ATM report--Expanded pennant race coverage begins

[nyy26wc]

1) Yesterday's games--

AL
BlueJays 5, Yankees 1
Indians 8, Redsox 7
Whitesox 9, Tigers 4
Devil Rays 7, Rangers 5
A's 6, Twins 3
Royals 4, Mariners 2
Angels 9, Orioles 0

NL
Phillies 1, Mets 0
Cardinals 8, Cubs 1 (1st)
Cardinals 10, Cubs 4 (2nd)
Giants 5, Diamondbacks 0
Marlins 3, Pirates 2
Braves 5, Expos 3
Brewers 11, Reds 2
Dodgers 4, Astros 0
Padres 3, Rockies 0

2) Standings--

AL EAST         WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Yankees          84   50  .627   -     40-23  44-27  34-24 22-04 17-15 LOST 1
Redsox           75   58  .564   8 1/2 35-32  40-26  37-18 15-13 18-14 LOST 1
Orioles          63   71  .470  21     32-32  31-39  23-32 18-14 13-16 LOST 8
BlueJays         59   76  .437  25 1/2 32-36  27-40  29-29 09-14 12-24 WON  1
e--Devil Rays    46   89  .341  38 1/2 25-40  21-49  18-38 13-19 08-21 WON  2

AL CENTRAL      WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Twins            80   57  .584   -     45-24  35-33  15-17 38-19 17-13 LOST 3
Whitesox         65   70  .481  14     39-29  26-41  12-11 30-28 15-21 WON  4
Indians          59   75  .440  19 1/2 34-36  25-39  17-11 24-32 12-20 WON  1
Royals           55   81  .404  24 1/2 33-35  22-46  10-22 26-30 14-16 WON  2
e--Tigers        50   85  .370  29     30-37  20-48  10-16 25-34 09-23 LOST 3

AL WEST         WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
A's              85   51  .625   -     43-25  42-26  23-22 27-08 19-19 WON  17
Angels           81   54  .600   3 1/2 45-25  36-29  21-13 30-15 19-19 WON  3
Mariners         79   57  .581   6     39-29  40-28  25-20 18-17 25-13 LOST 2
Rangers          60   74  .448  24     35-34  25-40  21-13 18-27 13-25 LOST 2

NL EAST         WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Braves           85   49  .634   -     43-22  42-27  33-19 22-11 15-16 WON  2
Phillies         68   66  .507  17     35-32  33-34  27-27 17-13 14-18 WON  3
Marlins          66   68  .493  19     41-29  25-39  25-27 16-16 15-17 WON  3
Expos            66   69  .489  19 1/2 39-27  27-42  24-31 17-13 13-19 LOST 3
Mets             61   72  .459  23 1/2 30-36  31-36  24-29 17-13 10-22 LOST 3

NL CENTRAL      WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Cardinals        76   59  .563   -     39-26  37-33  11-19 42-27 15-09 WON  3
Astros           72   63  .533   4     41-29  31-34  16-14 43-34 08-09 LOST 1
Reds             66   69  .489  10     34-36  32-33  12-12 38-31 14-16 LOST 2
Pirates          60   76  .441  16 1/2 30-38  30-38  10-07 37-40 10-20 LOST 2
Cubs             56   79  .415  20     28-39  28-40  10-14 27-42 13-17 LOST 3
e--Brewers       48   87  .356  28     28-41  20-46  07-23 28-41 11-13 WON  2

NL WEST         WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Diamondbacks     84   51  .622   -     44-23  40-28  21-11 21-09 31-24 LOST 4
Dodgers          78   57  .578   6     39-29  39-28  20-12 18-14 28-25 WON  1
Giants           77   58  .570   7     38-27  39-31  17-14 17-13 35-21 WON  7
Rockies          61   75  .449  23 1/2 39-29  22-46  18-14 16-14 20-36 LOST 8
Padres           58   77  .430  26     36-32  22-45  16-16 12-21 22-30 WON  2

e--mathematically eliminated from winning the division title and the postseason

3) Wild card standings--

First, I'll repeat what I wrote in this spot, exactly 1 year ago--"I am extremely tempted to send myself an angry hate message for lowering standards for the ATM report to print the disgraceful, non deserving playoff spot standings."

But, in response to reader requests, I'll give in this year, just like I did then.

