Panic or Parade?
Opening weekend has officially wrapped up, and I couldn’t be happier that baseball is back. It’s the best game on Earth, and since I’ve hung up the cleats, each season means a little bit more to me. With opening weekend comes two camps of ‘small sample size overreaction theater,’ the ‘panic button’ and the ‘parade throwers.’ Essentially, the teams that perform poorly, the fanbase hammers that panic button, and the teams that start hot, well, they’re already ready to drop the World Series banner and throw the parade.
Let’s start with fan bases that should look for the panic button because well, that’s more fun:
Mets gonna Met
The Mets are one of two winless teams to the point, joining the not-so-good company of the Miami Marlins. While it was against a very fun Brewers squad, getting swept at home was certainly not on the bingo card. Getting blanked by the Tigers in Game 1 was anything but surprising, and the only good thing for them in 2024? The last two days have gotten rained out. Might spark some good juju in the clubhouse, but I think it’s time to look for the panic button.
The pitching hasn’t been the problem, Sean Manea looked sharp, Tylor Megill worked out of a lot of jams managing a quality start, and Edwin Díaz appears to be back at full strength which is great for NY faithful, and baseball. Even Quintana didn’t look bad in his first start. Sevy got touched up and should count his blessings that his ERA doesn’t reflect it, and Ottavino could be losing a step. Francisco Alverez looks awesome so far (no surprises there), can’t say the same for the guys that are supposed to hold down the fort on offense. Alonso, Lindor, and Nimmo are off to sluggish starts, and the only thing worse than McNeil’s ability to hit right now is his ability to express his emotions (Rhys Hoskins GOAT). As it stands, this might be the worst team in the MLB in terms of Payroll-Production ratio.
Dealt a Bad Hand of Cards
I do realize the Cardinals' 3-3 record, as I write this, doesn’t necessarily indicate slamming the panic button… yet. But to me, it’s only a matter of time. While the AL Cy Young runner-up Sonny Gray works through a hamstring injury, the Cards are left with what I believe is the worst rotation in baseball. Sure, Miles Mikolas has stood the test of time, but there is no planet in the solar system where he should be an ace. The supporting cast isn’t much better, with Zack Thompson, Lance Lynn, Steven Matz, and Kyle Gibson. To my surprise, some of these guys have held their own, especially against teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers. It won’t hold up, and the lineup, while very solid, is aging. Arenado has not yet played up to the contract he earned, and Goldy needs him to help anchor down the lineup. While I like the young talent of Jordan Walker and Masyn Winn, my eye test tells me this team is not any better than 2023. I will repeat what I said on our last episode of Call to the Pen: I am shocked Oli Marmol still has a job, and the problems start with him.
This team was highly touted in the preseason, projected around the 85-win mark. I’ll be shocked if they break 80. They always find a way to be in the mix, so I’m not completely writing them off, but if you’re a Cardinals fan, you may wanna punch the panic button.
South Side Struggles
The Chicago White Sox certainly had low expectations going into the 2024 campaign. Up until Garret Chrochet’s gem against the Braves on Tuesday night, I would say that they have far exceeded their already low expectations. All but a handful of pieces are still present on the team, and any notable reliever they once had has been shipped off to contribute to another club.
This team will finish with the worst record in baseball. During a time before the year 2024, the White Sox would be expected to sweep the Tigers. THAT didn’t happen. The Sox have 11 runs in five games. In one of the games against Detroit, they had six. Luis Robert? Andrew Benintendi? Yoan Moncada? All off to a slow start. If it weren’t for the Oakland Athletics management actively trying to lose, this team would finish with the worst record in baseball. Worst of all, the team doesn’t even appear to make any effort. This is going to be a disaster.
Tigers Look Grrrrrrrreat!
The only mediocre thing about the Tigers in 2024 is my cheesy Tony the Tiger reference. The Cats are off to a roaring 4-0 start, led by potential Cy Young Tarik Skubal, and a performance that makes me want to say Jack Flaherty is back. Sure, they played the White Sox, easily could be the worst team in baseball, and blanked the lowly Mets before being rained out the last two days. The offense looks fantastic early, outside of Javy who we all know has just given up. While Tork, Riley Greene, and Parker Meadows are off to slow starts, I anticipate big years from all three, and if this team is rolling while they’re not, buckle up. I’m ready to crown this team already, they’re damn fun!
While the Guardians look dangerous as all hell, I see the Central coming down to those two, and for the sake of my preseason take, gimme the Tigers. This may be this year's DBacks and could be a potentially scary playoff team for a low Wild Card, hell I wouldn’t want to face the trio of Skubal, Flaherty, and Maeda. While I anticipated Alex Lange being the closer, Jason Foley has taken that role early on, but we could see a two-headed monster at the back of this pen as things take shape.
Pirating the Standings
The Pittsburgh Pirates are the hottest team out of the gate across the MLB in 2024. Although the pitching on the back end hasn’t been stellar, the starting rotation has looked ready to do some damage. The lineup has also been producing runs early, anchored by Bryan Reynolds, of course, but getting healthy contributions from Connor Joe, Ke’Bryan Hayes, and Pirates Legend Andrew McCutchen. This team has played well during the first five games.
The overreaction? This team can win the NL Central. Let’s pretend that the water on the pirate ship won’t find its level and the Buccos can keep up with the Cubs lineup and the Brewers pitching. Let’s pretend that despite starting out well each of the last two seasons, this team won’t have a debilitating stretch at the beginning of June that lasts until the postseason starts. Let’s pretend… they win the NL Central. This team at the moment can.
Give Them the Pennant
The Dodgers, as they should, have burst out of the gate and hit the ground running. Mookie Betts is following up his September MVP performance with 5 HRs in the first handful of games. Freddie Freeman looks fantastic, and Will Smith is earning the contract extension he was granted. Ironically, the only guy in the lineup who isn’t playing at their best is Shohei Ohtani, but it’s only a matter of time before he starts slugging.
Just put them in the World Series already. Of course, years past have debunked this. If it weren’t for Atlanta, Houston, and, more recently, Philly, this team would 1000% have the best roster in the league instead of 100%. This overreaction is most apparent of all because it seems to be the same one every year. But this year? I think it may be different. The consensus every year is that this team will win 95-110 games and be an early exit in the playoffs. The more and more people dismiss them, the better their chances are of actually pulling it off in a year where fans can be in attendance.