http://0rz.tw/841VI


Aug 30, 2006



WASHINGTON - With about a month left in the season, pennant races are heating
up. Let's take a closer look at each race. This week, we will cover the
National League.


The NL East has been locked up since sometime in April. For the first time
since 1993, a team other than Atlanta will win the division. Equipped with
strong financial backing, New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya has
brought in some big bats to complement his young core of David Wright and
Jose Reyes.

Carlos Beltran has put up MVP-type numbers, while the trades for Carlos
Delgado, Paul Lo Duca and now Shawn Green have solidified the lineup; it's
difficult to pitch around anyone. Despite all the public criticism of their
starting pitching, do not ever bet against Pedro Martinez and Tom Glavine
come October.

Unlike past years, the St. Louis Cardinals have not been able to pull away
from the rest of the NL Central. While the lineup is still strong with Albert
Pujols and Scott Rolen, no one has stepped up in the starting rotation behind
Chris Carpenter. The supporting cast is the weakest in years, but good enough
to win the division.

In one month, the Los Angeles Dodgers have gone from one of the league's
biggest disappointments to a having a good chance of winning the NL West. On
July 27, the Dodgers lost their eighth straight game, were eight games below
.500 and seven games back of the division lead.

Now they're three games up in the division after going 22-7 the past month.

GM Ned Coletti orchestrated several major trades and free-agent signings to
forge a well-balanced team. The additions of Rafael Furcal and Julio Lugo
have improved the infield defense and added speed to the lineup. They have
gotten a high return from Nomar Garciaparra, who has resurrected his career
while adding veteran leadership.

The trade for Greg Maddux has helped mold Brad Penny into one of the games
top pitchers and accelerated the development of young stud Chad Billingsley,
who is 3-0 with a 1.50 ERA since the trade. The Dodgers will be tough to beat
because of their strong staff. Pitching wins divisions and that will be the
case here.

The NL's best race is for the wild card. Nine teams are within five games of
current leader Cincinnati. The Reds have had a superb season under the great
leadership of Jerry Narron.

However, both the Phillies and Astros will move past them.

My wisdom says pitching and defense will win in the end. How can you bet
against Houston, which boasts Clemens, Pettitte, Oswalt and the league's
best defense?

This is how: Philadelphia will capture the wild card. At the trading
deadline, the Phillies were sellers, trading Bobby Abreu, David Bell and Cory
Lidle. They've been rolling since, playing over .650 baseball.

GM Pat Gillick has fostered a winning environment for his youngsters: Ryan
Howard, Chase Utley and Cole Hamels. The acquisition of Jamie Moyer and Jeff
Conine not only improved the team on the field, but added to the leadership
and character in the clubhouse. This Phillies team will shock the world with
a postseason berth.


Other teams making a wild card run:

< Florida: Bearers of the second most wins in baseball after its 11-31 start,
the Marlins are too inexperienced to win this year.

< Atlanta: Winners of 14 consecutive division titles, the streak will end due
to the lack of pitching depth.

< San Diego: Bruce Bochy always battles, but the Padres do not have enough
offense.

< San Francisco: I have heard of youth movements. But senior citizen
movements?

< Arizona: Building the organization the right way, the Diamondbacks just are
not ready ... yet.