MLB Early Season Surprises

by Bodog Sportsbook | Apr 30 2008

As the first month of the 2008 MLB season winds down and the all time homerun leader Barry Bonds watches from home without a team to play for, the Bodog Sportsbook takes a look at the some of the other early surprises from around the league.



MLB Early Surprises

For some reason there isn't a high demand for a future hall of fame slugger with over 700 homeruns. We're scratching our enlarged domes on that one too Barry. Here are a few surprising teams that are doing just fine with what they already have.

Arizona Diamondbacks

After falling short to the Colorado Rockies in the postseason last year, the Arizona Diamondbacks have started the 2008 MLB season with a real purpose. The Diamondbacks are currently sitting on top of the National League West standings with the best record in baseball. The D’Backs have been getting the job done with their pitching and their offense. Always a strong defensive team; the Arizona Diamondbacks now have one of the best pitching staffs in National League. Danny Haren, Micah Owings and Brandon Webb have all gotten off to fine starts for Arizona. Currently undefeated, D’Backs ace Brandon Webb has been lights out to begin the season. Webb won his first 6 starts and is sporting a squeaky clean ERA of 1.98. The addition of the Big Unit Randy Johnson to the Arizona rotation should he remain healthy, has really solidified the Diamondback rotation. After finishing the year ranked 26th of 30 MLB teams, the Diamondbacks offense has also jumped out to a fast start. Arizona currently leads all Major League ball clubs in runs with 148 and is sitting in fourth place overall in homeruns with 33. Mark Reynolds and Justin Upton have been swinging the hot sticks for the D’Backs and the hitting has been contagious. Arizona is sporting a lineup that has homered in all but 6 games this season. If this young but seasoned group of Diamondbacks can sustain this type of run production behind the strength of their sound pitching; they will definitely be the team to beat in the National League.  

Baltimore Orioles

As the 2008 MLB season began the Baltimore Orioles came in riding the crest of ten consecutive below .500 seasons. The Orioles thus far have looked everything but the same mediocre team of the past decade. The Orioles are currently tied for top spot in the American League East.  It’s not the same Weaver Ball of the Orioles heyday, but the Orioles are getting the job done behind strong pitching and solid offense. The Orioles’ pitching staff is holding opposing teams to a .243 batting average with 10 saves, good for 2nd in the American League. Offensively, the Orioles have been aggressive at the plate and on the base paths. The Orioles are currently sitting in the top ten in the Major League in home runs and second in stolen bases. The Orioles have looked sharp at home with a league best record of 10-4. They have struggled a little on the road with a 5-7 record, which will have to improve if they are going to continue to compete for a postseason birth.

Florida Marlins

The Florida Marlins have to be one of the biggest surprises in the Major Leagues after the first month of the 2008 season. After trading away two franchise players in Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera the Marlins have found early success this year, due in large part to the strength of their starting pitching, their bullpen and their ability to hit the long ball. The Marlins after losing their best hitter in Cabrera; are second only to the Phillies for the Major League lead in homeruns. Hanley Ramirez has gotten off to a hot start with 8 bombs and a solid .336 batting average. Mike Jacobs has also been swinging a big stick and has recorded 7 homeruns in the month of April. Starters Mark Hendrickson and Scott Olsen have recorded 7 wins and only one loss between the two and Olsen has kept opposing teams in check allowing just over 2 earned runs per game. The Marlins must just feel happy to be playing in front of a real crowd, as opposed to their wives and extended family making up the bulk of the audience, because the Marlins have been getting the job done on the road, currently at 8-5 away from their home field. The Marlins currently sit on top of the National League East but will have to continue to play solid baseball and win on the road if they hope to stave off both the Phillies and the Mets in the competitive NL East. 

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