Are These Teams for Real?

As we draw a close to the second month of the baseball season, there are teams that are surprising the prognosticators who did not believe in them. I am going to look at these teams to see whether they have staying power or whether they will fade into the background.

Detroit Tigers
Record: 28-21 (1st in AL Central)
Expectations: Most had them finishing 3rd or 4th in the division and behind the Indians and Twins.
What Has Worked: Justin Verlander has been reminded that he has the stuff of a God. Edwin Jackson built off last year with the Rays and is putting up All-Star numbers. Rick Porcello has justified the Tigers who some thought were rushing the 20-year old stud. They also have a guy named Miguel Cabrera who is hitting like Miguel Cabrera going .355-10-37.
Future: The actually have room to improve. They are getting Jeremy Bonderman back soon and I would be willing to bet Magglio Ordonez is going to break out at some point and hit for power. This team was punished for last year's disappointment and not given enough credit for what they do have. It also helps that the AL Central is not really competitive at this point. Until a second team in the Central shows up they have to be the favorites to continue and win the division.

Texas Rangers
Record: 30-20 (1st in AL West)
Expectations: 2nd or 3rd in division and a distant one from the Angels.
What has Worked: The Angels have been struggling with injuries and tragedies and they have taken advantage. They have a ridiculous lineup with Ian Kinsler and Nelson Cruz leading the way. The biggest surprise is the pitching staff. They have never been able to get pitching in Texas. While it is not gangbusters the staff has allowed the 5th least runs in the AL.
Future: They do have some room for improvement with Josh Hamilton struggling to stay healthy but not much room as Nelson Cruz is a career .263 hitter hitting .299 and I still don't believe in a pitching rotation of Kevin Millwood, Brandon McCarthy, Matt Harrison and Scott Feldman. The Angels are getting healthy and are playing better. They may make it to the All-Star break but unless the Angels don't get it together they just don't have the pitching to keep it up.

Milwaukee Brewers
Record: 30-20 (1st in NL Central)
Expectations: 3rd in NL Central
What Has Worked: Yovanni Gallardo is an All-Star pitcher and has stayed healthy. The lineup has not missed a beat with Braun, Fielder, Cameron and Hardy. Most importantly though 41 year old Trevor Hoffman has yet to give up a run this season throwing 14 scoreless innings with 12 saves.
Future: This team was supposed to be left for dead with the departure of Ben Sheets and C.C. Sabathia. Problem no one told the Brewers. They finally have found a closer they haven't had since Coco Codero. The biggest thing is they look poised to again use their deep farm system to make an acquisition. Fans want them to make a run at Peavy but with Rickie Weeks out for the year they may address second base. At this point I still believe more in the talent of the Cubs and the Cardinals. It should be a three team race all summer long and if they make a move before the deadline they could easily win the division.

#28 San Diego Padres

San Diego Padres
Last Year: 63-99 Last in NL West
This Year: Last in NL West




This spot in the rankings is based on the fact they have probably the worst lineup and lack of pitching depth but it is also based on the fact that Jake Peavy, their All-Star ace, is not likely to finish with the Padres. They actively shopped him all winter because owner John Moores needs to cut salary because the team will be put up for sale when his divorce is finalized. The most active teams pursuing Peavy are the Cubs and the Braves. A deal didn't go through because they couldn't agree but I would be shocked if Peavy isn't on a different team by the All-Star break as Peavy won't stick around and he could drastically help another team that they will raise what they are willing to give up. Even if he does stay this is a terrible team that will do the impossible of ruining a San Diego summer.

Opening Day Lineup w/ Projections
CF Jody Gerut .285 16 HR 47 RBI
RF Brian Giles .292 12 HR 58 RBI
1B Adrian Gonzalez .283 37 HR 125 RBI
3B Kevin Kouzmanoff .263 24 HR 83 RBI
LF Chase Headley .273 17 HR 67 RBI
2B David Eckstein .277 3 HR 35 RBI
SS Luis Rodriguez .264 2 HR 27 RBI
C Nick Hundley .239 9 HR 44 RBI
P Jake Peavy

Rotation
RHP Jake Peavy 14-10 2.94 ERA 210 K
RHP Chris Young 12-10 3.21 ERA 160 K
RHP Cha Seung Baek 4-12 4.78 ERA 132 K
RHP Kevin Correia 4-10 5.11 ERA 82 K
LHP Wade LeBlanc 3-9 5.76 ERA 76 K

CP RHP Heath Bell 3.54 ERA 28 Sv 65 K

Best Case Scenario: Peavy stays all year and puts up an Cy Young caliber year. Chris Young stays healthy and is an All-Star along with Adrian Gonzalez. Chase Headley makes good on his potential and hits 20+ home runs. They find a third starter who can win a few games. Heath Bell makes the Padre fans forget about Trevor Hoffman. This team wins 70+ games.

Worst Case Scenario: Peavy leaves in Mid-June for a bunch of prospects a few years away. The fire sale does not stop with Adrian Gonzalez and Chris Young being shipped. A slow, old lineup does not work in the spacious pitchers park. This team gets close to losing 110 games.

Player Most Important to Success: Chase Headley. I know from the preview it would seem that Peavy is the most important but he is consistent and they know what they will get from him regardless of whether he is on the team or not. Chase Headley has the potential to be a .300-30-100 guy in the future. That won't happen this year but he needs to improve on the .269-9-38 he put up last year. If he can start to utilize his talent which will make him cut down on the strikeouts he can provide some pop in the lineup and protect Adrian Gonzalez. This team needs offense and he is one who has the ability to provide it.

Outlook: Anytime your middle infield is a 34-year old David Eckstein and Twin reject Luis Rodriguez you are not bound for greatness. It figures to be even worse as they will be a seller come the trade deadline. The lineup lacks any speed or someone who is a lock to hit .300. That doesn't work in a spacious ballpark. They also don't have any starting pitching after Peavy and Young. It is so bad they are hoping for a resurrection of Mark Prior, who has not pitched since 2006 and has not pitched well since 2005. This is a slow boring team that will be tough to watch and has no reason for anyone to watch.