N.L. and A.L. write ups on each team

AL//AL//AL//AL//AL//AL//AL//AL//AL//AL//AL//AL

AL East: New York | Boston | Baltimore | Toronto | Tampa Bay
NEW YORK YANKEES (55-32)
.281 BA (1st in AL), 3.95 ERA (3rd in AL)

Alfonso Soriano
The Good: The Bronx Bombers are back. The Yanks have smashed a baseball-best 135 homers at the break, scored the most runs, have the most total bases, have the best slugging percentage in the league (.476) and the best on-base percentage (.359). They are led by first baseman Jason Giambi (22 homers), sophomore second baseman Alfonso Soriano (20) and a come-to-life Robin Ventura (19). Mussina, Wells, Pettitte and the rest of the pitchers hold up their end, too.
The Bad: Their outfield play has been spotty (except Bernie Williams in center, .312 with 11 homers and 45 RBIs), which is why The Boss bought Raul Mondesi from the Blue Jays. And with the big swings come big misses. They strike out more than anyone in baseball (almost eight a game) and lead the league in grounding out into double plays (87 in 87 games).

What's Next: Another postseason trip, no doubt, and very likely an AL East pennant -- or more. Lefty Andy Pettitte's health may be a question and Roger Clemens has been ouchy -- but now they have Jeff Weaver. The rich, as they say ... well, you know what they say. Sigh.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BOSTON RED SOX (52-33)
.279 BA (2nd in AL), 3.64 ERA (1st in AL)

Derek Lowe
The Good: Derek Lowe has gone from bum to brilliant (12-4, 2.36 ERA), the staff has the best ERA in the AL, Johnny Damon can play in the first half (.308) -- Shea Hillenbrand??!! -- and Nomar Garciaparra (.312) is all the way back.
The Bad: Manny Ramirez is just now coming back, and slowly. There are those nagging concerns over Pedro Martinez's health. Some other recent pitching injuries (Rich Garces) will have the Sox shopping for depth in July. The Yankees keep throwing on the firewood. It's getting hot.

What's Next: A fight for a wild-card berth if they can't overtake the Yanks. With Lowe, Martinez and John Burkett, they should be able to stay close. If one of them goes down ... well, blame it on the Curse.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BALTIMORE ORIOLES (42-43)
.255 BA (10th in AL), 4.15 ERA (6th in AL)

Rodrigo Lopez
The Good: The O's have been much closer to .500 than anyone would have guessed because of starter Rodrigo Lopez (8-3, 3.04 ERA) and closer Jorge Julio (17 saves) and a staff that has the sixth-best ERA in the AL. If only they could hit some more.
The Bad: No regular is hitting over .300. Veterans like Marty Cordova (.277, 40 RBIs), Mike Bordick (.239, 21 RBIs) and righty Scott Erickson (3-8, 4.41) have been disappointing. Peter Angelos is still in charge. The Expos might be moving next door next year. OK. We'll stop now.

What's Next: Young teams like this often collapse in the second half. Manager Mike Hargrove has done an admirable job so far, but this team doesn't have near enough to compete in this division.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (34-52)
.246 BA (12th in AL), 5.02 ERA (11th in AL)

Carols Delgado
The Good: Eric Hinske (.273, 14 HRs, 46 RBIs) may be AL Rookie of the Year. There is talent (Carlos Delgado, Shannon Stewart, Roy Halladay). But with the "For Trade" sign out, no telling who'll be left. At least they know where they'll be in '03.
The Bad: The Jays dumped skipper Buck Martinez after a 20-33 start, but placeholder Carlos Tosca is sub-.500, too. Jose Cruz Jr. is having a tough year (.227), pitcher Luke Prokopec is injured ... well, at least Mondesi, his salary and his attitude are gone.

