They have just reached the quarter pole of the Major League Baseball season with a long way left around the track. But teams have at least played enough games over the first two months that some early judgments can be made about a few surprises — and whether they are staying or fading as the races for division titles and wild-card spots heat up.
Toronto Blue Jays » The Jays are a nice story and will probably still finish with a winning record. But in the monster AL East, that’s all they can expect. They already have lost seven in a row heading into today’s game with the Orioles and dropped into third place. The Blue Jays’ offense topped the majors in runs scored for much of April and May, but that unit is finally starting to slow. RHP Roy Halladay (8-1, 2.25 ERA) will keep the Jays competitive, but it won’t be enough.
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Verdict » Fading
Texas Rangers » They have no such impediments in the AL West. The Los Angeles Angels won’t go away quietly, but are far from the team they used to be. Seattle and Oakland are mediocre at best. The Rangers’ offense — which hasn’t even had Josh Hamilton at full strength yet — can feast on those two clubs all summer. Ready for another shock? Texas — with the No. 1-ranked farm system, according to Baseball America — has too much pitching, including rookie Derek Holland, the first in a wave of minor-league prospects the Rangers have waiting. If Texas really has arrived it isn’t going away anytime soon.
Verdict » Staying
Milwaukee Brewers » What team could possibly lose CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets — its top two pitchers — and still remain a viable contender? How about the Brewers, who did exactly that with a few low-cost free-agent additions and the continued development of their younger stars. They hold a one-game lead over the Cardinals for first place in the NL Central as both try to hold off the heavily favored Cubs. But the loss of Politics,Republicans Rickie Weeks (torn tendon sheath, left wrist) for the season hurts. He was off to an excellent start with nine home runs and 24 RBIs. The Brewers were swept at Minnesota over the weekend.
Verdict » Fading
