While the masses were captivated by Rory McIlroy’s invigorating performance at The Masters, our attention was squarely focused on baseball. We were engrossed not just in any form of baseball, but specifically April baseball. This early in the season, it’s the kind that ignites fervent discussions and squashes optimism even before it has had a chance to fully bloom.
Who could have foreseen the Dodgers, starting so strong at 8-0, would subsequently drop three series in a row? This disappointing streak included a dismal home shutout, the worst in their illustrious history. Certainly, it’s a turn of events that took us by surprise.
And how about Emmanuel Clase, whose trusty hands have faltered as he racked up a lamentable 7.71 ERA over the span of seven games? We expected a stronger start from him too. The rocky beginning of the Rockies, one that saw them on the receiving end of consecutive shutouts and producing a mere nine hits, with Kyle Farmer attributing to more than half, was perhaps more predictable.
This just goes to show: Baseball has an inherent unpredictability to it. It’s part of what makes the sport so endearing, and also what makes us trying to make heads or tails of it every single week. Are traditionally strong teams suddenly floundering, or are typically underperforming teams having an unexpected stroke of brilliance? The truth typically lies somewhere in between these extremes, and that’s exactly how we prefer it.
With several weeks of the season now behind us, the contours of each team’s challenges and strengths are starting to emerge. It’s time to take a closer look at what might pose actual problems for each team moving forward.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are currently riding high with an average ranking of 1.1. Their win-loss record stands at 12-6, maintaining their spot in the Last Power Ranking at the first position. However, a potential issue that pundits and fans alike are starting to notice is that the Dodgers are, after all, a bunch of mortals, not an invincible baseball machine immune to defeat.
Interestingly, the Dodgers have started to show some vulnerabilities after their initial 8-0 run. They’ve weathered a slew of match losses, having lost their last three series. The most shocking among these was their 16-0 trouncing by the Cubs, an outcome that will inevitably distort their Pythagorean record for several weeks to come.
Adding to the heap of their struggles, Blake Snell, one of their key players, is benched due to injury. The substitutes stepping into the rotation have been unable to hold their own, and the defense has been shaky.
Nonetheless, despite the Dodgers’ early-season hiccups, they’re unlikely to lose their standing as one of this season’s top teams. They’ll likely win more games than any other team during the regular season. However, their dream run towards the magic number of 117 appears to become less and less promising.