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MLB: Three Teams Already Flirting With the Panic Button

By Travis Koch

Apr 7, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista (19) reacts as he strikes out and walks back to the bench during the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista (19) reacts as he strikes out and walks back to the bench during the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 15, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a baseball on the field prior to a game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports. MLB.
Apr 15, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a baseball on the field prior to a game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports. MLB. /

The start of the MLB season has not been kind to everyone. Week two of a very long season has already startled a few teams. While plenty of time remains, the panic button is already within reach.

The first two weeks of a twenty-five week MLB season are generally viewed as irrelevant. Players are often still finding their groove and managers are still trying to successfully structure their lineups. Each MLB team, good or bad, experiences its initial optimism, though, unaware as to when the inevitable slumps will strike. A lot can happen in a 162 game span. Whether it’s April or August, the games count the same.

For this reason, the first two weeks of the season do matter. A club which is vastly deemed a loser gains some serious confidence and sudden respect if they shockingly get off to a hot start. Take the Arizona Diamondbacks for example. Everyone assumed they would take an instant back seat to the Dodgers and the Giants, yet a 7-4 start poses Arizona as a threat. The same goes for the 8-4 Cincinnati Reds. Who would have imagined they would start the season better than the Cubs and the Cardinals?

On the other hand, some presumed MLB heavyweights have stumbled out of the gate. There is of course ample time to get on track. What is most important in the early stages of the season is ensuring you are able to emerge from the hole you dig.

A few MLB teams have already dug a small hole. They must now deal with the unwanted task of scrapping together a good stretch of games in order to keep their oppenents within shouting distance. They must make sure it isn’t too late too early.

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