We are just getting started in this 2014 MLB season, and there’s already plots and story lines that have us seam-heads foaming at the mouth. Japan’s own Masahiro Tanaka is making a case for the Cy Young in the Big Apple, and Jose Abreu is slamming home runs at a rate that has the Windy City remembering Sammy Sosa’s legendary run. Tim Hudson is across the bay looking like his former Oakland self, and Mike Trout is proving that the Angles got a steal when experts questioned if they ‘overpaid’ for the young 5-tool star. The champs start slow, the brew crew surprise and D.C.’s still more bark than bite. It is still early in this marathon, but there’s a big enough sample size in this crystal ball to tell us what lies ahead.
Let’s begin out in the NL West, where the new king’s of payroll reside in L.A. The Dodgers came out of the gates in a trance after starting their season down under versus Arizona. But, once trendy picked Diamondbacks, that have looked like extras in The Walking Dead through the first month. San Fran and Colorado will be the only two real threats to the Trolley-Dodgers. Tim Hudson has anchored the Giants, so far at 4-1. He and Matt Cain have the veteran leadership in that rotation, that can stabilize a team that leans maybe too much on Buster Posey and the Big Panda. Colorado is more of a wild card of offense and an underrated rotation. Latroy Hawkins is questionable at best as the closer. But, who isn’t pulling for the 41 year old, to turn back the clock one last time. On paper (and most of it is green), the Dodgers are sitting in Red Barber’s cat-bird’s seat. But, Clayton Kershaw’s health, still hangs in the balance.
The AL West is going to be an old-fashioned shootout. The proven talent is in L.A., along wih large contracts that have yet to pay dividends. Mike Trout is looking like the best in the game, and Pujols is starting to regain that ‘best ever’ form. Yes, the Angels have as much to be excited about as their cross-town rivals. The Texas Rangers are an interesting dynamic. The offense is going to be there, but, will anybody help Yu Darvish anchor that rotation? I still like the A’s of Oakland. Most people can’t name four guys on their roster. Most people can’t name one way you can beat them over 162 game schedule. Call it chemistry. Call it ‘Moneyball’. I call it good hard-nosed baseball. Oakland pitching and on base percentage will probably lead them to another division title.
The AL Central is Detroit’s to lose. Despite a lot of insiders picking K.C. to break the Tiger’s strangle-hold on the division, the bats just are not there. The Royals have excellent pitching. That alone should keep them in the conversation all year. But, the Motor City has it all. Enough to make it one step further and win the pennant.
The NL central has mostly been underachieving. The Pirates, Reds and Cardinals are still trying to get over .500 in the win/loss column. The talent is definitely there in all those cities to compete. The problem is, Milwaukee came out of the gates like a cannon. Gallardo, Lohse and Garza have spelled an underrated rotation. K-Rod is back to that All-Star form. Not to mention, that Braun guy is still good despite the boos. It’s far from over, but, this could spells a long summer for the rest. Middle relief will be the difference this yearThere are silver linings though. Cincinnati gets Aroldis Chapman back, Pittsburgh can’t be this bad this quick and I’ll bet dollars to donuts that St.Louis will be there in the thick of things come September.
The NL East has a familiar ring to it. We all heard the different media outlets predicting that the Nationals were the class of the division. The Phillies are too old. The Marlins are too young. The Mets are a mess. The Braves are just not good enough. A month in, and they are all with in a few games of each other. The injuries of Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman will test the mettle of Washington’s Nattitude. Miami’s Jose Fernandez may be the best arm in the game. Stanton is hitting bombs in South Beach that has you thinking about those ’97 and ’03 titles. But, it’s the Braves’ over all make-up that looks like another division title run. The pitching is the best there is, the key will be Atlanta’s streaky offense. The feast or famine home run to strike out ratio will be a constant battle. If they can get B.J. Upton and Jason Heyward to raise their on-base percentage, Atlanta will be in line for another division title run.
Last, but not least, the AL East. The defending champion Boston Red Sox return most of their squad from last year. They are going to put up a lot of runs. The starting pitching is solid. Uehera is a shut down closer. Middle relief will be the difference this year for Boston. It’s still too early for a verdict especially since additions are sure to be made by the trade deadline. The Orioles and Jays still have a lot to prove. But, unlike last year, they are in the thick of things this far in. The Rays had championship aspirations in March. That was before massive injuries hit the rotation. All eyes will be on David Price and the trade rumors if Tampa Bay falls out of the race by July. Guess who’s back? The New York Yankees! The additions of Tanaka, McCann and Ellsbury and the subtraction of A-Rod, has World Series predictors in a ‘New York State of Mind’. Biggest question that will haunt the pinstripe bandwagon: Can the Bronx Bombers close the deal with no Mariano Rivera to lean on?
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