Two weeks of MLB are in the books and already some of the cream is rising to the top. With most team having played 10 games early in the season there are certainly some surprises – the Nationals, the Dodgers and the Orioles currently lead their respective Divisions – insane!
The Red Sox got things back on track by winning three straight against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays, but a 1-0 loss in Monday’s Patriot’s Day matinee will set up a must win series against the red-hot Texas Rangers who will roll into Fenway on Tuesday night for a short two-game set.
The Braves are red-hot winners of 5 straight games after a 0-4 start. They have yet to lose with Chipper Jones, who is hitting .417 with 2 HR and 5 RBI.
After a tough start the Yankees are where they are used to being and that is atop the AL East.
The San Diego Padres will make the quick trip up Interstate 5 to Los Angeles looking for a little luck on Friday the 13th as they open a three-game set against NL West rivals the Dodgers.
After a horrible start to the season the Yankees have reeled off 2 straight wins after losing their first 3 and on the other side of the coin the Orioles have dropped 2 straight after winning their first 3.
The Arizona Diamondbacks entered this series on Tuesday night coming off three straight wins to start the season, while the Padres did just the exact opposite, dropping three of four to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Boston got their first win of the season last night with a win over the Blue Jays and tonight they send Daniel Bard to the mound making his first career start.
The much-anticipated regular season debut of Japanese pitching ace Yu Darvish will take place on Monday night at Arlington Ballpark when the Texas Rangers host the Seattle Mariners in game one of a four-game series.
The start of a new MLB regular season brings renewed hope to all 30 teams in terms of their chances to go out and win this year’s World Series. Behind all these teams is a manager that will take the fall his club falters or the accolades if it succeeds.
The 2011 NL Rookie of the Year Award went to Braves’ phenom closer, Craig Kimbrel, and it would figure that a couple of Atlanta’s pitchers will be there again to try and keep the title in the organization.
However, this award conversation starts with the guy that everyone has been talking about for the last couple of years now it seems–Bryce Harper.
More than capable, the youthful Harper will no doubt be chasing Kimbrel who came in and replaced former closer Billy Wagner in the most impressive way possible. He saved 46 games a year ago, which was second in all of baseball. He also had a K/9 of 14.84, also second among relievers. And finally, to top it all off, sported the best WAR of all relievers at 3.2, and was 42nd among all pitchers which is incredible.
Bryce Harper
Washington’s Bryce Harper made three stops a season ago. He struggled in the most recent one while only hitting .256 in 147 plate appearances. Nevertheless, that should not deter anyone from thinking the world of this kid, who will play this entire season at the tender age of 19. And although he was just sent to Triple A Syracuse by the Nats’, he will still get to the big leagues at some point this season. I don’t think anyone will hold that up, and this award has been won many times by a mid-season call up. Take 2010 as an example when then-rookie Buster Posey accepted the honors.
Randall Delgado
The big talk has been all about Julio Teheran and Arodyz Vizcaino for the Braves, but the Padres’ Randall Delgado came in and just flat out produced a season ago. He never threw out any gaudy stats in the minors, but he always had the stuff to be a more than serviceable starter for a big league club. Delgado made seven starts a season ago, and he posted a 2.83 ERA. While the rest of peripherals weren’t all there, he has the stuff to make it big in majors, and winning a ROY award would be the perfect start.
Yonder Alonso
The centerpiece of the deal that sent Mat Latos to the Reds brought this guy over to the Padres. Alonso can just flat out belt the ball, and has hit at every stop along the way. His first trip with the Reds left everyone a little disappointed with just a .207 average and zero home runs, and that led to another minor league start in 2011. The second go around last season was a completely different experience, as he hit .330 in 98 plate appearances with 5 home runs. Alonso also cut his strikeout totals by 13 percent. If he can continue that development, he will be the next star in San Diego.
Anthony Rizzo
The Cubbies Anthony Rizzo was downright awful in his big league debut a season ago, so not really the guy you would expect to be here–right? However, he has hit very well throughout his minor league stints though, and something he does well is hit for power. In 413 plate appearances a season ago in Triple A, Rizzo hit 26 homeruns. He still has time to develop his discipline too, but those power numbers alone will put him into contention for the 2012 NL Rookie of the Year Award.
Drew Pomeranz
The guy that turned out to be the main figure in a deal that sent Ubaldo Jimenez to the Indians. Drew Pomeranz will open this season in the Rockies rotation unless something major happens between now and April. Last year was just his first as a pro, and he was impressive just about everywhere, as he made his rapid ascension through the Indians organization. Pomeranz was eventually dealt to the Rockies where he was placed at AA. He lasted all of two starts there before he made his big league debut, going 2-1 in his 4 starts. He will be expected to be a major piece of this season’s Colorado team, and with enough starts, will have plenty of opportunity to lay claim to this year’s NL Rookie of the Year Award.
*** We can’t find any Updated Odds at Presstime ***
ODDS TO WIN 2012 NATIONAL LEAGUE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR AWARD
Two of the biggest powerhouses in the American League East will do battle in game one of a three game set when the New York Yankees open the 2012 season in Florida against the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Chicago Cubs will begin a new era under innovative general manager Theo Epstein when they open play at venerable Wrigley Field on Thursday night against the Washington Nationals.
There is a lot of hope in Dodger land these days since Magic Johnson bought the team and the Padres are being sold as well, but both teams have high hopes this season after disappointing ones last season.
It is almost that time of year folks – the smell of popcorn and hot dogs is filling the air in 30 North American cities – baseball is here! Every two weeks during the regular season, Dave B will compile a list of teams on the rise and teams on the decline in the Majors.
In 2011, Justin Verlander became the first pitcher to win the MVP award in a long time. Verlander earned the pitchers version of the Triple Crown and edged out Jacoby Ellsbury and Jose Bautista. The 2012 Major League Baseball season is about to get started.
