Climbing the Ladder with the National League 6/1/08

First All-Star balloting update revealed

The reigning NL champions are in trouble. The Colorado Rockies are looking less like their predecessors, who went on that magical run last fall, and more like their ancestors who finished fourth or worse every year from 1998 to 2006.

They have lost six straight heading into Sunday’s action and 11 in a row on the road.

Not surprisingly, they have allowed the most runs in baseball. Aaron Cook is the only pitcher with more than two wins. Jeff Francis and Ubaldo Jimenez, who were so good last year, are now a combined 2-10 with a 5.76 ERA.

Taylor Buchholz has been solid in middle relief, but the bullpen has been otherwise underwhelming. Brian Fuentes took the closer role from Manny Corpas, and the two have combined to convert only 10 of 18 save chances.

To make matters worse, Matt Holliday joined Clint Barmes and Troy Tulowitzki on the 15-day DL. Garret Atkins is left to put the offense on his shoulders, and despite a great start to the season, he has not risen to the challenge, carrying an 0-for-17 slump into Sunday’s game.

Today the Chicago Cubs will look to make it a four-game sweep over the Rox. The Cubs are on a streak of their own, having won the first six games of their seven-game homestand.

They now have the best record in baseball, due in large part to the best offense in MLB. Their lineup seems to have no weakness, with Jim Edmonds the only regular hitting less than .289.

The entire NL Central is playing good baseball. At just three games under .500, the Pirates are bringing up the rear.

The St. Louis Cardinals certainly haven’t thrown in the towel. They hold the second-best record in the NL. Adam Wainwright and Todd Wellemeyer have given the Cardinals quality innings, and Ryan Franklin has filled in well for Jason Isringhausen, converting all five save opportunities since taking over.

Meanwhile, the NL West has looked a lot weaker. Only the Diamondbacks have a winning record, and they lost five of seven games this week.

One of the two wins was Brandon Webb’s tenth. It took him a bit longer than the first nine, but he did it well, going the distance, striking out eight and walking none to break a five-game losing streak.

On the other coast, the Florida Marlins are continuing their reign atop the NL East. Cody Ross became the latest Marlin talent to make a name for himself, dialing long distance 10 times in May despite recording only 14 hits.

Nipping at the Marlins’ heels are the Philadelphia Phillies. Chase Utley hit home runs nos. 17, 18, 19 and 20, this week as the Phillies picked up a game on the Marlins.

The New York Mets and Atlanta Braves are not far behind, either. Thanks to the best defense in the NL, the Braves have a Pythagorean record of 34-22. But they haven’t won close games and stand just two games above .500.

In other news, the first NL All-Star balloting update was released Wednesday. For the most part, NL fans have come through, voting for the right players in the infield and behind the plate.

But some deserving players in the outfield suffered from playing in small markets and lack of name recognition. Ryan Ludwick and Pittsburgh Pirates Nate McLouth, Jason Bay and Xavier Nady are buried deep in the balloting.

As it is, Ken Griffey Jr. seems to be headed to his 14^th All-Star Game despite hitting .249 going into Sunday. Fortunately, there are many good candidates in a league full of stars.