radio@spuxll.UUCP (Rick Farina) (06/19/85)
The first third of the season is over, and as we glance at the standings in the NL East, we see -- Montreal (!!!) and St Louis (???) in first and second place. What's going on here? These two aren't supposed to be pushing the Mets and Cubs around at this [or at any other time] of the season. The Expos and Cardinals are supposed to be heading south about now, towards the direction of those other worn-out NL East powerhouses, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. But wait, folks: the Mets and Cubs have both been in batting slumps, and have been struck by both key and non-key injuries all season long. By contrast, the Expos and Cardinals have been on fire at the plate, and have stayed remarkably healthy so far. Can this madness continue over the next 108 games? It will if the players who have been carrying the Expos and Cardinals continue the pace they have established over the first third of the season. Under this assumption, here's how Andujar, Herr, Coleman, and Reardon finish off 1985: Andujar: 11 wins 1 loss over first third --> 33 wins 3 losses for the season Herr: 2 hr 50 rbi --> 6 hr 150 rbi Coleman: 47 sb --> 141 sb Reardon: 18 saves --> 54 saves I knew this couldn't last. When September rolls around, it will be between the Mets and the Cubs, healthy or hitting or otherwise.