Week 1 Analysis of the 2013 Season

The first week of baseball is over and what a week it was. Clean standings give every team a glimmer of hope, but six games have gone by and its time to start speculating. Who is going to have a breakout season? Which team is going to burst on the scene? Who is going to bust under the pressure? It may only be week one, but it’s never premature to talk baseball.

Hottest Start from a Player:

That’s easy, Chris Davis the first basemen for the Orioles has hit 4 homeruns and driven in 17 runs through his first 6 games compiling a .455 batting average and an OPS of 1.636. Is it a surprise? He has always had power and showed it last year belting 33 homeruns in 139 games. However, his problem has been playing time, so there isn’t much history on Chris Davis to be able to determine what kind of hitter he truly is. Davis started out with the Rangers who had a huge first base “problem” because they had three big first base prospects in Mitch Moreland, Justin Smoak and Chris Davis. In result, Davis didn’t get substantial playing time early in his car

eer, but maybe he’s always been this good and hasn’t been given the stage. Chris Davis will come back down to earth eventually, but maybe he stands on the ground a little higher than everyone thought.

Best Team That No one is Talking About:

The Arizona Diamondbacks

The DBacks are off to a 5-1 start, which ranks them tied for first in the National League West. Previously, I questioned DBacks GM Kevin Towers for trading potential superstar Justin Upton in order to increase team chemistry, but it seems to be paying off early. Martin Prado hasn’t gotten off to quite the start that Upton has in Atlanta, but his team first mindset has been contagious in the clubhouse. They are doing all of the little things right, taking the extra base, moving guys over, and getting two out RBIs. Their starting pitching had a solid first week, but their offense has been the difference. It has been very impressive to say the least, but this style of baseball is very effective in close ball games, so the only way Arizona will be able to maintain their success is if their bullpen is able to shut the door consistently. Heath Bell had a very shaky first week, and they may need him to solidify the eighth inning. Everyones talking about the Dodgers and the Giants out west, but don’t be surprised if the Diamondbacks find themselves in the mix.

Biggest Concern:

Toronto Blue Jays

The biggest concern is with Dickey, he needs to be an ace because the rest of the starters have limited experience pitching in big games and thus far he is 0-2 with an 8.44 ERA and the Jays have started the season 2-4 which is the worst record in the AL East. To back it up the offense has been abysmal ranking 20^th in the league in runs. It is still early and it’s not time to panic yet, but it was definitely a week to forget up in Canada. 

Blake Dale Lepire