Towards the start of this season, there was an idea of how each division would play. In the National League there would be a tough fight between the Mets and the Braves in the East, in the Central a fight was expected between all (with the Cardinals and Brewers with a small advantage) and in the West it is the match between Dodgers and Fathers. In the American League, the Yankees were the clear favorites for the East, the White Sox and Twins would play the Central, and in the West it would be a blows exchange between the Astros and the Athletics.
Here we are, more than two weeks after the start of the season and we already have four surprise leaders. And not only are they unlikely, they are exciting – four emerging teams that are fun to support. Excuse Mets and Dodgers, no one is surprised because they come first.
Can they stay on top and what’s going well with them? How surprising are they? Let’s evaluate these teams:
Mention: 9-6. Half a game ahead of the Brewers.
Victory in the last season: October 7, 2021, SDLN Game 2 – Reds 9, Giants 0.
What are they doing well ?: Remember when the Reds were ruled out by the Braves in two Wild Card Series games last year? They are catching on as a team that wants to erase that memory from their memory. The Reds are second in the National League in runs scored and have a collective slugging of .470.
What can go wrong: The defense has been shaky so far, unsurprisingly. The bullpen wasn’t that nice either. Oh, and Tyler Naquin isn’t Barry Bonds.
Can they win the division ?: What they have the most to offer is division. The Brewers are throwing but not hitting, the Cardinals are inconsistent, the Cubs are a mess, and the Pirates are the Pirates. Can they win the title with 86 wins? Because they certainly look like a team that can achieve that total.
2. Boston Red Sox
Mention: 11-6, two games for Rays.
Victory in the last season: October 28, 2018, World Series Game 5 – Red Sox 5, Dodgers 1.
What are they doing well ?: J.D. Martinez is thunder again, while Xander Bogaerts of Aruba and Rafael Devers of Dominican Republic look like pillars of a franchise. But the Red Sox’s biggest surprise was their pitching, which was a nightmare for them last year. In 2021, weapons from Nathan Eovaldi to Nick Pivetta, including Venezuelan Eduardo Rodríguez, were a powerhouse. And the bullpen, including the unbeatable Matt Barnes, dominates everyone.
What can go wrong: The pitching seems to be pitching a little above expectations, although it would be a big help if Eovaldi continued to look like a Cy Young. But the biggest problem for Boston is that it cannot expect its division rivals not to rise. He better get the better of him before the Rays, Blue Jays and yes, the Yankees wake up.
Can they win the division ?: Projection systems have never ruled out the Red Sox and now they look smarter than ever. It is certainly not the same team that finished last year. But he can’t expect a clear race for the rest of the year.
Mention: 9-6, a game for Cleveland.
Match last post season: November 1, 2015, World Series Game 5 – Royals 7, Mets 2.
What are they doing well?: The Royals told everyone they would compete in 2021 and so far they have kept their word. They added important pieces – Andrew Benintendi, Michael A. Taylor and the Dominican Carlos Santana – but the stars were the players who were already there, mainly Venezuelan Salvador Pérez and Whit Merrifield. They look like 2015 with a solid bullpen, showing Greg Holland and Wade Davis showing their old form.
What can go wrong: The White Sox and Twins have their ups and downs, but they continue to brim with talent. And it is still unclear where the Royals will take so many innings from their rotation. But they will keep hitting.
¿Can they win the division ?: There are many reasons to be skeptical, but it is easy to support this team. If the Twins, Indians and White Sox leave the door open, Kansas City goes all out.
Mention: 11-6, 1½ game for the Angels.
Victory in the last season: October 20, 2001, SCLA Game 3 – Mariners 14, Yankees 3.
What are they doing well ?: You can think of it as a mirage. They have a negative run differential so far this season and their lineup has only three players hitting above average. But what kind of players! Welcome Mitch Haniger and Ty France. Add in the correct hits and you get the Mariners’ arguments. **
What can go wrong?: ** A lot. Let’s not kid ourselves. The Mariners are not in a position to win the division this year and it is probably a mistake to try so hard. But it’s the optimism this franchise needed after a tough off season. It’s something that can infect the new generation led by Kyle Lewis, Jarred Kelenic, Taylor Trammell and the Dominican Julio Rodríguez.
Can they win the division ?: No not really. But the time will come and it could be soon.