A Look Around Major League Baseball

So far, although not even a week in, the Major League Baseball season has had it's surprises. Believe it or not the two Bay Area teams are a combined 8-1 as of 8pm April 10. How do you like that? Who said it's all about the Yankees, Red Sox and Mets? Below is a breakdown of how teams have fared so far...

Most Surprising

Oakland Athletics (4-1):

Who would have thought the A's, with a weak offense and young pitching staff, would get off to a 4-1 start? Let's see where they are by May 1.

Toronto Blue Jays (3-1):

Once the Blue Jays got rid of ace Roy Halladay, it was all supposed to be downhill from there. Now the Blue Jays are sitting atop the AL East at 3-1 with center fielder Vernon Wells hitting home runs like his early days, four in a three game series in Texas. