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| SportsWorld Family |
| NL Contenders By Daniel Paulling (NL East) Atlanta Braves Strengths: The bullpen has been the Braves' biggest strength for the entire season, despite missing Albie Lopez, Darren Holmes, Tim Spooneybarger and Kevin Gryboski for extended periods of times. The Starting Rotation has been strong, despite having Jason Marquis with an ERA over 4, a rookie in Damian Moss and injuries to Greg Maddux for the first part of the season Weaknesses: The offense has been terrible as of late. Well, for a contending team like the Braves it has been. There have been multiple slumps for the entire team. The first base situation is terrible with a 43-year-old and a utility man playing there. Second base has been awful with Keith Lockhart and Mark DeRosa also splitting time. Who needs to step up? Andruw Jones, Chipper Jones, Vinny Castilla, and Javy Lopez all need to break out of their respective slumps. What to expect from them? Postseason contenders for sure, I think they?ll lose in the World Series if they get past the Cardinals and/or Diamondbacks. New York Mets Strengths: The Mets starting rotation was the strength of this team at the beginning of the season, but slowly it's been falling apart. The best news coming from it was the fact that the Mets managed to lock up Al Leiter for two more seasons. The bullpen has been relatively strong. The offense continues to come around. Weaknesses: The Mets team was pretty shoddy at the beginning of the season, but the pitching began to click and then fall apart again. The offense is still not as good as it should be for a team of this caliber. Who needs to step up? Mo Vaughn needs to regain his 35 homer, 110 RBI form, Alomar needs to get his average back to .310, Cedeno needs to regain control of the leadoff spot, Burnitz needs to get his average back to .250 and Edgardo Alfonzo needs to rediscover his power stroke. The rest of the staff (Thomson, D'Amico, and Trachsel) need to regain their mechanics to look like the beginning of the season once again. What to expect from them? I doubt that the Mets will make it into the postseason, but they still could be contenders by September 1st. If they get into the postseason, they won't go far. (NL Central) St. Louis Cardinals Strengths: The offense has be outstanding, JD Drew, Albert Pujols, Jim Edmonds, Tino Martinez, Scott Rolen and Fernando Vina are the makings of a World Championship team. The defense is excellent, as is the bullpen and team chemistry. Quality team all around. Weaknesses: If this team has a weakness it would be the starting rotation and the emotional strain put onto the team by the deaths of Jack Buck and Darryl Kile. The rotation is fairly good with Matt Morris, Woody Williams, Chuck Finley, Jason Simontacchi, and Andy Benes, but these five have been pitching better then they are capable of. Who needs to step up? Woody Williams needs to come back from injury as soon as possible, and pitch like he did down the stretch. Mike Crudale becomes an important part in the bullpen with the loss of Mike Timlin. Jason Isringhausen just needs to stop blowing so many saves; he needs to become the closer that he';s capable of becoming. What to expect from them? I think the Cards have a fairly good chance to get to the World Series, it's just that they have to beat the D-Backs and/or Braves to do it. They are still looking for one more starting pitcher. Cincinnati Reds Strengths: The offense has been doing its job, but soon the names are going to change. Ken Griffey Jr. will soon be the offensive hero, and Austin Kearns will cool off a little bit. Sean Casey's return to the lineup should be a welcome sight for any Reds' fan. The Reds' bullpen has also be nothing short of tremendous, though it could use a lefty. Weaknesses: The Reds' starting rotation has been shaky as of late. Elmer Dessens, the staff ace, had an injury during his last start. Ryan Dempster's control is leaving him at times, while Brian Moehler is regressing from his early season form. Jimmy Haynes and Jared Fernandez need to be a little more solid for this team to contend. Who needs to step up? Ken Griffey Jr. needs to return to his regular form and not get injured for the rest of the year. Ryan Dempster, Brian Moehler, (and to a lesser extent), Jimmy Haynes, and Jared Fernandez need to step to compete with the Cardinals', Astros' and Braves' rotations. What to expect from them? Nothing. They have no shot of winning in the postseason, and a huge doubt to even get there. Houston Astros Strengths: The Astros' starting rotation has been piecing itself back together after injuries to 4 and 5 starters Carlos Hernandez and Shane Reynolds (for the entire season). Wade Miller and Roy Oswalt have been on fire, and Kirk Saarloos and Peter Munro have filled in admirably. Dave Mlicki has been solid for the most part. Weaknesses: The offense has been lagging, and it's been starting with their leadoff man. Craig Biggio has been moved to the number 2 hole, with Lugo taking the leadoff spot. These two aren't that good of a table-setter for the big bashers of Bagwell and Berkman. Daryle Ward and Richard Hildago haven't been hitting for power lately. Who needs to step up? Daryle Ward and Richard Hildago need to start hitting for more power and Craig Biggio needs to regain the leadoff spot form he once had. What to expect from them? I think the Astros can qualify for the postseason once again, but will have an early exit, once again. West -->> |