1/4 Pole
A look back at the beginning of the ‘82 season for each team after the completion of 41 games. An inside look at the good, not so good and what may happen in the future.
Los Angeles Dodgers (31-10)
Hitting: Average - .280 Runs Per Game - 4.56
The Good: Everything!! The top 6 in the order have been very good, healthy, dependable etc.
The Not So Good: Mike Scioscia needs to prove he can hit major league pitching, so far has not been good.
Pitching: ERA - 2.65 Runs Allowed Per Game - 3.10
The Good: Everything!! The starters are 21-6 and have tossed 7 shutouts!! The bullpen has recorded 20 saves!! When your offense out scores opponents by nearly 1.5 runs per game, one can’t help but pitch relaxed baseball.
The Not So Good: ????
Looking Ahead:
The lineup has been healthy. Can it stay that way?? The pitching has been incredible. Can it stay that way??
The biggest question moving forward is: When will the shoe drop?? When will the Dodgers come down to their division rivals and how far down will they drop?? Stay tuned.
1 Prediction:
L.A. will not have 60 wins at the halfway point of the season.
New York Mets (15-26)
Hitting: Average - .255 Runs Per Game - 4.46
The Good: Mookie Wilson is a top lead off hitter in the N.L. Ellis Valentine is in the top 5 in the National League in hitting. Dave Kingman keeps popping the ball out of the park.
The Not So Good: George Foster is off to a very slow start, certainly not what New York hoped for when they acquired him.
Pitching: ERA - 5.24 Runs Allowed Per Game - 5.32
The Good: Allen and Orosco, two young relief pitchers have done a very good job.
The Not So Good: The starters don’t go deep into games and overall the staff needs to reduce the number of runs that they surrender each game.
Looking Ahead:
Pitching has been sub-par. It must drive manager George Bamberger many a sleepless night. If Wilson tails off the Mets offense could be in trouble.
1 Prediction:
The starting pitching makes a big improvement over the next 40 games and the Mets stay competitive!!
Philadelphia Phillies (22-19)
Hitting: Average - .242 Runs Per Game - 3.66
The Good: The leader of the offense has been Gary Matthews. He is hitting for average, driving in runs and stealing bases.
The Not So Good: Numerous players are under performing. It is no wonder they have struggled for wins with such a low team batting average.
Pitching: ERA - 3.55 Runs Allowed Per Game - 3.68
The Good: The staff has led this team in ‘82. Carlton and Ruthven have been outstanding in the rotation. Ron Reed and Monge on the back end have done a fantastic job.
The Not So Good: Mike Krukow has not pitched well. The good news is that he probably can only get better moving forward.
Looking Ahead:
If the pitching holds up and the offense improves, Philadelphia should definitely stay in the hunt in the N.L. East.
1 Prediction:
Over the next 40 games we will see the real Mike Schmidt.
San Francisco Giants (20-21)
Hitting: Average - .247 Runs Per Game - 4.20
The Good: The offense is scoring runs. Veterans Joe Morgan, Reggie Smith and Darrell Evans have been the leaders.
The Not So Good: Team batting average is low for the talent on this team. Jack Clark’s production is there even though his average isn’t.
Pitching: ERA - 3.81 Runs Allowed Per Game - 4.29
The Good: Closer Greg Minton has been great, too bad he hasn’t been used more often with a win at hand.
The Not So Good: The starting rotation is 10-13. As a result the bullpen has had too much action.
Looking Ahead:
The number 11 is not a good one for S.F. They are 11 games back in the N.L. West and they are 11th in the N.L. in fielding. Besides their fielding needing improvement, both their hitting and pitching need to step up.
1 Prediction:
The starting rotation and their offensive production will work in harmony to have a much better next 40 games.
Boston Red Sox (26-15)
Hitting: Average - .275 Runs Per Game - 5.05
The Good: Jim Rice looks like a MVP again, having a tremendous season. Yaz has been very productive as the DH. Jerry Remy remains hot, has been a great table setter. The offense is outscoring their opponents by a run per game.
The Not So Good: Glenn Hoffman and the catchers (Allenson & Gedman) need to hold up the bottom of the order in a better way.
Pitching: ERA - 3.69 Runs Allowed Per Game - 4.02
The Good: Dennis Eckersley has been the rock of the rotation. The bullpen (Burgmeier, Clear & Stanley) are 3-1 with 16 saves.
The Not So Good: They are short in long relief if something happens to their main three bullpen pitchers. The rest of the rotation needs to pick up its game.
Looking Ahead:
Boston seemingly can always find offense. Their pitching has been better than advertised. Will the pitching staff continue to excel??
1 Prediction:
Rice will continue to be “the man” driving the offense. What kind of let down might he have moving forward?
California Angels (22-19)
Hitting: Average - .254 Runs Per Game - 4.90
The Good: The power has been there as the Angels have hit 47 home runs. California has shown they can score runs. Doug DeCinces has really carried the load of run production so far in ‘82.
The Not So Good: Baylor hitting in the low .200’s is not acceptable, nor is Reggie Jackson with only 4 home runs and Tim Foli hitting below .200.
