Two weeks into the season doesn't seem like it matters a whole lot. In a lot of ways, it doesn't. But in so many ways, it does. A lot of teams are starting strong this year. If you remember the last three years of my PT, the top teams usually change a lot in the first month and things settle down. Let's get to this:
#1. New York Mets 9-2My bad for leaving the Mets off last week, this week they debut at the top of the heap. Perfect on the road at 3-0, the only two losses came at home. Concern about Pedro's toe, at least early on, seems to be over blown. Beltran seems to have settled nicely into New York, he's swinging the bat well.
#2. Boston Red Sox 8-4I'm impressed that Boston got one win in their three game set against TOR, truth be told. After sweeping the O's, they went 1-3 against TOR and are now 2-1 with Seattle. Schilling looks sick, at 3-0 and a league low ERA. Josh Beckett is second in the AL low ERA and is also 3-0. Young Jon Papelbon is 6 for 6 in save opportunities and hasn't surrendered a single run.
#3. Houston Astros 8-4Houston's schedule so far hasn't exactly been a ball buster, but wins are wins. Rumors are floating in Houston about Clemens and his eventual decision, rumors are strong that he's leaning towards the Astros. That would bolster an already amazing staff.
#4. Chicago White Sox 7-5ChiSox's bats have come alive, led by Jim Thome. That man, as a DH, could be an MVP dark horse in the AL this year. I think that Chicago has most of the pieces in place to make an amazing run this season, but the rest of the division is playing well. Only one team, Kansas City, is below .500 at this time.
#5. Cleveland Indians 7-5I'm telling you folks this right now, this is going to be one hell of a good team. They are young, with the right infusion of vets. They run the bases well, play solid defense and do the basics right. Those things, along with God given talent, will get you far in this league. Two words: Grady Sizemore. Keep your eyes on this kid this season.
#6. Chicago Cubs 7-4For those of you scoring at home, old man Maddux is 2-0 with an ERA right around nothing (1.46). Wood is scheduled to throw this week, which is a plus. Ramirez is swinging the bat like a mad man. It's early, but I'm liking this team.
#7. Tampa Bay Devil Rays 7-5In case you haven't noticed, and judging by the attendance - you haven't, Tampa Bay is a decent squad. I think when it's all said and done this team will hover around 80 wins, which is amazing. This team, three years ago, was basically a AAA team throw into the fire. Well - those AAA players have bonded together, been through the downs together - and now with new owners ready to spend money...are on the way up together.
#8. Cincinnati Reds 7-5It won't be long before the Red's pitching starts to break down, and that started to show today. But until today, they've played solid ball. They have power and speed, scoring runs for this team will not be a problem. Pitching will be. Bronson Arroyo is their number two when he's a true 5, that doesn't bode well for this season. But they started off well and that's all you can ask.
#9. Colorado Rockies 7-5Get the Rockies out of Denver and they flat out bring it, they are 5-1 on the road while only 2-4 at home. This may very well be the only week this team makes the PT, but they are a lot like the DRays. A young team with good prospects. Two names to watch this season: pitcher Aaron Cook and Clint Barmes.
#10. St. Louis Cards 7-5Pure talent alone should carry the Cards a ways this season, but I'll tell you something right now: they do not have the pitching to keep up with Houston. They are flat out bad in the bullpen and their closer situation is sketchy at best. If the Cards hope to stay in it, they need to make a deal for some arms.
News and notes...- NYY: They got screwed out of a win versus the Twins, but the Yankees are scaring the folks back home. They need 7+ runs to win a game, right now their pitching staff needs to settle down. I did like what I saw out of Moose his last outing. Pavano's time table has been moved even further back, he might not be around until June. That hurts - they are paying him too much to have that kind of money wasted.
- Toronto built their team around Boston, which on the outside might not look like a bad deal. Here's where the brain trust should have raised an eyebrow: learn from history. Boston was so hell bent on beating NYYY that they built their team to compete with the Yankees only, and it hurt them. 1999, 2000, 2001, etc - not until the new owners came in did they acquire balance. Toronto needs more balance.
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