MLB 2011: Top Players from each team in National League – Part 3
The Milwaukee Brewers are going strong this season and are one of the teams who are certain to make it to the postseason. Although they are behind the Philadelphia Phillies, the National League leaders, by a fair margin, they are in a comfortable position
at top of the NL Central division. Their winning record at home has been phenomenal and has acted as a major contributor to their success this season. The Brewers have dropped just 15 games at home while they have emerged victorious on 41 occasions.
One player who has been a central part of this achievement is the big-hitting Prince Fielder. Playing at first base, Fielder is easily ranked among the top five batters in NL. Runs are coming in plenty for the hard-hitting player and he has not been hesitant
of using the aerial route.
Fielder’s genius on the plate earned him a spot in the National League All-Star roster this season and he was also nominated captain of the All-Star home-run derby. Fielder did not disappoint his fans and went on to become the Most Valuable Player in the
82nd edition of the star-studded game.
Fielder’s form would be vital for the Brewers as they prepare for the playoffs and a possible berth to the World Series. If Fielder does continue with his hitting-ways and Rickie Weeks is activated from the disabled list soon, a formidable partnership between
the two can see Milwaukee through.
The St. Louis Cardinals have a slender chance of making it through to the postseason this year but with Chris Carpenter’s form augmenting rapidly, the possibility of Cardinals making it thorough to the playoffs cannot be ruled out.
The 6ft 6in starting pitcher has improved his win-loss record from 1-7 at one stage to 8-8 as on August 11 and this is expected to improve further as the race for qualification intensifies. Carpenter is renowned to increase his performances under-pressure
and he has demonstrated this year how well he has perfected this art.
Carpenter has had 13 illustrious years at Major League Baseball and if he does manage to lift the Cardinals this season, he surely will add a star to his list of achievements.
The season might already be over for the Pittsburgh Pirates but they have been intelligent enough to use this season as an experiment to groom young talent and to prepare a strong line-up for the next season. The Pirates have rightfully succeeded in their
plan to some extent and some names, such as Andrew McCutchen, have emerged to the forefront.
The Pirates have managed to halt the flow of runs and add runs consistently but the latter has not been able to surpass the former and the Pirates still have a negative run differential. They have slipped games from winning positions and their poor record
playing at home explains their misfortune this season.
McCutchen has, nonetheless, impressed on the plate and in the outfield. His connecting abilities are exemplary and he is expected to register more than 150 hits this season. The right-handed sensation is just in his third year on the circuit but is already
dictating terms to even the best pitchers in business.
McCutchen’s defensive abilities have been remarkable and if groomed properly, he can be one player to be reckoned when the Pirates come out for the next season.
Continued in Part 4
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