National League weekly recap

Recapping the NL's week ending April 13th

A few things straightened themselves out in the second week of the National League season, but what we basically learned is that no one is running away from the pack.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are the closest thing to a juggernaut on the NL, jumping off to a quick 9-3 start and ending week #2 with a 2.5 game lead over second-place San Diego in the NL West race.

In the Central, Milwaukee, St. Louis and Chicago are all within a game-and-a-half of each other, while Florida holds the only winning record in the NL East, good for a game-and-a-half lead over the Phillies.

Colorado goes to San Diego next week to face the Padres for the first time since the emotional one-game “play-in” game for the postseason last October.

In the Central, Cincinnati visits Chicago as Dusty Baker returns to Wrigley Field, and the Cardinals host Milwaukee in another interesting series.

NL WEST

Arizona 5-1 week (9-3 total) — Swept Dodgers, two-of-three from Rockies

San Diego 3-3 week (7-6 total) — Two wins from Greg Maddux (2-0 with 2.00 ERA)

Colorado 4-2 week (5-7 total) — Swept Atlanta behind red-hot Matt Holliday (3 HR, .340 BA)

Los Angeles 1-5 week (5-7 total) — Swept at Arizona, lost two to Padres

San Francisco 4-3 week (5-8 total) — Two walk-off wins over Padres; good pitching

WHO’S HOT in the NL West

Padres pitching with MLB leading 2.23 ERA; starters have 6-1 record
Mark Reynolds and Justin Upton of D-backs lead NL with 5 HR apiece; 15 RBI for Reynolds
Jake Peavy of SD, 3-0, 1.64 ERA
Dodgers James Loney with 12-game hit streak
Diamondbacks leading NL with .277 BA and 22 HR

WHO’S NOT in the NL West

Dodgers Andruw Jones hitting .100 with no HR and 1 RBI
Giants lefty Barry Zito drops to 0-3 with 4.50 ERA and little run support
Giants lineup with Eugenio Velez leading the way at .278
Padres power — 122 hits this season, with 99 singles.

Look to Pro Baseball Fans for all of your baseball merchandise & apply online for a MLB credit card with your favorite team's logo today.

NL CENTRAL

St. Louis 4-3 week (9-4 total) — Won series from Houston; split at SF; Pujols hot

Milwaukee 3-3 week (8-4 total) — Dropped series to Reds, took two from Mets

Chicago 4-2 week (7-5 total) — Swept Pittsburgh with two extra-inning thrillers

Pittsburgh 3-3 week (6-6 total) — Sweepee vs. Cubs, sweeper against Reds

Cincinnati 2-5 week (6-7 total) — Took two-of-three in Milwaukee, flopped at Pittsburgh

Houston 3-3 week (5-8 total) — Home for the week, took two from Marlins

WHO’S HOT in the NL Central

Pittsburgh’s Nate McLouth has 12 game hit streak to start season
Brewers Ben Sheets, 2-0 with 1.17 ERA
Jason Kendall of Brewers at .405
Xavier Nady of Bucs with 13 RBI

WHO’S NOT in the NL Central

Prince Fielder of Milwaukee with 0 HR and .222 BA through two weeks
Brewers Eric Gagne, two blown saves and 7.20 ERA, and Dave Bush, 0-2, 8.44 ERA
Astros Roy Oswalt, 0-3, 9.00 ERA, gave up four HRs to Marlins
Pirates fielders with MLB leading 19 errors

NL EAST

Florida 4-2 week (7-5 total) — Swept at Washington; hit six HRs in win at Houston

Philadelphia 4-3 week (6-7 total) — Took two from Chicago at home

New York 3-3 week (5-6 total) — Took two from Phillies in early showdown

Atlanta 2-4 week (5-7 total) — Swept at Colorado, took two from hapless Nats

Washington 1-5 week (4-9 total) — Lost nine straight after 3-0 start, 1-5 at home this week

WHO’S HOT in the NL East

Pat Burrell of Philadelphia, .359 BA and 13 RBI
Chipper Jones of Braves leads NL with .408 average
Cole Hamels with 0.82 ERA

WHO’S NOT in the NL East

Nationals offense with MLB low .232 BA and .361 slugging pctg.
Braves pitching with Tom Glavine joining Mike Hampton on sidelines

That’s a wrap on week #2 in the National League.

By Reed Nessel
ProBaseball-fans.com Guest Writer

> View all of the MLB baseball news articles from ProBaseball-fans.com.