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

 

It remains impressive how good the Giants have been, and to see the Cardinals continue their fight back into a the pennant race, but the current story in the National League is, without a doubt, the absolute collapse of the Chicago Cubs.  Just a few weeks ago the Cubs appeared poised to dethrone the Giants, but this week saw them lose a 9th straight game and continue their tumble out of the top half of the standings.  This fall is all the more shocking because when you scroll down this page you are going to see a number of Cubs players listed among the best hitters in the National League; additionally, they have had solid start pitching, on the whole, throughout the season.  One key factor could be the Cubs' abysmal 2-9 record in one-run games.  Whatever the issues, Chicago needs to figure things out quickly before they fall too far behind the Giants.

Here is the link to the Baseball-Reference page for standings on June 2, 1929.  You will see that the Giants and Robins continue to overperform.  It is nice to see the Cardinals and Pirates both get on track and move up the standings, as was expected coming into the season.  The Phillies playing so poorly is surprising given their offensive weapons, but their pitching simply hasn't been good enough.

National League - Batting Leaders

 

 

 

 

 

 

National League - Top 10 Hitters

Rogers Hornsby (CHC)

1. Rogers Hornsby, Chicago Cubs (Prev: 1) (.415/.459/.768, OPS: 1.227; Other highlights: 12 HR, 53 RBI, 34 runs, 68 hits) - Hornsby is back sitting in Triple Crown territory, which once expects him to be in contention for all season.  The real mystery remains how with him, Hack Wilson, and Kiki Cuyler all in this Top 10 Hitters list (not to mention with Riggs Stephenson currently hitting .400 and just missing this list), how the Cubs have been so bad of late?

2. Lefty O'Doul, Philadelphia Athletics (Prev: 2) (.396/.462/.644, OPS: 1.106; Other highlights: 10 HR, 35 RBI, 35 runs, 59 hits)

3. Babe Herman, Brooklyn Robins (Prev: 3) (.403/.450/.667, OPS: 1.117; Other highlights: 58 hits, 14 doubles, 13 SB) - If there is a dark horse to ultimately move to the top of this list, it has to be Herman.

4. Jim Bottomley, St. Louis Cardinals (Prev: 6) (.319/.383/.595, OPS: .978; Other highlights: 11 HR, 42 RBI, 36 runs) - His slash lines aren't as gaudy as some of the other on this list, but Bottomley continues to hit the ball over the fence and drive in runs, leading the Cardinals toward the top of the standings.

5. Hack Wilson, Chicago Cubs (Prev: 5) (.340/.416/.688, OPS: 1.104; Other highlights: 12 HR, 32 RBI)

6. George Harper, Boston Braves (Prev: 4) (.402/.518/.523, OPS: 1.041; Other highlights: 33 BB)

Bill Terry (NYG)

7. Bill Terry, New York Giants (Prev: 8) (.399/.444/.557, OPS: .991; Other highlights: 37 RBI, 59 hits) - Mel Ott and Travis Jackson may actually be having better seasons, but Terry is the heart of the Giants offense.

Kiki Cuyler (CHC)

8. Kiki Cuyler, Chicago Cubs (Prev: 10) (.364/.452/.589, OPS: 1.041; Other highlights: 37 runs, 55 hits, 24 BB, 10 SB) - Again, how the Cubs be struggling so bad with 3 hitters in this Top 10?

9. Chuck Klein, Philadelphia Athletics (Prev: 7) (.329/.394/.638, OPS: 1.032; Other highlights: 10 HR, 35 RBI, 34 runs, 14 doubles) 

10. Travis Jackson, New York Giants (Prev: 9) (.355/.416/.616, OPS: 1.032; Other highlights: 6 triples)

National League - Pitching Leaders

 

National League - Top 5 Pitchers

Red Lucas (CIN)

1. Red Lucas, Cincinnati Reds (Prev: 2) (9 games, 8 starts, 5-2, 2.63 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 18 Ks; Other highlights: 6 CGs, 1 shutout) - This is razor close between Lucas and Dazzy Vance, but I've decided to switch things up a bit and move Red into the top spot.  Lucas is pitching splendidly on a bad team and has done a bit more work than Dazzy.  So close and it's possible Dazzy is back in this top spot next week.

2. Dazzy Vance, Brooklyn Robins (Prev: 1) (6 games, 6 starts, 4-1, 1.37 ERA, 1.1 WHIP, 23 Ks; Other highlights: 2 CGs) - See above for the explanation, as Dazzy could easily still be #1.

Charlie Root (CHC)

3. Charlie Root, Chicago Cubs (Prev: 3) (10 games, 8 starts, 4-2, 2.71 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 32 Ks: Other highlights: 69.2 IP, 4 CGs, 1 shutout) - Root has been so good, and the Cubs have so many offensive weapons, it remains shocking how they have been on such a skid.

4. Carl Hubbell, New York Giants (Prev: 4) (9 games, 9 starts, 5-1, 3.68 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 24 Ks; Other highlights: 63.2 IP, 3 CGs, 1 shutout)

5. Freddie Fitzsimmons, New York Giants (Prev: 5) (9 games, 8 starts, 5-2, 3.30 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 7 Ks; Other highlights: 2 CGs)