How is this team in first place?

[teepack]

Through 117 games, I'm not only in first place, but I've got the best record in the league by 3 games!

I am 66-51. My team is 10th in offense and 3rd in pitching. My run-differential is a mere +11 (before my recent 9-3 stretch, it was -3). Two teams in my division have better run-differentials.

My offensive stud is Bobby Abreu, and he's batting .231-.359-.361 with but 12 homers and 35 RBIs! Jason Varitek is .208-.302-.405. Michael Young leads my team in RBIs with 67. I am last in double plays turned, although I do lead the league in fielding percentage.

My starting pitchers have all put up good numbers, but my stud pitcher has been my closer, Derek Turnbow, who's got 39 saves in 43 chances. I've also gotten a lot of mileage out of my set-up man, Al Reyes. My park is RFK, so that is helping my pitching and hurting my offense.

Is this team destined for a fall? I'm hoping that Abreu and Varitek can get hot (Abreu has hit four of his pitiful 12 homers in the last 10 games) and that my pitching holds the course.

[durantjerry]

I have a team that was 32-16 a couple of days ago and was wondering the same thing. I did the Pythagoreon thing on diamond dope and it came back 26-22. It stands a little better in the league stats than yours(3rd offense/6th pitching), but it still over it's head. I believe two things, which may or may not be true.
1)A closer can save(literally) you by having an outstanding season, helping you win the close games. Nathan was 1-2/20-22 on my team. You win the close games and lose by a larger margin, skewing the run differencial.
2)Run differencial is more skewed in SOMO due to the extreme ballparks, as your team may have the potential to get really rocked in certain situations and may lack an equal ability to "lay it to someone" and much as you get it "laid" to you.
I think 1) is definitely true and 2) can be potentially true.

[Jerlins]

I think more times than not, its those teams with good pitching (starters, so so relievers) staffs that have this quirk. Your teams are strong enough hitting wise, to put a good pasting to, but on the rare days that the pitcher is off, he's getting rocked, Hal is tossing your blowout only pitchers in relief, and the other team is pouring it on.

[packleader]

No, cocaine worked for them

[sleepdok]

'86 Mets were A-1 awesome, I was there