All-Star Break

How is it possible that I'm already through the first half of Season 7? The games sure do go quickly; I can get through a nine-inning game in about a half-hour. Even so, I'm surprised at how fast the season is speeding by. Today I'm pausing for a moment to take stock of where things stand here at the midway point.

Haymakers (8-4, +16 run differential)

The league's perennial powerhouse is pacing the circuit in scoring (4.25 runs per game) and in run prevention (2.92). Cap Anson is having another fine season at the plate (in contention for a possible third Position Player MVP trophy) and Mickey Welch (4-1 in six starts, with a 2.57 ERA) is leading a strong pitching staff.

Resolutes (7-5, +3)

The defending champions have thus far escaped the injury bug that ravaged them last year. Overall, they're having a pretty solid but unspectacular season; their scoring is up (3.50 runs per game, second-best in the league), but they're also giving up more runs (3.25) than last year's pitching-first squad. First baseman Jake Beckley could be a dark horse candidate for Position Player MVP.

Canaries (5-7, -5)

The Birds are showing signs of life after two abysmal seasons. Their hopes and dreams are pinned on second-year phenom Addie Joss, currently the frontrunner for Pitcher MVP; with a 1.93 ERA through five starts, Joss has a shot to beat Welch's 1.61 ERA from Season 4 as the all-time best mark. If the Canaries' offense comes around -- and defending Position Player MVP Ed Delahanty is heating up, along with slugging first baseman Roger Connor -- they could make a late run for a spot in the championship series.

Blue Legs (4-6, -14)

Over the years, the Blue Legs have been known for one thing: Power hitting. So many iconic Blue Legs moments have involved towering home runs from sluggers like Nap Lajoie, Dan Brouthers, and King Kelly. It's ironic, then, that this year's squad has hit zero home runs through the first half (12 games) of the season. Ouch! On the field, they're giving up a league-worst 4.33 runs per game -- a full run per game worse than the next-worst team.