Bullet-Point Takes on MLB’s First Month
One month in the books (Side-note: how many people actually still know how to score a baseball game? Like, in a book.) and the early standout of the season is…the weather! There have been a record number of postponements and cancellations, not including all the rain delays and games played in overtly crappy weather. The 28 cancellations as of April 24th eclipsed the old record set in 2007, and has only grown since. Between rain, snow, frigid temps, and shoddy construction (c’mon Blue Jays, weather delay in a dome, really??!) the Major League Baseball season feels like it’s barely started. Alas, here’s a one-two sentence synopsis of what HAS happened this first month based on the games that teams HAVE been able to play thus far:
AL EAST
- Baltimore Orioles: If there was ever any doubt, this year’s emphasis should clearly be
on trading and building. Unsure futures for Machado, Jones, and even Showalter mean
not a whole lot to see here- at least as it pertains to the team in Baltimore. Where those
three are headed is a completely different story… - Boston Red Sox: Starting pitching has the Red Sox off to a terrific start this year, and
they’re actually generating offense too! It’s going to be an interesting year for The
Rivalry. - New York Yankees: Didi Gregorius has been the breakout star of the season;
standing ovation on the road? Not even Jeter got that ‘till he retired… - Tampa Bay Rays: They still play baseball down there?
- Toronto Blue Jays: What happened to Josh Donaldson? On the bright side, Teoscar
Hernandez has come out of nowhere.
AL Central
- Chicago White Sox: At least they were entertaining when Ozzie Guillen was still here.
If only…imagine Ozzie v Trump on Twitter! Sign us up immediately. - Cleveland Indians: Bad team leading an even worse division. I wonder if reeling from the loss of Mickey Callaway, their former pitching guru.
- Detroit Tigers: Looks like Miguel Cabrera came back, which is definitely a good sign for a team stuck with a few more years on the aging slugger’s contract.
- Kansas City Royals: How much longer is Mike Moustakas going to be here? He’s off to a red-hot start, the team is going nowhere…trade bait come midseason?
- Minnesota Twins: They’re continuing to make strides with Byron Buxton and Max Kepler. Unfortunately, they’re not sneaking up on anybody this season; now opponents are watching.
AL West
- Houston Astros: How the hell is this team EVEN BETTER this year?! Altuve, Springer, and a ridiculously stacked starting pitching staff have Astros flying high in the sky.
- Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Ohtani was clearly playing rope-a- dope during Spring Training. Now, let’s just hope his injury against the Yankees doesn’t keep him off the field too long.
- Oakland Athletics: Athletic in name only…
- Seattle Mariners: Strong finish to the month for Seattle…could this be the year for King Felix, Ichiro, and Robbie Cano? (Also, anybody following MLB FoodFest- what’s with the crickets on the menu?)
- Texas Rangers: Wow, sharing the state with Houston must have Rangers feeling like the unsuccessful Baldwin Brother. (How many are there, again?)
Stay tuned for National League Bullet-Point Takes real soon!
-John Collins
