Three MLB postseason contenders already in trouble
Although we are just five weeks into the 2021 MLB season, it is enough time for some trends to have developed. There are teams that are drastically outperforming expectations, emerging as possible contenders for the postseason even when no one saw that coming.
On the other side of the coin are those preseason playoff contenders that have struggled to the point where they are seemingly in trouble. Even though it is early, there are some teams that find themselves further down the standings than they would have expected.
MLB postseason contenders already in trouble
Fortunately, there is still a great deal of time left. However, a rough 35 to 40 games can make a major difference, leaving a hole to climb out of. Should one of those division leading teams get hot, these deficits could become even more difficult to overcome, especially depending on the number of teams between them and the divisional lead.
Let’s take a look at three postseason contenders that are already in trouble this season.
Los Angeles Dodgers
It was not that long ago that the Los Angeles Dodgers were essentially the team that everyone expected. They began the season looking like a juggernaut, ready to dominate as they sought to repeat as World Series champions.
The Dodgers lived up to their end of the bargain at the beginning of the year, starting the season with a 13-2 record. However, they have gone 5-15 in their last 20 games entering Monday. Seemingly everything that could have gone wrong for the Dodgers in that time has, as they keep finding ways to lose.
A casual look at the numbers would indicate that this stretch is a fluke. The Dodgers lead the National League with 174 runs scored and a .748 OPS. Even though they have battled injuries and Dustin May is lost for the season, they still rank fourth with a 3.30 ERA.
The problem is that the Dodgers have allowed 27 unearned runs this season, nearly one per game. Micah White has been particularly victimized by those defensive struggles, allowing eight runs in his 6.2 innings, but only one was earned. Those defensive woes lend credence to Trevor Bauer‘s statement that the Dodgers cannot repeat if they continue to sleepwalk through games.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are far too talented to have those types of struggles. However, unless they start playing to their potential, they could dig quite the hole to climb out of.
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals have had a tendency to start off slowly over the past couple of seasons. Although that did not matter in 2019, when they overcame that start to win the World Series, it doomed them in the truncated 2020 campaign.
Once again, the Nationals are off to a slow start, sitting in the NL East cellar. With a 13-17 record, and one of the worst run differentials in baseball, Washington will need to right the ship soon if they hope to contend in what had been expected to be a tough division.
It certainly did not help that their season was pushed back, as their opening series against the Mets was postponed due to a COVID outbreak. Juan Soto and Stephen Strasburg have also spent time on the Injured List, removing two key pieces from the roster. Add in Patrick Corbin‘s struggles this year and it is easy to see why the Nationals have disappointed.
But injuries alone do not tell the story. The Nationals actually have pitched fairly well, with their bullpen performing admirably. The problem has been the revamped lineup, particularly Josh Bell and Kyle Schwarber, have disappointed, ranking 14th in the NL with 109 runs scored. If Washington is going to make a move in the NL East, and contend for a spot in the MLB postseason, the offense will need to get going.
The Washington Nationals were expected to shake off their rough 2020 season and contend for a playoff spot this season. Unless the bats heat up, that will not happen.
Los Angeles Angels
Every year, the Los Angeles Angels are thought to have done enough to contend. And every year, the Angels end up disappointing.
The same issues that have plagued this franchise over the past few years have struck again. The pitching staff has been a disaster as usual – their 5.14 ERA is 14th in the American League. Raisel Iglesias was supposed to provide a viable option for the ninth inning, but has been a disaster. Dylan Bundy has been unable to match his surprising 2020 campaign, while Alex Cobb has been a disappointment.
But frankly, this had to be expected. The Angels had again attempted to slap a bandage on their pitching staff, and yet again, it has failed. Maybe they can make some moves over the next few months to change that, or maybe Bundy and Griffin Canning can perform at the levels expected. Maybe Shohei Ohtani can cut down his walks and actually pitch deeper into games. And maybe Chris Rodriguez will continue to be the weapon he has been in the bullpen once he is healthy again.
Those are a lot of ifs. The problem is that almost every single one of those will need to happen in order for the Angels to make a viable run. Once again, a strong offense, and another season of Mike Trout‘s prime, will be completely wasted at the end of this season.
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Once again, the Los Angeles Angels were expected to contend for the postseason. And once again, they have been one of MLB’s most disappointing teams.