It’s been a while since I’ve done a top to bottom eval of one of my leagues so let’s look at my once a week 1996 draft league currently in progress. Lets start with the AL East.
| East | W | L | PCT | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | 7 | 6 | .538 | —— |
| New York (A) | 7 | 6 | .538 | ____ |
| Cleveland | 5 | 8 | .385 | 2 |
| Baltimore | 5 | 11 | .313 | 3 1/2 |
Boston: 7-6 1st place (tie)
The good news : Jose Canseco is tearing up the joint hitting .367 (4th in the AL) and driving in 16 (1st in the League) on 4 HR and 3 doubles. Mo Vaughn has 7 HR leading the majors and a .424 OBP. One the mound Turk Wendell has yet to give up a run in 5 1/3 innings of relief.
The Bad News: Starting pitching Roger Pavlik is 0-2 7.94 with batters hitting .326 against him. Donovan Osborne isn’t wowing anyone with a .313 avg for batters and a 6.17 ERA
Didn’t see that coming: Roger Clemens 2-1 3.57 ERA
Coming Attractions: Boston has three at Seattle before coming home for a pair against San Diego and a critical 4 game series vs the Yankees
NYY: 7-6 1st place (tie)
The good news : Andres Galarraga & Juan Gonzalez are both part of a six way tie or 3rd in AL Homeruns with 4 each. the joint hitting .367 (4th in the AL) Todd Stottlemyre is 3-0 tied for the MLB lead in wins, leads the AL in ERA (1.03) all while 3rd in Innings pitched. Jeff Juden in 6 relief appearances has yet to give up an earned run (WHIP 0.87).
The Bad News: Joey Hamilton (0-2 8.36 ERA WHIP 2.00 .361 avg against) has been bad but Andy Pettite (0-3 13.89 ERA WHIP 2.91 and batters hitting .426 ) has been much worse and are the reason why the yanks don’t have a lead in this division and was likely the prime driver in the trade of Mariano Rivera to Atlanta for John Smoltz (yes you read that right).
Didn’t see that coming: The Rivera / Smoltz trade should rank 1st but Bernie Williams stat line is interesting. He only has 10 hits .244 10 for 41 but has 10 RBI on those ten hits.
Medical Report: Pete Harnisch got hurt in his very first start and won’t be available against the White Sox but will be back for Houston unless they won’t to hold him for the big 4 game series vs the Red Sox
Coming Attractions: The Yanks have spent a lot of time on the road with three more vs the Pale Hose but they have a quick pit stop at home for a pair at Houston before heading to Fenway park for a critical series vs the Red Sox.
Cleveland: 5-8 .385 3rd place 2 GB
The good news : Bobby Higginson was a late draft pick but he’s been hitting like a first round pick batting .393 (3rd in AL) with 13 RBI (2nd in AL) all without a single HR. Jim Thome leads the AL with a .479 OBP and Edgar Martinez leads all the majors with 15 walks and Benito Santiago currently injured is part of that 6 way tie for 3rd in HR..
The Bad News: Cleveland has a team ERA of 5.85 2nd to last in the majors and three pitchers with ERA’s over 10 including Charles Nagy who in three starts has an ERA of 10.80 ERA an Avg against of .378 Their team is also dead last in the AL in Home Runs (9)
Didn’t see that coming: Despite the 2nd worst ERA in the Majors and the AL’s worst fielding percentage (.970) they are only 2 games out of first.
Medical Report: Both Kevin Appier and battery mate Benito Santiago went down vs the yanks and won’t be back in time for Toronto but they should both be around for St. Louis
Coming Attractions: The Tribe has three north of the border with Toronto and a part at home against St. Louis before heading to Baltimore for 4 games a stretch which give them their best shot to threaten for first.
Baltimore : 5-11 .313 4th place 3 1/2 2 GB
The good news : Hard to find good news here but the O’s lead the majors in fielding with a .993 avg and of teams with 15 attempts against them have the best caught stealing rate .462. They are also 2nd in the AL in walks as a team (59) Meanwhile while their starting pitching with the exception of Rheal Cormier (1-0 2.45 in 18 1/3 innings) has been suspect Jay Powel, Lee Smith and Randy Myers all have ERA’s of 2.08 or lower and are a perfect 4-4 in save situations.. The only good news at the plate is Quilvio Veras 3rd in the AL in Runs scored and tied for 4th in walks while Quinton McGracken who acquired with Mike Hampton for Danny Darwin and team leading hitter Brady Anderson has matched Anderson’s .333 batting avg and team lead in OBP since joining the club.
The Bad News: Baltimore is dead last in ERA (5.99) Last in the AL in slugging (.376)2nd to last in the AL in homers 2nd to last in avg .249 Starting pitchers Mike Hamption (6.00 ERA) Doug Drabek (8.36 ERA) Mike Mussina (9.82 ERA) Danny Darwin (12.10 ERA before being dealt to Houston) and Jimmy Key (ERA 13.50) have not benefited from the solid gloves of the team.
Didn’t see that coming: Pitchers Doug Drabek, Danny Darwin and Mike Hampton are a combined 5-5 at the plate with 4 RBI’s
Medical Report: Baltimore remains two starters down. Jimmy Key was lost after his 2nd start. He won’t be back to face LA but should be back in time for the end of the Cleveland series. Musinna will miss the entire homestand but will be able to make the trip to Florida.
Coming Attractions: Baltimore starts a six game homestand with 2 vs LA and 4 vs the Tribe before heading off to Florida for a pair then three in Seattle .
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