AL              WON  LOST  GB 
Angels           81   54    -
Mariners         79   57    2 1/2
Redsox           75   58    5

NL              WON  LOST  GB 
Dodgers          78   57    -
Giants           77   58    1
Astros           72   63    6
Phillies         68   66    9 1/2

4) The Royals will be mathematically eliminated from winning the division title and from the postseason if they lose to the Mariners and the Twins beat the A's.

5) The Padres will be mathematically eliminated from winning the division title, but not from the postseason, if they lose to the Rockies and the Diamondbacks beat the Giants.

6) Magic numbers--

AL East--Yankees, 21
AL Central--Twins, 13
AL West--A's, 24
AL wild card--Angels, 25

NL East--Braves, 12
NL Central--Cardinals, 24
NL West--Diamondbacks, 22
NL wild card--Dodgers, 27

7) Race for the postseason seeds--

AL--The Yankees and A's are in a virtual tie for the #1 seed, with the Yankees holding a .002 lead in PCT. The Twins are 5 1/2 GB of them.

NL--The Braves hold a 1 1/2 game lead over the Diamondbacks for the #1 seed. The Diamondbacks hold a 8 game lead over the Cardinals for the #2 seed.

8) Today's schedule--

AL
Redsox (Tim Wakefield) at Indians (Charles Nagy), 1:05
Yankees (David Wells) at BlueJays (Roy Halladay), 1:05
Whitesox (Mark Buehrle) at Tigers (Mark Redman), 2:05
Twins (Joe Mays) at A's (Mark Mulder), 4:05
Royals (Jeff Suppan) at Mariners (Ismael Valdes), 4:35
Orioles (Rodrigo Lopez) at Angels (John Lackey), 8:05
Devil Rays (Victor Zambrano) at Rangers (Dennis Reyes), 8:05

NL
Brewers (Nick Neugebauer) at Reds (Elmer Dessens), 12:35
Pirates (Josh Fogg) at Marlins (Michael Tejera), 1:05
Phillies (Brett Myers) at Mets (Al Leiter), 1:10
Braves (Kevin Millwood) at Expos (Masato Yoshii), 1:35
Cardinals (Chuck Finley) at Cubs (Alan Benes), 2:20
Dodgers (Hideo Nomo) at Astros (Carlos Hernandez), 2:35
Rockies (Dennis Stark) at Padres (Adam Eaton), 5:00
Giants (Ryan Jensen) at Diamondbacks (Miguel Batista), 8:05

9) Yesterday's HRs--

Jim Thome--#42
Albert Pujols--#32
Eric Chavez--#31
Andruw Jones--#27
Jim Edmonds--#25
Mark Bellhorn--#24
Trot Nixon--#22
Nomar Garciaparra--#21
David Bell--#19
Ivan Rodriguez--#14
Matt Stairs--#13
Eli Marrero--#11 & #12
Rich Aurilia--#12
Dustan Mohr--#11
Bobby Higginson--#10
Kenny Lofton--#10 (#2 in NL)
Carlos Guillen--#9
Eduardo Perez--#9
Reggie Taylor--#8
Andres Galarraga--#8
Joe Crede--#7
Ryan Thompson--#6
Adam Kennedy--#4
Bengie Molina--#3
Mark Johnson--#3
Jorge Fabregas--#1 & #2
Mark DeRosa--#2
Andy Benes--#1
Alex Sanchez--#1

10) HR leaders--

AL
1) Alex Rodriguez--48
2) Jim Thome--42*
3) Rafael Palmeiro--38
4) Alfonso Soriano--34
5) Jason Giambi--32
T6) Magglio Ordonez--31
T6) Eric Chavez--31*
8) Miguel Tejada--28
T9) Ellis Burks--27
T9) Tony Batista--27

NL
1) Sammy Sosa--43
2) Barry Bonds--40
3) Shawn Green--38
4) Lance Berkman--37
5) Vladimir Guerrero--35
T6) Pat Burrell--33
T6) Jeff Kent--33
T8) Brian Giles--32
T8) Albert Pujols--32*
T10) Fred McGriff--28
T10) Richie Sexson--28

*--hit 1 yesterday

11) Barry Bonds watch--

OBA--.574, on pace for a new record; current record--.553, Ted Williams, 1941
SLG--.823, on pace for #4 all time; record--.863, Barry Bonds, 2001
OPS--1.398, on pace for a new record; current record--1.379, Babe Ruth, 1920 or Barry Bonds, 2001*
RCAA--139, currently #9 on all time, on pace for 164 which would rank #3; record--173, Barry Bonds, 2001
pursuit of Gehrig for 4th place on the career RCAA list--trails Gehrig by 22
BB--155, currently #7 on all time, on pace for 186, which would be a new record; current record--177, Barry Bonds, 2001

12) Andres Galarraga passed Harold Baines and tied Dwight Evans for 40th place on the all time HR list, with 385.

