AL Top Five Tops NL Top 5

A quick look at the records of the AL's top five club versus the NL's top five club reveals one league with less parity than the other:

AL:

Boston 29-18
NYY 29-18
Chicago WS 27-19
MN 26-20
Anaheim 29-18

total 140-93 .601

NL:

Florida 27-20
Cincy 27-20
Houston 26-20
Philly 25-20
Cubs 25-20

total 130-100 .565

*****

Time To Change Tactics

Perhaps this season will finally see the dissent of the philosophy of the SF Giants' lineup being so anemic by comparison to Barry Bonds that Barry Bonds should be walked on every occasion the game is on the line.

According to KNBR's post game wrap up show this morning following the Giants' sweep of the lowly Arizona Diamondbacks, Bonds has recently been given a bases empty walk 4 times in four games and those four times have resulted four Giants victories involving Bonds scoring the winning run. Finally some of his teammates are stepping up and filling the void.

Indeed, the SF Giants have now won six straight and seven of eight and are finally creeping back up to their rightful place atop the NL West...stay tuned.

Pettitte Again, Sam

I confess, I'm somewhat obsessed with seeing my prediction of Pettitte spending the majority of his season on the DL come to fruition now that it is time to worry about the lefty after he left the game in the fourth inning last night with what officially was described as a left forearm strain.

On the final out of the fourth inning Wednesday night, Pettitte winced after the delivery. Once Pettitte reached the bench, Astros manager Jimy Williams saw Pettitte grabbing his elbow and consulting with trainers.

"I said to myself, 'This is not good,' " Williams said. "The best thing to do is not send him back out there."

And on the seventh day, he rested.