Outside the Bronx: MLB Notebook – May 25, 2012

Outside the Bronx is a weekly bullet-point style notebook covering each MLB team outside of Yankee Stadium. Each team’s record is in parenthesis and all stats are prior to today’s games.

AL East

Baltimore Orioles (28-17) – Close to an extension with OF Adam Jones, speculated to be worth around 6 yrs./$85 million

Boston Red Sox (22-22) – Adrian Gonzalez has been playing right field as of late with Kevin Youkilis at first.

Tampa Bay Rays (27-18) – Begin big series in Fenway this evening.

Toronto Blue Jays (24-21) – Jose Bautista is hitting .280 with 9 HR and 19 RBIs in May.

AL Central

Chicago White Sox (23-22) – Addison Reed officially named closer, learns of role via Twitter.

Cleveland Indians (26-18) – Sweep of Tigers shows they belong.

Detroit Tigers (20-24) – Fading fast.

Kansas City Royals (17-26) – Jeff Francoeur heating up; 9 for last 25 with 2 HR, 3 RBI.

Minnesota Twins (15-29) – Justin Morneau; 6 for last 22 with 3 HR, 9 RBIs.

AL West

Los Angeles Angels (21-25) – Only 6.5 back with Albert Pujols beginning to find stroke.

Oakland A’s (22-23) – League worst .210 batting average.

Seattle Mariners (21-26) – Winners of 5 of last 7.

Texas Rangers (27-18) – 10-12 in May after going 17-6 in April leaves door open for Angels.

NL East

Atlanta Braves (26-20) – Losers of four straight, get Nats at home for weekend series.

Miami Marlins (24-21) – Josh Johnson starting to settle back into groove.

New York Mets (24-21) – David Wright‘s MVP bid; .405/.500/.628 triple slash, 16 doubles, 5 HR, 28 RBI and 4 SB.

Philadelphia Phillies (23-23) – Cliff Lee looking for first win (0-2, 6 GS) despite 2.66 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and .213 BAA.

Washington Nationals (26-18) – Did anyone see Adam LaRoche coming? Leads team in HR (tied w/ 8), RBI (33) and OPS (.937).

NL Central

Chicago Cubs (15-29) – Visit Pirates, looking to break nine-game losing streak.

Cincinnati Reds (25-19) – Winners of six straight now, earning 1/2 game lead over Cards.

Houston Astros (21-23) – Wandy Rodriguez increases his trade value; 4-4, 2.14 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and .234 BAA.

Milwaukee Brewers (18-26) – Catcher Jonathan Lucroy hitting .400 with 3 HR, 21 RBI in May.

Pittsburgh Pirates (20-24) – James McDonald finally showing promise; 3-2, 2.58 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, .198 BAA and 58 K in 57.1 IP.

St. Louis Cardinals (25-20) – After 14-8 April, injuries mount and 11-12 record for May results. 

NL West

Arizona Diamondbacks (20-25) – Disappointing season so far, falling way short of expectations; 10.5 games back of Dodgers.

Colorado Rockies (16-27) – 29th in team ERA (5.12), 30th in team WHIP (1.58) and 30th in team BAA (.289). Reds drooling.

Los Angeles Dodgers (30-14) – Not quite a one-man show; 7-3 since Matt Kemp hit DL.

San Diego Padres (17-29) – Cory Luebke undergoes elbow surgery ending season.

San Francisco Giants (24-21) – Tim Lincecum still scuffling; 2-4, 6.04 ERA, 1.59 WHIP but 53 Ks in 47.2 IP.

Follow the team links to go to the associated FanSided team site.