Week in Review - American League (May 27-June 2, 1929)

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A couple of big developments jump out after a quick a review of the standings.  First, the Athletics have opened up a bit of breathing room at the top of the standings.  In last week's Week in Review, they held only a half game lead over the Yankees.  Now, the A's are 4.5 games clear and have won 6 straight.  Even more shocking, to me at least, are the resurgent Washington Senators.  Over the last two weeks it looked like the Senators were going to start a descent toward the middle or bottom of the standings, as I expected coming into this replay, but they have gotten hot again, winning 7 of their last 10 games, and moving back into a tie for second place.  Speaking of teams that have kicked it into gear, the St. Louis Browns have also made a push toward the top of the standings, as they now sit tied with Senators for second place.

Moving the other direction, however, have been the Yankees - they capped off a 6-game losing streak this week, only ending it by beating the White Sox in their last outing, and are struggling to get back on track.

Here is the Baseball-Reference page with the standings at this point in season.  The win-loss records aren't exact, but outside of the surprising Senators and slumping Yankees, the shape of the standings is starting to look similar to how it played out in 1929.

American League - Batting Leaders

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are now two guys over .400, rather than the one of last week, but I do still think the numbers are stabilizing a bit - Bing Miller, while still well over .400, is starting to come back to earth a little bit.

American League - Top 10 Hitters

The players in the Top 10 remain the same as last week, but the order has altered slightly outside of the top 5.  The stars continue to produce.


Al Simmons (PHA)

1. Al Simmons, Philadelphia Athletics (Prev: 1) (.362/.409/.752, OPS: 1.161; Other highlights: 15 HR, 52 RBI, 36 runs) - Can Simmons win a Triple Crown?  He remains firmly in control of the top spot on this list.

2. Bing Miller, Philadelphia Athletics (Prev: 2) (.435/.462/.615, OPS: 1.077; Other highlights: 34 RBI, 70 hits, 9 SB) - Can Bing make a realistic run at .400?  We are into June and he still well ahead of pace so the answer appears to be yes.


Lew Fonseca (CLE)

3. Lew Fonseca, Cleveland Indians (Prev: 3) (.402/.447/.616, OPS: 1.063; Other highlights: 66 hits, 8 triples, 6 SB) - The Indians continue to struggle but Fonseca continues to hit.  This is another guy who has a realistic shot at hitting .400.

4. Jimmie Foxx, Philadelphia Athletics (Prev: 4) (.321/.451/.643, OPS: 1.094; Other highlights: 12 HR, 38 RBI, 47 runs, 34 BB)

5. Lou Gehrig, New York Yankees (Prev: 5) (.342/.430/.644, OPS: 1.074; Other highlights: 8 HR, 36 RBI, 35 runs, 24 BB)


Dale Alexander (DET)

6. Dale Alexander, Detroit Tigers (Prev: 7) (.348/.413/.567, OPS: .980; Other highlights: 7 HR, 39 RBI, 62 hits) - Alexander leads a very good Tigers offense, hitting behind Charlie Gehrigner and Harry Heilmann, so it is surprising to see Detroit so low in the standings.

7. Ski Melillo, St. Louis Browns (Prev: 8) (.393/.426/.540, OPS: .966; Other highlights: 64 hits, 6 triples)

8. Tony Lazzeri, New York Yankees (Prev: 6) (.307/.395/.577, OPS: .972; Other highlights: 7 HR, 5 triples)

9. Heinie Manush, St. Louis Browns (Prev: 9) (.387/.401/.547, OPS: .948; Other highlights: 40 RBI, 70 hits, 20 doubles)

10. Lu Blue, St. Louis Browns (Prev: 10) (.320/.424/.538, OPS: .962; Other highlights: 44 runs, 14 doubles, 32 BB)

American League - Pitching Leaders

 

 


American League - Top 5 Pitchers

1. Lefty Grove, Philadelphia Athletics (Prev: 1) (11 games, 10 starts, 9-0, 1.85 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 61 Ks: Other highlights 78 IP, 7 CGs, 1 shutout) - As the ace on the best team in the American League, and currently undefeated at 9-0, Lefty barely hangs on to this top spot.  He recently had his lone bad outing of the year, but he remains as good as it gets...except perhaps for the guy right behind on this list.


Ted Lyons (CHW)

2. Ted Lyons, Chicago White Sox (Prev: 2) (7 games, 7 starts, 5-0, 1.20 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 16 Ks; Other highlights: 4 CGs, 1 shutout) - Lyons has a good case to be #1 on this list.  He doesn't pitch with the offensive firepower supporting him that Grove has, but he still remains undefeated and leads the league in ERA and WHIP.

3. George Pipgras, New York Yankees (Prev: 3) (10 games, 10 starts, 3-3, 3.00 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 39 Ks; Other highlights: 75 IP, 5 CGs, 1 shutout)

4. Fred Heimach, New York Yankees (Prev: 5) (11 games, 4 starts, 4-0, 1.82 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 7 Ks; Other highlights: 2 CG)


George Blaeholder (SLB)

5. George Blaeholder, St. Louis Browns (Prev: NR) (10 games, 4 starts, 4-1, 2.14 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 7 Ks; Other highlights: 2 CG) - A jack of all trades pitcher for the Browns, Blaeholder can start or come on in relief to get a win.











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