What's Next: This could be a completely different team next season, new manager and all. The farm system looks decent, and with some good trades, they could contend faster than expected. But, oh no. Not this year.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS (28-57)
.245 BA (13th in AL), 5.07 ERA (13th in AL)

Randy Winn
The Good: Randy Winn (.310, 7 homers, 42 RBIs) is a star on a team bereft of them. There is hope because of guys like pitcher Joe Kennedy (5-7, 4.33 ERA in 17 starts) and a farm system stocked with high picks that could blossom. But, for now, they're overmatched.
The Bad: Greg Vaughn (.163, 8 HRs, 29 RBIs) has all but retired, becoming an albatross on a team that has the lowest slugging percentage (.378) and on-base percentage (.306) in the AL. Oh, the pitching's rotten, too. Including a 5.56 ERA among relievers.

What's Next: Contraction isn't likely. So Central Florida is stuck with a team strapped for cash and proven talent while trapped in a nightmarish lease at the Trop. This year's hopeless. The next few aren't far behind.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

AL Central: Minnesota | Chicago | Cleveland | Kansas City | Detroit

MINNESOTA TWINS (50-39)
.276 BA (5th in AL), 4.38 ERA (7th in AL)

Torii Hunter
The Good: They're in first with a decent offense sparked by Torii Hunter (.306, 20 HRs, 61 RBIs). The starting pitching's OK, and they've found an All-Star closer in "Everyday" Eddie Guardado (29 saves). They're the only team over .500 in the Central.
The Bad: The starting pitching's just OK. Joe Mays (3 starts) and Brad Radke (10 starts) have been hurt, while Eric Milton (10-6, 5.21 ERA) and Rick Reed (6-5, 4.62) have been average, at best. The Twins need great pitching and, right now, it's decidedly average.

What's Next: They collapsed in the second half last season (only 30 wins) when pushed by the Indians. A dive could happen again, but no one else in the division looks like they'll push this time around. No contraction, no competition = Central pennant.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHICAGO WHITE SOX (42-46)
.265 BA (7th in AL), 4.76 ERA (9th in AL)

Paul Konerko
The Good: Paul Konerko (.328, 20 HRs, 71 RBIs) has been outstanding at first base, Magglio Ordonez is his solid self (.305, 15 HRs, 67 RBIs) and even the Big Hurt, Frank Thomas, has been semi-productive (54 RBIs) after a season off. Mark Buehrle (12-6, 3.57 ERA in 128 2/3 innings) has been a horse.
The Bad: Todd Ritchie (5-11, 5.82) has been a huge disappointment as a No. 2 starter, and then it really gets bad. Even closer Keith Foulke (nine saves) has struggled, losing his job at least for the moment. A telling stat: They're 4-15 in one-run decisions. Konerko has criticized Thomas for a lack of leadership. This could get ugly.

What's Next: They have a load of games left against the Twins -- 15 of them -- so they can still make a run. But with that pitching, don't bet on it. It would be nice if they at least climbed above .500.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CLEVELAND INDIANS (39-47)
.238 BA (14th in AL), 4.61 ERA (8th in AL)

Jim Thome
The Good: The old guard, Jim Thome (.278, 26 HRs, 60 RBIs) and Omar Vizquel (.285, 10, 47), are still standing and playing well. But they're surrounded by youth and inexperience and rebuilding and a lot of really, really hacked off fans in Cleveland.
The Bad: The Tribe has given up, flat and simple, shipping ace Bartolo Colon to Montreal for prospects. That leaves C.C. Sabathia (6-7, 4.95 ERA) as the ace. Uh oh. Chuck Finley (4-11, 3.97) isn't helping. And Ricky Gutierrez (.249, 14 RBIs), Alomar's replacement at second, has been a bust.

What's Next: The "R" word -- rebuilding -- has already started, which means some lean years ahead. At least this one and probably all of next. The good news is there are seats at The Jake to be had.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

KANSAS CITY ROYALS (33-52)
.248 BA (11th in AL), 5.02 ERA (12th in AL)

Raul Ibanez
The Good: Let's see. Mike Sweeney (.361) may be the best hitter in the league, at least south of Seattle. Raul Ibanez (.284, 40 RBIs). Hmmm. Sheesh. Ummmmm ... Oh yeah. Paul Byrd and Jeff Suppan are workhorses who deserve better than this.
The Bad: A plus-5 ERA, a terrible offense with a shortstop who can't hit a lick, a front office handcuffed by the economic realities of the day. They're 0-7 against the Orioles. We could go on. We won't.

