MLB: A Few Things Worth Noting so Far

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We aren’t even a full month into the 2009 MLB season and we’ve already seen scandals, big innings, great games, and unexpected division leaders. Baseball’s recent purge of steroids has considerably lowered the league’s offensive output, as well as attendance.

However, the sport is still surviving and looks to bring fans yet another great year. Here are a few things worth noting so far this season:

1. Check the Standings

Can somebody tell me what is going on? It seems as if all the teams just decided to switch places during the off-season. Currently Boston, Detroit, Seattle, Florida, St. Louis, and the L.A. Dodgers are all leading their respective divisions.

Both Detroit and Seattle (which had the worst record in the Majors in '08) finished last in their divisions last year. St. Louis and Florida missed the playoffs entirely.

The meteoric rise of Tampa Bay last season offered fans a great feel-good story, while also showing the league that there was a new major playoff threat to worry about.

But now, the Rays currently sit at the cellar of the AL East with an 8-14 record. Their bullpen has proved to be one of the worst in the league, and key hitters such as B.J. Upton and free agent Pat Burrell have done absolutely nothing with their bats.

A few other playoff teams from last season have also hit some hard times. The Angels, with a rotation crippled with injuries, sit at a measly 9-11. The Cubs are at an unimpressive 10-10. The reigning World Series Champions are barely above .500, thanks to Cole Hamel’s slow start and Jimmy Rollins' ineffectiveness so far.

Next thing you know, the Mets will actually start winning in September.

2. Kevin Youkilis

This guy can just flat-out play ball. It was apparent last season when he was in discussion for the MVP award, and he has reinforced all of the buzz about him by getting off to a blazing-hot start.

Youkilis currently leads the league in batting average at a very impressive .405. He’s also got five home runs, 15 RBI, and a .516 OBP to go with it.

As a die-hard Yankee fan, I have done everything to not like this guy, from turning the channel when he bats to benching him on my fantasy team (the Red Sox were playing the Yanks and I just couldn’t in good conscience let myself go through with it).

But it seems every time I find a reason to hate him, he comes up with another clutch hit to change my mind. Youkilis is a combination of hard-fought at-bats, consistent and well-timed hitting, and stellar defense at first and third.

I hate to admit it, but the awkward hitting stance, the intense stare, even the clownish beard are starting to grow on me. Look for this guy to have a monster year, especially if Ortiz starts hitting.

3. The Florida Marlins

Are they this year’s Tampa Bay Rays? Or just another bust in waiting?

Right now they sit atop the NL East at 13-8. They started off the season tremendously hot, going 11-1, only to drop six in a row by getting swept by the Pirates and Phillies.

Florida's starting rotation is nasty, no doubt about it. But it is very possible that young and relatively inexperienced starters Ricky Nolasco and Chris Volstad are bound for some growing pains as they continue to develop this season.

Now, if this team actually had some halfway decent relief pitchers, I would say to look for them to be playing ball in October. But since they don’t, it’s up to their young and unproven rotation—and the recently struggling Hanley Ramirez—to carry this team.

4. Zach Greinke

Going into this season, we knew the Kansas City Royals would have a solid rotation. With Greinke, Gil Meche, and Brian Bannister acting as a three-headed pitching monster, the Royals looked to be an improved ball club from years past.

But no one could have predicted what Greinke has done so far this season. He is 5-0 (tied with the entire Washington Nationals team for wins) with an AL-leading 44 K in only 36 innings. He’s allowed only two earned runs in five starts and has already pitched two complete games.

That is impressive no matter who you are.

On a Kansas City team on which the RBI leader has only 13 in 21 games, it proves challenging for some pitchers to accumulate wins because of a lack of run support.

So far for Greinke, that’s not a problem:  If he doesn't get the runs, he'll just limit opponents to less than a base runner per inning, as shown by his .89 WHIP. Greinke is a serious buzz-kill for any AL team that has the misfortune of facing him.

Can any one say, "AL Cy Young?"

5. Betray-Rod

Not even a single Major League plate appearance this season, and I am already sick of this guy. Yes, he’s a Yankee, so I am obligated to root for him and yes, when he returns, New York's lackluster and un-clutch offense should receive a major boost.

But after hearing today that Selena Robert’s upcoming book, “A-Rod,” reveals that he took steroids while in high school and while with the Yankees (2007 MVP year?), I can’t take much more of this guy.

Rodriguez' tenure with the Yankees has proven a few things:

1. He is a major distraction that is more often than not detrimental to the team.
2. He is the most inconsistent clutch player in the modern area.
3. Getting the best player in the league doesn’t bring you a championship.

So what can us disgruntled Yankee fans do? I guess sit back and pray he doesn’t do anything else to embarrass us (who the hell kisses his reflection in the mirror, let alone lets some one photograph them doing it?).

So while the Marlins may fall, the Royals may rise, and A-rod may be, well, himself, this season will surely have more attention-grabbing story lines as the year progresses. These are just a few things worth noting so far.

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