We all think the number 13 is a very unlucky number. The 13th week of the season was very interesting, as the Cubs are doing a slow burn; a pitcher shoved his General Manager and got released; another player was hurt in an interesting pillow incident at home (check this out if you don't believe it: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080626/SPORTS02/806260425/1050/SPORTS ).

But I think the one this week that takes the cake was Saturday's SoCal game between the Dodgers and the Angels. The Angels gave up no hits...and lost 1-0!!! Because of the wacky baseball rules, this game was not considered an official no hitter because it was an 8 inning no hitte; no hitters must be 9 innings. Please don't ask me about the crazy MLB rules. But perhaps only in LA....did the fans finish seeing the game???

As mentioned yesterday, I'm getting very concerned with the Cubs. They still have the best record in terms of winning percentage, but aren't playing like it. Enough about them...

Lucky teams? Hard to say if luck has anything to do with anything. Tampa Bay is still hanging in there; most of us thought they would be sinking by now. Boston perhaps because their expected starting pitching isn't going as planned, but they are still in first place. Minnesota? Perhaps considering most thought they would be down, put together a ten game winning streak against the NL and are now in the playoff conversation. Atlanta? With a losing record, how can you be lucky? Maybe with their injuries, they are unlucky, but are still in the hunt. Arizona? Lucky they are in a bad division: they are in first place at 41-40. The NL West is godawful bad!

St. Louis, I think considering their issues, are lucky to be in the playoff hunt (maybe perhaps also because the Cubs are helping out here...)

Unlucky teams? Let's check out the Hunter Flops for the week for the unlucky teams and players:

Teams:

-Cleveland: I don't think last place was on the planned agenda this year. I think pretty soon the player dumping will commence.

-Seattle: As mentioned all year: Tons of badness is being spread around here.

-NY Mets: At least MLB ruled against the umpire that bumped their manager this week. How can one only be 4 games out as bad as they played??

-San Diego/Colorado: Always next year.

Players:

-Ryan Howard. How can you be hitting .215, but have 20 HR and 67 RBI??? Maybe not a flop; perhaps unlucky?

-Paul Konerko. DFL among qualifiers (along with Howard) at .215

-Bill Hall and Richie Weeks. .218 and .217. Is it luck Milwaukee is on the rise??

-Mark Hendrickson. How do you have a 5.93 ERA with a 7-6 record? Luck or support??

-John Lannon (Washington). A 3.54 ERA despite a 4-9 record

-Bronson Arroyo. DFL among qualifiers in ERA: 6.52 ERA

Miguel Batista. 3-10; 6.53 ERA. Luckless in Seattle

I should mention that the following teams are on the rise and should be in the thick of the playoff races in the second half of the season:

-Detroit. Yes, Detroit is finally recovering from their slumber. Finally at .500 and only 5 games out. Look out!!

-Minnesota. Are they around long term? Time will tell, but I think given the AL Central, I think they stick around

-Milwaukee. They started poorly and are playing better now. If I were the Cubs, do not discount this team!

Can Chipper Jones make another run at .400? Currently, he's at .394. I hate to say being injured helps, but it might in his case...

Next week: Jared's All Star team and half season awards!!