There are always surprises in sports. Players get hurt, or under perform. Sometimes players you've never heard of have superior seasons.
Sometimes entire teams have superior seasons.
And sometimes entire teams slump.
Because of the length of the season, in Major League baseball things tend to even out. Call it reversion to the mean.
But not always...
The biggest surprises so far in the 2021 season are as follows:
The San Francisco Giants. I don't know where they found these guys. Frankly I've never heard of most of them. But, so far, they've been able to stay ahead of Dodger and Padre teams that are much better--on paper at least. Looking at the records of the other NL teams, I'd say that even if they fade some in the home stretch they'll make the playoffs.
Atlanta Braves are below .500 and unless the Mets crash and burn, won't make the playoffs. Philadelphia has a better chance at catching New York.
The Arizona Diamondbacks are just awful. I didn't expect them to be a contender, but I also didn't expect them to be a complete embarrassment. The big surprise here is that their manager still has his job.
Milwaukee figured to be in the race in the Central, but not this far ahead. There is still time for St. Louis to close the gap, but they'll have to play much better than they have while the Brewers fall apart. Chances are that won't happen. Cincinnati being in contention as I write this is also a surprise.
Over in the AL, the Yankees have been very good and very bad, sometimes in the same inning. Their bullpen is totally unreliable and their hitters have shown a tendency to all go cold at the same time. Also, their starters have been banged up all year. They will struggle to make up enough ground to get a Wild Card. However, if they do, and their starters stay healthy, they can make some noise in the post season because they have a lot of talent--even though much of it has been dormant so far.
The Red Sox have been consistent all year and barring the unforeseen, will win the East. If they should falter, Tampa is right behind them. Either way they make the playoffs. And, a few years from now, we may find out that they've been stealing signs again...
Chicago running away with the Central is also surprising. They, on paper once again, don't look that much better than Cleveland or Minnesota. But apparently they are. Somehow, this late in his career, Lance Lynn has turned into Tom Seaver. Odd that.
And out West, the Astros remain the best team, but Shohei Ohtani is the best show in baseball. A once in a hundred years talent. Babe Ruth reincarnated. But you'll have to enjoy him during the regular season, because the Angels aren't close to being a playoff team. Oakland and, surprisingly Seattle, are in striking distance. But Wild Card slots are the best either of them should hope for. Houston is just too good.
Still, there are a lot of games to play. Somebody gets hurt, somebody gets hot...and things can change just like that.
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