Beyond Busch: MLB notes from the first month

This week Beyond Busch will run through MLB and provide some notes about each team outside of St. Louis through the first month of the season. Team records are in parenthesis and reflect games prior to today.

Busch Stadium (Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-US PRESSWIRE)

NL Central

Chicago Cubs (6-13) – Bryan LaHair leads the team in AVG (.364), HR (4), RBI (11) and OPS (1.190 *among qualifiers)

Cincinnati Reds (9-10) – Joey Votto sits at .273 with 1 HR

Houston Astros (7-12) – Youngsters are holding their own with Jose Altuve and J.D. Martinez making names for themselves

Milwaukee Brewers (9-10) – Pitching staff ranks 28th in team ERA (4.88)

Pittsburgh Pirates (8-10) – Pitching staff is carrying team; 2nd in team ERA (2.58), 28th in team hitting (.221)

NL East

Atlanta Braves (12-7) – Brandon Beachy has been superb; 2-1, 1.05 ERA, 0.97 WHIP

Miami Marlins (7-11) – The record may be the biggest surprise here.

New York Mets (11-8) – Jonathon Niese worth the extension; 25.2 IP, 2-0, 2.81 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 23 K

Philadelphia Phillies (9-10) – Really missing Ryan Howard and Chase Utley; .355 team SLG

Washington Nationals (14-5) – Staff ERA of 2.20 is incredible

NL West

Arizona Diamonbacks (9-10) – D’backs in lower third of team pitching and team hitting attributes to record

Colorado Rockies (9-9) – Michael Cuddyer paying off; .303, 2 HR, 11 RBI, .545 SLG

Los Angeles Dodgers (13-6) – Playing .500 ball since 8-1 start.

San Diego Padres (6-14) – Hitting .213 as a team

San Francisco Giants (10-9) – Matt Cain is holding opposing hitters to a .136 AVG

AL East

Baltimore Orioles (12-7) – The record is the big news here

Boston Red Sox (8-10) – Despite record, 2nd in MLB in Runs (104) and AVG (.293); the problem = 6.08 team ERA

New York Yankees (10-8) – Michael Pineda done for season; Phil Hughes sputtering (1-3, 7.88 ERA, .329 BAA, 1.88 WHIP)

Tampa Bay Rays – (12-7) – Winners of five straight has them tied with O’s

Toronto Blue Jays (10-9) – Jose Bautista triple slash line; .194/.349/.343

AL Central

Chicago White Sox (10-9) – Philip Humber throws perfect game vs. Mariners, follows it up with 9 ER in 5 IP vs. Red Sox

Cleveland Indians (9-8) – Travis Hafner remains healthy and productive; .314 AVG, 2 HR, 10 RBI & .980 OPS

Detroit Tigers – (10-9) – Prince Fielder‘s power non-existent to this point; 4 extra base hits, .423 SLG

Kansas City Royals (5-14) – Disappointing 12-game losing streak snapped, now winners of 2 straight

Minnesota Twins (5-14) – Team staff ERA 29th at 5.76, opposing batters hitting .293

AL West

Los Angeles Angels (6-13) – A whopping 9 games back of Rangers; Albert Pujols‘ triple slash, .224/.280/.316 with 0 HR & 4 RBI

Oakland A’s (10-10) – Yoenis Cespedes looks like the real deal; 5 HR, 18 RBI, .537 SLG

Seattle Mariners (10-10) – Felix Hernandez getting it done; 2-1, 2.48 ERA, 33 Ks in 36.1 IP

Texas Rangers (15-4) – Team leads MLB in 6 hitting categories, AL in 4 pitching categories

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