13) Jim Thome tied Gary Carter and Lance Parrish for 79th place on the all time HR list, with 324.

14) Ryan Thompson hit his 50th career HR.

[nyy26wc]

Administrative note--In some cases, you're going to see that teams already made a move. In other cases, you're going to see that they will make the move today. Put no significance on the difference in choice of words. I have a couple of people who occasionally ask me if I could clarify whether a move had been made that day, or the previous one, since it affects their particular fantasy league's roster rules. I'm just trying to accommodate those 2 people by announcing the moves with the particular choice of language that I see the move reported as.

1) The Mets became the first team in NL history, and the 3rd in major league history, to have a winless month at home, with a minimum of 10 home games.

The Mets were 0-13, while the 1969 Pilots were 0-13 at home in August and the 1996 Tigers went 0-16 at home in September.

The Mets also tied the team record with a 13 game home losing streak, tying the mark set in 1979.

2) The A's tied the franchise record, originally set when they were in Philadelphia in 1931, with their 17 game winning streak. The streak is the longest in the majors since the 1953 Yankees won 18 in a row.

3) The Brewers traded INF Mark Loretta to the Astros for 2 players to be named later and cash.

After -6 RCAA/.757 OPS and -10 RCAA/.698 OPS the past 2 years, Loretta's off to a .359 SLG, .350 OBA, .709 OPS, -3 RCAA start in his first 86 games. He has a .740 career OPS, compared to his league average of .781, and -42 RCAA in 796 games. This is the 6th time in Loretta's 7 year career that he's had a negative RCAA.

Nevertheless, this one of those exceptions. It's one of those rare times when I'm going to speak favorably about the acquisition of a player who consistently puts up a negative RCAA.

Loretta can be counting on to post an OBA around .350+. In the last 6 years, the only time he dropped that mark was a drop all the way down to .346 last year. When your other choices are Jose Vizcaino and Adam Everett, I say overlook the fact that Loretta lack of extra base abilities drags his value down, take advantage of the skill he does bring to the team and trade for him.

In fairness to Vizcaino, I will point out that he does have a .341 OBA at the moment, which isn't that far off from Loretta's. However, given the two respective player's career track records, Loretta's the better player, and therefore the better bet to have the superior September.

4) The Astros called up P Jeriome Robertson.

Robertson, 25, came into the year with a 3.71 ERA in 6 minor league seasons, including a 3.91 ERA in AA in 2001. He wasn't regarded as a good enough prospect to make it into the Minor League Scouting Notebook. He was named the PCL (AAA) Pitcher of the Year, when he had a 2.55 ERA this year.

5) Royals LF Chuck Knoblauch had to leave yesterday's game, after limping off the field following a slide into 2nd.

6) The Orioles will activate P Sidney Ponson from the DL today.

After 4.82 ERA/-4 RSAA and 4.94 ERA/-12 RSAA the past 2 years, Ponson's off to a 4.16 ERA/4 RSAA start in his first 23 starts. He has a 4.78 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.72, and -23 RSAA in 141 games.

7) The Devil Rays sent P Brandon Backe to the minors and called up P Lance Carter.

Backe had a 6.92 ERA/-4 RSAA in his first 9 major league games.

Carter had a 5.06 ERA/0 RSAA in 6 games with the 1999 Royals.

8) The Reds activated 3B Brandon Larson from the DL.

Larson, a 26 year old rookie who also played in 14 games last year, is off to a .571 SLG, .375 OBA, .946 OPS, 4 RCAA start in his first 21 games.

9) The BlueJays called up C Jayson Werth.

10) The Marlins exercised their 2003 option on INF Andy Fox.

