American League 25 Game Report Card
by Scooter on 05/04/2010 in MLB News
We are twenty five games into the MLB 2010 season and so far there have been some surprises. The season is still young, but for some teams it may feel like an eternity. Here’s how we graded each team in the American League.
Tampa Bay Rays (Grade A): The Rays are flying high and playing very good baseball. They have the best record in baseball and a 1 game lead over the New York Yankees. The Rays are (18-7) and one of the reasons for their early success is their team ERA of 3.01. The hitting has been timely, but pitching has been the key.
Team Leaders
Hitting Evan Longoria
Pitching Matt Garza
New York Yankees (Grade A-): The Yankees have the 2nd best record (17-8) in the AL and are playing very well. The Yankees have one every series except one against the Angels. The Yankees will only get better once Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodríguez start hitting. Curtis Granderson is on the DL and will likely return in a couple of weeks.
Team Leaders
Hitting Robinson Cano
Pitching CC Sabathia
Minnesota Twins (Grade B+): The Twins look like a force in the Central and are (17-9). Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer continue to prove why they are one of the best one-two punches in baseball. Francisco Liriano has been the ace and leads the team in wins, era and strike outs.
Team Leaders
Hitting Joe Mauer
Pitching Francisco Liriano
Detroit Tigers (Grade B): The Tigers are hanging in there (16-11) and will probably be knocking on the door and challenging the Twins all year. Austin Jackson acquired from the Yankees is having an impressive start, leading the team in hitting. Ex-Yankee Phil Coke leads the team with 3 wins.
Team Leaders
Hitting Austin Jackson
Pitching Phil Coke
Texas Rangers (Grade C): The Rangers are in the weakest division in the AL. They are currently (14-12) and are on top of the AL West. Vladimir Guerrero has found his stroke and I am sure many owners wish they had signed him when no one else did.
Team Leaders
Hitting Vladimir Guerrero
Pitching Frank Francisco
Here are the rest of the American League Grades;
Toronto Blue Jays (Grade C-): The Blue Jays are in the toughest division in baseball and are playing .500 plus ball at (14-13).
Oakland Athletics (Grade D+): I am a bit surprised that the A’s aren’t playing well in such a weak division. Their record is just below .500 at (13-14).
Boston Red Sox (Grade D): This is the biggest surprise considering their payroll and the expectation from fans and the GM. David Ortiz is off to another bad start batting .159 with 3 home runs and only 6 RBI. The Red Sox will need a much improved May in order to stay close to the Rays and Yankees.
Los Angeles Angels (Grade D-): No surprise (12-15) after losing some key players during the winter. The Angles will need a little luck to even come close to making the playoffs. It will be a long summer!
Seattle Mariners (Grade D-): I am very surprised with the Mariners (11-14) as I still feel they will win their division. They have the best one-two punch in their rotation with Felix Hernández and Cliff Lee. Let’s not forget that Cliff Lee missed most of April with an injury. Brandon League leads the team with 3 wins and could be a major part of this already strong rotation.
Chicago White Sox (Grade D-): Lots of issues and poor leadership will keep these Sox stinking up 2010. Record so far (11-15).
Cleveland Indians (Grade F): (10-15) it’s like watching the movie Major League. They still stink!
Kansas City Royals (Grade F): (10-16) not a bad for a low market team who has one of the best pitchers Zack Greinke. They will need a lot more than Zack.
Baltimore Orioles (Grade F): At (7-19) you can put a fork in them. The Orioles ownership really could care less as each year it is the same losing team sitting in the cellar of the AL East. What a shame!
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