a .361 on base average with 62 runs scored. But the real story is on pitching, where their 3.95 team ERA is above average. Closer Brad Lidge has 11 games saved with a 3.05 ERA. Paul Byrd is 7-5 with a 3.43 ERA, and Chris Carpenter is 6-5 with a 3.11 ERA. 2ND HALF OUTLOOK: The Termites are doing good. If they add a slugger or two they could move higher in the playoff standings. ******************************************************************************************************* 4th (Predicted 2nd) - California Coneheads (48-37) - How did the Coneheads get way down here? Tony Clark is their leading bat man, hitting 20 home runs with 49 RBI. Most of the rest of the hitters are part time due to injuries or other issues, leading to a team batting average of .250. Brett Myers is 7-3 with a 4.05 ERA. Their closers have been top notch. Eddie Guardado and Todd Jones have combined to win 8 games and save 19, with ERA's under 2.0. 2ND HALF OUTLOOK: Is this the year California misses the playoffs for the first time in their 16 year history? Don't count out a deal or two to keep that playoff streak alive. ******************************************************************************************************* 5th (Predicted 4th) - Carolina Lightning (40-46) - With Jim Edmonds (22 homers, 69 runs scored and 59 RBI) traded, the Lightning have signaled they are building for next year. Rich Aurilia is their top slugger now, hitting .270 with 46 runs scored and 51 RBI. Mike Mussina is 7-9 with a 3.85 ERA and Brian Lawrence is 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA. 2ND HALF OUTLOOK: Anyone else who may not fit into the Lightning's plans next year may find themselves on a contender. ******************************************************************************************************* 6th (Predicted 6th) - Miami Mangos (38-46) - The Mangos have a bit of pop this year. Jeff Francoeur, Joe Randa and Rafael Palmeiro have 12 or more homers, leading to a team slugging average of .448. But their team ERA of 4.93 has hurt their chances this year, despite the breakout year of Dontrelle Willis (10-5, 3.71 ERA). 2ND HALF OUTLOOK: Wait 'til next year! ******************************************************************************************************* Young Division ******************************************************************************************************* 1st (Predicted 1st) - Park City Climbers (49-35) - A resurgent Jason Giambi is powering the Climbers to first place this year. The slugger has 20 home runs, a .558 slugging average, 66 runs scored and 55 RBI. 2B Mark Ellis has 54 runs scored, and Jose Guillen has 45 runs driven in with a .496 slugging average. Mark Prior is having a good year as a starter, going 10-2 with a 2.75 ERA. Bartolo Colon is 9-5 with a 3.81 ERA, while Pedro Martinez has 6 wins and a 2.62 ERA to his credit. Bob Howry has 13 saves and a 2.64 ERA. Their team ERA of 3.72 is better than average. 2ND HALF OUTLOOK: Strong pitching and strong pitching by Giambi. They may need an additional hitter or two to secure the pennant. ******************************************************************************************************* 2nd (Predicted 3rd) - Brookfield Brouhaha (47-37) - Baseball by committe is a common theme in Brookfield, and 2005 is no exception. Randy Winn is having a great year in the outfield, hitting .351 with 12 home runs, 58 runs scored and 60 RBI. Ben Broussard has 13 home runs and a .550 slugging average. As a team they are hitting .263 with a .443 slugging average. Juan Rincon is having another great year as closer, saving 18 games with a 1.75 ERA. Rodrigo Lopez is 8-4 with a 4.08 ERA, while Jorge Sosa is 6-2 with a 2.46 ERA. Their team ERA of 3.93 is above average. 2ND HALF OUTLOOK: As always, the sum of the parts with this team is greater than the individual components. They're going to give Park City a run for their money for the pennant. ******************************************************************************************************* 3rd (Predicted 5th) - Oregon City Pioneers (46-39) - Another strong effort by Vladimir Guerrero (17 home runs, .511 slugging, 61 runs scored, 52 RBI) powers this team. Preston Wilson has 14 home runs and 53 RBI, while Placido Polanco is hitting .349 with 54 runs scored. Mariano Rivera is having one of the best closer seasons ever seen, saving 24 games with a 0.16 ERA (that's 1 earned run in 55 2/3 innings pitched). Brad Radke is 7-4 with a 3.89 ERA, but their overall team ERA is 4.48. 2ND HALF OUTLOOK: Rivera's excellent closer work is winning a lot of close games for Oregon City, but they might need some more pitching to keep in playoff contention. ******************************************************************************************************* 4th (Predicted 2nd) - San Francisco Piazza's (45-40) - The Piazza's put together a long winning streak to start the season. One big reason is their pitching. Their 3.45 team ERA is best in the league. Kenny Rogers is a Cy candidate this season, going 11-4 with a 1.96 ERA. Kirk Saarloos is 8-3 with a 3.12 ERA. Closer Dustin Hermanson has saved 10 games, won 4, and has a 3.24 ERA. Despite the play of a resurgent Ken Griffey Jr (.480 slugging, 16 home runs, 59 RBI), the offense has caused them some trouble. Ichiro Suzuki has only a .322 on base average (but with 50 runs scored), and Hideki Matsui is slugging only .386. Rafael Furcal has a .299 on base average, but has stolen 22 bases and scorede 48 runs. 2ND HALF OUTLOOK: Their opening weeks performance shows what they can do. They just need a hitting coach to come in and motivate their players to hit better. ******************************************************************************************************* 5th (Predicted 4th) - Seattle Moshers (44-40) - It's the David Ortiz show this year. The first baseman is hitting .379, with 32 home runs, an .812 slugging average, 80 runs scored and 84 RBI. SS Michael Young is joining in the effort, hitting .337 with 69 runs scored and 61 RBI. Dmitri Young has 45 RBI, while OF Mark Kotsay as 60 runs scored. As a team they are slugging .474. Closer Roberto Hernandez has saved 10 games, and Todd Williams 7, both with ERA's below 3. CC Sabathia has won 8 games, but has a 4.73 ERA. Their team ERA of 4.15 is slightly better than average. 2ND HALF OUTLOOK: Perhaps with a few key trades the Moshers could move into contention this year. ******************************************************************************************************* 6th (Predicted 6th) - Rocklin Thunder (17-69) - Travis Hafner is having a good year (16 home runs, .528 slugging average, 51 runs scored, 52 RBI), but the terrible pitching (6.02 team ERA) erased all hopes of winning this year. It's a rebuilding year for the defending CFOD champs. 2ND HALF OUTLOOK: Contending for the #1 overall pick this year.