May

13

Topsy-Turvy League

Posted by M. Patel under CraZy Facts, Speculation 

Is this still the MLB? It really hasn’t seemed like it so far this season. We are almost a fourth of the season through and the Rays are in second place in the AL East! Even more surprising is that the Marlins, the team that basically sold all its hope is currently leading its division by more than two games. Oh yea, and the Mariners who were supposed to be one of the better teams this year is currently in last place, with a record of 15-25. I thought I was done, but wait! The Tigers, who spent a load of cash this offseason are also last, with a 16-22 record. Some critics expected them to be the top team in the MLB for god’s sake! Their division rivals, the Indians are fairing so well either with a .500 record. Back in the reigning NL champions, the Rockies are 15-23 and only one game from being tied with the worst record in the majors. And then of course there are our Yankees, who aren’t boding so well thus far either. All I can say to all this is wow, just wow.

If you had predicted that we would be hear 40 games in then you really are a genius because I don’t think anyone else saw this. Now the end-of-season standings probably won’t be like this, but for some teams they just might be. I hate to say it, but the Rays really have a chance to keep up this style of play because their young pitchers are just throwing phenomenally. Let’s just hope that our guys can start pulling something together like they did last season.

Our sluggers should start hitting soon and I think the pitching staff will have some bright moments in the near-future as well with Darrell Rasner stepping up nicely and Moose and Wang doing good. Pettitte is bound to start being clutch soon enough and that just leaves one more spot. It is currently filled by Kei Igawa, but I’m not expecting much from him. Hopefully IPK or Hughes will be back soon with their troubles behind them. We can definetely pull through, especially when the Rays’ young guys start making mistakes.

Ok, back to the speculation on which teams will end in the other direction come October… The Marlins are not going to last. The only reason they are doing this well is because of an offensive surge and as we all know offense can’t carry a team. On the defensive side of the ball their guys have been making too many mistakes and it will eventually catch up to them.

As for the other NL team, the Rockies, I think they will end the season out of the playoffs. I expect them to start rebouding soon enough and they’ll probably finish above .500, but I don’t see a playoff berth happening. It is pretty clear that the D’ Backs are taking the division and looking at the way the Cubs, Cardinals, and Astros are playing, the Rockies will have a tough time squeezing out the wildcard. You also have to remember that the Mets, Braves, and Phillies will remain contenders for playoff spots until late as well. I just don’t see it happening for Colorado again, sorry Todd Helton.

Now, back to the AL. In the Central I think we will be seeing the Indians take it again. Their pitching and defense is great and they have much of the same dominant team as last year. The Tigers on the other hand don’t. They have upgraded their bats and starting pitching, but neglected relief and without a good bullpen they aren’t going to get far.

In the AL West, the Mariners currently sit 8.5 games behind divison leader Oakland! Billy Beane has done a terrific job with managing the team and I think this could be the year they make it back to the playoffs (notice I said I think it could be, not I think it will be). I’m not putting my money on them just yet though because the Angels as always are also a very strong team, especially with new addition Torri Hunter. I really don’t know who will take the division, but I do believe that the Mariners will have a tough time getting ahead of both the A’s and Angels. I would still give them a chance, but it will be tough to overtake Oakland and Anaheim, and I really don’t think the wildcard is going to the West. It would be great to see a neck-in-neck battle between the three in September.

The surprising start is bound to make things most exciting, especially during the end of the season. Some great baseball is ahead of us…

What do you think about my predictions? Do you agree or disagree and why? Please comment, I would love to hear all of your opinions.

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