While the MLB season only started three weeks ago, most of the league’s 30 teams have played over a quarter of their 60 scheduled games. Prior to Opening Day, the narrative around the league was that this 60-game season would result in a deluge of surprising teams and, suffice to say, that has been the case. Here are the top five most surprising teams in baseball through the first quarter of the MLB season.
- Colorado Rockies
Nearly every baseball pundit expected the Los Angeles Dodgers to run away with the National League West, however, it’s the Colorado Rockies who are leading the division (and have the best record in baseball) through a quarter of the season. The Rockies have the second-most runs in the NL through August 11 and have had surprisingly good starting pitching, led by Antonio Senzatela. Everyone knew the Rockies would hit well, but no one expected Charlie Blackmon to be hitting .500 this deep into the season. If the offense continues to roll as expected and the starting pitching doesn’t succumb to the altitude of Coors Field, the Rockies might be the top team in the NL.
- Detroit Tigers
The Tigers were the worst team in baseball in 2019 as they finished with a lowly 47-115 record. Now, more than a quarter through the season, the team is over .500. Their offense has been led by offseason acquisition C.J. Cron and the resurgent JaCoby Jones. The pitching has largely struggled, although Spencer Turnbull has developed into a bonafide ace for Detroit. With Cron now on the injured list, it’ll be interesting to see if Detroit will revert back towards their ineptitude on offense that plagued them in 2019.
- Houston Astros
The Astros, who won the American League pennant last season, have to be the most disappointing team in baseball. Two of their linchpins on offense, Jose Altuve and George Springer, have struggled greatly. Despite reigning CY Young Award winner Justin Verlander on the injured list with a forearm injury, the rotation has been decent with youngsters Branden Bielak and Framber Valdez holding their own. The bullpen is a disaster and filled with a bunch of unproven rookie arms after closer Roberto Osuna underwent Tommy John surgery in early August. Houston’s offense will eventually heat up, but will their pitching hold up? It remains to be seen.
- Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore lost their best hitter (Jonathan Villar) and best pitcher (Dylan Bundy) during the offseason, yet the laughingstock of baseball during the past few seasons is off to an unbelievable start. The Orioles are over .500 and in line for a Wild Card spot if the season ended today. The ragtag group has developed into an offensive force led by Anthony Santander, Hanser Alberto and Jose Iglesias. With a daunting schedule, it’s unlikely the Orioles will actually make the playoffs but this season is a step in the right direction for their rebuild.
- Miami Marlins
Are they the villains of baseball for nearly disrupting the season after a widespread COVID-19 outbreak during the season’s first weekend? Are they the lovable underdog that has yet to play a home game and somehow replaced 18 different players who tested positive for COVID-19? Either way, they are in first place in the NL East. The Marlins signed a bunch of solid players in the offseason including Jesus Aguilar, Corey Dickerson and Francisco Cervelli. All three players, combined with a bunch of youngsters, have transformed the Marlins into a legitimate force. The Marlins should have their top two pitchers, Sandy Alcantara and Caleb Smith, returning soon from COVID-19. If the Marlins are above .500 by the time those two pitchers return, the team will have the ability to pull off a Cinderella-type run.
With around 75% of the season still to be played, there is plenty of time for teams like the Rockies, Tigers, Orioles and Marlins to revert back towards their losing ways of the past few seasons. Similarly, there is time for the Astros to become the top team in the American League once again. However, with the shortened 60-game season format, any team that gets off to a hot start has an increased chance of making a surprise postseason run in 2020.
