The Week That Was
Atlanta's Dynasty Looks Intact
The Atlanta Braves dynasty looked like it was slowly slipping away in mid-May. First base was a collection of bad offensive numbers, and the second-base situation was unsettled. Marcus Giles was hurt. Mark DeRosa was moved into the middle-infield picture and then he got hurt. Gary Sheffield had a bad wrist, Vinny Castilla and Javy Lopez were struggling offensively. And it appeared that Kevin Millwood never would regain the dominance he showed in 1999.

The Braves were 19-21 the morning of May 15. Since then, they've gone 33-10.

	Glavine

How can this have happened? Tom Glavine has continued to excel. Millwood has been overpowering for the first time in two-and-a-half years and looks like an ace again. Two Francos (Matt Franco and Julio Franco) have contributed big hits while playing first base, and while Keith Lockhart is only hitting .201, he seems to get a lot of key hits late in games. Greg Maddux is terrific for five or six innings, though he's been fighting a number of nagging physical problems. The Braves hope he'll be at full strength for the second half.

But the biggest single factor in Atlanta's resurgence has been an unbelievable performance from the bullpen. Teams try to shape their staffs in the offseason knowing pitching is such a huge key. But as brilliant as GM John Shuerholz is, he would have to be a certifiable genius to know that Chris Hammond, Darren Holmes, Kevin Gryboski, Kerry Ligtenberg and Mike Remlinger would all have ERAs under 2.00 in early July.

And those are just the middle relievers and set-up men. John Smoltz's 28 saves are second-most in the majors after Los Angeles Dodgers closer Eric Gagne (30). I doubt the Braves can keep up this torrid pace, but by opening up an 8½-game lead over the Montreal Expos, they'll be tough to catch, Bartolo Colon or no Bartolo Colon.

The only concern I might have if I'm with the Braves is that both Glavine and Millwood left their last starts with blister problems, and Maddux's calf injury has kept him from going deep into games. This could put more of a workload on a great bullpen which is bordering already on getting too much work. The last team to have a composite ERA under 3.00 for the season was the 1989 Los Angeles Dodgers. In this day of instant offense, what the Atlanta pitching has done (3.01 ERA) is remarkable. There are still three hot months to go, but it looks like the Braves will be in a familiar place when the weather cools in October.

Keep An Eye On...
Yankees Get Their Man...

	Mondesi

There's no question the New York Yankees were looking for outfield help. Raul Mondesi comes with a steep price tag, and his numbers have been mediocre this year (.226 BA, 15 HRs, 46 RBI). But the Yankees spare no expense if they think someone can help, and some guys are magically transformed when they put on the pinstripes. Only time will tell if the Mondesi deal works for New York, but it's likely that Raul will have a chance to prove his worth come October.

... And So Do The Expos
The Bartolo Colon deal sends a message the Montreal Expos consider themselves a legitimate contender in the NL East. It sure can't hurt. Colon was the ace for the Cleveland Indians -- he becomes that for the Expos -- and is in the midst of his best major-league season (10-4, 2.55 ERA). The question now is whether the Braves have built too big a lead, because it looks like the NL wild card will come out of the West.

If I Were The Skipper...
The Situation
In a year when five AL shortstops (but just one second baseman) have All-Star numbers, AL All-Star manager Joe Torre has chosen four reserve shortstops: Derek Jeter, Nomar Garciaparra, Miguel Tejada and Omar Vizquel (A-Rod will start). If you were the skipper, which shortstop would you play at second base in the All-Star Game? Or would you leave starter Alfonso Soriano at second for the entire game?

Campbell's Call

	Vizquel

Of all the AL reserve shortstops, Omar Vizquel has the best infield instincts. No matter who it is, it will be a big adjustment if he's asked to be the pivot on a double play, but Vizquel is best-equipped to handle it. By the way, I like Torre's solution to the shortstop-second base AL All-Star conundrum. It happens to be the exact solution I suggested on "Baseball Tonight" and in my ESPN.com column last week!

Ballpark Focus: Safeco Field, Seattle
Safeco Field favors pitchers for a number of reasons.

The ball doesn't carry well in any part of the park, and the stadium structure creates tough shadows for batters trying to see the ball. This is true for day as well as night games, especially during the summer months. Since Seattle is located so far north, there is still some daylight as late at 9:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in June, July and early August. And the shadows wreak havoc on hitters as they try to see pitches.

The dimensions help as well: 331 feet down the left-field line, 388 to left-center, 405 to center, 385 to right-center and 326 down the right-field line.

Editor's Note: All statistics are through Tuesday's games. Dave Campbell, who was an infielder for eight seasons in the major leagues (1967-74), is an analyst for Baseball Tonight and ESPN Radio.