We are heading into the third week of the Major League Baseball season, and some truths are beginning to take shape all across the Bible Belt. With in the next month the contenders will have separated themselves from the pretenders.
To the AL Central we go, and Chicago and Cleveland are digging themselves a hole. It's not so much a horrific start, as it is that Kansas City and Detroit are off to torrid ones. They both jumped out to a pace that could lap the field in the first two weeks.
The White Sox brought in SP Jeff Samardzija, OF Melky Cabrera, CP David Robertson and 1B/DH Adam Laroche this off season. A quick turn around is needed, before heads roll in the Wind City.
Cleveland also have high expectations for 2015. Corey Kluber won last year's Cy Young, and Trevor Bauer is off to a great start as well. In two starts, Bauer is 2-0 /1.50 era/ 19k. That could be one heck of a 1-2 punch if that form holds.
The Indians and White Sox square off in a 3 game set starting Monday in Chicago. The Sox then host KC for four and the Indians travel to Detroit for three. This is a huge week in the AL Central. Both Kluber and Samardzija go in the Sox/Indians showdown.
Injuries and Transactions:
With Yan Gomes out for Cleveland, Roberto Perez will do the bulk of the catching. Michael Brantley missed 4 of the first 6 games due to back stiffness. The Indians don't think it will be an issue. Chris Sale is back and pitched well in his debut versus the Twins. Hector Noesi should be looking over his shoulder as the 5th starter for Chicago. He hasn't pitched well and rookie Carlos Rondon lurks in the minor league shadows.
The NL Central appears to be a four team race as St. Louis, Chicago, and Cincinnati lead the field over a Pittsburgh team that got off to a slow start, but is playing better. Though St. Louis appears to be the head-of-the-class, a long season is ready to give us one wild divisional ride.
The Reds offense is looking to be one of the most explosive in baseball as we go into week three. Billy Hamilton is on a pace to rip through NL stolen base marks, and Joey Votto is looking like his old MVP form. The big news is that Homer Bailey has started his rehab assignment in AAA Louisville and is expected to be back in Cincinnati by late April. Seven game versus Milwaukee and the Cubs this week, emphasizes the importance of Johnny Cueto to continue to pitch well and hold the fort down until Bailey can return to help.
The Chicago Cubs are dealing with a lot of media attention this week. First the notion that Jon Lester can't throw to first base. The man has two World Series rings and has been nothing but clutch in October, and NOW we hear of this. This is much to do about nothing. Lester will be fine and this too shall pass.
The other big headline grabbing story was the promotion of 3B Kris Bryant to the Major Leagues. Such a huge national story when he was sent down to start the season in AAA Iowa, the Cubs now will have club control of him for 6 more years and they're well involved in the divisional race. Bryant went 0-4 with 3 Ks in his Friday debut, but rest assure, he's a star about to rise.
The Cardinals' camp is steady as she goes. Wainwright looks great and Yadier Molina is on the early short list of people to watch in the NL MVP race. Jason Heyward has changed his swing since coming over in the trade from Atlanta, and it seems to be working. His average isn't there yet, but he's already racked up four doubles. Look for rookie Randall Grichuk to make a splash in the outfield too. He drilled 25 home runs in the minors last year. A big series, in Washington mid-week, will make for a possible NLCS preview in early April.
The Tampa Bay Rays were supposed to be cellar dwellers, but low and behold, they're right there in it. There is no great team in the AL East, so Tampa Bay can make some noise. The Rays have four starters on the DL and are trying to make due with long bullpen guys. It remains to be seen what the effect might be. Also, for the first time in 10 years, 1B James Loney is on the DL with an oblique strain. A six game home stand versus Boston and Toronto will be huge this week. A winning record this week would put the rest of the division on notice.
This week the Atlanta Braves will continue a northern road trip at the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies after three in Toronto. After a 5-0 start, Atlanta has come back down to earth. This season looks to be a tale of three pitchers, and then the rest. Starters Alex Wood, Julio Teheran and Shelby Miller look like the next Big three for the Braves. The problem lies in the fact that Trevor Cahill and Eric Stultz are getting pounded. The bullpen is great on the tail-end, but middle relief is sketchy at best.
So, what Braves fans are looking at, is a great chance to win on days one, two and three. Conversely, a slim chance on days four and five. RP Juan Jamie was released last week after looking awful versus the Mets. His replacement, Sugar Ray Marimon, gave up a walk-off homer to Toronto's Josh Donaldson on Saturday. A long road trip could put a toll on a bullpen by week's end.