5 undeniable truths after season’s first month
Two AL East rivals provided drama
One month into the season, baseball fans have witnessed Shohei Ohtani’s first steps in his two-way quest, Didi Gregorius’ development into the most potent of the Yankees’ sluggers and Sean Manaea’s emergence as an ace for the Athletics.
As intriguing as those story lines might be, it’s far too early to draw any ironclad conclusions a sixth of the way into a six-month journey. Or is it?
If Dodgers manager Dave Roberts can proclaim, “When it’s all said and done, the Dodgers will be at the top of the division,” as he did Sunday, then it’s safe for others to make bold statements as well.
Here are five (mostly) irrefutable conclusions drawn from the first month.
Red Sox-Yankees most compelling
All right, so maybe television networks’ obsession with their rivalry is warranted this time.
Boston staked its claim to American League East supremacy right away by starting the season 17-2, setting a franchise record. The Yankees then reeled off a nine-game winning streak that’s still active, slicing what was a 71⁄ 2- game deficit to two going into Monday.
The clubs have already engaged in a brawl that resulted in suspensions, a throwback to the days of bad blood featuring Alex Rodriguez, Jason Varitek, Pedro Martinez, Don Zimmer and countless others. Now the leading figures, though not necessarily the main combatants, include such stars as Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge and Gregorius on New York’s side and Mookie Betts, Chris Sale and J.D. Martinez for Boston.
Last year, the longtime rivals finished
1-2 in the division for the first time since
2009. They’re jostling for the top spot again, and there’s little indication they’ll get a serious challenge from their AL East rivals, so now we’ll welcome their matchups always being on national TV.
Nationals: Not a lock in NL East
Yes, it must be pointed out that the absence of Anthony Rendon, Daniel Murphy and Adam Eaton has played a big role in Washington scoring just 4.39 runs per game, slightly below the major league average. Given the scant protection for Bryce Harper, opponents have gotten away with walking him, and Harper hasn’t homered since April 16.
But there are other concerns besides a stagnant offense, namely a relief corps that has gone 1-7 with a 4.91 ERA. Not coincidentally, the Nationals are 1-8 in one-run games. An optimist might say they’re just a few clutch hits from turning around their 12-16 start, and that’s likely true.
On the other hand, a pessimist might point the rest of the division has made inroads, with three teams — the Mets, Braves and Phillies — at least five games above .500. What that means is not only will the Nationals face stiffer competition in their pursuit of a fourth NL East crown in five years, but they won’t pluck away nearly as many easy wins from a feeble division as in recent years.
The Marlins are now the only patsies remaining. Better beat up on them.
Middle infielders rock
Remember when the likes of A-Rod, Derek Jeter, Miguel Tejada and Nomar Garciaparra elevated shortstop into a position of big offensive output? Well, their keystone partners have joined the party.
Shortstops Gregorius (10) and Manny Machado (nine) of the Orioles sit among the top five home run hitters in the American League, while Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies is tied for the National League lead with nine.
It goes beyond that for run-producing middle infielders. Gregorius has driven in more runs than anybody in the majors with 30, and he’s followed (in a tie) by Athletics second baseman Jed Lowrie with 27. Cubs second baseman Javier Baez is tops in the NL with 26.
This is not exactly a new development, considering the Astros’ Jose Altuve was the AL MVP last season and the Orioles’ Jonathan Schoop drove in 105 runs. But the proliferation of offensively gifted middle infielders is a boon for the game because they’re typically among the most athletic and entertaining players on the field.
The Braves are coming
Forget about the spiffy 16-11 April record, which is eye-catching in itself. And never mind the 3.42 starters’ ERA, the league’s second-best mark. Focus instead on Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ozzie Albies, the majors’ two youngest players.
Notice how supremely talented and confident they are, how much fun it is to watch them play? Well, there are more coming, and they figure to help turn the Braves into a powerhouse in the near future.
Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos expects starting pitchers Mike Soroka and Kolby Allard — both sporting ERAs under 2.60 at Class AAA — to break into the big leagues this season and for Class AA third baseman Austin Riley (.310 batting average) to join them as well.
In addition, the Braves will have plenty of payroll room to pursue free agents, with only $38 million committed for next year.
“Our books from a contractual stand- point are in great shape,” Anthopoulos told USA TODAY in the spring, “and then we have the resources and the upside from ownership and the market to do great things.”
Spring training matters
Yes, it’s entirely too long, but all that time prepping in Florida or Arizona serves a purpose other than enriching owners who are spending peanuts and raking in real money for practice games.
Many of the players who spent the spring searching for a contract in a tough new economic landscape wound up enduring rough Aprils, and that’s likely not a coincidence. The trend is especially noticeable among starting pitchers, who typically take longer to round into shape.
The most glaring examples include Alex Cobb, who signed with the Orioles on March 21 and has a 13.11 ERA in three starts, and Lance Lynn, who reached agreement with the Twins on March 12 and has a 7.71 ERA in four starts. Closer Greg Holland, who came to terms with the Cardinals on opening day, has struggled as well, with a 7.36 ERA in 10 appearances and no saves.
There’s the occasional exception such as Jake Arrieta, who looks to be in top form with the Phillies (1.82 ERA in four starts) despite not joining them until March 12.
But in case there was any doubt, it’s not just their golf games that players get to hone in the spring.