It took them half a season, but the St. Louis Cardinals have finally landed at the top of the power rankings. With Montreal and San Francisco tied for second, and Cincinnati surging behind them, the top of the table is starting to reflect performance rather than reputation. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Spiders and Los Angeles Dodgers are among the week’s biggest risers, and the Texas Rangers and Orlando Sun Rays are sliding fast.Teams (Total...
This week’s Player of the Week honors went to two players on very different paths to greatness—Texas third baseman Chipper Jones continued to build his breakout season in the Federal League, while Montreal’s Jon Lieber put together a pair of masterful starts on the mound in the United League. Both players showed poise, power, and command, giving their teams a major boost heading into the heart of the summer schedule. Federal League: Jones...
June 16: Stairs Keeps Mashing, Pulsipher Surprises, Harnisch Heartbreaker Matt Stairs stayed white-hot for the Reds, crushing two homers and driving in three in a 6–4 win over the White Sox. Since stepping into the everyday lineup, Stairs has been a force—and a much-needed one in a division full of bats. Bill Pulsipher stole the show in L.A., going the distance in a 3–2 win over Toronto. The rookie allowed just three hits and struck out...