Besides life’s natural perks there is nothing like the start of the MLB season for us baseball addicts. As we all know, anything can happen and what is least expected to occur is more likely to happen, just ask the ’69 Mets or more recent, the ’09 Rays. A few teams are off to some surprisingly good starts. Here is who will continue their good play, and who will cool off.
Real
Florida Marlins - Trading and moving Emilio Bonifacio over to third and leading him off has sparked their offense. Han Ram and Can Do Cantu have done their jobs as 3rd and 4th hitters. Josh Johnson is a budding super star with Chris Volstad, Ricky Nolasco and Anibal Sanchez all being very serviceable behind him. This is going to be an interesting playoff race in the East, don’t be surprised if the Fish overtake the ocean.
Texas Rangers – It looks like Kevin Millwood has regained his form from his younger days. If he can be relied on every fifth day he will give them a front end starter, what they envisioned when they signed him. With an offense including Ian Kinsler, Josh Hamilton, Michael Young, Chris Davis, Nelson Cruz, Hank Blalock, Elvis Andrus, David Murphy and Andruw Jones, yeah enough said. If the Texas Rangers can squeeze out innings from the starters and keep their bullpen fresh for the stretch run they can downright out hit any team.
Not
San Diego Padres – Yes, the Padres are 5-2 but chances of them putting up a winning record each week is very slim. Pitching has carried them through week 1; they allowed 12 runs in their 5 wins. Adrian Gonzalez is the centerpiece of the offense; actually he is the only piece to their offense. The Pads will eventually fall completely off the map where they might be forced into trading their prized ace, Jake Peavy.
Baltimore Orioles – Nice core of Nick Markakis, Brian Roberts, Adam Jones, and soon to be big leaguer Matt Weiters. They just have to wait for some of their young pitching to develop or break the bank this offseason. They are strong defensively up the middle which will help them compete but 2010 is more likely for them to make a playoff push.
I have to disagree with the Rangers, NO pitching. It will catch up eventually.
I don’t think the Orioles are “for fake”. No they won’t make the playoffs and may never make the playoffs unfortunatly, due to the division they’re in, but they really have grown since a few years ago. Ever since Andy MacPhail was brought into the front office, this team has been rebuilt and looks good. They seem like they are actually trying to play for something, and not just lagging it because they know they will never get to the playoffs.
Billy, you’re right on about the Pads and O’s, but I have to disagree with both Rangers and Marlins. The Rangers have a nice offense, but as Luca says, pitching will catch up with them (Millwood is old, bullpen is sorely lacking). The Marlins are off to a good start but they will crumble when they face Philly. There is no way the Marlins have any business beating Philly for the division, even the Mets have arguably a better shot at doing that. I have to strongly disagree that Josh Johnson is a “budding super star.” Maturing as a player, yes. Superstar? Not even close. This site has a lot of Florida bias
As I said, though, you are right on about Pads and O’s, both of which are likely to finish last in their divisions.
On that note, the ’09 Rays were the worst playoff team out of the AL and got extremely lucky. We all know that Boston and Anaheim were vastly better teams. The Rays had a nice Cinderella run but they are nothing special. In fact, when I saw them in ’07, they were worse than my local minor-league team (Camden Riversharks).
“Florida Bias”..Billy is a New Yorker LOL. I liked his Marlins pick, they are similar to the Rays. Loaded with young, quality pitchers and they have a nice nucleus of hitters. Extremely quick too.
“have a nice nucleus of hitters”
I wonder if those hitters will go something like 1 for 25 in the World Series, like Eva
The worst playoff team in the AL? With Manny out of Boston the Rays have a better line-up top to bottom. It is hard to argue that. Plus, Pitching wins championships and the Rays’ bullpen was 2nd to none all year.
redbirdsssssss
“redbirdssssss” – haha, they’ve had their turn, the Cubs own the division now.
The marlins are back! Defending champs and whoever else in the divison that wants to try and make a run for october has to be worried about the kids in the florida. Outstanding rotation.Fast, youthful and talented lineup. Lets just hope the marlins can actually keep one team together longer than a season.
None of the four teams mentioned will make the playoffs. Florida has the best chance with a good nucleus of youth, but the division is too stacked for them to break thru just yet. If they do it would truely be a cinderella story.
Marlins championship years: 1997, 2003; 1997+6=2003; 2003+6=2009; 2009=Marlins championship year
Bobby, Josh Johnson IS a stud. He isn’t a ‘rising’ superstar because he’s already there. Now i do agree with THEE GURU, none of these teams are gonna make the playoff unless every other team in their division gets hurts with the injury bug. The fins might have the best chance but the division is too good and if the Mets or the Phillies need to fill a hole at the trade deadline, they can fill it because they have the money to go spend unlike the Marlins. Now the Rays weren’t the worst playoff team in 08, they were clearly better then the White Sox. I still dont think they would have beat Boston if they were healthy