Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
September 15, 2008
Players of the Week

The National League presents a tough choice this week. Both Ryan Howard and David Wright hit four home runs. Ryan drove in 12 runs while scoring eight. Wright drove in nine and scored seven, but in two fewer games. David also led the majors last week in on-base average and slugging percentage. He out-hit Howard 12 to 10 and even drew four walks to Howard's three. For generating so much offense in a short time, David Wright win the Baseball Musings NL Hitter of the Week.

Catchers compete for the honor in the American League. Taylor Teagarden and Kelly Shoppach finished 1-2 in the week in slugging percentage among AL hitters. Teagarden only collected six hits, but five of them went for extra bases. Shoppach was all or nothing at the plate. In his sixteen at bats he produced eight hits, six for extra bases, but also struck out seven times. Derek Jeter knocked out 12 hits, including three consecutive three hit games, but produced little power. For his combination of power and his ability to get on base, Kelly Shoppach receives recognition as the Baseball Musings American League Hitter of the Week.

Jon Lester and A.J. Burnett both made good cases for AL Pitcher of the Week. Each won two games, Burnett keeping Toronto's hope of a playoff berth alive, Lester helping seal a playoff appearance for the Red Sox. Burnett, however, was better in every aspect of the game. His strikeout rate came higher. His walk rate came in lower. Lester allowed one home run, Burnett none. That solo home run off Jon was the only run allowed between the two pitchers all week. For keeping the opposition off the board, A.J. Burnett earns the Baseball Musings AL Pitcher of the Week.

In the National League, it's a choice of a feat over longer term dominance. Tim Lincecum continued his push for the Cy Young award with two strong outings, including his first complete game and shutout. He fell two outs shy of two complete games, striking out 21 in 17 1/3 innings while allowing two runs, only one earned. He also helped put a nail in the Arizona coffin in a week that saw the Diamondbacks playoff hopes fade. The NL saved the best for last, however, as Carlos Zambrano threw a no-hitter Sunday night. The Cubs skipped Zambrano's last start due to an arm injury. His status worried Cub fans headed into the playoffs. On top of that, the team was playing a game twice rained out due to hurricane Ike in Milwaukee, a supposedly neutral site. Winners of 14 of their last 15 games, the Astros were the hottest team in baseball. Against all that, Zambrano allows just a walk and hit batter, erasing one of them with a double play. That gives him the first Cubs no hitter since 1972 and earns him Baseball Musings NL Pitcher of the Week honors.


Posted by David Pinto at 07:30 AM | Army Strong | TrackBack (0)
Comments

How inopportune for David Wright to expose how he is one of the four or five Mets better than MVP Carlos Delgado. I look forward to seeing how that is somehow attributed to Delgado protection/leadership/advice.

Posted by: Hank at September 15, 2008 10:35 AM
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