Around the Horn - 5/26

Memorial Day, 2008; how many people would have had the Tampa Rays and Chicago White Sox sitting atop their respective divisions?

Tampa got back in the lead of the East by winning 3 straight from the Orioles while the Red Sox lost 3 in a row to the A's.

The Indians appeared to be starting to take over the AL Central, then they went out and lost 8 of 11. They've also lost starter Fausto Carmona for a month with a strained hip. The Tigers continue their mediocrity, they split their last 10 games and sit with the Royals in last place, 8 games under .500. The Tigers might have found themselves in sole possession of last if not for the Royals having lost 7 straight. The White Sox have risen back to the top in spite of their lack of hitting. 4 of their 5 starters sport in ERA under 4.00.

Our pick for the AL West title, Seattle, is sinking faster than the Titanic. The Mariners are 5-18 in May, and though Ichiro backs his manager, John McLaren's days could be numbered. The Angels, like the White Sox, have been severely lacking in runs scored, but pitching has kept them afloat, and above inferior teams like the A's and Rangers, who are both above .500.




















Somehow the Marlins still sit atop the NL East despite fielding an inexperienced team. But players like Dan Uggla (.318-16-37) and Hanley Ramirez (.305-9-23 13 SB 41 Runs) are playing like league MVPs.

While the Mets continue to scuffle, the Braves are right in the thick of things and could actually pull out the title. The Phillies pitching woes and Ryan Howard hitting under .200 have kept the team from running away with the East.

The Cubs, the surprising Cardinals, and the even more surprising Astros are doing battle in the NL Central. The Cubs and Cards are tied for first, with the Cubs actually ahead by 3 percentage points.

The Cubs are still clearly the best team, but the Cardinals starting pitching and the play of Carlos Lee, Miguel Tejada, and MVP candidate Lance Berkman for the Astros could make this a 3 team fight right to the finish. The underachieving Brewers could cost their manager, Ned Yost, his job if things don't turn around soon.

The Diamondbacks are still the best, most consistent team in the West. A different player steps up every day on offense and the pitching lead by Brandon Webb (9-1) has been superb. The Dodgers will be there to the finish, but could the Rockies stage a big 2nd half again? The Giants and Padres are battling as well, to finish last. With Jake Peavy, Greg Maddux, and Chris Young in the rotation, just how is San Diego that bad?

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Terrible news out of Venezuela; former big leaguer Geremi Gonzalez, who pitched with the Mets, Cubs, and Red Sox among others, was killed over the weekend when he was struck by lightning. He was only 33.

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Lost in last day and night's 18 inning affair between the Reds and Padres, Aaron Harang struck out 7 batters in a row at one point and had 9 K's in his 4 innings of relief. This was just 2 days after his last start.

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The Red Sox couldn't work out a deal with the Rockies for Julian Tavarez, who then opted for free agency. It appears he's set to sign with the Brewers.