Three weeks into the season and there have been many shocks, some good some bad. Let’s go through some of the teams that have made fans smile, and let some fans down.
Colorado Rockies
Expectations for Colorado were definitely low coming into the 2013 season, but they are now at an impressive 14-7 with Michael Cuddyer (.333 batting average, 24 hits, and five homers) and Carlos Gonzalez (.320 batting average, 24 hits, and four homers) leading the team. On the bump, Jon Garland (4.68 ERA in 25 IP) and Jorge De La Rosa (2.82 ERA in 22.1 IP) have been doing their jobs. Todd Helton has been dealing with an injury lately forcing him to skip games, but luckily they have a strong presence in Troy Tulowitzki and Jonathan Herrera who probably give Colorado fans a sense of ease when they walk on the field. The only problem the Rockies have been dealing with is the lack of sunshine around Coors Field. Keep and I on the team, probably will see them in post-season.
Los Angeles Angels
When first glancing at the roster, the Halos seemed unstoppable. Between a powerhouse offense including Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, Mark Trumbo, and that dude who thinks Dallas is not a baseball town Josh Hamilton, it seemed as though the Angels had it under control for the most part.
In addition to the bats, the pitching had a stellar staff with Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson. However, the team is scratching their heads, and not just because they’ve run out of Head and Shoulders, but the team hasn’t been performing to the ability we all thought they would, or what money should be purchasing. With an 8-12 record, and Weaver injured, the Halos are definitely not the team fans anticipated. Trout is hitting .271, with only two bombs and started off extremely slow, but is showing signs that this may not be a sophomore slump after all, but Anaheim needs more than just him if they are trying to make it to post-season play.
Atlanta Braves
If you are ever cold, make sure just to stand next to Justin Upton’s bat, it is guaranteed to keep you warm. Upton’s bat has been hot hot hot lately with 11 homeruns, 16 RBI’s, and a.307 average to tie it off. Remember, we are less than a month into the season. His brother B.J. Upton hasn’t been doing too terribly either with three homeruns (all three of which he hit in the same game as his brother). This was the 27th time in major league history that brothers homered in the same game, but only the second time they went deep in consecutive at-bats.
This accomplishment hasn’t been done since 1938 with Lloyd and Paul Warner of the Pittsburgh Pirates. In addition to the brothers, the Hot-lanta team has Freddie Freeman who has been hitting well along with pitchers Tim Hudson and Craig Kimbrel who have been helping the team also. This team is power packed from the top of the roster to the bottom. The Braves seem unstoppable right now.