There is a lot that can change following the first couple of weeks of the MLB season. The Toronto Blue Jays are case in point. Toronto has dropped 10 of its first 12 games and suddenly there are rumors that management is looking to blow up the roster. While it is still early, that kind of start will make it very difficult for the Blue Jays to contend for a playoff spot. Meanwhile, on the other side of the spectrum there are the cases for and against the teams that have opened the year on fire. While some teams have the potential to keep it up there are also some teams that should regress towards the mean. Here is a look at the true contenders and obvious pretenders in the MLB this season.
Baltimore Orioles – Contenders
It was baffling to see so many experts write off the Orioles chances of contending for a division title in 2017. The Boston Red Sox were always the favorites while the Toronto Blue Jays were considered the team most likely to challenge Boston’s American League East supremacy. However, the Blue Jays have almost already played themselves out of contention while the Red Sox struggled to overcome a brutal flu bug and some key injuries throughout the first couple of weeks. Meanwhile, Baltimore is off to an excellent start. While the offense was expected to be their biggest strength it’s the starting rotation that has been the most pleasant surprise. Dylan Bundy has lived up to expectations with a 1.86 ERA through three starts while Wade Miley and Kevin Gausman have held their own with sub-4.00 ERA’s. The Orioles could still use at least one more starter but they have to be pleased with what they have seen from their staff so far. With even a formidable rotation, Baltimore could be a legitimate contender to contend for a playoff spot out of the AL East.
New York Yankees – Pretenders
New York opened the season with six straight home wins and has won seven-straight overall to keep pace with the Orioles atop the AL East. However, the Yankees certainly benefited from matchups against the Tampa Bay Rays and the struggling St. Louis Cardinals during their recent run. New York leads the majors in OBP and ranks in the top-five in both average and slugging percentage early on. Meanwhile, their pitching staff has overachieved out of the gate ranking in the top-five in a number of key categories including ERA and WHIP. The last time the Yankees opened with a 6-0 record at home was 1998 when they won the World Series. However, while this team appears headed in the right direction it is still too early to call them contenders. The young hitters like Greg Bird, Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez lack experience while it’s hard to imagine Chase Headley finishing with a batting average above .400. Meanwhile, how much does C.C. Sabathia have left in the tank after spinning a 1.47 ERA through his first three starts? The Yankees are off to an excellent start but they are bound to regress at some point this season.
Colorado Rockies – Contenders
The most intriguing part about Colorado’s strong start is the fact that its pitching staff has led the way. Colorado owns one of the most dangerous offenses in the majors but ranks just 21st in runs scored through 14 games. Meanwhile, their pitchers have recorded the fourth-best WHIP in the majors and rank in the top-half of the league in ERA. Nolan Arenado, Charlie Blackmon and Carlos Gonzalez will eventually lead Colorado in to the top-10 in runs scored. It will also help that Ian Kinsler will eventually join the lineup after missing the start of the year due to injury. Tyler Chatwood, Antonio Senzatela and Jon Gray hev the potential to lead an impressive rotation while the Rockies bullpen has improved. Colorado is off to an excellent start in the National League West. If their pitching holds up then they will contend for a playoff spot this season.
Cincinnati Reds – Pretenders
Cincinnati leads the NL Central with an 8-5 record through 13 games. There is a good chance that at the end of the year they will be at the bottom of their division. The defending World series champion Chicago Cubs are in position to run away with the NL Central for the second year in a row. While the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates have underachieved early on it’s only a matter of time before they heat up. The Reds have scored the second-most runs in the majors while their pitching staff has produced the sixth-best ERA. Baseball fans in Cincinnati have certainly enjoyed the strong start. However, it’s only a matter of time before the Reds regress following their hot start to the year.
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