MLB Weekly Rundown

Week 4 April 27-May 3

Coming into the 2009 season picking the best team in the National League was tough. If asked, many would say the defending World Series champion Phillies or the team with the best record in the NL last year, Chicago Cubs. There may have been other people, including yours truly, who would have said the New York Mets. Looking at the NL right now, however, all of those people would have been wrong. One month into the season the team that looks like the best in the senior circuit is Joe Torre's Los Angles Dodgers. The question I want to ask is..Are you surprised?

Look at the two most important pieces of this team...Joe Torre and Manny Ramirez. What do Manny and Joe have in common? They are winners. I am not saying Torre and Manny are the only reason the Dodgers have started 18-8, but they are the most important pieces. Manny is quietly hitting .350 with 5 HRs and 15 RBIs, but another big part of the teams success is the work of two young pitchers. Chad Billingsley and Johathan Broxton are both turning 25 this year and are quickly becoming one of the best starters and closers in the game. Broxton is pitching to a .69 ERA with 7 saves and Billingsley is dominating with a 6-0 record and a 2.21 ERA.

The Dodgers are looking to go undefeated at home, something Lebron and the Cavs could not do. Of course I am just taking a shot at Lebron with that one, but so far they are 10-0 at home and already have a 4.5 game lead on the 2nd place Giants. This team is going to coast to the playoffs with not much competition in that division and will be dangerous in October. Yes I have already anointed them NL West champs.

Some awards from week 4:

Overachiever- Seattle Mariners. The Mariners are 15-10 and in 1st place in the AL West. I could be wrong about this one, but this team was horrible last year. In 2008 it took them 41 games to get to 15 wins and in 2009 they have reached that goal in just 25.

Underachiever- Cleavland Indians. I thought this team was going to rebound from their horrible season last year, but they have proven me dead wrong. Even though Victor Martinez is back to 2007 form, this team is struggling to win games. They find themselves 9-16 and in last place in the NL Central. Looks like another disappointing year for the Indians.

NL Player of the Week- Jorge Cantu. With Hanley Ramirez out and his team falling apart, Cantu did everything he could to carry the Marlins in week 4. Jorge hit .346 with 4 HRs and 14 RBIs including go ahead RBIs in three straight games against the Mets and Cubs.

AL Player of the Week- Justin Verlander. After getting off to a horrible start, Verlander was dominant in week 4. Justin pitched 14 innings striking out 20 and won both starts. The Tigers are off to a much better start than last year and if they want to win the division they need Verlander to pitch like an ace.

10 Thoughts

• Zack Grienke finally gave up an earned run
• Derek Jeter is 35
  
• This has got to be the latest in the season the Royals are in first place
• The Pirates were looking so good for a week
• I think I hate Selena Roberts more than A Rod
• Carl Crawford is on pace for 108 SBs
• Matt Holliday hit his first HR of the year this week
• Johan Santana has a 1.10 ERA and only 3 wins
• The Phillies have made only 5 errors this season
• 3 of those 5 errors have been made by Chase Utley

Top 10
1. Dodgers
2. Blue Jays
3. Cardinals
4. Red Sox
5. Cubs
6. Reds
7. Tigers
8. Yankees
9. Mariners
10. Royals