Although it has been more than two months since the first pitch was thrown in the 2023 MLB season, the lions-share of games has yet to be played. Slow starts lead to fans being fans and booing their own team, but the standings are not set in stone and you should expect to see these teams make a jump.
New York Mets
The younger brother team in the city that never sleeps has been on an absolute tear recently. After finally securing the team for a whopping $2.4 billion sale in late 2020, ‘Uncle’ Steve Cohen was ready for a spending spree as he spent the second most in the league. The 2022 offseason was one for the history books. 12 players raked in over 100 million dollar contacts, (two of which are Mets) as MLB teams guaranteed a total of $3.7 billion to only 140 people.
One of the biggest that the Mets handed out and the biggest contract ever seen given to a relief pitcher, has not panned out. Edwin Diaz has been one of if not the best closers in all of baseball and has the most electric entrance we have ever seen. But unfortunately, a tragic injury during the World Baseball Classic has forced Diaz to miss the entire season.
In a loaded NL East, the Mets have been streaking as of late. Since a series win against the best team in baseball, the Tampa Bay Rays, boosted by a walk-off by the league leader in home runs ‘Polar Bear’ Pete Alonso, they have seemed like a completely new team. With a pitching rotation that includes both Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, to go along with a high-powered offense, don’t expect them in the middle of the pack for too much longer.
St. Louis Cardinals
Are you still talking about the Cardinals? Yes, I am because they already jumped a spot in the NL Central and are clawing their way back into the conversation. Veteran pitcher, and likely first-ballot Hall of Famer Adam Wainwright was interviewed during Baseball Night in America, and he explained how he gave a presentation to the team. He talked about how mathematically every team has at least one month under .500. It’s just about what you can do after that month, what you can do to make up for it. The Cardinals have been streaking and beating some of the best teams in baseball.
The offense is powered by the corners of their infield. Two righty veterans in reigning MVP first basemen Paul Goldschmidt, and 5-time Silver-Slugger third basemen Nolan Arenado (who now has a 12-game hitting streak.) The duo has powered the offense to a +34 run differential over the past three series, twice scoring over 15 runs.
The team is proving what they can do when they are playing well and have been playing great baseball over the past two weeks.
San Diego Padres
Peter Siedler also indulged in some retail therapy during the winter of 2022. Spending the fourth most in the league, including two contracts guaranteeing over $250 million. Their lineup highlights some of the top names in baseball. Juan Soto, Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr, and Xandar Bogarts are all top 15 in the league if they are playing right. Putting them all in the same lineup sounds like the easiest recipe for success.
The Padres attempted to take a page out of the 2018 Warriors playbook and at this point in the season it seems like it’s headed off course. They haven’t won a series since the first week of May and sit only one game above the uncompetitive Colorado Rockies at the bottom of the NL West. A 1-9 record over their past 10 emphasizes how abysmal the Padres have been playing. They hold the lowest batting average in the league and are batting .191 as a team with runners in scoring position.
We know the Padres have the players, and once the ball gets rolling with the superstars the rest of the team will follow. The roster is too good for what the record shows and you should expect them to get back on track soon.
Seattle Mariners
The AL East quietly became one of the best divisions in baseball. It holds the two best players on the planet on the Angels. The reigning World Series champion Houston Astros. As well as the newly homed, revitalized Texas Rangers. Somehow the Seattle Mariners are trying to find a way to sneak into the playoffs.
Many young talents found their home in Seattle, including an incredible, young one-two punch. Logan Gilbert and George Kirby headline a lights-out pitching staff. Rookie Bryce Miller just made history by allowing only 8 base runners through his first three career starts. They rank 5th in the league in ERA and have kept the Mariners close.
The Mariners are 5-5 in their past 10 and currently sit in 4th in the AL West. So far they are doing enough to stick around, but if the offense gets going, this team could be very scary.
Cleveland Guardians
The AL Central is one of the easiest divisions in baseball, having only one team over .500. After winning the division last season, the Guardians do not look like the same team that they did last year.
The young, ‘get them on’, ‘get them over’ team that we saw last season has yet to crack through this season as the Guardians sit at 20-24 through the first 42 games of the season. They are 4-6 in games that were close but should have been won by the Guardians. They have a -32 run differential, and the only thing keeping them in it is their pitching. They rank 10th in the league in ERA and have been carrying the offense.
In this weak division, the Guardians have a rare opportunity to be mediocre and win the division, they have one team to beat; the Minnesota Twins. When this division comes down to the wire it is going to be very exciting
Boston Red Sox
From the worst division to the best, the AL East is stacked. So much so that two of the above .500 teams would not be in the playoffs if the season ended today. At 26-20, the Red (hot) Sox are a half-game back out of the wild card and in 4th in the east. Even though they have been playing well enough to be in first place in two other divisions.
The Sox are third in the league in OPS and fourth in average, as one of the best offenses in baseball has been mashing the ball. Led by 26-year-old third basemen Rafael Devers, his 13 home runs and 44 runs batted in are fourth and second in the league respectively. Along with loveable right fielder Alex Verdugo, and Japanese superstar Matasaka Yoshida, the Red Sox are one of the most fun teams to watch in the MLB.
If Boston’s pitching staff stays consistent, the Red Sox could completely blow all expectations out of the water. Chris Sale seems to be back to his old self, but a second look at the Red Sox pitchers will leave you a little scared.
