Lance Berkman

, including megastars like the media’s golden boy Chase Utley, Texas’s blue-collar puma Lance Berkman, and the South’s true Southern man, Chipper Jones. While Jones approaches the .400 barrier set by Ted Williams in 1941, Utley chases Davey Johnson’s second baseman single season home run record and

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The NL is “stuck” with Lance Berkman, who’s having a heck of a year, instead of Albert Pujols, whom NL skipper Clint Hurdle had to hand-pick after fans passed on him. Pujols, for those of you who have been asleep since 2001, has been arguably the best hitter in baseball since then. And Ryan Braun’s a whiz with the bat—when he makes contact—but not such a great defender in left. Might you want to shift Nate McLouth, a reserve who normally plays in center, to right instead, since Nate’s OPS is 16 points higher even than slugger Braun?

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t (Pittsburgh Pirates), 10 HR, 25 RBI, .330 AVG., despite missing over 30 games.  

Lance Berkman 1B – Houston Astros

The National League Central is by far the best division for first basemen, with the likes of Albert Pujols, Derrek Lee, Prince Fielder, and

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Imagine having a pitcher who could not only confound switch-hitting studs like Lance Berkman and Chipper Jones, but could easily throw a complete game with the same arm-fatigue associated with half that many innings.

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e and small mean he will likely continue to trail in the counting stats.

A better NL candidate is Lance Berkman, whose .374, 17 HRs and 48 RBI are making a strong case, although those fifty points of batting average look like a long ways to reach, even if it is only June. He'd be the only switch-hitter other than the Mick to win, too, another interesting Triple fact. Berkman, like Chipper, is prone to nagging injuries of late, so it's possible that he might not make it, either.

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 HOUSTON DEFEATS CUBS 5-3 ON A CARLOS LEE HOME RUN AS HOUSTON TAKES SERIES

After the Cubs went 8-2 on their latest home stand which made their record at home 19-8, it seems as if they forgot how to play anywhere else.  After losing to the Astros 5-3 and losing the series, the Cubs find themselves 9-11 away from the friendly Confines.  If a team wants to find themselves in the post-season, they need to win the big games on the road.  In a series that had playoff atmosphere, both teams were out to make statements.  The Astros were louder than the Cubs according to Shawn Chaccon, who got the decision in the victory.  "One message the Cubs might get out of it is, 'We're here. We're here to compete. We're going to battle,'" Chacon said. "'It's not the team it was last year. Basically, it's going to be a tough team to beat the whole year.'"

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Carlos Lee and Lance Berkman will carry the load of the offense this season as they did last, however, they need the help. Last year Houston ranked ranked 13th in the National League in runs scored despite Lee and Berkman both driving in over 100 runs. Newly acquired leadoff hitter Michael Bourn and second year outfielder Hunter Pence (returning from injury) should provide excellent table setters. If Tejada can regain some of his offensive prowess, the Astros lineup could become one of more powerful in the league. Unfortunately for Houston, Tejada’s body seems to be breaking down and off the field distractions, which includes the possibility of him losing his green card in light of the federal investigation, will probably lead to another down year.

Continue reading "MLB 2008 Season Preview: NL Central"

or Kerry Wood

 NL BATTING CHAMP

Jose Reyes

HOME RUN LEADER

Ryan Howard

RBI LEADER

Lance Berkman

MVP

Matt Holiday or Lance Berkman

CY YOUNG WINNER

Roy Oswalt

TOP FLOPSKosuke FukudomeMiguel TejadaJohan Santana?

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