MLB’S top surprise, disappointment?
White Sox and Angels
Bill Shaikin Los Angeles Times
The White Sox might be the biggest surprise, since management appears to vacillate between keeping an old team together and rebuilding. The Sox won the World Series in 2005, but they have won one playoff game since then and attendance has fallen from 3 million to 2 million. But pitching wins, and the White Sox are the only AL team in the top three in earned-run average for starters and relievers.
The Angels would be the biggest disappointment. They were the trendy pick to dethrone the Rangers in the AL West, yet they already are seven games behind. They rank last in the league in home runs, and Albert Pujols has none. It’s difficult to imagine the offense stalling all season and even more difficult to imagine a last-place team with a rotation fronted by Jered Weaver, Dan Haren, Ervin Santana and C.J. Wilson.
Nationals, Angels, Red Sox
Ron Fritz Baltimore Sun
The biggest surprise might be the Nationals, who jumped to a 12-4 start and could leave the rest of the National League East in the dust when they get first baseman Mike Morse and closer Drew Storen back from injuries. With its starting pitching, plus adding offense in Morse and another power arm in the bullpen, this team is loaded. The Phillies’ Chase Utley and Ryan Howard had better come back soon or the Phillies will be out of contention before the All-star break.
Biggest disappointment is a tie between the Angels and Red Sox. I have no doubt the Angels will figure it out and turn around their season, maybe competing for an AL wild card. But Boston is a mess. The Red Sox have some significant injuries and issues to deal with. This just might be a lost season for them under Bobby Valentine.
The UCF baseball team (34-8, 12-3 Conference USA) moved up one spot from No. 15 to No. 14 in the Baseball America Top 25 poll after sweeping C-USA rival Tulane on the road and going 4-0 overall during the week.
UCF’S highest ranking in any national publication this week comes from the USA TODAY/ESPN coaches’ poll, which has the Knights at No. 7. That is tied for the highest ranking in program history.
After sweeping Miami, Florida State is No. 1in both polls. Florida is ranked No. 5 by Baseball America and No. 2 by USA TODAY/ESPN. Miami is at No. 22 by Baseball America and No. 18 by USA TODAY/ESPN.
Gators add depth on offensive line
The depth problems that contributed to the struggles of Florida’s offensive line in 2011 are becoming less so. With nearly the entire starting line returning and (for the most part) healthy, the hope for Year 2 under Will Muschamp is that it can help Florida make a big improvement.
The Gators added some more depth on Monday with the transfer of Maryland OL Max Garcia, a 6-foot- 4, 290-pound tackle. The Norcross, Ga., native started 12 games as a sophomore for the Terrapins last season.
He will sit out the 2012 season per NCAA transfer rules, but will give the Gators depth in practice. He will be eligible to compete in 2013 and have two years of eligibility remaining.