Beyond Busch: MLB Notebook

This week Beyond Busch reviews the first couple weeks of the season in quick notebook fashion for all teams outside of St. Louis. Team records in parenthesis.

NL Central

Chicago Cubs (3-10) – Ryan Dempster is throwing very well but nothing to show for it.

Cincinnati Reds (5-8) – Two series losses to the Cardinals has them 4 back.

Houston Astros (5-8) – Wandy Rodriguez owns a 1.96 ERA and two losses

Milwaukee Brewers (6-7) – Team ERA sits 27th in MLB.

Pittsburgh Pirates (5-7) – Team ERA is 4th overall at 2.80.

NL East

Atlanta Braves – (8-5) – Mike Minor is looking very good.

Miami Marlins – (7-6) – Ozzie Guillen suspension has no ill effects on team.

New York Mets – (7-6) – Off to a much better start than most expected.

Philadelphia Phillies – (6-7) – Having trouble scoring runs with Chase Utley and Ryan Howard out.

Washington Nationals – (10-4) Pitchers have 129 K’s in 131 IP.

NL West

Arizona Diamonbacks – (7-6) – Trying to keep up with the Dodgers.

Colorado Rockies – (6-6) – Michael Cuddyer off to hot start with new team (.370, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 2 SB, 1.091 OPS).

Los Angeles Dodgers – (10-3) – Matt Kemp‘s 50/50 prediction may be realistic after all; at least the power part for now is (7 HR, 1 SB).

San Diego Padres – (3-11) – Chase Headley lone bright spot for anemic offense (.292, 4 HR, 12 RBI, 1.081 OPS).

San Francisco Giants – (6-6) – Matt Cain with 18 straight scoreless inning streak.

AL East

Baltimore Orioles – (8-5) – Adam Jones is looking like he may make the leap to stardom this season (.321, 5 HR, 8 RBI, 1.036 OPS)

Boston Red Sox – (4-8) – Injuries hurting Red Sox a lot more than Bobby Valentine’s mouth is.

New York Yankees – (7-6) – Curtis Granderson puts on a show Thursday night with 3 HR in 5-for-5 effort.

Tampa Bay Rays – Surprising pitching issues early on; 5.35 team ERA, .269 BAA, 1.57 WHIP.

Toronto Blue Jays – (6-6) – Jose Bautista off to a slow start (.211, 2 HR, 5 RBI, .756 OPS).

AL Central

Chicago White Sox – (6-6) – Robin Ventura is getting the most out of group.

Cleveland Indians – (6-5) – Is Travis Hafner rejuvenated?

Detroit Tigers – (9-4) – Prince Fielder feeling right at home (.354, 2 HR, 8 RBI, .939 OPS)

Kansas City Royals – (3-9) Danny Duffy 15 K’s in 12.2 IP.

Minnesota Twins – (4-9) Is Justin Morneau all the way back?

AL West

Los Angeles Angels – (4-9) – Arte Moreno: ‘This is what $151 million buys?’

Oakland A’s – (7-7) – Team hitting .200, but Yoenis Cespedes flashing the power with 4 HR.

Seattle Mariners – (7-7) – King Felix; 1-1, 29.1 IP, 2.76 ERA, 31 K.

Texas Rangers – (11-2) – Picking up right where they left off; Josh Hamilton in another world (.426, 5 HR, 12 RBI, 1.208 OPS).

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