Baseball looks to close out its third month of play in the next week. The 2009 season has provided us with many great plays and great moments, with many more to come as we close in on October baseball. Let’s look at the top 5, and not so top 5, of this season as of now.
Top 5
1. Los Angeles Dodgers – Forget Manny being Manny…
it’s just Torre being Torre here. Even without Ramirez’s bat in the middle of the lineup, the inhabitants of Chavez Ravine have been outstanding, cruising to the best record in baseball (47-24) and gaining an 8.5 game lead on the Wild Card-leading SF Giants (another impressive story). With a lineup that features young stars Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp, and a rotation built around Chad Billingsly, the Dodgers are rock solid.
2. Zack Greinke – While he got hit hard for a couple starts, Greinke has put up obscene numbers. He was one of only five pitchers all time to have under a 1.00 ERA after 10 starts, and has thrown over five complete games already this season. Not only that, he’s helped keep the Royals out of the cellar…for now!
3. Jason Bay – The quiet Canadian has let his bat do all of the talking this season. Bay (.286/19HR/69RBI/49R) is in the top five in both HR’s and RBI’s, and has been the big bat at Fenway that Manny Ramirez used to be; but clearly with a better attitude. Also, he’s only missed 1 game this year, while Manny has missed 42, so far, on maternity leave.
4. Albert Pujols – You surprised? The guy has only been one of the best players in the game since he became a starter at age 21. Currently he’s the NL leader in both HR’s and RBI’s, and with a .328 average, could make a run at the Triple Crown. Most importantly though…he’s helped get the Cards a 2.5 game lead in the crowded NL Central.
5. Raul Ibanez – No ‘roids here! The 37-year old has put up phenomenal numbers this season, and has gained more attention than ever before. Why? Cause he’s no longer playing in the Emerald City, which since the M’s won 116 games in 2001, hasn’t seen much good baseball. Sitting in the middle of a lineup that features Howard and Utley, has helped Ibanez produce big time.
Bottom 5
1. New York Mets – Aside from being 2.5 back of the Philadelphia Phillies after adding K-Rod to their bullpen, the Metropolitans have seen Reyes, Delgado, and now Beltran side-lined with injuries. Not a good sign for a team who hasn’t made the playoffs the past two seasons.
2. The New Yankee Stadium – The Yanks themselves, not bad. Their ballpark…ugh! Aside for it costing an arm and a leg to get into the ballpark, a problem that the Yankees are starting to address, the ballpark has seen a ridiculous amount of balls fly out of the park this year. Either architects missed something or the ballpark turns every pitcher into Charlie Brown when they take the mound.
3. Chicago Cubs – This was the year! The Cubbies looked destined to make a run at a title this season, as they have the past few seasons, but this year was more promising than the others. However, the Cubs are only one game above the .500 mark and have had a losing streak as long as 8 games this season.
4. Oakland A’s – While it pains me to put them here…they definitely deserve it. A team that started the season as a dark horse in the AL West, they green and gold have done little to push themselves towards the top. The worst offense in the league last year is at it again, but this year they’re doing it with Giambi, Holliday, Cabrera, and Garciaparra, which makes it even more depressing. While this season is slipping away, there is a good sign on the horizon. The A’s young starters have been extremely good, especially lefty’s Josh Outman and Dallas Braden.
5. Manny Ramirez – REALLY MANNY!
Top 5
1. Los Angeles Dodgers – Forget Manny being Manny…
it’s just Torre being Torre here. Even without Ramirez’s bat in the middle of the lineup, the inhabitants of Chavez Ravine have been outstanding, cruising to the best record in baseball (47-24) and gaining an 8.5 game lead on the Wild Card-leading SF Giants (another impressive story). With a lineup that features young stars Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp, and a rotation built around Chad Billingsly, the Dodgers are rock solid.2. Zack Greinke – While he got hit hard for a couple starts, Greinke has put up obscene numbers. He was one of only five pitchers all time to have under a 1.00 ERA after 10 starts, and has thrown over five complete games already this season. Not only that, he’s helped keep the Royals out of the cellar…for now!
3. Jason Bay – The quiet Canadian has let his bat do all of the talking this season. Bay (.286/19HR/69RBI/49R) is in the top five in both HR’s and RBI’s, and has been the big bat at Fenway that Manny Ramirez used to be; but clearly with a better attitude. Also, he’s only missed 1 game this year, while Manny has missed 42, so far, on maternity leave.
4. Albert Pujols – You surprised? The guy has only been one of the best players in the game since he became a starter at age 21. Currently he’s the NL leader in both HR’s and RBI’s, and with a .328 average, could make a run at the Triple Crown. Most importantly though…he’s helped get the Cards a 2.5 game lead in the crowded NL Central.5. Raul Ibanez – No ‘roids here! The 37-year old has put up phenomenal numbers this season, and has gained more attention than ever before. Why? Cause he’s no longer playing in the Emerald City, which since the M’s won 116 games in 2001, hasn’t seen much good baseball. Sitting in the middle of a lineup that features Howard and Utley, has helped Ibanez produce big time.
Bottom 5
1. New York Mets – Aside from being 2.5 back of the Philadelphia Phillies after adding K-Rod to their bullpen, the Metropolitans have seen Reyes, Delgado, and now Beltran side-lined with injuries. Not a good sign for a team who hasn’t made the playoffs the past two seasons.
2. The New Yankee Stadium – The Yanks themselves, not bad. Their ballpark…ugh! Aside for it costing an arm and a leg to get into the ballpark, a problem that the Yankees are starting to address, the ballpark has seen a ridiculous amount of balls fly out of the park this year. Either architects missed something or the ballpark turns every pitcher into Charlie Brown when they take the mound.
3. Chicago Cubs – This was the year! The Cubbies looked destined to make a run at a title this season, as they have the past few seasons, but this year was more promising than the others. However, the Cubs are only one game above the .500 mark and have had a losing streak as long as 8 games this season.
4. Oakland A’s – While it pains me to put them here…they definitely deserve it. A team that started the season as a dark horse in the AL West, they green and gold have done little to push themselves towards the top. The worst offense in the league last year is at it again, but this year they’re doing it with Giambi, Holliday, Cabrera, and Garciaparra, which makes it even more depressing. While this season is slipping away, there is a good sign on the horizon. The A’s young starters have been extremely good, especially lefty’s Josh Outman and Dallas Braden.
5. Manny Ramirez – REALLY MANNY!
Juan Pierre is no Manny but the team concept is pretty powerful in L.A. O Hudson is All-Star worthy with his O and D. Ethier, Blake, Kemp, Loney are steady and Martin is due to break out of his funk. Lefty Kershaw is also among the emerging stars wearing the Dodger blue.
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