MLB: Statistically speaking, 12 teams could be champs
By Steve Herl
Top Four in Four Categories
New York Mets (10-14)
The New York Mets are ranked in the top four in the National League in home runs, walks, earned run average and strikeouts. Led by Jay Bruce (.271 BA, 6 HR, 14 RBI), Yoenis Cespedes (.270 BA, 6 HR, 10 RBI) and Michael Conforto (.333 BA, 6 HR, 12 RBI) offensively, and Noah Syndergaard (1-1, 1.73 ERA, 30 K), Jacob deGrom (1-1, 2.84 ERA, 44 K) and Zack Wheeler (1-2, 4.78 ERA, 25 K), the Mets are hanging around in the NL East.
Milwaukee Brewers (13-13)
The Brewers are ranked in the top four in the National League in runs, hits, home runs and saves. Milwaukee is led by Eric Thames (.350 BA, 11 HR, 19 RBI), Ryan Braun (.298 BA, 7 HR, 18 RBI) and Travis Shaw (.256 BA, 5 HR, 18 RBI) offensively, and Chase Anderson (2-0, 2.10 ERA, 24 K) and Neftali Feliz (5 SV) in pitching. The Brewers tied for second place in the National League Central with the Cardinals, one game behind the Cubs.
Los Angeles Dodgers (13-12)
The Dodgers rank in the top four in the National League in on-base percentage, walks, earned run average and strikeouts by pitchers. Los Angeles is led by Justin Turner (.388 BA, 1 HR, 11 RBI), Cory Seager (.319 BA, 5 HR, 17 RBI) and Adrian Gonzalez (.259 BA, 0 HR, 10 RBI) offensively, and Clayton Kershaw (4-1, 2.29 ERA, 39 K), Brandon McCarthy (3-0, 3.10 ERA, 25 K) and Kenta Maeda (2-2, 6.58 ERA, 27 K) in pitching. The Dodgers are in third place in the National League West, trailing the Colorado Rockies by two games.
Arizona Diamondbacks (16-11)
The Diamondbacks are ranked in the top four in the National League in runs, hits, batting average and on-base percentage. They are led by David Peralta (.333 BA, 3 HR, 7 RBI), Chris Owings (.318 BA, 4 HR, 19 RBI) and Paul Goldschmidt (.310 BA, 4 HR, 19 RBI). Arizona is scoring runs second only to the Washington Nationals, and their offense has them in second place in the National League West behind the Colorado Rockies.