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N.L. Central

Sporting News, The, April 22, 2005

CHICAGO CUBS

RHP Kerry Wood is getting a much better feel for his changeup. Pitching coach Larry Rothschild says he has been impressed by how Wood, a power pitcher, has developed the off-speed pitch.... X-rays of RHP Joe Borowski's fractured wrist show significant improvement, and he may be able to cut his rehab time in half. Doctors originally said he couldn't pick up a ball until six weeks after the March 21 injury.... The first time the Cubs faced a lefthanded starter, Milwaukee's Chris Capuano, manager Dusty Baker started 28 Jerry Hairston and LF Jason Dubols. Expect to see more platooning against lefties, with 2B Todd Walker and LF Todd Hollandsworth sitting. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: C Henry Blanco was RHP Greg Maddux's personal catcher with Atlanta, so it was presumed the two would be matched up this year. But Baker has paired C Michael Barrett with Maddux, and Blanco will catch for RHP Mark prior. That will benefit Barrett, who never clicked with Prior on the field.--Carrie Muskat

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CINCINNATI REDS

RHP Aaron Harangs performance could determine how competitive the Reds are this year. If he stays strong and complements the top three starters, Cincinnati could be a surprise. Harang isn't overpowering--he needs to keep his high-80s fastball down and hit spots with it. He also throws a slider and changeup.... RHP Allan Simpson, acquired last week from the Rockies in a trade for RHP Jose Acevodo, helps fill an organizational need for a hard-throwing reliever. The team believes Simpson, 27, who was assigned to Class AAA Louisville, has the potential to be used in the late innings. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME Why is CF Ken Griffey batting second against righthanded pitchers? Simple: The team had too many lefthanded hitters--Griffey, 1B Sean Casey and LF Adam Dunn--in the middle of the order. Austin Kearns, a righthanded hitter, is batting cleanup against righties, sandwiched between Casey and Dunn. Griffey's presence at No. 2 might also unsettle a few opposing pitchers.--Anthony Castrovince

MILWAUKEE BREWERS

The team is happy to have 2B Junior Spivey (shoulder) back in the lineup--not only for his bat (he was hitting .385 entering the week) but also for his glove. Spivey does not have the most accurate arm, but his range is outstanding. He's good at holding runners by keeping balls in the infield.... The team went without a lefthanded reliever last season, but now manager Ned Yost has two late-inning options against lefties: Jorge de la Rosa and Tommy Phelps. De la Rosa has great stuff but must pitch with more confidence, and Phelps won the last roster spot after a so-so spring. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: It did not take long for veteran 3B Jeff Cirillo to buy into the Brewers' defensive philosophy. Cirillo likes to stand close to the foul line against righthanded power hitters but followed bench coach Rich Dauer's instructions to play Pirates LF Jason Bay off the line. Bay hit a line drive right at Cirillo, killing a Pirates rally. Dauer charts every hitter in baseball and moves fielders accordingly.--Adam McCalvy

HOUSTON ASTROS

Based on early returns, it appears RHP Chad Qualls will get the majority of the work as the primary setup man to RHP Brad Lidge, the closer. Manager Phil Garner's early-season plan is to use Quails, RHP Ban Wheeler and RHP Russ Springer in late-inning roles and see which combination works best. Quails has the best arsenal of pitches, and he's working on his split-finger fastball to accompany his fastball and slider.... When RF Lance Berkman (knee) returns, LF Lake Scott will be the likely candidate to go to Class AAA, with RF Jason Lane moving to left to make room for Berkman. CF Willy Taveras is off to a hot start at the plate, and his defense already has people buzzing. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Taveras' sizzling start has some wondering why Garner is keeping him in the eighth spot. Garner likes Taveras hitting near top-of-the-order contact hitters SS Adam Everett and 2B Craig Biggio. Garner figures if Taveras gets on, the pitcher can bunt him over, allowing the speedy Taveras to score on a single.--Alyson Footer

PITTSBURGH PIRATES

The team needs more productive hitters in the middle of the order. 1B Craig Wilson and LF Jason Bay have the potential to hit 30 homers and drive in 100 runs, but both struggle to make consistent contact. G.M. Dave Littlefield will continue his search for an additional power hitter throughout the season.... Manager Lloyd McClendon has put a renewed emphasis on plate discipline. The young hitters must work their way into better counts rather than swinging at the first strike they see during an at-bat. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: IF/OF Rob Mackowiak's versatility makes him one of the team's most valuable players. Mackowiak was in the running for the starting third base and center field jobs during spring training, but the team would prefer not to have him locked into any position. Mackowiak has above-average speed, a strong throwing arm and pop from the left side of the plate. He is capable of providing adequate defense at second and third base and the three outfield positions.--Ed Eagle

N.L. Central

Sporting News, The, April 22, 2005

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