Monday, April 21, 2003

 

Off days suck. No Giants game to look forward to tonight, and no real desire to reflect on the last game.

I know! Let's have a spin through the rest of the NL West and see how they're faring.

Colorado: Very quietly having a great April. If it weren't for the outrageous starts by San Francisco, Kansas City and Yankees, they'd be a big story. That story would be about how well they're pitching at Coors Field. Their home ERA is 3.98. Their away ERA is 5.00. No, I don't have that backwards. It's very early yet, so this may not mean anything. They've allowed four or fewer runs in six of their nine games--three vs. Arizona, twice vs. San Diego, and once vs. St. Louis. Arizona can't hit anyway, and neither can San Diego. I'm guessing their overall ERA will go back up over the next month.

Los Angeles: Kevin Brown and Darren Dreifort are healthy and pitching acceptably. The Dodgers' overall ERA is an excellent 3.32. Among their starting pitchers, only Nomo is below that number--the Dodgers relievers are pitching better than the starters. In fact, their bullpen has 3 of the Dodgers' 8 wins. Looks to me like the pen is keeping the Dodgers in a lot of games, and making up for their terrible offense. Even after last night's blowout, the team OPS is 685. Better than the Tigers, but not nearly good enough to contend. If the Dodgers want to be in it in September, they have to hit a lot better.

San Diego: The Giants and the Rockies have used the Padres as a punching bag. Phil Nevin is out for the year, a pioneer in this year's shoulder separation fashion trend. If it weren't for the Dodgers, against whom the Padres are 4-3, the Padres would have a truly awful record. Their offense is slightly better than Arizona or Los Angeles, but that's balanced by a team 5.29 ERA. I wouldn't be surprised if they finish dead last.

Arizona: I used to really like Bob Brenly before he became the D-Backs' manager, so I do feel a little sorry for him. This year, the question was whether or not Arizona would find that Third Pitcher to add to Johnson & Schilling. Now they're wondering if they have a Johnson & Schilling. Johnson is suffering from knee soreness (and is now on the DL), and Schilling just had his appendix out (which has nothing to do with his poor start). The pair are 1-4. Kim, converted to a starter, is pitching well enough (3.75 ERA) to be solid #3 behind Johnson & Schilling. If the D-Backs' hitters didn't stink almost as much as the Dodgers, it might even matter. You have to wonder if they regret trading Durazo, who is hitting better than any Diamondback.

The Giants will come back to earth, but so will the Rockies. Hard to see either Arizona or San Diego making a serious run at the playoffs at this point. The Dodgers could rise out of this mess if McGriff starts hitting. Will they make up an early 9-game deficit, though? It'll be tough. After three weeks, the Giants look like they're going to win the West in a walk. Of course, during the seventh inning of Game 6 of the 2002 World Series, the Giants looked like they'd win that easily, too.

Jefferson 11:51 AM

|