NEW YORK — Brian Wilson has nothing in common with Brian Wilson. The Beach Boy never covered his arms in tattoos, spiked his hair and threw a fastball with evil intentions. The San Francisco Giants’ closer by the same name doesn’t do politically correct.
His answers, like his heater, are straight and to the point when it comes to the unfathomably weak National League West.
“We have all beat up on each other. The last three weeks it’s going to be up for grabs. That’s how you want it. Nobody wants to be in the kind of division like the (American League) East, where you don’t have a chance. All it’s going to take is for somebody to string a few wins together to pull this thing off.”
Will the Arizona Diamondbacks show some fangs? Will the Los Angeles Dodgers become strangers to dysfunction? Can the Rockies stage the sequel to last fall’s “Magical Season” afterschool special?
Ten weeks and roughly 68 games remain for all teams. Division play, with teams knocking each other off, will provide clarity in the National League.
A look back and peek ahead:
West
SURPRISE
Diamondbacks
They began the season with swagger, with sticks, going 20-8. They are 27-40 since, their bullpen tired and their offense listless.
DISAPPOINTMENT
Rockies
After clouding the entire state in a purple haze last fall, the Rockies have fallen off a cliff, a staggering 18 games under .500. They never fell more than nine games under last season. The problems are threefold: awful starting pitching, poor situational hitting and injuries.
BEST HITTER
Adrian Gonzalez
If not for Gonzalez and Brian Giles, the Padres would be the Portland Beavers. Gonzalez is a one-man wrecking ball, with 22 home runs with 71 RBIs. Matt Holliday cedes this honor only because he landed on the disabled list.
BEST PITCHER
Dan Haren
The obvious pick would be Haren’s Arizona Diamondbacks teammate, Brandon Webb, but Haren is hotter. He’s 3-1 with a 1.45 ERA over his past eight starts. Haren has a sneaky pause in his delivery that makes his split-fingered changeup that much nastier.
TRADE FRONT
Pay up for Holliday
The Rockies could figure heavily into the playoff race, just maybe not their own. They have the biggest impact bat in Matt Holliday, who will be moved only if the Rockies are overwhelmed. That means a premium pitcher and at least one top-tier prospect. The Angels, Mets, Yankees, Rays and even Nationals have discussed Holliday. He’s unlikely to go. The same can’t be said for reliever Brian Fuentes. He’s almost certain to be moved, with the Phillies, Rays, Mets, Yankees and Red Sox in position to strike a deal. The Twins are eyeing third baseman Garrett Atkins.
Central
SURPRISE
Cards; CC a Brewer
St. Louis pitching coach Dave Duncan might as well be “MacGyver” with the way he’s duct-taped his rotation together with chicken wire. Kyle Lohse is his latest reclamation project. The Brewers opened eyes with their bold stroke, acquiring CC Sabathia for prospects, including Olympian Matt LaPorta. As outfielder Mike Cameron said, “Sabathia is a beast.”
DISAPPOINTMENT
Astros
Houston manager Cecil Cooper has not connected with his players. Shawn Chacon went WWE on GM Ed Wade and, as predicted by the Rockies’ front office, the Astros are starting to question why they are paying Kazuo Matsui $16.5 million over three years. He’s great when in the lineup but spends a lot of time on the disabled list.
BEST HITTER
Albert Pujols
The Cubs’ lineup is a meat-grinder, learning from the patience of Kosuke Fukudome. They are an AL team in an NL division. But there’s no one individual who influences how his club is pitched to more than the Cardinals’ Pujols.
BEST PITCHER
Ben Sheets
The Cubs can one-two-three kick (butt) as well as the Rockettes. But as a dynamic duo, no one compares with Milwaukee’s Sheets and CC Sabathia. Sheets is a starter with, broadcaster Rick Sutcliffe said, “a closer’s mentality.” Health is the chilling “if” with Big Ben.
TRADE FRONT
Dealing with Pirates
The Cardinals need a lefty reliever — join the line for Brian Fuentes and Pittsburgh’s Damaso Marte — and another bat. The biggest boost may come from the return of starter Chris Carpenter. The Cubs and Brewers made quick strikes, leaving Pittsburgh trade central over the next two weeks. The price is outrageous for outfielders Xavier Nady and Jason Bay, whom the Rockies are watching as they feel out the interest on Matt Holliday.
East
SURPRISE
Marlins
They traded pitcher Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera — and got better. The Marlins have a wildly entertaining offense, featuring Hanley Ramirez, arguably baseball’s best player, and Dan Uggla, who should have a chiropractor standing by after each of his swings. Problem is, the Marlins strike out too much and their rotation is too green.
DISAPPOINTMENT
Brett Myers
He’s the first opening day starter sent back to the minors in nearly 20 years. Myers, a Phillies pitcher, was banished to the Triple-A Iron Pigs of Lehigh Valley to correct his mechanics. He’s scheduled to rejoin the rotation next week.
BEST HITTER
Chase Utley
Utley’s swing is so short and compact, it appears at times that he’s playing pingpong with his bat. Utley could become the third consecutive Phillie to win MVP honors, joining Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard, if he reaches 40 home runs and 120 RBIs. That’s entirely possible.
BEST PITCHER
Johan Santana
The 8-7 record is not impressive, but it overshadows how dominant he’s been with the Mets. With any support, Santana could have 12 wins. The lefty is more comfortable under Jerry Manuel’s leadership and should be baseball’s best pitcher in the second half.
TRADE FRONT
Phillies like Fuentes
The Phillies are targeting bullpen help and would love to land the Rockies’ Brian Fuentes. Toronto’s A.J. Burnett and Seattle’s Erik Bedard seem less tempting. For now, Mets general manager Omar Minaya is telling GMs he’s prepared to look within to solve offensive problems in left field. The Mets don’t figure to have enough to offer the Rockies for Matt Holliday. Xavier Nady or Austin Kearns is more realistic.
