So, the second half if what goes up to be an abbreviated season is under way, and it's time to separate the wheat from the chaff, the rubber from the road, the ... well, you get the drift. Which teams have placed themselves in good shape for the post-season? Which squads have been disappointments? "Winners and Losers" scans the landscape.

TEAM .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... .. .. .. .COMMENT .. ... .. .. .

Atlanta.. .. .LOSERS. .. .. Free agency and three years of postseason

Braves .. .. .. .. .. .. .. disappointments may break up the old gang

New York .. ... .. .. .. .. Riding high now, but how long before

Yankees .. .. .. .. .. .. . George wigs out and fires everybody,

.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .., including Mayor Giuliani?

Cleveland .. .WINNERS .. .. All the Tribe needed was two "Major

TTC Indians .. .. .. .. .. .. . League" movies and a new ballpark to

.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... get going. Who Knew?

Montreal .. ..WINNERS .. .. That good and that young. Imagine

Expos .. .. .. .. .. .. ... what happens when they're old enough to

.. ... .. .. .. .. ... ... get driver's licenses?

Texas .. .. ..LOSERS . .... Might win AL West, but should have to play

Rangers .. .. .. .. .. .... postseason with paper bags over heads as

.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... reward.

Baltimore .. .. .. .. ... . No more fattening up on the weak: Only six

Orioles .. .. .. .. .. .. . more games with West after next Sunday.