The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

By Corey R. Cunningham

The Good…

Chicago Cubs 1B, Anthony Rizzo has been a solid bat in the weakened offense in Chicago. Rizzo who has only played in 7 games thus far this season, while dominating AAA pitching is off to a solid start. He is batting .296, with 2 HR, 5 RBI and 4 R. Rizzo has 2 multi hit performances and has hit safely in his first 6 of 7 games, while hitting 2 extra base hits. Anthony has been hitting in the solid No. 3 hole for the Cubs, with former 1B Bryan LaHair sticking it out in the OF. Plenty of talk has aspired about RHP Matt Garza and RHP Ryan Dempster being traded, if so the Cubs GM Theo Epstein are no stranger to acquiring prospects in deals. The prospects acquired from these SP could help this team get younger, with cement players at 1B and SS in Rizzo and Castro.

The Bad...

Boston RedSox 3B, Will Middlebrooks has added a solid bat to the offense in Boston in which is in need of a turn around season, due to their horrific end of the 2011 season. Middlebrooks has a .298 BA, with 10 HR, 37 RBI, 25 R, and 3 SB. Many of you will look at this and ask, "why is this bad?" Middlebrooks who was called up during the injury to Kevin Youkilis, forced Boston management to trade Youkilis, now to see he has had his second issue with the left hamstring. The issue now might cause a stint on the DL, or perhaps not with the All-star break next week, and only 5 more games to play until then. Even worse news, the RedSox do not have another 3B on the roster, yes Nick Punto could play 3B, however its not preferable. My solution is to take Mike Aviles, shift him to 3B, and call up Jose Iglesias.

The Ugly...

Arizona Diamondbacks SP, Trevor Bauer has been awful. Bauer who has now started a total of 2 games for the Diamondbacks has not pitched more than 4 IP in either start. His first start he pitched 4 IP, allowing 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, and 3 K; that is the good start, now the more bad start on Tuesday, Bauer only lasted 3.1 IP, allowing 6 H ,7 R, 6 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, and 4 K to earn his first loss of his career. Bauer now holds a 9.82 ERA, and a 2.45 WHIP. It is yet to be seen if the Diamondbacks will keep Trevor up or send him back down to the Minors, once Joe Saunders is healthy enough to come off the DL.