Slow Starts for MLB's Elite Not a Cause for Concern

Two weeks and change into the 2008 Major League Baseball season, groups of fans all across the nation are scratching their heads.

Just what, exactly, has gotten into some of MLB's top teams?

The eight teams that made it to the playoffs in 2007 (the Indians, Angels, Yankees, and Red Sox in the AL; the Rockies, Phillies, Cubs, and Diamondbacks in the NL) have a combined record of 48-37; not exactly an impressive figure.

By comparison, the six teams that finished last in their respective divisions in 2007 have a combined record of 40-44.

True, neither of these is an overwhelming statistic, but separating those groups reveals a few choice surprises.

The Detroit Tigers, understandably, headline the list of surprising teams so far this season. Even after winning their second straight game Tuesday night, the Tigers' record stands at a meager 4-10.

While it's entirely possible that the Tigers were way over-hyped entering this season (a retooled offense, no matter the firepower, does little good if your staff is one pitcher deep), a  0.285 winning percentage for this team was not on the minds of baseball fans and analysts alike.

Yet, there is cause for hope. Third baseman Miguel Cabrera seems to be heating up, and a couple young prospects seem to be holding their own thus far.

In the long run, this Detroit offense should be able to out-slug their opponents more often than not; just don't expect many pitcher's duels when anyone not named "Verlander" toes the rubber for the Tigers.

(As a side note, Detroit fans: I hope, for your sake, that this slow start doesn't make Dave Dombrowski rush young gun Rick Porcello through the minors. The last thing you'll need is a ruined pitching super-prospect.)

Over in the National League, the Braves and Rockies find themselves in similar predicaments. Each stands at 5-8, near the bottom of their divisions.

The Braves, a sexy sleeper pick to blindside the Phillies and Mets to take the NL East this season, could be considered victims of bad luck.

Despite their record, they've actually outscored their opponents, and have a Pythagorean record of 8-5. Granted, that means very little this early in the season, but it's a potentially telling sign that the Braves are about to break out. 

Though they've yet to string together three straight wins, all indications point toward a surge once first baseman Mark Teixeira starts stroking the ball again.

The Rockies, who swept the Braves at Coors early last week, have a bevy of pitching problems to go hand-in-hand with a struggling Troy Tulowitzki. Their team ERA+ to start the season is 90, a stat expected of any Rockies team at Coors, but their highly touted prospects are the ones who are struggling the most.

Ubaldo Jimenez and Franklin Morales, breakout stars late last season, have ERAs of 4.60 and 6.30, respectively.

Jeff Francis, the assumed ace of the staff, has a soaring ERA of 9.53.

Again, these are early-season, small sample sized statistics, but it's safe to say that things haven't exactly come up roses so far in Colorado.

Don't panic yet; the 2008 season is still but an infant. Don't expect teams like the Marlins to lead their division wire-to-wire. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy America's pastime as it once again gives us something to marvel at.