What's Next: They finally dumped Tony Muser after an 8-15 start. They're 24-34 since. So that wasn't the team's biggest problem, evidently. This is one of those no-hope franchises, for this season or any coming up.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DETROIT TIGERS (31-54)
.256 BA (9th in AL), 4.97 ERA (10th in AL)

Robert Fick
The Good: Robert Fick (.290) is OK. George Lombard, since his trade from Atlanta, has played well (.300). Dmitri Young (.284, 27 RBIs) isn't all that, but he's something. And Jeff Weaver is a solid starter ... wait, what's that? You gotta be kidding. To the Yankees? Aw, c'mon, George.
The Bad: You'd have to say most of the rest of the team. The Tigers started 0-11, were beaten up in interleague (6-12) and have pretty much stunk all in between, too.

What's Next: This is a team in need of just about everything. Maybe direction more than anything else. Phil Garner was fired after going 0-6. The Tigers are still rotten. In a big, empty park in a bad division.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

AL West: Seattle | Anaheim | Oakland | Texas
SEATTLE MARINERS (55-33)
.277 BA (4th in AL), 3.67 ERA (2nd in AL)

Ichiro Suzuki
The Good: Ichiro Suzuki (.357, 2nd in the AL with 65 runs) wasn't a one-year fluke, Bret Boone is driving in runs (53) and they're in first place. Ruben Sierra (.299, 51 RBIs) worked as a fill-in for injured Edgar Martinez. Freddy Garcia is the workhorse (128 1/3 IP, 11-5, 3.44). The pen, anchored by Kaz Sasaki (21 saves), is solid.
The Bad: Boone's home runs (12), and average (.229), have dropped off considerably. Mike Cameron is a disaster at the plate (.217, 51 RBIs). Jeff Cirillo (.246) isn't hitting like he was in Coors. And the A's and Angels aren't going away.

What's Next: This team is balanced enough to keep up the pace, but it won't be a walk like last season. There are still tons of games to be played against the West. That's where this division will be won.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANAHEIM ANGELS (51-35)
.278 BA (3rd in AL), 3.98 ERA (4th in AL)

Darin Erstad
The Good: After a horrific start (.192 in April), Tim Salmon is hitting again. Darin Erstad has been good at the plate (.310), better in the field. The power comes from Troy Glaus (15 HRs, 58 RBIs) and Garret Anderson (.291, 15, 63). Jarrod Washburn (9-2, 3.21 ERA) hasn't lost since April 13. He and Ramon Ortiz (8-6, 3.21) lead an otherwise fairly unremarkable group of pitchers.
The Bad: Scott Schoeneweis and ex-Mariners starter Aaron Sele both have ERAs over 5.00, Schoeneweis has been demoted to the bullpen and may be on the trading block.

What's Next: As it stands now, they're right there with the A's and M's. But the Angels need some pitching help or they won't be able to hang with the rest of the West. Will they make a move in July, or just wait it out?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OAKLAND A'S (50-38)
.258 BA (8th in AL), 4.09 ERA (5th in AL)

Barry Zito
The Good: Miguel Tejada (.294, 15 HRs, 59 RBIs) is an All-Star shortstop, Eric Chavez (58 RBIs) will drive in more than 100 while Barry Zito (11-3, 3.49 ERA) and Mark Mulder (9-5, 3.99) are both sure things when the team needs a quality start. Billy Koch has blown some (four), but still is good (20 saves).
The Bad: David Justice (.279, 5, 21) is playing like this is his last season. Jermaine Dye (.241, 6, 33) still is not 100 percent back from a broken leg. Tim Hudson (6-7, 3.44) has been erratic, though he's getting no run support. The A's started slowly again -- 25-28 at the end of May -- but a 21-7 June righted things.