After -15 RCAA/.630 OPS and -4 RCAA/.648 OPS the past 2 years, Fox is off to a .326 SLG, .342 OBA, .667 OPS, -6 RCAA start in his first 109 games. He has a .681 career OPS, compared to his league average of .778, and -46 RCAA in 636 games.

11) Indians P Jake Westbrook is going to miss more than just his start today. The bone bruise on his right elbow is a season ender.

12) The Padres will activate P Adam Eaton from the DL and he'll make his 2002 debut today.

Eaton started his career with 4.13 ERA/1 RSAA and 4.32 ERA/-5 RSAA the past 2 years.

13) Cubs P Mark Prior left yesterday's game, due to a strained left hamstring.

The 21 year old potential future superstar is off to a 3.32 ERA/9 RSAA start in his first 19 starts.

14) The Cubs sent P Carlos Zambrano to the minors and activated P Jason Bere from the DL.

This is the exception to what I said at the top of this report. Since Bere was needed to start in yesterday's doubleheader, it absolutely had to be made yesterday and not when the rosters expanded.

Zambrano, a 21 year old rookie who also appeared in 6 games last year, is off to a 4.40 ERA/-3 RSAA start in his first 27 games (11 starts). I'd expect him to be recalled with the expanded rosters.

After 5.47 ERA/-16 RSAA and 4.31 ERA/-3 RSAA the past 2 years, Bere is off to a 5.67 ERA/-16 RSAA start in his first 16 starts. He has a 5.15 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.54, and -90 RSAA in 209 starts.

15) The Dodgers will active LF Brian Jordan and INF Jeff Reboulet from the DL today.

After -14 RCAA/.742 OPS and 4 RCAA/.830 OPS the past 2 years, Jordan's off to a .442 SLG, .323 OBA, .765 OPS, 3 RCAA start in his first 102 games. He has a .803 career OPS, compared to his league average of .770, and 46 RCAA in 1179 games.

After -16 RCAA/.605 OPS and 4 RCAA/.764 OPS the past 2 years, Reboulet's off to a .268 SLG, .298 OBA, .566 OPS, -2 RCAA start in his first 33 games. He has a .649 career OPS, compared to his league average of .772, and -89 RCAA in 920 games.

[nyy26wc]

1) Redsox MGR Grady Little says the team won't decide whether Pedro Martinez will start on Tuesday until that day. According to Little, "We will remain cautious with Pedro as we have all season."

2) The Diamondbacks will call up C Rod Barajas and OF Mark Little and activate INF Chris Donnels and Ps Todd Stottlemyre, Armando Reynoso and Mike Morgan from the DL today. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, they plan on calling up 1B Lyle Overbay and Ps John Patterson and Brett Prinz.

After 4.87 ERA/-2 RSAA and 4.26 ERA/2 RSAA the past 2 years, Morgan' off to a 5.51 ERA/-4 RSAA start in his first 28 games. He has a 4.23 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.09, and -37 RSAA in 596 games.

After 4.10 ERA/4 RSAA and 4.91 ERA/-2 RSAA in 1999-2000, Stottlemyre missed the entire 2001 season and is off to a 7.52 ERA/-7 RSAA start in his first 5 games (4 starts). He has a 4.28 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.27, and -7 RSAA in 372 games.

After a 5.27 ERA/-11 RSAA and 5.98 ERA/-7 RSAA (just 9 starts) the past 2 years, Reynoso hasn't made his 2002 debut yet. He has a 4.73 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.30, and 17 RSAA in 196 games.

3) The Mets called up INF Marcos Scutaro.

Scutaro has a .429 OPS/-3 RCAA in his first 13 major league games (15 PA).

4) The Giants are expected to activate P Manny Aybar from the DL today.

After 4.31 ERA/5 RSAA and 6.35 ERA/-5 RSAA the past 2 years, Aybar's off to a 1.59 ERA/1 RSAA start in his first 5 games. He has a 5.08 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.42, and -23 RSAA in 173 games.

5) The Marlins will call up OF Abraham Nunez, INF Pablo Ozuna, C Brian Banks and Ps Gary Knotts and Justin Wayne, with the players joining the team on Tuesday.

6) The A's will call up P Mike Fyhrie today.

After 2.39 ERA/15 RSAA and 3.15 ERA/2 RSAA the past 2 years, Fyhrie's off to a 4.89 ERA/-1 RSAA start in his first 13 games (4 starts). He has a 4.11 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.73, and 12 RSAA in 81 games.

