MLB Thoughts from the 1st Month

15 percent of the MLB season has already passed.  There have been surprises, and there have been busts.  Here are my thoughts on this season, so far.

The AL East was definitely gonna be the closest divisional race in the league, but right now, it's the Red Sox atop of the division by 2 games over the Yankees.  The Blue Jays are last in the division, 9 and a half games back behind Boston.  Right now, the R.A. Dickey trade hasn't helped yet, and considering Jose Reyes on the DL until the All-Star Break, it could be a long year for Toronto. 

Meanwhile, the Red Sox are 19-8, have the best record in the league, has proven doubters so far.  Mike Napoli's signing has really been a big impact as he leads the team in RBIs with 31 and most home runs with 6 (tied w/ Will Middlebrooks).  So far, the team has gotten his money's worth.  The 1-2 pitching punch of Jon Lester & Clay Buchholz have combined to be 10-0 and an average of 2.06 ERA.  Add Felix Doubront (3-0) to the mix and we have a great rotation.  John Lackey's back off the DL and had a great start against Houston, but this weekend's test against Texas will prove how effective he can be.  Also, David Ortiz has been a big impact coming off the disabled list as well, getting a hit in every game (10 games so far) since being activated.  Look out, because right now, this team is gonna be hard to beat.

With all of the injuries this team has endured, the New York Yankees have somehow found it's way to 2nd place in the AL East.  With Jeter, A-Rod, Granderson, Teixiera, Youkilis, Joba, Nova & Cervelli all on the disabled list, the Yankees keep finding ways to win.  CC Sabathia has got off to a slow April start, but he will get better as the season goes along.  Travis Hafner & Vernon Wells have been effective as replacements, while Ben Francisco & Brennan Boesch have been busts so far.  The bullpen will be trouble though, but David Robertson & Mariano Rivera need to be healthy for this club to win.

With all the talent the LA Angels have, they keep having trouble finding ways to win.  Albert Pujols has 4 home runs, while Josh Hamilton has 2 (plus a .214 average doesn't help).  Starting pitching also has been an issue, considering the rotation of starter's ERA is averaging about 5.  It's gonna be a long year for the Angels to fight for a divisional shot against the Texas Rangers.  Josh Hamilton's former team has been on a roll.  Lance Berkman, A.J. Pierzynski & Ian Kinsler lead the hitting parade.  Offense and pitching lead to wins.

Not many thoughts of the National League, besides the main teams who I figured would be contenders are still in it.  Atlanta leads the NL East by 3.5 games over Washington.  Braves beat the Nationals so far in head-to-head meetings so far this year, hence the lead.  St. Louis leads Pittsburgh by 0.5 games and Milwaukee by 1.5 games.  Cincinnati is 2 games back.  This NL Central race could really be strong, going into the All-Star break.  In the NL West, it's the Colorado Rockies on top of San Francisco by 1 game. 

It's still a long season, and there's about 135 games to go, so anything can happen.