{The next 20 (!) posts are midseason reviews for each team. They have a consistent structure, and should provide a snapshot for each franchise halfway through the inaugural season.}
Summary
Overall, Baltimore is one of the big surprises in the league, heading into the midpoint of the season with a league-best 45-29 record, giving them a 2 game lead in the Cum Posey Division.
What’s Gone Right
The Pitching. The trio of Dennis Martínez, Ned Garvin, and Bill Byrd is easily the best in the league, with a combined record of 20-8 and ERA’s all within 10 points of 3.00. But it doesn’t stop there. Sean Marshall, Bob Welch, and Mike Mussina are all pushing hard to replace either Johnny Sain or Jim Palmer (who have struggled fairly equally) as starters, with all three of them posting eye-popping numbers, albeit in limited innings.
No Closer, No Cry. The Black Sox were ridiculed for splitting the duties between Don Bessent and Bob Miller. Bessent has 9 saves to Miller’s 3, but that’s been more accidental than intentional, and both have been highly effective.
Top of the Order. Three players with OBPs over .400 (Bobby Wallace, Dan McGann, and Larry Gardner) followed by as destructive a duo as you’ll find anywhere in Frank Robinson and Curt Blefary is enough to build an offense around.
What’s Gone Wrong
The Blair Project. Paul Blair‘s continued struggles certainly stand out. Blair’s been good defensively, but can’t get his OPS over .650.
Infield Woes. Third base and the backup infielder roles have been pretty poor: both Miller Huggins and Brooks Robinson were moved down to AAA, but neither Brian Roberts nor Cal Ripken, Jr. have really done much, either. Harlond Clift has been the de facto starter at 3B, but is hitting under .200 with an OPS barely over .600.
The AAA Gap. Baby Doll Jacobson might have been the best hitter in AAA when he was called up. Roberts and Ripken, Jr. were smacking the ball there. All have struggled since their WBL debuts. The gap between AAA and the WBL is significant.
Key Storylines
Moving Garvin into the starting lineup has paid massive dividends, and with Welch and Mussina’s performance, the Black Sox haven’t lost anything from the middle of the bullpen.
Sticking with Bryce Harper through his early season struggles is proving smart as well, with the 19 year-old now sporting an OPS just over .700 with a great batting eye.
Trading Outlook
HOLDING.
They would like to buy, but there aren’t a lot of obvious possibilities. They need a solution at 3B. Alex Johnson and Merv Rettenmund seem the most obvious pieces. There are some live arms in the minors as well.
AAA Shuttle
Not a lot. Ripken, Jr. and Jacobson will stay in the majors for at least a few more weeks, although both are struggling to adapt to big league pitching. Chick Stahl would be next in line to try his hand at unseating Blair if it comes to that.
Midseason Changes
Mussina has just been too good, and will start the second half as the fifth starter ahead of Palmer. Sain only has a few starts before his spot is under consideration as well.
Brooks Robinson has recovered his batting eye at AAA, and with Clift struggling so mightily, he will be recalled with Clift heading to Washington. Worst case, Robinson is a better glove.
Awards
Player of the Week: Frank Robinson (5/15); Dan McGann (5/22)
All Stars: Bill Byrd (P); Curt Blefary (C); Ned Garvin (P); Sean Marshall (P); Dennis Martínez (P); Dan McGann (1B); Bobby Wallace (SS).
Offensive MVP: Curt Blefary (C)
Pitching MVP: Ned Garvin (SP)
Down on the Farm
AAA: Washington Senators
Next to the Show: OF Merv Rettenmund (25), Chick Stahl (31); P BJ Ryan (27)
Prospects: 1B Eddie Murray (21).
Projects: SS Mark Belanger (24), OF Merv Rettenmund (25), P Milt Pappas (22).
Suspects: P Mike Flanagan (31), OF Ken Griffey, Sr. (33), C Tom Haller (31).
AA: Charlotte Hornets
Prospects: 2B Asdrúbal Cabrera (21) and OF Larry Sheets (24).
Projects: 3B Joe Dugan (26), 1B Willie Montañez (18), RPs Dave Smith (26) and Jeff Karstens (23).
Suspects: OF Corey Patterson (26), SP Willie Sudhoff (30).