-Until yesterday, Carlos Zambrano for not losing his head. Then (I missed this) after an at-bat, he breaks his bat over his knee, then promptly gets hit hard the next inning and gets taken out. It's his first bad game, but here's hoping this isn't harbinger of things to come.

-I have to say I am a bit surprised Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds haven't hooked up with somebody. Well, in Clemens' case, we just haven't heard about more hookups yet.

Disappointments:

-Before the season started, I picked Detroit to play San Diego in the World Series. Record wise, they are the two worst teams in baseball.

Awards Candidates:

MVP:

-Lance Berkman: A huge start so far for the surprising Astros


-Albert Pujols: Doing his usual for the also surprising Cardinals

-Derrick Lee: In a tailspin now, but the main man on one of the best teams so far this year

-Chase Utley: Keeping the Phils afloat

For the AL, no one stands out as a true candidate. Maybe Joe Mauer

Cy Young:

-Brandon Webb: Amazing; as advertised and not surprising

-Carlos Zambrano: Keeping his cool most of the time(until Jim Edmonds came to town...)

-Cliff Lee: 0.67 ERA. Enough Said

Too many possibilities right now in each league; these are the standouts

Manager:

-Joe Maddon, Tampa Bay: Anyone who can coax this team into first place should be Manager Of The Decade.

-Fredi Gonzalez, Florida: This was probably a year or two from happening, but he's got the team playing great now.

-I would also consider Cecil Cooper

And now, the Hunter Flops plays quarters: Possibly the only reason these players/teams are listed as big duds so far is that they played quarters too much in their spare time:

Teams:

Detroit Tigers. A season long flop and funk. The Al Central is wacky enough that all Detroit needs is one hot streak. Now.

San Diego Padres. Notice my World Series teams are listed first. I definitely overrated their potential. The worst record in baseball.

Seattle Mariners. I picked them as a team to surprise, and they may very well come out of their funk. But for now, they're a flop.

Colorado Rockies. Still going through their post World Series Hangover

Players:

-Andruw Jones. Now he's DFL among qualifiers with his .172 BA. Also only 2 HR.

-Austin Kearns. This was supposed to be a key player for the Nats. A .187 BA with 3 HR is not helping the budget deficit

-Ryan Howard. Sure, he has 9 HR, but his .184 BA is putrid.

-Jim Thome. This is how you make your Hall Of Fame Run: .203 BA with 7HR

-Kenny Rogers: His 6.65 ERA is DFL among qualifiers. Got to know when to fold them....

-Barry Zito. I have not forgotten about you: 0-8 and a 6.25 ERA. This for $128 million??

-Justin Verlander. 1-7 and a 6.05 ERA. Your potential is going down the toilet

-Josh Fogg. An ERA over 9. Your claim to fame: getting pennies from Junior.

At the quarter point, if I were to revise my predictions, here's who I see in the playoffs now:

Boston, Cleveland, SoCal Angels, Philadelphia, Chicago Cubs and Arizona. Wild Cards: NY Yankees and St. Louis

Don't hold me to this...