We're just about two weeks into the new season, and, since nobody pays much attention to baseball until after the NHL playoffs end (June), just figure that nobody missed our insights and observations.
Here's a quick run-down of the start of the season and what to watch going forward.
American League
The Yankees are Banged Up
Before the season even started, the Yanks put their ace, Luis Severino, on the IL. Since then, they've been subjected to more hurt, including these notables:
As this writer points out, these guys could likely beat the current Giants' roster. Whether that's true or not, there are some good names out there, especially Stanton, Hicks, and Andujar, but Tulowitzki gets injured waking up, and Ellsbury's been gone so long, nobody really misses him. He's going to retire soon, because he's slowed down and the Yankees have some good, young outfielders.
Thus, the Yankees entered Thursday tied with the Orioles at 5-7, both chasing 10-3 Tampa Bay. The Rays have opened up the biggest lead in the majors, a whopping 4 1/2 games, and they're not going to be looking over their shoulders. Tampa has plenty of pitching (Charlie Morton, Blake Snell, Diego Castillo, and José Alvarado, to name just a few), a bevy of young, hungry players, and manager Kevin Cash may be one of the great innovators of any generation.
His use of relievers as starters and rotating his staff via short stints is revolutionary. If the Rays win the AL East by 5-10 games, it wouldn't surprise this writer.
(Incidentally, the Orioles are about done. Saying good-bye to second place with an 8-5 loss to the visiting A's Thursday, the O's dropped 1/2 game behind the idle Yankees. Chris Davis, who is currently extending the longest hitless streak in MLB history, went 0-for-3, putting the new mark at 52. The former record was 46. Davis is still in the midst of a $116-million contract, but there's not enough money in the world worth keeping this guy on the field. He's become a serious distraction on a team which is struggling for respectability. Sending him to the minors might be a sympathetic move. The O's cleaned house last season, but could find no takers for Davis. It's just sad.)
Seattle Soaring
Other than the Rays, the surprise thus far has to be Seattle and their 12-2 start. The M's are scoring at a blistering pace, putting up 110 runs for an average of 7.86 per game. Tim Beckham is batting .386; Domingo Santana leads the league in RBI with 19, Jay Bruce has belted seven homers and Mitch Haniger hasn't even gotten started (.254, 3HR, 10RBI).
Obviously, the Mariners aren't likely to keep up that pace, and the Astros, A's and Angels are likely to offer plenty of resistance. Right now, though, the West division looks to be up for grabs.
Central Casting
In the Central, Cleveland's already up close, within 1/2 game of the Tigers. The Twins are one game back of Detroit and it looks like the White Sox and Royals may have to wait until next year to be considered contenders.
Cleveland has the best roster in the division, and they could easily run away with it again, but Minnesota is on the move and should keep the Indians honest (no pun intended, really).
One bright spot for the Royals is the amazing hitting streak of second baseman Whit Merrifield, who extended his hitting streak from last season to 31 games, a number that bettered the franchise mark owned by Hall of Famer, George Brett. In his second full season with the Royals, Merrifield has stamped his name in baseball's annals. A pure singles hitter, only five of his 16 hits this season have been for extra bases. He's worth watching as one of major league's least-heralded upcoming stars.
UPDATE: On Thrusday, Merrifield went 0-for-6, snapping the streak at 31. The Royals blew a 6-4 ninth inning lead, with Seattle winning in 10, 7-6. Merrifield had more than his fair share of opportunity. He struck out in the bottom of the 10th to end the game.
We'll take a look at the National League tomorrow. There are some solid weekend series coming up.
Here's a quick run-down of the start of the season and what to watch going forward.
American League
The Yankees are Banged Up
Before the season even started, the Yanks put their ace, Luis Severino, on the IL. Since then, they've been subjected to more hurt, including these notables:
- Miguel Andujar
- Dellin Betances
- Jacoby Ellsbury
- Didi Gregorious
- Ben Heller
- Aaron Hicks
- Jordan Montgomery
- CC Sabathia
- Giancarlo Stanton
- Troy Tulowitzki
As this writer points out, these guys could likely beat the current Giants' roster. Whether that's true or not, there are some good names out there, especially Stanton, Hicks, and Andujar, but Tulowitzki gets injured waking up, and Ellsbury's been gone so long, nobody really misses him. He's going to retire soon, because he's slowed down and the Yankees have some good, young outfielders.
Thus, the Yankees entered Thursday tied with the Orioles at 5-7, both chasing 10-3 Tampa Bay. The Rays have opened up the biggest lead in the majors, a whopping 4 1/2 games, and they're not going to be looking over their shoulders. Tampa has plenty of pitching (Charlie Morton, Blake Snell, Diego Castillo, and José Alvarado, to name just a few), a bevy of young, hungry players, and manager Kevin Cash may be one of the great innovators of any generation.
His use of relievers as starters and rotating his staff via short stints is revolutionary. If the Rays win the AL East by 5-10 games, it wouldn't surprise this writer.
(Incidentally, the Orioles are about done. Saying good-bye to second place with an 8-5 loss to the visiting A's Thursday, the O's dropped 1/2 game behind the idle Yankees. Chris Davis, who is currently extending the longest hitless streak in MLB history, went 0-for-3, putting the new mark at 52. The former record was 46. Davis is still in the midst of a $116-million contract, but there's not enough money in the world worth keeping this guy on the field. He's become a serious distraction on a team which is struggling for respectability. Sending him to the minors might be a sympathetic move. The O's cleaned house last season, but could find no takers for Davis. It's just sad.)
Seattle Soaring
Other than the Rays, the surprise thus far has to be Seattle and their 12-2 start. The M's are scoring at a blistering pace, putting up 110 runs for an average of 7.86 per game. Tim Beckham is batting .386; Domingo Santana leads the league in RBI with 19, Jay Bruce has belted seven homers and Mitch Haniger hasn't even gotten started (.254, 3HR, 10RBI).
Obviously, the Mariners aren't likely to keep up that pace, and the Astros, A's and Angels are likely to offer plenty of resistance. Right now, though, the West division looks to be up for grabs.
Central Casting
In the Central, Cleveland's already up close, within 1/2 game of the Tigers. The Twins are one game back of Detroit and it looks like the White Sox and Royals may have to wait until next year to be considered contenders.
Cleveland has the best roster in the division, and they could easily run away with it again, but Minnesota is on the move and should keep the Indians honest (no pun intended, really).
One bright spot for the Royals is the amazing hitting streak of second baseman Whit Merrifield, who extended his hitting streak from last season to 31 games, a number that bettered the franchise mark owned by Hall of Famer, George Brett. In his second full season with the Royals, Merrifield has stamped his name in baseball's annals. A pure singles hitter, only five of his 16 hits this season have been for extra bases. He's worth watching as one of major league's least-heralded upcoming stars.
UPDATE: On Thrusday, Merrifield went 0-for-6, snapping the streak at 31. The Royals blew a 6-4 ninth inning lead, with Seattle winning in 10, 7-6. Merrifield had more than his fair share of opportunity. He struck out in the bottom of the 10th to end the game.
We'll take a look at the National League tomorrow. There are some solid weekend series coming up.
