MLB 2011: Top Players from each team in National League – Part 4
The Cincinnati Reds have shown good teamwork this season and thus are giving a tough time to the Pittsburgh Pirates for the third spot in the National League Central division. Their woes, unlike the Pirates, have been their encounters on the road. The Reds
have done a decent job at their own ballpark.
The Reds, in a surprising analysis, have a positive run differential in a time when three teams in their division have significant negative run differentials. Although the Reds have leaked runs in plenty this season, they have managed to score even more
thanks to Brandon Phillips and company.
The right-handed batter has led the Reds on the plate and has been brilliant on second base. Phillips completed his 1000th career-game when he played against the Colorado Rockies on August 9. He has been sidelined with a bruised elbow after that
and is expected to stay out for at least five games. The Reds would want Phillips back in the bull-pen sooner than later so that they can build a strong starting line-up around him.
The 2008 and 2010 Gold Glove Award winner has achieved many personal milestones this season and if he does make a strong comeback after the injury, he is expected to improve further.
The Chicago Cubs have looked out-of-sorts this season and their failure at the mound can be cited as a major reason for this poor performance. The Cubs have leaked almost 100 more runs than they have scored and this statistic does not come good with the
eye. Although they are well ahead of the last-placed Houston Astros, they themselves do not have a chance to improve their standing in the National League Central division.
One pitcher, however, who has stamped his authority on the mound yet again, is Ryan Dempster. The right-handed starter has had 13 glorious years at Major League Baseball and he has not let his power diminish in his 14th season. Dempster has accumulated
strike-outs at will this season and is now in touching distance of 2000 career strike-outs.
The 34-year-old, hailing from Canada, has silenced his opposition even when his team is not performing. Dempster’s presence will be vital for Chicago’s success in their future endeavours. It will be interesting to see how long does the pitcher stick to the
Cubs outfit.
The Houston Astros are undoubtedly the worst performers in this season and their winning percentage in the range of .325 is a worthy evidence of their lacklustre performance this season. Minute Maid Park has not been a lucky venue for the Astros this season
who have lost 40 out of their 59 games on this ballpark with just 19 victories as on August 10.
Houston’s batting has been decent but their pitching has been their most prominent weakness and they have leaked the most runs by a team in MLB. Their run differential is the worst in the Majors and this does not come as a surprise given their performances
this season.
One player, however, who has impressed for the Astros in this obscurity, is Carlos Lee. Hailing from Panama, the right-handed outfielder has been the most successful batter for the Astros this season and has continued to do so since he joined Houston in
2007. He won his second Silver Slugger Award for exemplary hitting in his first season with the Astros after his first award in 2005.
Continued in Part 5
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