The Indians sort through tall pitching prospects as the Quest For 2005 continues. The Dodgers offense is bad–like historically bad. The Mariners’ insane love affair with Dan Wilson rolls on. Plus other news and notes out of Cleveland, Los Angeles, and Seattle.
The Diamondbacks have quietly done a good job of rebuilding their farm system. The Royals have fallen out of first place in a hurry. The Phillies’ bats are ice cold. Plus other news and notes out of Arizona, Kansas City, and Philadelphia.
The Braves offense is annihilating everything in sight. The Twins bullpen has been lights-out for the second straight season. The Devil Rays will have plenty of options at the draft table. Plus more news and notes out of Atlanta, Minnesota, and Tampa.
Fresh from a Memorial Day breather, Prospectus Triple Play returns with a double edition. BP looks at the happenings and trends for six big-league teams: the White Sox, Astros, Brewers, A’s, Cardinals, and Rangers.
The Expos bench has helped fuel the team’s best start in history. The Giants bullpen’s suffering through the PTP curse. Vernon Wells is earning his pay. Plus more news and notes out of Montreal, San Francisco, and Toronto.
The Angels have help waiting on the farm. Dusty Baker wrestles with pitch counts. Jeff Bower could hit cleanup for the Tigers and no one would notice. Plus more news and notes out of Anaheim, Chicago, and Detroit.
The Orioles bullpen has been awful, the Rockies can’t hit the ball out of the park, and the Mets get to experience life without Mike Piazza. Plus more news and notes out of Baltimore, Colorado, and New York.
Rickey Henderson has a new challenger for the all-time SB mark…Manny. Ken Griffey’s the missing element in the once-predicted Best Outfield Ever. Charles Nagy getting innings doesn’t bode well for the Padres pitching staff. Plus more and notes out of Boston, Cincinnati, and San Diego.
Jack McKeon has his work cut out for him in Florida. Nick Johnson goes down just as he started to meet his potential. Kip Wells is one walk per game away from becoming a true ace. Plus more notes and notes on the Marlins, Yankees, and Pirates.
Travis Hafner and Ben Broussard return to first base musical chairs. Adrian Beltre carries the banner of the BP Curse. Jeff Cirillo may still have a pulse. Plus other news and notes on the Indians, Dodgers, and Mariners.
The Diamondbacks hang in the race despite losing their top three starters. Desi Relaford is having a historic season for the Royals. Brett Myers has been the victim of lousy run support. Plus more news and notes out of Arizona, Kansas City, and Philadelphia.
Andruw Jones’ defense has declined, the imprisonment of Johan Santana must end once and for all, and B.J. Upton is showing the kind of plate discipline not usually seen among Devil Ray farmhands. Plus other news and notes out of Atlanta, Minnesota, and Tampa.
The buzzards are circling over Jerry Manuel, the Cards wouldn’t gain much by swapping Vina for Alomar, and the Rangers’ pitching woes continue. Plus news and notes on Billy Koch, Eli Marrero, and Colby Lewis.
The Astros sort through their mess at shortstop. The Brewers have gone high school-happy in the draft. Eric Byrnes creates a pleasant problem in Oakland. Plus news on Richard Hidalgo, David Krynzel, Barry Zito, and Tim Hudson.
The Expos shuffle their lineup, the Giants adjust to life without Robb Nen, and the Blue Jays are happy to have Frank Catalanotto. Plus reports on Brad Wilkerson, Tim Worrell, and Doug Davis.
Angels: Star Performer: Much like Dirk Diggler in the closing scene of Boogie Nights, the Anaheim Angels’ bullpen has been a bright, shining star this season. First in the AL in Adjusted Runs Prevented–and third in the majors, overall–the Anaheim relief squadron is essentially the only thing keeping the team afloat at this point, save Garret Anderson’s continuing quest to make statheads taste their own bile.
Cubs: Lineup: The biggest lineup concern continues to be at third base, where
Mark Bellhorn has not been able to get it going. Bellhorn provides two valuable skills–power and patience-which theoretically can trump a low batting average. Unfortunately, thus far he is showing no power at all (five extra base hits in 28 games) and is hitting just .214. Although I am sure this is making Jeff Bower giddy, Dusty Baker is less amused.
Tigers: Streaks: The Tigers stood at 3-20 in late April at the end of their road series with the AL West. But stop the presses! They’re on a four-game winning streak! Here’s how they have done against the AL East:
Home vs. Baltimore: 0-3, 9 runs scored, 22 runs against
Home vs. Tampa Bay: 1-2, 13 runs scored, 13 runs against
At Baltimore: 3-0, 22 runs scored, 11 runs against