7) The Angels called up P Mark Lukasiewicz and activated P Dennis Cook and OF Julio Ramirez from the DL.

After a 6.04 ERA/-3 RSAA in 24 games as a 28 year old rookie in 2001, Lukasiewicz is off to a 3.48 ERA/1 RSAA start in his first 14 games.

After 5.34 ERA/-7 RSAA and 4.53 ERA/-2 RSAA the past 2 years, Cook's off to a 2.86 ERA/3 RSAA start in his first 33 games. He has a 3.90 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.17, and 28 RSAA in 661 games. Cook has indicated that he's retiring at the end of the season.

Ramirez has a .448 OPS/-8 RCAA in 57 career games (88 PA) over the past 4 years, including a .870 OPS/1 RCAA in 20 games (27 PA) this year.

8) The Mariners will call up P John Halama and INF Willie Bloomquist and activate INF Luis Ugueto from the DL today.

After 5.08 ERA/-11 RSAA and 4.73 ERA/-7 RSAA the past 2 years, Halama's off to a 3.63 ERA/6 RSAA start in his first 27 games (10 starts). He has a 4.56 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.72, and -2 RSAA in 132 games.

Ugueto, a 23 year old rookie who is a Rule 5 draftee, has played in 48 games, with just 20 PA.

9) The Redsox released minor league OF Jeff Abbott.

10) A's 1B Scott Hatteberg was given a routine day off yesterday.

After -1 RCAA/.801 OPS and -9 RCAA/.678 OPS the past 2 years, Hatteberg's off to a .411 SLG, .360 OBA, .771 OPS, 4 RCAA start in his first 113 games. He has a .771 career OPS, compared to his league average of .771, and -2 RCAA in 567 games.

11) Yankees 3B Robin Ventura missed yesterday's game, due to a sore back and LF Shane Spencer had to leave the game, due to stiff hamstring

After -6 RCAA/.777 OPS and 1 RCAA/.778 OPS the past 2 years, Ventura's off to a .473 SLG, .374 OBA,. 846 OPS, 14 RCAA start in his first 120 games. He has a .813 career OPS, compared to his league average of .761, and 166 RCAA in 1818 games.

After -3 RCAA/.789 OPS and -2 RCAA/.743 OPS the past 2 years, Spencer's off to a .379 SLG, .324 OBA, .702 OPS, -6 RCAA start in his first 91 games. He has a .769 career OPS, compared to his league average of .775, and 0 RCAA in 342 games.

12) The Astros called up C Raul Chavez and Ps Brad Lidge and Brandon Puffer.

Chavez is off to a .372 SLG, .298 OBA, .670 OPS, -6 RCAA start in 14 games.

Puffer, a 26 year old rookie, has a 5.37 ERA/-7 RSAA in his first 41 major league games.

13) The Indians will call up OF Chris Magruder and P Dave Elder today.

14) The Devil Rays are concerned that P Paul Wilson could have a tired arm. He may have his next start skipped.

After 3.35 ERA/9 RSAA and 4.88 ERA/-7 RSAA the past 2 years, Wilson's off to a 5.14 ERA/6 RSAA start in his first 26 starts. He has a 4.62 ERA, compared to his league average of 4.45, and -17 RSAA in his first 100 games.

15) Marlins MGR Jeff Torborg says A.J. Burnett and Josh Beckett could be used out of the bullpen if they come off the DL before the season ends. It would just be a way to get them some more innings.

They don't more innings. Shut them down. These guys have the potential to be a formidable 1-2 combo that teams dream of getting. Maybe they will fulfill that potential. Maybe they will join the sad list of those who didn't. But, if it's latter, let it be on it merit, not on mismanagement.

16) The Devil Rays will activate LF-DH Greg Vaughn from the DL today.

After 14 RCAA/.864 and -2 RCAA/.766 OPS the past 2 years, Vaughn's off to a .315 OBA, .286 OBA, .601 OPS, -16 RCAA start in his first 69 games. He has a .807 career OPS, compared to his league average of .758, and 110 RCAA in 1109 games.

17) The Tigers will activate INF Ramon Santiago from the DL today.

Santiago, who turned 21 yesterday, is off to a .382 SLG, .312 OBA, .694 OPS, -4 RCAA start in his first 57 major league games.