Player of the Week
Prince Fielder, Brewers
Overlooked in the shadow of the large stature of St. Louis native Ryan Howard as well as Cardinals superstar Albert Pujols, Fielder won Monday night’s Home Run Derby at Busch Stadium. In the final, he outslugged Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz. One day later, Fielder made the most of his lone at-bat with an RBI double down the left field line in the second inning. Driving in runs is something Fielder has done with incredible consistency during the regular season in 2009. Setting a club record with 78 RBIs in the first half, Fielder has gone more than two games without an RBI only three times this year. In addition, he has 22 home runs and 22 doubles.
Series to Watch
Cardinals at Phillies (Friday 7/24 – Sunday 7/26)
Both are facing each other on the field as well as in the wheeling and dealing department. The Cards and Phils need pitching help and while the latter snatched Pedro, they’d still love Roy Halladay. That won’t be a factor when the series gets going. Instead, the focus is on the batters. St. Louis’ Albert Pujols could feast off in a hitter-friendly park, but it’s the lack of production in the rest of the order that manager Tony LaRussa would like to see change. Philadelphia’s power comes from Ryan Howard and Chase Utley. Jimmy Rollins, though, is trying to get out of a season-long funk.
Story lines
1. Everything’s All-American » Maybe President Barack Obama wearing a White Sox jacket while throwing out the first pitch at the All-Star Game was a sign that the American League is truly in power. With a 4-3 win in Tuesday’s Midsummer Classic, the junior circuit has now gone unbeaten in the last 13 editions. This string of success bests a time in the 70s and 80s when the National League claimed 11 in a row. The AL’s win streak might be a product of good fortune and breaks going there way. However, it might be because they’re better. For proof, take a look at the interleague matchups, where the AL has outdone their opponents in each of the last seven years.
2. Tight AL races » For the three divisions in the American League, each has three contenders. Most experts expected the trio of powerhouses — Red Sox, Yankees and Rays — would duke it out, leaving an odd team out of the playoffs. That should happen. Boston is steady, New York isn’t and Tampa is rising. The Tigers have taken control of the Central, but it would be wrong to say that the White Sox or Twins can’t pass them. Chicago is riding the arm of Mark Buehrle, while Minnesota is relying on the bats of Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. Out in the AL West, the Los Angeles Angels have to deal with injured stars Vladimir Guerrero and Torii Hunter — not to mention the Rangers and Mariners.
3. Philly, Pujols and Blue Reign » One National League storyline that just recently arose was the signing of Pedro Martinez to the Philadelphia Phillies — a club that was in need of starting pitching. While the Phillies are leading the NL East, the Cardinals are hanging on in a wide open Central Division. Albert Pujols is the main Redbird bat — and could be on the road to a Triple Crown. The ballclub’s first baseman is tops in the league in homers (32) as well as RBIs (87), but is fourth in batting. Topping the NL in terms of record is the Dodgers. They’ll capture the West, barring a collapse, but they should keep an eye out for the San Francisco Giants come October.
