This is the first of my weekly columns highlighting the weeks important events and interesting milestones. Each week i'll detail teams that have had a good week and those that have had rougher weeks. Also, starting later in the season, i'll declare teams dead and perhaps even have a small funeral for them(most likely not) and then discuss what they can improve on. So I hope you enjoy these and hopefully i'll have one out every weekend.
Major Storylines: Well it doesn't get much more major than this; the New Yorks Mets have finally thrown a no hitter. Thus one of the strangest streaks of futility in sports comes to a semi-fitting end. While I enjoy laughing at the expense of Met's fans as much as anyone, I never thought the streak was a symbol of futility. No hitters are sort of random events not necesarily thrown by the best pitchers. Pitchers such as Anibal Sanchez and Clay Bucholz threw them early in their career but never established themselves as elite pitchers after. Others such as C.C Sabathia and Chris Carpenter have been consistently eilte for years but have never thrown a no hitter. So basically the fact that it took the Mets twice as long as the next longest franchise to throw a no hitter is odd and random, but in no way reflects poorly on the franchise. Overall, good for you Mets fans, this should be fun to reminisce about in October after the inevitable collapse.
Who's Hot/not:
AL East Edition: Just as everyone in the free world expected, the AL East is starting to revert back to normal. The Yankees and Red Sox have both won 7 of 10 and are quickly climbing out of the cellar while reminding everyone why they get so much attention in the first place. Meanwhile the Orioles are starting off their yearly tumble towards last place(where they'll end up even earlier this year) by losing six straight before facing the now division leading Rays. In Toronto, it's beginning to appear the Blue Jay's potent offense won't be able to carry them alone this year as they've slipped into las place. While the Rays are in first right now, they aren't invincible. Whether their offense is good enough to stay in first place of this incredible division remains to be seen. Just don't expect this division race to be settled anytime soon.
Chicago/LA: While both of these teams less than auspicious starts, only one of them was expected to come storming back. Basically that's the difference in perception for these team's winning streaks. LA's winning nine of ten has been brought on by the pitching staff being what it's supposed to be(dominant) while Pujols has returned to form. They've played how they're supposed to play while Chicago has suprised the average fan in their nine game win streak. Their resurgance has been synonomous with the resurgance of veterans Jake Peavy, Alex Rios, Adam Dunn,and AJ Pierzynski. Meanwhile young guns such as Chris Sale, Alejandro De Aza, and Dayan Viciedo have emerged and the ever-steady Paul Konerko is hitting as well and as obscurely as always.
Oakland: Once upon a time the A's were above .500 and were well ahead of the afforementioned Angels in the AL West's race for a distant second place to Texas. Then they scored 15 runs in 11 games and are now sitting at 22-30. Despite the best efforts of their well above average pitching staff, the A's are about the coldest team in the MLB as they just ended a nine game losing streak before being shut out by the Royals. Yikes.
Atlanta: Less than two weeks ago Atlanta was sitting pretty with an NL East lead and a 26-16 record. Since then they've suffered a four game sweep at the hands of the Reds and then were swept again by the Nationals before taking two of three from St. Louis. While they may have ended their skid, pitching should still be a concern. They've allowed at least six runs in each of the last six games.
LA Dodgers: After losing seven of nine to the less than imposing slate of Arizona, Houston, Milwaukee, and Colorado; the Dodgers appear to be regressing to what people expected of them. The offense appears to be missing Matt Kemp as they struggle to find consistency.
Player of the week: The always interesting Carlos Gonzalez of the always interesting Colorado Rockies appears to back to his near triple crown winning form of 2010. At one point this week he had gone 13 of 20 with 5 home runs. WOW.
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