When HSGN went online last year on August 1, it didn't have the benefit of a full baseball season. Now that the season is in full swing, it's the first installment of a new regular monthly baseball feature titled "Who's Hot and Who's Not", looking back at the ups and downs of each month.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
WHO'S HOT?
1. AL Central. Last season the American League East was the hot division, with four teams battling for a post season berth. The Indians remain on top of the division but the surprising White Sox are 1/2 game out. The Twins? Last year they won a record low 59 games and in April they have 12 victories to put them in third place. Also in contention is the Tigers with two behind the Tribe. Though it's early in the season, this could remain an interesting race come September.
2. Houston. The Astros have got off to a very solid start in the AL West with an outstanding blend of homegrown talent and veteran players such as Carlos Beltran. Another key has been their outstanding pitching staff that is third in ERA. Dallas Keuchel has been on a roll as he is the first five game winner in the major leagues. Could this be the year the Astros go far into October?
3. James Paxton. The British Columbia born pitcher has been a bright spot for the Mariners in April with a record of 3-0 and 39 strikeouts in 32 1/3 innings. He has also stepped up due to the Mariners ace Felix Hernandez going on the disabled list with a shoulder injury.
WHO'S NOT?
1. Kansas City, Two years ago, the Royals won their first World Series since 1985 over the NY Mets. What happened? The Royals are in the AL Central basement with the league's worst record of 7-16 and lost nine straight. There's plenty of season to go so they could turn things around and get back into the AL Central race.
2. Toronto. It was 40 years ago the Blue Jays joined the American League as an expansion team and finished last in the AL East under their first manager Roy Hartsfield. Forty years later, the Blue Jays are at the bottom due to the loss of Josh Donaldson and Troy Tulowitski to injuries. However, they won two straight games against the Rays but they are eight games behind the Yankees and Orioles.
3. Edwin Encarnacion. The Blue Jays loss is the Indians gain as Cleveland picked up the free agent with hopes that he could bring the Tribe back to post season player. Unfortunately, he's off to a slow start with a .210 batting average and four home runs.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
WHO'S HOT?
1. Washington. The Nationals have the best record in the National League and a high powered offense anchored by Ryan Zimmerman's 11 home runs. Bryce Harper has also been outstanding with eight home runs and a .386 batting average. They have a solid front four starting corps of Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasberg, Gio Gonzalez and Tanner Roark that if they stay healthy, they could rival their Beltway counterparts of 1971, the Baltimore Orioles when they had Jim Palmer, Mike Cuellar, Dave McNally and Pat Dobson. If the Nats plan to continue their quest for the franchise's first trip to the World Series and the District of Columbia's first championship since 1924, they need to get a lead off hitter to replace Adam Eaton, who is out for the season with a torn ACL.
2. Colorado. John Denver couldn't have described the Rockies hot start much better. It's been a "Colorado Rocky Mountain High" for Rockies fans as the Rockies are atop the NL West. The offense has been led by Mark Reynolds with eight home runs and Nolan Arenado and Charlie Blackmon have seven apiece. On the mound, the Rockies have three wins from Carlos Estevez, Kyle Freeland and Antonio Senzatela. The Rockies also have another showdown may 5-7 with the team that's hanging close in the division, the Diamondbacks. Could this have the makings of a season long pennant race?
3. Eric Thames. What a hot start for Thames, who has hit 11 home runs and April after playing the last four seasons in Korea. He has also been the key to the Brewers clinging close to the Cubs as they trail by one game in the NL Central. Thames is only one home run away from tying his career high of 12 in 2011 with the Blue Jays. Can he continue on his torrid pace?
WHO'S NOT
1. San Francisco. It's been a rough road for the Giants in April. First they lost their manager Bruce Bochy for two games due to heart trouble and now their ace Madison Bumgarner is on the disabled list due to injuries suffered in a dirt bike accident. The good news is that Bochy is back and he now has the most wins of any manager in SF Giants history, going back to 1958. They will need to go after pitching in order to battle the rockies and Diamondbacks.
2. NY Mets. Two years after advancing to the World Series and losing to the Royals in five games, the Mets are at the bottom of the NL East. Injuries have once again plagued the Mets pitching staff. Noah Syndergaard left Sunday's game against the Nats in the second inning and will have an MRI on Monday. There has been a rash of injuries for the Mets in April with Lucas Duda, Yoenis Cespides, Steven Matz and Wilmer Flores all on the disabled list. Can they get healthy and lead the Mets to their third straight trip to the post season.
3. Philadelphia. After winning six straight games to put them in second place in the NL East, the Phillies got swept by the surging Dodgers to fall into a tie for second wit the Marlins. They're a young team that's playing in their first season without veteran Ryan Howard at first base. He is now with the Braves AAA team in Gwinnett. The Phillies will miss his power and defense as they rebuild.
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