Well the season is about a 1/6 over, and thats at least somewhat a safe amount of a sample, so lets take a look at the big surprises, let downs, and things that will stop happening and haven’t happened yet.

The Phillies Pitching

The fact that the Phillies are in first place (actually .5 back after the loss, but lets call it a tie) with a starting staff who do not possess one member with a sub 5 ERA is unbelievable. Having the most effective offense so far helps, they are batting ridiculously late and with runners in scoring position.

Though the staff has been pretty ghastly for a better part of 3/4 of their games, things should get better. Hamels has looked fantastic his last 3 outings (though 2 were ended by minor injury misfortunes.) Blanton has the control but he is getting killed by a few terrible pitches each outing. The key will be which Myers we get, whether Moyer is still a viable 4th starter and when will the Chan Ho Park era end, and the JA Happ era begin?

The Dodgers (Post-Manny Era)

With Manny, this is the best offense in baseball; without they are merely above average. Ethier and Kemp have shown they are the stars we thought they could be and will keep this team afloat over the next 2 months.

Lucky for the Dodgers, the West is much worse than previously thought. The DBacks have already fired their manager and the Giants are the only ones with a chance, but their offense is stagnant.

Fuck you, Albert Pujols

You are god. Pujols has shown that last year was not even the best he can do. Here is his classic line: .343/11 HR/32 RBI/29 R/4 SB. His rate stats are: .446/.705/1.151 OPS.

Like that isn’t fair to anyone else. Pujols leads the NL in HR, RBI, SLG % and OPS. He is the early season MVP, leading the Cards to a 19-11 record so far; considering the make-shift staff they have put together, that is an accomplishment.

For those comparing, #2 in the league in HR and OPS is 10 HR and 1.113 OPS. He just happens to be God’s son, Jesus.

I told you the Marlins, Padres and Pirates were Terrible

Marlins start: 11-1, Since: 5-13.

Padres start: 9-3, Since: 4-14.

Pirates start: 11-7, Since: 1-11.

Also, remember Emilio Bonafacio’s hot start? Yea he lost his job already. Sucks.

I’ll end with a revised projected standings.

NL East

1. Mets: 91-71 (Unchanged)
2. Phillies: 88-74 (+1)
3. Braves: 82-80 (-3)
4. Marlins: 76-86 (+1)
5. Nationals: 69-93 (-3)

NL Central

1. Cubs: 93-69 (-3)
2. Cardinals: 86-76 (+6)
3. Brewers: 85-77 (+1)
4. Reds: 81-81 (+1)
5. Astros: 73-89 (-1)
6. Pirates: 69-93 (-1)

NL West

1. Dodgers: 93-71 (+6)
2. Giants: 82-80 (+1)
3. DBacks: 80-82 (-5)
4. Rockies: 73-89 (-2)
5. Padres: 69-93 (Unchanged)