Monday, July 04, 2005
American League Analysis
Guest Commentary by Marty Monforte
The Boston Red Sox started slowly but have quickly come on. Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz are again providing the power hitting punch the Red Sox have relied on. Sparkplug Johnny Damon is one of the game's best tablesetters and coasting to a .300-plus average. This is his contract year, and he'll probably command a decent amount of money as a free agent. Red Sox pitching has not been great, but fortunately, the Red Sox play in the East where no one else has good pitching. Matt Clement has had a very solid season (9-1, 3.33) while Tim Wakefield (6-6, 4.05) and Bronson Arroyo (6-3, 4.02) have had respectable campaigns.
The Chicago White Sox, led by fiesty manager Ozzie Guillen, are a bit of a surprise. However, pitching has propelled them into a commanding division lead. Mark Buerle (9-1, 2.48) has been excellent and Jon Garland (12-3, 3.25) leads the AL in wins. Freddy Garcia has proven to be a very effective third starter as well. The White Sox lineup has been decent, but needs to improve. No one is batting .300 and only Paul Konerko has close to 20 home runs. If the hitting improves, this could Chicago's year.
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim round out the AL leaders. They're the weakest of the division leaders, but could very well be in the mix come October. Bartolo Colon is having a solid season (9-4, 2.99) and if he stays in shape, he could be a solid anchor for the starting staff. John Lackey (6-2, 3.50), Jarrod Washburn (4-3, 3.35) and Paul Byrd (7-5, 3.87) are starters 2-4 in what has been the best starting staff in the league. However, the Angels have struggled to find consistency offensively, as only Vladimir Guerrero and Garrett Anderson are having noteworthy offensive years.
Who has a shot at catching the division leaders? In the East, Baltimore has cooled off after a surprising start. Pitching has been inconsistent, while the everyday lineup has performed well. The New York Yankees, easily the league's most disappointing team, have received subpar performances from Randy Johnson and Carl Pavano. Some wonder if Johnson is past his prime and if Pavano was a one-year wonder. Keep in mind that Roger Clemens struggled in his first year in New York as well (4.69 ERA), so Johnson and Pavano could turn it around.
In the Central, the Minnesota Twins are receiving solid seasons from youngsters Justin Morneau and Matt Lecroy. Veterans Torie Hunter and Shannon Stewart are also contributing. Johan Santana and Carlos Silva have ERA's under 4.00.
In the West, Texas may be the only challenger to the Angels. The Rangers have had very solid seasons from Alphonso Soriano (.284, 19 HR) and Mark Teixiera (292, 20 HR). Kenny Rogers and Chris Young are having solid seasons on the mound.
The second half of the AL race will no doubt answer many burning questions. Will pitching propel the White Sox and the Angels to a league championship matchup? Will the Red Sox defend their title successfully? What kind of impact will a healthy Curt Shilling have on the Red Sox? Can Johnson and Pavano show up in time to help the Yankees overtake the Red Sox? Can Texas and Baltimore get enough pitching to make a run?
The Boston Red Sox started slowly but have quickly come on. Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz are again providing the power hitting punch the Red Sox have relied on. Sparkplug Johnny Damon is one of the game's best tablesetters and coasting to a .300-plus average. This is his contract year, and he'll probably command a decent amount of money as a free agent. Red Sox pitching has not been great, but fortunately, the Red Sox play in the East where no one else has good pitching. Matt Clement has had a very solid season (9-1, 3.33) while Tim Wakefield (6-6, 4.05) and Bronson Arroyo (6-3, 4.02) have had respectable campaigns.
The Chicago White Sox, led by fiesty manager Ozzie Guillen, are a bit of a surprise. However, pitching has propelled them into a commanding division lead. Mark Buerle (9-1, 2.48) has been excellent and Jon Garland (12-3, 3.25) leads the AL in wins. Freddy Garcia has proven to be a very effective third starter as well. The White Sox lineup has been decent, but needs to improve. No one is batting .300 and only Paul Konerko has close to 20 home runs. If the hitting improves, this could Chicago's year.
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim round out the AL leaders. They're the weakest of the division leaders, but could very well be in the mix come October. Bartolo Colon is having a solid season (9-4, 2.99) and if he stays in shape, he could be a solid anchor for the starting staff. John Lackey (6-2, 3.50), Jarrod Washburn (4-3, 3.35) and Paul Byrd (7-5, 3.87) are starters 2-4 in what has been the best starting staff in the league. However, the Angels have struggled to find consistency offensively, as only Vladimir Guerrero and Garrett Anderson are having noteworthy offensive years.
Who has a shot at catching the division leaders? In the East, Baltimore has cooled off after a surprising start. Pitching has been inconsistent, while the everyday lineup has performed well. The New York Yankees, easily the league's most disappointing team, have received subpar performances from Randy Johnson and Carl Pavano. Some wonder if Johnson is past his prime and if Pavano was a one-year wonder. Keep in mind that Roger Clemens struggled in his first year in New York as well (4.69 ERA), so Johnson and Pavano could turn it around.
In the Central, the Minnesota Twins are receiving solid seasons from youngsters Justin Morneau and Matt Lecroy. Veterans Torie Hunter and Shannon Stewart are also contributing. Johan Santana and Carlos Silva have ERA's under 4.00.
In the West, Texas may be the only challenger to the Angels. The Rangers have had very solid seasons from Alphonso Soriano (.284, 19 HR) and Mark Teixiera (292, 20 HR). Kenny Rogers and Chris Young are having solid seasons on the mound.
The second half of the AL race will no doubt answer many burning questions. Will pitching propel the White Sox and the Angels to a league championship matchup? Will the Red Sox defend their title successfully? What kind of impact will a healthy Curt Shilling have on the Red Sox? Can Johnson and Pavano show up in time to help the Yankees overtake the Red Sox? Can Texas and Baltimore get enough pitching to make a run?
# posted by Steve Seepersaud : 1:21 AM
