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Sporting News, The, Oct 7, 2005

CHICAGO CUBS

TEAM MVP: 18 Derrek Lee focused on getting off to a strong start and did, hitting .419 in April and earning player of the month honors. Lee won't win the Triple Crown, but he will finish among the leaders in almost every category. He learned to make adjustments this season and wasn't as vulnerable to inside pitches. Best of all, Lee didn't let the pressure of leading the league in hitting get to him. BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: A lot of time and energy was spent trying to convince CF Corey Patterson he was a leadoff hitter. But he didn't make the adjustment, even with the advice of retired leadoff men Brett Butler and Vince Coleman. Patterson's long swing led to more strikeouts than hits, and he rarely took walks. He also didn't use his speed well. The team wants Patterson, who could be a Gold Glove outfielder, to play in the winter league. He says he will do his best to improve, but a trip to the minors at the All-Star break didn't solve anything.--Carrie Muskat

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CINCINNATI REDS

TEAM MVP: When CF Ken Griffey was moved into the cleanup spot in May, he and the rest of the lineup began to jell. When he suffered a foot injury in early September, the offense sagged again. When Griffey is healthy, he's still a dangerous threat in the heart of the order, and that only increases the value of his supporting cast.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: The Reds expected LHP Eric Milton to become their ace. He was more like a joker, posting ugly numbers in the first half and surrendering home runs by the barrel. Milton had a nice stretch in July and August but reverted to bad habits in September. For much of the season, his fastball dipped to 90 to 91 mph because he wasn't using his legs to generate power. He's also a fly-ball pitcher who continually left balls up in the zone, and his home field is a hitters park. So Milton had a recipe for disaster. His hefty contract is a burden for the Reds, who are financially strapped.--Anthony Castrovince

HOUSTON ASTROS

TEAM MVP: 38 Morgan Ensberg had a breakout year, and RHP Roger Clemens was dominant all season. But the player most important to the team's postseason push was LHP Andy Pettitte, who was as good as any pitcher in the second half. He began throwing a changeup, a pitch he had dropped early in his career, and that deepened his repertoire, baffled hitters and improved his confidence. BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: Ensberg's play limited the time Mike Lamb got at third base, and though the team tried to find ways to get his bat in the lineup, Lamb failed to deliver much at the plate. He had an on-base percentage well below .300, and he hit under .200 in two different months. Lamb is not a strong defensive player, so he has to be productive at the plate to contribute significantly. Lamb heated up in September and started hitting for power, offering a sign he could help as a pinch hitter or spot starter if the Astros win the wild-card spot.--Alyson Footer

MILWAUKEE BREWERS

MVP: LF Carlos Lee proved a quick study after switching leagues in the offseason. He led the N.L in RBIs at the All-Star break and will finish the year with the club's gaudiest offensive numbers. Lee single-handedly carried an offense in the first half that otherwise disappointed. Lee's production steadily decreased in the second half despite having the team's hottest hitter (RF Geoff Jenkins) right behind him in the batting order, and opposing pitchers began to exploit holes in his swing. Still, Lee remained a big reason why the Brewers entered the week with a .500 record. BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: After RHP Ben Sheets put together a Cy Young-caliber 2004, the team made him the highest-paid pitcher in franchise history, but injuries wrecked his 2005 season. First, an inner-ear ailment forced him to miss six weeks. He was beginning to return to form before he suffered a season-ending torn back muscle in August.--Adam McCalvy

PITTSBURGH PIRATES

TEAM MVP: OF Jason Bay showed his impressive 2004 rookie season was no fluke. Despite having virtually no protection around him in the lineup, he leads the team in nearly every offensive category and is the first Pirates player since Barry Bonds in 2992 to hit 30 home runs and steal 20 bases in the same season. Bay played left and center field this season, depending on the team's needs. He should be the centerpiece of the franchise for years to come. BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: Unlike LHP Oliver Perez and OF Craig Wilson, who were injured, RHP Kip Wells can't blame his surprising struggles on poor health. Wells, who only two seasons ago was considered one of the N.L.'s top young starters, was inconsistent early in the season and ineffective down the stretch. He began nibbling on the corners rather than attacking hitters with his above-average stuff. His confidence suffered a big hit toward the end of the season.--Ed Eagle

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

TEAM MVP: 1B Albert Pujols is a leading contender for N.L. MVP. He was his usual sturdy self despite not having great protection around him. Pujols again hit for power. He leads the majors in runs scored and is competing for his second batting title. He was durable, which was even more important because the club was hit hard by injuries. He leads the team in stolen bases and continues to improve on defense. BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: A shoulder injury forced 3B Scott Rolen to the D.L. in May and ended his season in July. Before he got hurt, Rolen never found his stroke or looked comfortable at the plate. When he came back from the D.L, he couldn't drive the ball and struggled even more because of his bad shoulder. Rolen's defense was superb, as usual, when he played, and Abraham Nunez filled in nicely for him when he was gone. But the lineup missed Rolen's power. Look for him to rebound nicely in 2006.--Matthew Leach

N.L. central

Sporting News, The, Oct 7, 2005

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