What did we learn from last week? The Mariners showed they are indeed human, September and the Cubs just don't go together, we love Mulder and Zito and playoff hopes still remain for the Amazin' Mets.
| TEAM |
PVS |
RS/RA |
REC. |
ESPN.com SAYS |
| 1. Athletics |
2 |
815/608 |
92-58 |
Swept M's over the weekend and Hudson and Zito didn't even pitch in the series. Wow |
| 2. Mariners |
1 |
848/591 |
107-44 |
Be afraid. Be very afraid |
| 3. Astros |
3 |
800/699 |
90-60 |
With Octavio Dotel, Mike Williams and Billy Wagner in the bullpen, it could be lights out for the NL in the postseason |
| 4. Yankees |
4 |
765/677 |
89-60 |
Alfonso Soriano having his best month this season in September (.320 BA, .382 OBP) |
| 5. D-Backs |
5 |
740/614 |
84-66 |
It'll be a great collapse if D-Backs don't win NL West as their remaining sked (six vs. Brewers and three each vs. Dodgers and Rockies) is a cakewalk |
| 6. Indians |
7 |
851/774 |
86-65 |
He won't win the award, but Roberto Alomar is certainly having an MVP-type season (.335 BA, 108 runs, 100 RBI along with his amazing glove) |
| 7. Cardinals |
9 |
748/645 |
85-66 |
Steve Kline has allowed just one run over his last 36 appearances (0.26 ERA) |
| 8. Giants |
6 |
732/695 |
83-68 |
You heard it here first: Barry will hit No. 71 at Enron Field on Oct. 3 |
| 9. Phillies |
12 |
704/673 |
80-70 |
If Phils don't win NL East (with six of their final 12 games left vs. the awful Reds) it'll be the ultimate choke job |
| 10. Braves |
8 |
656/598 |
80-70 |
The dynasty (if you even want to call it that) is over. This offense is just anemic |
| 11. Dodgers |
11 |
701/693 |
80-71 |
Power Alley tip of the cap to Kevin Brown for pitching in pain for a month while the Dodgers battled for a playoff spot |
| 12. Mets |
15 |
591/658 |
76-74 |
That Piazza blast off Steve Karsay was as dramatic a home run as you'll ever see. And that moment at Shea on Friday was as good as you'll ever see in baseball. Kudos to N.Y. |
| 13. Cubs |
10 |
707/647 |
81-69 |
Going 6-10 in September has all but put the kibosh on any playoff hopes |
| 14. Twins |
13 |
718/701 |
79-71 |
In an otherwise disappointing second half, Joe Mays (3.17 ERA, second-best in the AL) continues to impress |
| 15. White Sox |
14 |
741/744 |
78-72 |
He's cocky, he's brash. What's not to love about Jose Canseco? |
| 16. Padres |
18 |
730/732 |
74-76 |
You heard it here first II: Rickey will reach 3,000 hits and surpass Ty Cobb's runs record at home on Oct. 6 |
| 17. Blue Jays |
17 |
723/703 |
74-76 |
Good to see Roy Halladay has turned his career around because the guy has a ton of talent |
| 18. Rangers |
20 |
847/887 |
70-81 |
Stop all the nonsense over who should win the AL MVP. A-Rod definitely gets our vote |
| 19. Marlins |
23 |
694/685 |
70-80 |
With the good, young pitching this team has, they deserve more than a handful of fans at their home games. South Florida, you're missing out on a good thing |
| 20. Angels |
16 |
648/650 |
74-76 |
Jarrod Washburn has allowed just 13 runs in his last five starts (3.55 ERA), but has no wins to show for it |
| 21. Red Sox |
19 |
705/674 |
75-73 |
New Fenway, old Fenway. Same old story since 1918 in our book |
| 22. Rockies |
22 |
842/835 |
67-83 |
The Rico says: "If Mike Hampton can hit seven home runs at Coors Field, heck, I could hit at least 10" |
| 23. Tigers |
26 |
667/811 |
61-89 |
Present three-game win streak is their longest in nearly two months |
| 24. Orioles |
29 |
637/768 |
59-90 |
Josh Towers, who broke his right ring finger in a fit of rage after getting shelled by the Blue Jays, is definitely our kind of guy |
| 25. Expos |
24 |
627/755 |
64-86 |
Here's hoping Bud Selig calls an end to the embarrassment and allows the 'Spos to move out of Montreal |
| 26. Reds |
25 |
692/795 |
61-89 |
Todd Walker has hit safely in 42 of the 54 games he's played for the Reds |
| 27. Brewers |
21 |
661/708 |
64-86 |
Batting coach Rod Carew must be pulling his hair out (big-league record of 1,291 K's and counting) |
| 28. Royals |
27 |
669/804 |
58-92 |
Owner David Glass says: "I despise losing. I really despise it."
We say: Hey David, why not start increasing your payroll a little before you start complaining |
| 29. Pirates |
28 |
610/803 |
57-94 |
Kudos to Pirates management for their decision to distribute "I Love NY" pins for the first game of last week's series vs. the Mets |
| 30. Devil Rays |
30 |
606/848 |
53-96 |
Rookie Joe Kennedy has been an impressive 3-0, 2.03 over his last five starts |
