MLB Month In Review: May 2009

AL Team of the Month: Texas Rangers - There should be zero doubt about this. What this team is doing is absolutely ridiculous. In the month of May, the Rangers went an amazing 20-9 and now find themselves on top of the NL West. The crazy thing is that this team doesn't look like it should be doing well at all. The pitching isn't all that great, with an ERA of 4.46 and just 23 QS in 50 games. But yet, they lead the league in saves with 16. The main reason for this team being where they are is their hitting. With players like Ian Kinsler, Nelson Cruz and Michael Young having career years and leading the way, this team has proven they can pound the baseball even without big bopper Josh Hamilton.
Runner-Up: Detroit Tigers

NL Team of the Month: Los Angeles Dodgers - For a team that lost its best player in the beginning of the month, they sure aren't playing like it. The Dodgers went 20-9 in the month of May, proving their fast start in April wasn't a fluke. Once Manny was suspended, Juan Pierre stepped in and despite a lack of power, he has brought along the base hits. In fact, the entire team has been hitting. They lead the NL in batting avg. and runs. Meanwhile, the pitching is second in ERA and first in batting avg. against. Thanks to their hot start, they have a healthy lead in an already weak NL west. If they fall from first anytime during the season, I will be truly surprised.
Runner-Up: Milwaukee Brewers

AL Most Disappointing Team of the Month: Seattle Mariners - It was just last month when I proclaimed this team the team of the month. But after going 11-18 in May, they have fallen from grace. They can't blame their pitching one bit. The pitching staff is still exceeding expectations with an ERA under 4 and keeping batters to a .254 avg. But the hitters aren't helping at all. In the AL, they are 12th in avg, 14th in runs scored and in on-base percentage. Aside from Ichiro and Russell Branyan, this team has been awful at the plate. They've already squandered their solid start, which is a shame.
Runner-Up: Oakland Athletics

NL Most Disappointing Team of the Month: Florida Marlins - Just like the Mariners, the Marlins were my top team in the NL. But an 9-20 month of May has banished them here. They started so strong in both batting and pitching but now, they are not in the top 10 in any pitching category. They barely register in the top half in runs in the NL at 7th. While Hanley Ramirez has picked up after a slow start, players like Emilio Bonfacio hit a wall. This is a young team so maybe this was to be expected.
Runner-Up: Arizona Diamondbacks

AL MVP of May: Mark Teixiera, NYY - When you hit 13 homers in a month and drive in 34 runs, you get consideration for this pick. When you also help lead your team to a 17-11 month of May, you deserve this as well. I figured it would take Teixiera a bit to get used to the New York atmosphere. I'd say he's good to go now.
Runner-Up: Carl Crawford, TB

NL MVP of May: Prince Fielder, MIL - Not a bad month for the "Prince". An average of .301, 9 homers, 20 runs and 30 RBI. His production helped the Brewers catapult to first place in the NL Central and go 18-10 in the month of May.
Runner-Up: Juan Pierre


AL Cy Young of the Month: Justin Verlander, DET - After a rocky April, Verlander bounced back nicely with a very impressive May. He posted 6 quality starts and 5 wins. He threw 56 strikeouts in 41.1 innings. And most importantly, had an ERA of 1.52. The Tigers went 17-11 in the month and are now in first place in the AL Central. Wonder why now?
Runner-Up: Zack Grienke, KC

NL Cy Young of the Month: Trevor Hoffman, MIL - Not a big fan of recognizing relievers as the best pitcher of the month but I think it's fair to give Hoffman his due. I mean, think about it. Did you seriously think he would have this good a season so far when he signed with the Brew Crew? He's old, which means he shouldn't be effective but his 11 saves and zero ERA in the month of May would say otherwise.
Runner-Up: Johnny Cueto, CIN

Biggest Story of the Month: Manny Ramirez suspended - It's the news no baseball fan wanted to hear. It was bad enough people didn't like Manny for his "lazy" demeanor on the field. But now, fans and teammates had another reason to hate him because he's now a cheater. The news rocked the sports world when it happened. He just seemed to be the one player that was so gifted that he didn't need performance-enhancing drugs. But alas, he was caught, whether he knew he took them or not. What a shame.
Runner-Up: Carl Crawford steals 6 bases in one game