M's VERY surprising so far.  Pitching/small-ball.  Griffey and Ichiro aren't even hitting (although walks and presence is a big part of things). 

Fun to watch for sure.  I don't think they can do it all year, but great to watch some of these younger players doing well on the big stage...and good to see some "comeback" years for the vets we do have. 

 With the Angels having significant health issues, that division is wide open, & the M's might be able to sneak in - especially if they're in contention  later & willing to acquire someone via trade (always a wild card).  

And how about the new Yankee stadium?  ~Just what's needed, another HR park.  Hopefully that's just an April weather pattern thing.  

Anyone see that Indians v Yanks game on Sunday?  Why have replay if you're not going to overturn stuff like that?  Yankees got away with one IMO - and the fan should have been thrown out.  

I didn't think the replays were really conclusive - but I know that the Yankees ALWAYS get away with s--t so it annoyed me.

Last night's Mets Cardinals game was a killer. Tie score, eighth inning, Beltran is on secodn. he advances to thrid on an out, then when the ball gets away form teh infielder, he tries to score form third. He runs to teh plaet WITHOUT SLIDING. He is easily atgeed out by molina and hte Mets go on to lsoe the game. sloppy mental errors like that are what keeps you from winning pennants - and i don't have a good feel about this years Mets team.

Yes, the Mets let the Cardinals win that game.  Two bases loaded walks.  Two runners thrown out at home with one (Beltran) not even sliding.  And had Beltran slid he would have easily been safe.  I realize the strike zone was a mess last night but both teams had to deal with that crap, so its hard to blame that on the Mets loss. 

Personally I really like this Cardinals team.  Their bullpen is a mess as they have already blown three saves.  But their hitting is fantastic, and their starters are underrated, and if Carpenter can stay healthy after he comes back from the ribcage injury, I really like their chances to give the Cubs a decent race and seriously make a play on the wildcard too.

So - Memorial Day is always a good palce to stop and take stock of hwo the early season played out.

The Mets have been a little better than I thought, and given the injuries they have been hammered with lately, better than I could hope for. Theya re ofur games over .500 and basically tied with teh Phillies for first palce. i dunno - Sheffield can't play as well as has so far for muhc longer and I think they will need another bat at osme point. But Beltran is having a great season and Wright is putting up his usual numbers (but he's still not clutch). and Santana is the best starting pitcher out there - and gives us a cahcne every time he takes the mound. Against anyone.

The Blue Jays and Marlins have come back down to earth after playing voer their heads to start the season. teh dodgers can't be as good as their record - and Manny is just another cheater. The Yankees are doing what I expected, but their bullpen is worse than I thought and could be thier downfall if they don't put Joba in the bullpen. I'm glad to see the Brewers in firsst place and glad to see the Cubs treading water at .500.

And how are you guys liking that Cleveland pick these days? LOL

they probably like it the same as your braves pick....

phillies seem to be struggling yet they are tied for first place...whats w/ the rest of the NL east don't smell that blood? the longer the phillies stay up there the better off they will be...Romero comes back and if they trust happ they might be able to straighten out their rotation.

Happ looked decent Saturday - but you defintiely need to upgrade that rotation. moyer is done and Chan ho park was never the answer. Blanton isn't great either. I look for you gusy to make a run at Peavy if the Padres come back to earth.

And dude - the Braves are only 1-1/2 game out. They are right there, and I still wouldn't be surprised to see them win the thing.

blanton has his moments, which is what is so frustrating

J Blanton (W, 3-3) 7.0 5 0 0 2 11 (11 = K's)

Here's hoping the Cubbies can tun these two games into an 8 game win streak to match the recent losses.  I will def. be enjoying the NL Central race this season... I think the Cubs/Cards/Brew Crew make for some exciting rivalries.

And keep an eye on that Fox kid they just called up from AAA.  He was leading the PCL in something like 7 offensive categories.  Here's hoping he can glove enough to make him a spot... and that the jump to the majors doesn't mess him over too bad.

Beware of my Redbirds!  They have the second best record in the NL (behind only the Dodgers) despite Carpenter, Ludwick, Ankiel, and Glaus all spending time on the DL.  When Carpenter is healthy, the rotation is very solid.  Go look at Carpenter's stats this year...he hasn't allowed a single earned run in 23 innings and has a .61 WHIP!  Franklin has rounded into a very good closer, and when Ankiel and ludwick are healthy the lineup should go back to mashing.

Dobbler said:

Blargh... don't remind me.  My cousin married a Cards fan and Facebook spams us with all her propaganda.  I'm glad I respect LaRussa and the Cards as a team, cuz I sure can't stand watching Pujols bust it all over the Cubs. :(

Cubs are really struggling right now...having lost 9 of 11...guys losing their cool all over the place.  Of course Bradley and Zambrano aren't known for being level headed guys, so that should have been expected.  But the Cubs lack of run production has just been amazing.  The Cards recently swept a three game series where St. Louis didn't score more than 3 runs in any single game.  That is just crazy.  But with Aramis on the DL, D. Lee apparently on the downhill side of his career, will the new youngbloods step up to create some offensive production for the cubbies? 

 Well, the Cubs lack of run production really doesn't surprise me that much.  Lee has never been the same since the wrist injury, and Theriot and Fontenot were not likely to match last year's stats (IMO), same with Soto to a lesser degree.  Thus the Ramirez loss really hurt.  I still think the Cubs have a chance/thought it would be a good 4 team race before the season started (Reds have less margin for injuries than the other 3 though).  Cardinals are a major factor if Carpenter stays healthy.  The loss of Weeks really hurt the Brewers.  I don't think his start was a fluke - he was going to break out this year.  Brewers have a major hole in the leadoff spot, and I'm still more concerned with their general poor plate discipline/lack of walks (good start, but already regressing) than I am about the starting pitching that the media always gloms on to.  Brewers starting pitching is good enough.  

And Stag, yeah the Indians look bad; but, really, nobody in that division looked great to me pre-season, and there's still not anyone that jumps out at me.  I think the Royals have a shot - though I'm not sure how long Greinke can keep this up (I hope for all season).  

Um

Can any more Mets get hurt or sikc. I mean GEEZ already.

Stag Lord said:

sorry stag, just can't get over this one.....

EAST              W    L PCT GB HOME ROAD RS RA DIFF STRK L10
Philadelphia 32 21 .604   - 12-14 20-7     293 258 +35 Lost 1 8-2
NY Mets        29 24 .547   3 17-9 12-15      249 231 +18 Won 1 6-4
Atlanta          26 27 .491 6 12-14 14-13       228 236 -8 Lost 2 3-7
Florida         26 30 .464 7.5 12-16 14-14     259 287 -28 Lost 1 5-5
Washington 14 39 .264 18 8-19 6-20 243 316 -73 Lost 3 1-9