It’s amazing how quickly the outlook for an MLB team can change at the start of the season. While a hot start can provide hope and optimism to a fan base, a poor start could create questions and concerns. In some cases, a terrible enough start could force a team’s hand if they decide they are better off going in a different direction. Here is a look at the most disappointing teams in the MLB so far this season.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays fall in to the latter category following a terrible start that has management considering blowing up the current roster. Toronto was expected to contend for a division title in the American League East. However, the Blue Jays have won just two of their first 12 games. Suddenly it seems as though Toronto is in too big of a hole to dig itself out. The Blue Jays offense ranks 30th in runs scored and slugging percentage. Their pitching ranks in the bottom third in ERA, WHIP and batting average allowed. Josh Donaldson is dealing with a nagging calf injury while Aaron Sanchez was just put on the DL because of a blister. Almost everything that could go wrong for Toronto has gone wrong and now the club’s management is facing some tough decisions. If the Blue Jays can’t turn things around then it could shift the focus to a rebuild as the team looks to accelerate the process of building a potential World Series contender.
San Francisco Giants
San Francisco’s position isn’t as dire as Toronto’s but there is definitely reason for concern following a 5-9 start. The Giants sit at the bottom of the National League West standings thanks in particularly to a rough start for their pitching staff. San Francisco ranks 20th in ERA and has allowed an average of 4.22 runs per game. Five of the Giants nine losses have been by a single run. San Francisco’s offense has performed at a top-10 rate but the starters have disappointed and the bullpen issues that plagued the club a year ago could still be present. The Giants won’t blow things up but they will need to play with a sense of urgency this week as they visit the Kansas City Royals and Colorado Rockies. San Francisco has the talent to turn things around but can’t afford to fall any further off the pace in a potentially loaded National League West division.
St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals have just one win through their first six road games and sit at the bottom of the NL Central at 3-9 overall. St. Louis was just swept in a three-game series in the Bronx and based on the numbers it appears they are in a much worse position than the Giants. First of all, the Cardinals play in the same division as the Chicago Cubs, which appear primed to produce the best record in baseball for the second year in a row. Second, St. Louis ranks just 26th in runs scored and 29th in earned runs allowed. Those are terrible numbers on both sides of the baseball and the Cardinals are running out of time to get their season on track. After thriving as a perennial contender in the NL for years, it seems as though St. Louis will finally take a step back this MLB season.
Texas Rangers
Texas won more one-run games than any other team in the majors last season. Some felt that was a clear indicator they would take a step back this season. That has certainly been the case early on as the Rangers have just four wins through their first 12 games. It seems like it should be no surprise that Texas is 0-4 in one-run games. That is clearly a big reason why they have struggled early on. However, there is reason to believe that the Rangers are capable of getting better including the second-most runs scored in the majors. Texas needs more from its pitching staff, especially in closer games. However, with an absolutely loaded offense and a group of arms that is capable of more it’s still too early to write off the Rangers in the AL West.
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