What's Next: The two Giambis are gone but the A's keep ticking. Getting lefty Ted Lilly should help. Even without him, the A's have enough to make a run at the West crown and should be in the thick of the wild card race.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TEXAS RANGERS (39-47)
.266 BA (6th in AL), 5.10 ERA (14th in AL)

Alex Rodriguez
The Good: Alex Rodriguez (.305, 27 HRs, 73 RBIs, AL-best 66 runs) may be the AL MVP. And Kenny Rogers (9-4, 3.57 ERA) is the ace of a much-maligned -- and deservedly so -- pitching staff. Rafael Palmeiro (21 HRs, 50 RBIs) still has plenty of punch in his bat, though lefties eat him up.
The Bad: Everything else. Ivan Rodriguez has been hurt and may be traded. Third base phenom Hank Blalock (.200 in 32 games) bombed. Free-agent would-be ace Chan Ho Park (3-4, 8.01 in 11 starts) has been injured and ineffective. Juan Gonzalez was hurt and has only six homers. John Rocker (0-2, 6.66, three blown saves) ... ah, forget it.

What's Next: More of the bad same. This team may be worth the watching just for A-Rod and Palmeiro, but other than that, the Rangers struggle nightly and don't have the pitching or hitting to keep up with the pack.
*********************************************
*********************************************
NL//NL//NL//NL//NL//NL//NL//NL//NL//NL//NL//NL//

NL East: Atlanta | Montreal | Florida | New York | Philadelphia
ATLANTA BRAVES (56-32)
.258 BA (10th in NL), 2.99 ERA (1st in NL)

Tom Glavine
The Good: The Braves finish the first half with the best record in baseball. Tom Glavine (11-4, 2.27 ERA) has the lowest ERA among starters in the majors and John Smoltz (31 saves in 34 tries) has been money as the closer, part of the best bullpen in baseball (2.28 ERA). Matt Franco (.357, five HRs in 25 games) has nailed down the first base job. Rafael Furcal (.286, 57 runs) has been very good.
The Bad: Chipper Jones is hitting (.307), but not with power (only nine HRs). Andruw Jones still strikes out (83) too much. Gary Sheffield was bothered early by injuries. Greg Maddux spent his first time on the DL but looks to be back in form. Second base is still unsettled.

What's Next: A 21-5 June put the Braves way out in front in the East, where they should stay if they stay healthy. Chipper should find his power stroke, Sheffield is coming around, the staff is Braves-solid. A 100-win season?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MONTREAL EXPOS (46-41)
.264 BA (5th in NL), 4.08 ERA (7th in NL)

Bartolo Colon
The Good: All-Star Jose Vidro (.321) is the best second baseman in the NL. Vladimir Guerrero (.321, 18 HRs, 59 RBIs), the right fielder, is right there with him. Bartolo Colon joins Tony Armas (8-7, 3.92) and Javier Vazquez (6-5, 3.68) to solidify the rotation, which may soon include Ryan Dempster of the Marlins.
The Bad: No power (10th in HRs, 9th in slugging) outside of Vlad, which is why they're looking at Cliff Floyd to go with Dempster. No lights-out guy in the bullpen to speak of. The Expos are a great story, coming back from the dead. You just wonder how long the story will last.

What's Next: They'll chase the Braves -- especially if they get Floyd and Dempster -- but catching them will be difficult. (The Expos are 3-6 against Atlanta). In reality, what the Expos are after here is a wild-card spot. That's possible, but they'll have to have a better second half.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FLORIDA MARLINS (45-43)
.265 BA (4th in NL), 4.27 ERA (10th in NL)

Luis Castillo
The Good: Luis Castillo's 35-game hitting streak was a beauty. Mike Lowell, a doubles machine (he leads the NL with 31) and good defensively, should have been the All-Star starter at third. Cliff Floyd (.287, 57 RBIs) has slumped but still drives them in.
The Bad: The starters all have been iffy. The closer, Vladimir Nunez, has blown six saves and the rest of the pen is a crapshoot (13th in the NL with a 4.05 ERA). Preston Wilson still strikes out waaay (88 times) too much. Has anyone seen Charles Johnson?

