MLB surprises over the first two weeks

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Given the ebb and flow of a major league baseball season, surprises here in the opening weeks will not likely last.

Then again, the MLB crystal ball is full of uncertainties and doubts.

No surprise that the Los Angeles Dodgers, in games through April 19, won 15 of their first 21 contests. No surprise that the New York Yankees, struggling over the opening days, utilized a sweep of the Kansas City Royals to forge 13-9 mark in games through April 19 and took a one-half game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East.

Among other surprises, the fall from grace of the Philadelphia Phillies is telling. Predicated to challenge for National League honors, the Phillies dropped 13 of their first 21 games and lingered just above the New York Mets, who dropped 15 of their opening 22 games, in the NL East.

Off a World Series appearance, the Toronto Blue Jays continue to struggle. Coming into their game April 20 against the Angels, the Jays lost 13 of their first 21 games.

Looking for another surprise?

How about the Cincinnati Reds.

The Reds won 14 of their opening 22 games and that represents the best start for the oldest professional franchise in the game since 2006. In that year, the Reds opened the season at 15-7.

Equally surprising is the start of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Winners in 12 of their first 21 games, the Rays have demonstrated that a team with limited home run power can manufacture wins at an alarming rate.

“Right now, we’re finding different ways to win,” said Rays’ shortstop Taylor Walls before Tampa Bay commenced a series at home against Cincinnati on April 20. “This has been some typically beginning-of-the season stuff. There were games that we played well and at other times, did not play well. We have much more in the tank than we have showed.”

The start for Tampa Bay represents their best beginning in three years and ties for the fifth-best start in franchise history. Over the opening 21 games, the Rays recorded the AL-most come-from-behind wins (with seven) and fifth best in the majors.

“We have done things really well and the offense has found ways to score runs,” added manager Kevin Cash prior to the Reds series. “Starting pitching has done a nice job for us and I think our defense has played better after the first series or two.”

On the diamond … For all the ways the Rays scored runs in the opening weeks, their collective bats took the night off in the opener of a six-game home stand. In dropping a 6-1 decision to Cincinnati before 15,962 in Tropicana Field, Tampa Bay managed only a first inning run and four harmless hits over the final eight innings. After the Reds’ Sal Stewart slammed a two-run homer in the first, Rays loaded the bases with no outs in their half of the first. Yandy Diaz walked to force in a run but then two strikeouts looking from Jake Fraley and Cedric Mullins and Nick Fortes grounded out to end the innings. From that point, the Rays went quietly in the night. Tampa Bay clearly Reds’ starter Rhett Lowder on the ropes in that first inning. The Reds starter threw 26 pitches before recording the first out and ended up with a 34-pitch first-inning. … “You can’t define a game in the first inning,” said Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash afterward. “Somehow, you have to find some momentum.” … Effectively, the Rays wasted an effective effort from Jesse Scholtens, making his first start since Sept.15, 2023. The 32-year-old out of Fairfield, Calif. allowed five runs in 5.2 innings, walked none and fanned six batters. “I had opportunities to be better,” he said. “Some balls fell for them; some balls did not. That’s how it goes. I had a chance to get of it a few times and could have been better.”…

Next …The series with NL Central-leading Reds continues on April 21. Look for lefty Steven Matz (3-0, 380 ERA) to go against Reds’ righty Chase Burns (1-1, 2.42). The series concludes with a matinee on April 22 with the Rays’ righty Nick Martinez (0-1, 2,45) facing lefty Brandon Williamson (2-1, 4.35). Then, the Minnesota Twins visit Tropicana Field this weekend and help the Rays conclude their current home stand.

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