Memorial Day marks the one-third mark of the MLB regular season marathon. We now have a slightly better idea about which teams are set to remain in contention for the duration of the season—and which are merely smoke and mirrors.
Contenders
Houston Astros
Remember the Sports Illustrated cover from last year in which the publication predicted they would be the 2017 World Series champs? What, at first, was perceived to be well off-base may now be right on point (or even a year too late). Jose Altuve, George Springer and Dallas Keuchel are among the significant reasons why Houston’s rebuilding project is way ahead of schedule.
.@kidkeuchy is an unstoppable force: http://t.co/W39AIaQNyY @Headshoulders #Whiff pic.twitter.com/c919bEmzSx
— MLB (@MLB) May 31, 2015
As far as 2015 goes, things seem to be playing right into their hands. With the Angels and Mariners struggling out of the gate, Houston has opened up a five-game lead in the AL West. A franchise once used to its annual 100-plus losses (including 111 just two seasons ago) now has the third best winning percentage in baseball.
New York Mets
There is plenty of consternation that comes with the Mets’ hopeful march to their first winning season since 2008,
The offense has fallen flat after an 11-game winning streak in April. David Wright and Travis d’Arnaud are among a staggering 14 players that have been sent to the disabled list. Matt Harvey has seemed vincible over his last two starts.
But at a time in which hitting is at a premium, the Mets are the envy of most ballclubs. Harvey, reigning Rookie of the Year Jacob deGrom and newest pitching phenom Noah Syndergaard make up a young rotation that will keep New York viable. Eyeing the Washington Nationals and first place shouldn’t be their priority. Attaining more than 82 wins and staying in the Wild Card chase is a more realistic outlook.
Pretenders
Tampa Bay Rays
Having the lead in the American League East doesn’t cause any disease or bring misfortune, so it’s a wonder why no one seems to want it.
Even at the .500 mark (as of Saturday), first-year manager Kevin Cash’s team is just a half-game back of the Yankees for the top spot. The Rays are 27th in runs scored, 22nd in slugging percentage and 25th in quality starts. This doesn’t look like the makings of a club that will play significant games come September.
Only the complete ineptitude of the division should be enough to leave Tampa simply as a contender by default and a pretender in actuality.
Minnesota Twins
Wouldn’t they love to trade spots with the Rays right now? The Twins also began Saturday within striking distance of taking the AL Central lead from Kansas City, as rookie skipper Paul Molitor garners early support for Manager of the Year.
Certainly, Minnesota has become relevant again (boosted by an 18-7 record at Target Field). But having to fend off the Royals and the Detroit Tigers is probably too much to bear. While the offense can remain consistent throughout the summer, it’s hard to trust a pitching staff that was dead last in earned run average for 2014 (and hasn’t improved much since then).