What's Next: The Marlins seems to be in the hunt, but it's deceiving. They're ready to ship out Floyd and Dempster and, with them, the Marlins' hopes for this season.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEW YORK METS (43-44)
.250 BA (13th in NL), 3.65 ERA (3rd in NL)

Mike Piazza
The Good: Mike Piazza (.285, 18 HRs, 56 RBIs) is still the class of the NL's catchers. And Al Leiter (8-7, 2.90 ERA) is still among the best lefties in the league. Armando Benitez is a steady closer who hasn't had nearly enough chances with this poor-hitting team.
The Bad: Roberto Alomar (.268, 7, 30) has had an off first half, almost as bad as Mo Vaughn's (.248, 10, 34), Roger Cedeno's (.247, 12 stolen bases) and Jeromy Burnitz's (.206, 9, 30), three of the other big offseason acquisitions. When Shawn Estes missed Roger Clemens with that pitch, it said it all.

What's Next: The Mets started off badly last season, too, and their inspired second half fell painfully short. They may do some trading this month, but with all the supposed help they got in the offseason, what's the point? Manager Bobby Valentine will feel some New York heat this summer.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (39-47)
.257 BA (11th in NL), 4.52 ERA (13th in NL)

Pat Burrell
The Good: Last-sec All-Star Vicente Padilla (10-5, 3.05 ERA) is nasty, and we mean that in only the best sense. Right fielder Bobby Abreu (.302, 43 RBIs) is coming around, but the rest of this team is overtly underwhelming.
The Bad: The Scott Rolen fiasco -- no, not the fact he's an All-Star -- has sickened this team, and hyper-demanding manager Larry Bowa can't fix it. There is not a team in baseball with this talent that is this bad. Rolen (.253, 58 RBIs) has to take a lot of the blame.

What's Next: A Rolen trade, if the Phillies can find any takers. And a long, long second half either way. Look for a lot of call-ups, too, guys like Marlon Byrd, who could push Doug Glanville (.230) out of center.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NL Central: St. Louis | Cincinnati | Houston | Pittsburgh | Chicago | Milwaukee
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (47-38)
.262 BA (8th in NL), 3.84 ERA (5th in NL)

Darryl Kile
The Good: Jim Edmonds (.314, 17 HRs, 44 RBIs) does everything. Albert Pujols (.294, 21, 55) is showing no slump -- he has the same numbers in homers and RBIs as he did in his rookie season. The staff has been fantastic, especially given what this team, and this city, has faced. Rookie Jason Simontacchi is 7-1 with a 2.77 ERA.
The Bad: The death of pitcher Darryl Kile has battered the Cards, who also lost longtime broadcaster Jack Buck. An injury to J.D. Drew has hurt them on the field, and first baseman Tino Martinez (.248) has not been his old Yankee self.

What's Next: They should contend for the Central crown. In fact, they should be favored. But with the hardships they've had to endure, there's no telling which way the Cardinals will go.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CINCINNATI REDS (46-41)
.255 BA (12th in NL), 4.04 ERA (6th in NL)

Adam Dunn
The Good: Adam Dunn is a professional slugger with a great eye (78 walks). Juan Encarnacion (16 homers, 51 RBIs) adds some power, they have high-average guys in Sean Casey and, to a lesser degree, Todd Walker. Danny Graves has saved 24 games.
The Bad: How are the Reds contending? The 4.45 starters' ERA was worst among contending teams, and their bullpen is feeling it. The pen has been admirable, a 3.39 ERA, but they've pitched a whopping 313 innings, most in the NL. Also, is it time for Barry Larkin (.227) to just quit? And what about you-know who?

What's Next: We still contend that you-know-who -- Ken Griffey Jr. -- can carry this team. But he's gimpy and shows no signs of getting un-gimpy. The Reds can't make it through the second half with that pitching staff -- and without Griffey.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOUSTON ASTROS (41-45)
.260 BA (9th in NL), 4.36 ERA (12th in NL)

Lance Berkman
The Good: Lance Berkman, all the sudden, has power -- a whopping 81 RBIs to go with those 29 home runs. Go figure. The Astros still have one of the best closers in the biz in Billy Wagner, and they have first baseman Jeff Bagwell, who still has pop (15 HRs, 49 RBIs) in his bat.
The Bad: But the pop is gone from Craig Biggio (.245), injuries have hurt the starting pitching and Daryle Ward (3 homers, 30 RBIs) has bombed in replacing Moises Alou. This team should be better.

