What we got right and wrong about 3 surprising and disappointing MLB teams

What the list got wrong about MLB teams

As mentioned before, the NL Central is back to its usual level of competitiveness, with only two teams (the Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds) having winning records. While the Cubs seem to be following a pattern similar to last year, I, as an outsider, had some hope for the Pirates. Not even a day later, the Pirates embarked on a seven-game losing streak. Later in June, Pittsburgh lost 10 games in a row (nine of those losses were against the Cubs and Brewers). Though not on the same level of hopelessness as the Cardinals, I wouldn’t be surprised if Pittsburgh ends up opening house.

The Cubs are the other side of the proverbial coin. Individual performances, like those of Justin Steele (2.56 ERA) and Marcus Stroman (who leads the team in strikeouts), are carrying the team to a solid third place going into mid-July. I saw a game versus the Phillies a couple of weeks ago, and although they managed to put up a fight (scoring three unanswered runs in the latter half of the game; 8-5 final), something felt off. Perhaps Chicago could take the Cincy route and call up an exciting new prospect to breathe some fresh air into the team?

It’s a good thing I don’t gamble, because if I bet on the Dodgers’ mediocrity, then I would’ve lost big time. Instead of being one game over .500 like a couple of months ago, they are a solid 51-38, having taken the sole division lead away from the upstart Diamondbacks. However, I would argue that they are still not the same caliber that they were last year. By the All-Star Break last year, L.A. had the NL’s best record at 60-30 and had run away with the division title. This difference is due to the number of injuries to the rotation, with Walker Buehler out for most of the year due to Tommy John (placed on 60-day IL on June 28), Dustin May being taken out due to a right tendon injury, and position players like Gavin Lux going out early in the season. This is not to say they are disappointing (at least not as they were back in April). The Dodgers have won seven out of their last 10, while the D-backs have won four out of their last 10. As the saying goes, it ain’t over till it’s over.

Conclusion: 

People love the underdog story. David beats Goliath (in some way or another), and everyone loses their minds. As such, my reactions to the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs makes sense. It also is apt to be shocked when the Goliaths like the Dodgers and Cardinals underperform. My list is an amalgamation of these feelings. Some of these placements still hold up, so I’m not eating my words too much. However, I’m no Nostradamus, and will gladly own up my bad takes.

If I were to make a new list, it would go something like this:

Surprising:

Miami Marlins
Arizona Diamondbacks/Cincinnati Reds
Texas Rangers

Disappointing: 

St. Louis Cardinals
Seattle Mariners
(Tentative) Houston Astros/New York Yankees.

In the meantime, let’s see what surprises and disappointments MLB has in store in the second half!