The greatest game ever invented bring about new highs and lows each season for every team in MLB. But not just each season but week to week things can change. So we will take a look at some clubs going well. And others that are struggling to find solid ground.
1 Up: Houston Astros
The Houston Astros have been on fire as of late winning 9 of their last 10 games. And Houston has been winning games through many different avenues. Production throughout the lineup and well above average starting pitching efforts have put Houston in a position to succeed. And while there is still a long way to go, the Astros are playing like a team hungry for a championship.
1 Down: Seattle Mariners
From the start of the season, the Seattle Mariners have been playing like a team that wants to end the longest active postseason drought. Seattle had gotten off to one of the best starts this season. But over the past ten games, the M’s have started to falter with a 4-6 record.
2 Up: Tampa Bay Rays
There’s minimal argument to make against the following statement ”The Tampa Bay Rays are baseball best team right now.” The Rays were a surprise last season winning 90 games. This season they are sneaking up on no one. And they are making claims to the throne of the AL East (at least early in the season.) Over their last 10 games, the Rays are 8-2 and have an MLB best 14-4 (.778 winning percentage) record.
2 Down: Boston Red Sox
The defending World Series Champions have struggled out of the gates. (And yes, I know that’s an understatement.) But when you look at the way the team has been playing this season, it continues to lend itself to the “World Series Hangover” theory. For a team built like the Red Sox, it is easy to anticipate a turnaround, as they have too much talent to falter, as they have thus far, the rest of the way. But as the great Yogi Berra said: “It’s getting late, early.”
3 Up: Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies had a busy offseason. And it was anchored by the signing of Bryce Harper. The Phillies would then get off to a blistering start leading to a current winning percentage of .647 (as of this writing.) With a positive run differential and an 11-6 record, the Phillies hold control of the NL East. The energy and enthusiasm that the team is playing with is evident even when through the television screen. The Phillies are looking to establish a dynasty and are off to a good start.
3 Down: Colorado Rockies
A natural choice would have been the Miami Marlins with their 1-9 record over their last ten games. But the Marlins were supposed to be bad. The Colorado Rockies, however, were not. The Rockies have started quite poorly this season. Especially when considering the playoff run of 2018 and the $260 million extension they signed Nolan Arenado to this offseason. The Rockies have the ability to make a run. But when they have gone 3-7 over their last ten games. And have the second worst run differential in the National League (behind Miami.) The Rockies will have to figure it out quickly if they want to make it back to the NL playoffs in 2019.
B.O.L.O: Milwaukee Brewers
An interesting club to “Be On the Look Out for” is the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers have arguably the hottest player on the planet in Christian Yelich. But when you look at some on the underlying numbers, there are questions. Over their last ten games, the Brewers are 5-5. And for the season they have a -2 run differential. The Brew Crew is fighting in a very tough division, and it will be an ongoing battle all season long.