What's Next: Larry Dierker got fired because he couldn't get the Astros past the first round of the playoffs. What's that say for new skipper Jimy Williams? Bagwell and Biggio are disappointing, injuries across the roster have hurt ... they're not done, but they're close.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PITTSBURGH PIRATES (38-49)
.241 BA (15th in NL), 4.09 ERA (9th in NL)

Brian Giles
The Good: Mike Williams (25 saves) is recognized as one of the best closers in the league, admirable considering the Bucs don't have nearly the chances other teams do. Brian Giles (.299, 22 HRs, 53 RBIs) should've been an All-Star. Kip Wells (9-6, 3.41 ERA) and rookie Josh Fogg (9-6, 3.56) are solid starters on anyone's team.
The Bad: Third baseman Aramis Ramirez (.217) can't find his hitting stroke. Kevin Young can't do anything, either (.233), Pokey Reese is poking along (.237) ... after a good start, the Pirates fell predictably back and now are mired in the muck of the Central.

What's Next: The muck is where they'll stay. The Bucs don't have the talent to stay with the rest of this division, bad as it is. And when they don't get performances from the talent they supposedly have -- Young, Reese, Ramirez -- it figures to be a tough go.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHICAGO CUBS (35-51)
.240 BA (16th in NL), 4.30 ERA (11th in NL)

Sammy Sosa
The Good: Sammy Sosa (28 homers, 58 RBIs) has persevered and continues to be one of the game's best sluggers. Baby-smooth righty Mark Prior will be an ace in the big leagues some day.
The Bad: The hitters have stunk up the joint. Fred McGriff is sporadic, and he's the best of a weak infield. Moises Alou (.133 in April and .211 in May) is just now starting to hit. The team is hitting under .240 with runners in scoring position. The 5.14 ERA among relievers is the worst in the NL. That's liable to get somebody fired.

What's Next: Whoops. Someone, Don Baylor, did get fired, replaced by Bruce Kimm last week. If the Cubs keep this up, they could lose 100 games. Tell us again, what's loveable about these guys?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MILWAUKEE BREWERS (33-55
.263 BA (7th in NL), 4.58 ERA (15th in NL)

Jose Hernandez
The Good: All-Stars Richie Sexson (he'll drive in 100 or more) and Jose Hernandez (pay no attention to those strikeouts) are pluses. The Brewers are hosting the All-Star Game. There're three things right there. And third baseman Tyler Houston (.315). That's four.
The Bad: That pitching staff. It has a 4.99 ERA among starters. There is no ace. Young Ben Sheets has been thrown to the wolves (4-10 in 18 starts, with a 4.19 ERA in 109 1/3 IP). The Brewers canned manager Davey Lopes, a mercy firing if ever there was one. His replacement, Jerry Royster, still has the same team and goes into the break 12 games under.

What's Next: This may be the worst team in baseball, well on its way to a 100-loss season and a shocking -- well, maybe not so shocking -- drop in attendance at Miller Park. No fixes in sight.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NL West: Los Angeles | Arizona | San Francisco | Colorado | San Diego
LOS ANGELES DODGERS (54-34)
.263 BA (6th in NL), 3.56 ERA (2nd in NL)

Eric Gagne
The Good: Who'd have known -- Eric Gagne, a stud closer (32 saves, 1.39 ERA)? Or Odalis Perez, pitching like he has (10-4, 2.81)? Or rookie Kazuhiro Sasaki (11-5, 3.58)? Shawn Green (26 HRs, 68 RBIs), we knew about. And catcher Paul Lo Duca (.326) has been what Dodgers fans hoped for.
The Bad: The Dodgers again are patching things together, with pitchers Kevin Brown down and Darren Dreifort still out. They're not getting much production from third or short, either. The thanks go to Perez and Sasaki.