Pitching: ERA - 4.21 Runs Allowed Per Game - 4.66
The Good: Bruce Kison has been dependable both as a starter and out of the bullpen.
The Not So Good: California has shown that they give up too many runs. Starters have not effectively gone deep into games on a consistent basis. Finding a closer???
Looking Ahead:
Their recent success has seen much better pitching. Will that continue?? How much they continue to improve will be greatly impacted by how well they pitch going forward.
1 Prediction:
Reggie gets hot, the pitching continues improving and the Angels take a strong hold on the A.L. West!!
Detroit Tigers (27-14)
Hitting: Average - .278 Runs Per Game - 5.17
The Good: Larry Herndon, Larry Herndon, Larry Herndon!! Enough said about the best hitter in baseball so far this season. Kudos to Lance Parrish who is having a very good season as well.
The Not So Good: Though they have combined for 42 RBI in 41 games, Lou Whitaker and Alan Trammell need to up their averages. Both are currently below .250.
Pitching: ERA - 3.71 Runs Allowed Per Game - 4.05
The Good: Jack Morris and Dan Petry are a combined 13-2.
The Not So Good: The remainder of the staff is 14-12. Who will step up and be the closer??
Looking Ahead:
Everyone knows Herndon will cool off. Who will pick the offense up then?? Parrish will need support leading the offense. Can the pitching staff keep the Tigers in the hunt in the A.L. B(East)??
1 Prediction:
A strong feeling that the pitching may not hold up for Detroit. I might be wrong, but time will tell.
Minnesota Twins (12-29)
Hitting: Average - .244 Runs Per Game - 3.85
The Good: Rookie Kent Hrbek has more than held his own at the plate and in the field. Left fielder Gary Ward also has played very well for the Twins.
The Not So Good: Gary Gaetti may lead the team with 27 RBI, but he is only hitting .168. His production will only continue if he can prove he can hit for average.
Pitching: ERA - 4.82 Runs Allowed Per Game - 5.29
The Good: Ron Davis has been solid out of the bullpen. Unfortunately it has been hard to get the ball to him with a late inning lead. Starter Al Williams has done well thus far.
The Not So Good: The pitching staff as a whole is a shambles. The only way it gets better for Minnesota is if the pitching staff turns it around.
Looking Ahead:
Tom Brunansky has been a steal (acquired from California). No, he won’t continue to hit .500 (14-for-28) but he sure fits in nicely with the young hitting core the Twins have.
Will the pitching improve?? That is the 10 million dollar question for this team.
1 Prediction:
Fans will continue to see many home runs at the Metrodome. With some pitching luck, those hit by the Twins may equate into more W’s over the next 40 games.
Oakland A’s (21-20)
Hitting: Average - .234 Runs Per Game - 4.22
The Good: Rickey Henderson’s 25 stolen bases and he missed 10 games. Dwayne Murphy has driven in 30 runs.
The Not So Good: Can this team continue to produce offense despite their poor team batting average? Tony Armas must improve on a .175 batting average and cut down on what is already 44 strikeouts for the season. To be more affective, Henderson must bring up a .231 average.
Pitching: ERA - 4.16 Runs Allowed Per Game - 4.41
The Good: Dave Beard out of the bullpen with 10 saves. The starting staff has completed 9 games this season.
The Not So Good: The staff overall gives up more runs than the offense produces. Can a team continue its winning ways like this??
Looking Ahead:
The A’s need to give up fewer runs in order to stay “above water”. Defensively they are tied for 3rd in the American League in double plays turned. Probably because so many runners get on base.
1 Prediction:
Manager Billy Martin will need to continue his “smoke & mirrors” managing. He mastered maneuvering his lineup so far, will it continue? With a better batting average, Henderson should be well over 50 steals by the midway point of ‘82.
Seattle Mariners (14-27)
Hitting: Average - .252 Runs Per Game - 3.73
The Good: Richie Zisk and Al Cowens were the bright spots. Zisk’s torrid hitting and Cowens run production paced the offense.
The Not So Good: The Cruz’s. Both Julio and Todd need to increase their production. With one hitting just above the Mendoza line and the other below the Mendoza line, the Mariners need an improvement in both players moving forward.
Pitching: ERA - 4.39 Runs Allowed Per Game - 4.90
The Good: Starters Floyd Bannister and Jim Beattie more than held their own. They have been durable and two of the best strikeout pitchers in the American League. Closer Bill Caudill had a hot start, but his chances to protect games has diminished recently.
The Not So Good: The middle relief. Holding leads and keeping the Mariners in games has been a problem. There is no way Caudill can excel if these guys can’t get the game to him with a lead. Seattle currently is being outscored by more than 1 run per game and wins won’t happen if that continues.
Looking Ahead:
Defensively there has been no better team in the majors at turning a double play. With 55 double plays turned, Seattle is far and away the leader in the majors. It may also be a result of the pitching staff allowing too many runners on base.
The current 8-game losing skid has put a damper on what wasn’t a terrible beginning to the season. This is a better team than their record indicates. They need to turn it around sooner as opposed to later.
Gaylord Perry will get #300 at some point. Like many on the staff, Perry has not thrown well lately.
1 Prediction:
Seattle will have a better next 40 games than the first 41 games.