Now that the season is more than well started in major league baseball, we can analyze the rankings without a grain of salt.
Obviously, it can change again, but at this point, good teams are good.
There have been a few surprises (both positive and negative) in the standings since the start of the season. We can therefore afford to classify them in order to see who surprises the most.
Here are my top-10 surprises in the standings… which could have started with my honorable mentions, including the composition of the American West. Rangers, Angels, Astros and Mariners in order? Really?
And what about the Royals, who aren’t going anywhere? The A’s are worse… but we expected them.
Note also that the Rays, because they are in front of everyone, could have broken through the rankings. But at the same time, seeing the club with the most depth on the mound at the top is no surprise.
10. San Diego Padres
Putting in so much money to have a team that doesn’t unlock offensively and is fourth in its division is… special.
9. Miami Marlins
A 41-31 record for second in the National’s tough East Division, five games behind the Braves and the top? Hat.
8. Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox play in the worst division in major league baseball…and they still find a way to play for .425?
7. Baltimore Orioles
We could see that Adley Rutschman transformed the organization, but I expected such big performances in 2024, not in 2023.
6. Pittsburgh Pirates
They may have slowed down, but don’t tell me that seeing the Pirates 2.5 games off the top of the division isn’t fascinating. And in addition, Henry Davis, the young receiver, is coming.
5. Cincinnati Reds
A bit like the Pirates, we did not expect them this year in the central of the National. Elly De La Cruz and the other youngsters pull the club.
4. Texas Rangers
Rangers may have a great offense, but to see the club ahead of the Angels (4.5 games), Astros (5.5 games) and Mariners (8.5 games) without Jacob deGrom is fascinating.
3. New York Foods
A payroll to break everything, pitchers who already have their ticket to Cooperstown… but the sauce does not seem to rise as it should.
2. St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals always seem to be doing the right thing. That said, this year the magic of 2022 seems to have taken the edge off – and not nearly.
1. Arizona Diamondbacks
A record of 43-29 which is a comfortable cushion in front of the three powers of California in the division. This is another club that we expected in 2024 more than in 2023, but… there is the Corbin Carroll effect.