What's Next: Tracy is a wizard, leading the Dodgers to a 14-6 record in one-run games. But you have to wonder how long he and the Dodgers can keep this going. Especially with the pressure in the most competitive division in baseball.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (51-36)
.269 BA (2nd in NL), 4.08 ERA (8th in NL)

Curt Schilling
The Good: Curt Schilling (14-3, 3.08 ERA) and Randy Johnson (12-3, 2.47) are still Schilling and Johnson. Luis Gonzalez may not hit 57 again, but he's a good run-producer (16 HRs, 58 RBIs). Junior Spivey (.328, 46 RBIs) is a deserving All-Star.
The Bad: Rick Helling (7-7. 4.70) has been an OK No. 3, but it's a dropoff, no question, after that. The bullpen has been little more than Byung-Hyun Kim (22 saves) and funky-armed Mike Myers (3.86 ERA in 37 games).

What's Next: The Diamondbacks can hit ... just not homers (11th in the NL, 25 fewer than the league-leading Giants). They'd love to get some more power and pitching this July. The two big guys (Schilling and Johnson are 1-2 in strikeouts, 186-171) should keep them in the race regardless.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (49-38)
.266 BA (3rd in NL), 3.80 ERA (4th in NL)

Barry Bonds
The Good: Barry Bonds (.345, 27 HRs, 57 RBIs), when they let him hit (he's on pace to smash his record of 177 walks in a season), is the most dangerous slugger in the game, no contest. Jeff Kent, finally, is coming on, too (.320, 14, 55). Benito Santiago (.273, 8, 40) is an ageless All-Star. Robb Nen has 24 saves.
The Bad: Well, shortstop Rich Aurilia was hurt and missed some 20 games, which has thrown his offense out of kilter (.259). Reggie Sanders (.253, 10, 50) has been OK, but not the spark the Giants had hoped for. The team could use a boost from first base (J.T. Snow, .229, 3, 33). A dugout shoving match between Kent and Bonds could be a sign of worse things down the road. Livan Hernandez is 6-10, with a 4.94 ERA.

What's Next: This team is too good, too balanced to go too far away. Manager Dusty Baker always seems to get the most out of his team. A good second half by Hernandez would help. Again, the showdowns with the teams in the West (where the Giants are 22-16) will be crucial.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

COLORADO ROCKIES (42-46)
.273 BA (1st in NL), 4.90 ERA (16th in NL)

Larry Walker
The Good: The Rocks had a good burst of wins (six in a row) once Clint Hurdle took over for Buddy Bell. The humidor seems to help. They still have guys like Todd Helton (.346, 16 HRs, 63 RBIs) and Larry Walker (.350, 20, 67). Unfortunately, they also have to contend with that pitching, and with Coors Field.
The Bad: It's the same story in Colorado and all the tweaking won't change it. But, oh, wouldn't the Rockies love to trade either Mike Hampton (5-9, 6.73 ERA) or Denny Neagle (4-6, 6.06)? They've already sent Neagle to the pen.

What's Next: There is improvement in Denver. The Rockies were 6-16 under Bell and are now 36-30 under Hurdle. If they could somehow solve pitching, especially in Coors Field -- Have they tried the eephus? -- this team could be respectable. Yeah, it's a big if.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SAN DIEGO PADRES (35-53)
.244 BA (14th in NL), 4.55 ERA (14th in NL)

Ryan Klesko
The Good: Ryan Klesko (.301, 17 HRs, 49 RBIs) is a dangerous hitter and center fielder Mark Kotsay can get you (.311), too. The starting pitching is struggling, but if it can get to the pen, Trevor Hoffman (20 saves) is always a good bet.
The Bad: Phil Nevin broke his elbow and is out indefinitely. The ballyhooed Sean Burroughs played 39 games, hit .221 and was sent down. Bubba Trammell (.227) has been awful in right. The starters' ERA is an eeeek-inspiring 4.90. Looking for an answer, the Padres have started nine different pitchers this season.

What's Next: They are 13-23 vs. the West, which means if they keep this up they'll lose 100 games before they blink. This is not the Padres' year. But just wait until that new ballpark arrives, darn it.