Memorial Day weekend can be considered a good barometer for how the season is going for teams and how they will fare heading into the hot summer months. This week, we take a look at a hot Detroit hitter, a milestone in Atlanta and the struggles of the Loveable Losers. Also, check out our look at the minor leagues. Ordonez gives Tigers offensive punch Detroit Tigers outfielder Magglio Ordonez was thought to be a bad signing by Detroit after their 119 loss 2004 season. So far in 2007, he has continued to prove it was indeed a franchise-changing signing for the newest American League power. He is second in the American League with a .358 average, third in home runs with 12 and first in RBI with 46. He is also the only player in either league to rank in the top three in the Triple Crown categories to go with being fourth in on-base percentage and first in slugging percentage. Ordonez had a rough ending to his time with the Chicago White Sox, but he is now the unquestioned offensive leader for the Detroit Tigers, who are off to an excellent start in their American League Championship defense. Smoltz a dominant starter again Atlanta Braves right-hander John Smoltz won his 200th game on Thursday against the New York Mets, becoming the first player in Major League Baseball history to have ast least 200 wins and at least 150 saves. The milestone is icing on the remarkable journey from dominant closer to dominant starter in just over two years. He is first in the National League in wins (7), sixth in strikeouts (60) and fifth in ERA (2.58). He also continues to be a workhorse into his 40s by logging 73.1 innings in 2007, good for fourth in the National League. While Tim Hudson has had a rebirth this season, Smoltz is still the ace of the Braves staff and with questions about the back end of the rotation, Smoltz will need to keep his Cy Young form in order for the Braves to stay within striking distance of the New York Mets. Cubs struggle under expectations The Chicago Cubs have struggled to their 22-25 start in 2007, a year that was started with high expectations under new manage Lou Piniella. The problem has been that while they have brought in talent, it doesn?t fit together and the team has the feel of a fantasy roster instead of a baseball roster. They brought in bats like outfielder Alfonso Soriano and infielder Mark DeRosa, but they have lacked good defense and situational hitting late in games. They added quality arms like Ted Lilly and Jason Marquis, but they failed to upgrade a bullpen that is pitiful at best. Expect the Cubs to get hot sometime this summer because their talent will shine through for a stretch, but don?t expect October baseball in Wrigley in 2007. Playing the Futures Boston Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz was matched against Roger Clemens this past week and threw six innings of two run ball. The Red Sox won?t need him this season, but it shows the Red Sox have some great young arms who could be used to add a missing piece come July. Atlanta Braves shortstop Yunel Escobar is hitting well above .300 in Triple-A and is showing people why the Braves gave up Tony Pena Jr. so easily. Escobar gives the Braves flexibility in trades and in negotiating Edgar Renteria?s next contract. Los Angeles Angels infielder Brandon Wood has battled injuries throughout his minor league career and has found himself back in Triple-A. It has led some to believe he has hit a ceiling and could eventually be a bust that Angels should have traded when his value was highest last season. Douglas Benton can be reached at [email protected]