If only everything that happened in the first week of the MLB season held true through October. Of course, if this were the case, the Devil Rays and Royals might have met for three or four pennants over the past five years. Two surprises stand out from week one. First is the play of the Detroit Tigers. In picking the Tigers to win the World Series, I never envisioned a scenario where they won the Central running away or started the year 15-0. But I did think they might manage a single win in six games against the Royals and the White Sox. They have the worst pitching in the AL thus far (5.30 team ERA) and have scored more runs than only the Giants and Rockies. The lack of offensive production is particularly alarming. Ordonez is hitting .280, Renteria .231, Jones .214, Sheffield .200, Cabrera .111, and Polanco .087. Collectively, these guys have combined for one home run (Cabrera). Who leads this run scoring juggernaut in home runs and RBIs? Brandon Inge with two and four respectively. It is early and there is a 100% chance that the Royals and White Sox will choke away their early lead.The second and much more important development thus far is the play of the Not-So Crappy Cardinals. It is worth noting that this designation will changed based on the ebb and flow of the season. The Cardinals have the second best team ERA in the league? No, that cannot be right. Let me check that again...Apparently it is true (proof here). The Cardinals are 5-1 with their only loss being the Troy Glaus error game. The starters have been nothing short of amazing thus far:
1. Adam Wainwright: 1-0/8 IP/2.25 ERA
2. Kyle Lohse: 1-0/12 IP/0.00 ERA
3. Braden Looper: 1-0/6 IP/1.50 ERA
4. Todd Wellemeyer: 1-0/5 IP/1.80 ERA
5. Brad Thompson: 1-0/6 2/3 IP/0.00 ERA
If only MLB adopted a 16 game schedule like the NFL. In going 5-1, Pujols only has only one RBI, but Ankiel has picked up the slack with 3 home runs and 6 RBIs. Also, Brian Barton (who?) has emerged as a decent option in the lead-off spot and Yadier Molina is off to his best start as a pro. Will this last? No. I am fairly certain that Barton won't be threatening Nap Lajoie's .426 (he is currently hitting .455) and Kyle Lohse will give up at least one run in his next start. But, could this team stay competitive until C.C. comes back after the all-star break, in a division that features Eric Gagne (the no-steroids version) and Kerry Wood as closers? Possibly, it is the NL Central, first team to 85 wins gets the crown...
2 comments:
Interesting... I'ven't had time to study much of any of this yet...
While this means almost nothing, it is a boost for teams like the Royals and Cards for when they start their 30-game losing streaks. Nats went from undefeated to under .500 in 4 days. Over 65% of teams in first on May 1st did not make the playoffs over the last 5 years.
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