Around the NL: Brewers lead early playoff chase

Postseason Glimpse?
What can we learn from the standings on May 7? If there is anything to learn from the past two seasons, then the Braves and Mets can breathe easily while Los Angeles has reason to be nervous. You see, each of the past two seasons, only two eventual playoff teams has been in playoff position on May 7.

In 2006, New York, Cincinnati and Colorado were the division leaders on May 7. The Reds finished 3.5 games back and Colorado plummeted to 12 games down by the end of the season. St. Louis was in position to be the wild card team, then went on to win the division while the Padres and Dodgers both passed Colorado for the NL West title and wild card spot.

The prior year Atlanta held on to win the NL East, St. Louis remained atop the Central but Los Angels lost out to San Diego by 11 games in the West and Florida appeared on track for the wild card, but ultimately finished six games back of Houston.

So, what can we learn? No much. But the NL East champ was leading on May 7 both years, and the Padres came from behind to win the West.

Currently the teams in position for the postseason are New York, Atlanta, Milwaukee and Los Angeles. With San Diego getting strong pitching, the Padres can’t be counted out. The Phillies and Marlins have some serious problems to fix in order to get in the race with the Braes and Mets. Most likely the Brewers will come down to earth, but the question is whether any other teams in the Central can rise up should the Brewers falter.

Updated predictions:
East: New York
Central: Milwaukee
West: San Diego
Wild Card: Atlanta

Under the Radar
If you’re looking for an up-and-coming star still flying under the radar a bit, Orlando Hudson of Arizona is your guy. A consistent .275 hitter with limited speed and Gold Glove defense throughout his young career, Hudson is blossoming in Arizona. He had 12 multi-hit games in April, and is swinging a hot bat to the tune of a .341 clip. With some run-producing support in the middle of the Diamondback lineup, Hudson could score 100 runs for the first time in his career, as well as top the century mark in RBIs for the first time.

Player of the Week: Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers’ Prince led the National League with 12 RBIs last week, batting .440 with four homers. He had an OPS of 1.493.

Pitcher of the Week: Jake Peavy, San Diego Padres
The Padres’ young righthander didn’t win both his starts, but he allowed just three runs and seven hits and four walks in his 14 innings, while striking out 20.

Player of the Month – April
Jose Reyes, New York Mets
The catalyst for the New York Mets’ offense has not disappointed so far this season. Reyes has reached base at a .442 clip, and he doesn’t particularly care to stop at first base either, rapping out five triples and nine doubles in April And when he does stop at first, he become a menace to opposing pitchers. The speedy shortstop has swiped 17 bases in 20 attempts. His batting average is .356 and he’s slugging .596.

Pitcher of the Month – April
John Maine, New York Mets
It’s not easy to ignore the work of Milwaukee closer Francisco Cordero this season. He has yet to give up a run in 11.1 innings and is 10-for-10 in save opportunities. But, to open the old starter-vs.-closer argument in terms of value, Maine has thrown three times the number of innings. The young Met is 4–0 with a sparkling 1.35 ERA. In 33.1 innings, he has 30 strikeouts and just 18 hits and 17 walks.

Numbers Game
2,500: Tom Glavine struck out his 2,500th batter (Arizona’s Orlando Hudson) last Thursday, becoming the 29th pitcher to reach that milestone. By the time he struck out Eric Byrnes later in the game, Glavine passed Christy Mathewson for 28th on the list.

222: Barry Bonds’ march toward Hank Aaron’s all-time home run mark continues but with his home run against Jeff Francis last Tuesday, Bonds passed The Hammer for the most home runs against a left-handed pitcher with 222. Not so coincidentally, the next three on the list are: Aaron (221), Babe Ruth (219), Willie Mays (209).

11: Atlanta’s emerging superstar Jeff Francoeur has been noted for his early-count aggressiveness, often swinging at the first pitch. He’s changed his approach this season. Francoeur earned his 11th walk of the season Sunday against the Dodgers. Francoeur’s 11th walk last year didn’t come until Aug. 7. The patience has turned into a .299 average this year with five home runs and 27 RBIs.

13: The Cardinals have had a rough first month. The Astros didn’t help things out by defeating St. Louis 13–0 at Busch Stadium last week. That marked the worst home loss for a defending World Series champion since a 15–0 result in 1950.

4: Leadoff hitters have already worn the Golden Sombrero (four strikeouts in one game) three times this season. Washington’s Felipe Lopez, Atlanta’s Kelly Johnson and Colorado’s Willy Taveras have all turned the trick. Leadoff batters only did it twice in all of 2006.

2: On the flip side, three leadoff hitters have already accounted for multi-home run games. Philly’s Jimmy Rollins, Arizona’s Chris Young and Kelly Johnson (who did it the game immediately following his Golden Sombrero performance).

League Leaders (through May 7th games):
Batting Average:
1.    Derrek Lee (.414)
2.    Todd Helton (.389)
3.    Matt Holliday (.363)

Home Runs:
1.    Barry Bonds (10)
1.    Chipper Jones (10)
3.    Jimmy Rollins (9)
3.    Prince Fielder (9)
3.    Adrian Gonzalez (9)
3.    Adam Dunn (9)

RBIs:
1.    Adrian Gonzalez (29)
1.    Carlos Lee (29)
3.    Jeff Francoeur (27)

Stolen Bases:
1.    Jose Reyes (19)
2.    Shane Victorino (13)
3.    Juan Pierre (12)

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