EXPOS 28/07/03
July 28, 2003
LATEST TEAM INFO:
In what is likely their final season in Montreal, the Expos faultered in the month of July and find themselves nearly out of playoff contention. They are now struggling just to stay above .500 and have fallen to 4th place in the very tough National League East. Vladimir Guerrero's return should help matters out, but the damage looks like it has already been done.
Despite the team's struggles, catcher Michael Barrett has raised his average above .200 for the first time all season. While that does not seem like much of a feat, his average had been at around .150 for much of the season. Barrett hit .350 for the month of July and showed some of the power that made him a solid catching prospect just a few years ago.
If the Expos are to make a run this season, their pitching will have to be much better than it has lately. Earlier on the team relied heavily on its starting pitching and had great success, but recently the starters and relievers alike have struggled. Some of the blamed can go on injuries to some key guys like Zach Day, Tony Aramas Jr, Orlando Hernandez, and Scott Stewart, but nobody stepped up in their absents.
The unanimous choice for the Expos MVP in the first half of the season has to be Orlando Cabrera. He has been great both offensively and defensively and it he was robbed of an appearance in the all-star game. He currently has 15 home runs and 60 RBIs, which both lead the team. If he played in almost any other city, he would have made the team easily. Hopefully he can continue to put up some outstanding numbers.
INJURIES:
El Duque is still out and it is very tough to say when he will be back. He is out until at least early September and very possibly the entire season.
Dan Smith doesn't warrant much fantasy consideration, but he is out for the season after having surgery on his right shoulder.
Tony Armas could be done for the season as well with a partially torn labrum in his pitching arm.
Scott Stewart could return soon from his appendectomy.
MOVES TO MAKE:
Add:
SP Livan Hernandez - He is having his best season in the majors and is probably Montreal's ace right now.
C Michael Barrett - Don't drop anybody too valuable for him, but if you're desperate for a catcher, he has been on a tear recently.
Drop:
SP Zach Day - He got roughed up in his return from the DL so if he doesn't turn it around, he's not worth having on your roster.
OVERVIEW:
Well the Expos are not out of it yet, but they are fading fast and need to put a streak together if they want to be in contention come September. They are currently 4 games out of the wild card spot, which is possible, but there are 5 teams ahead of them in that race, whicih will come right down to the wire this season.
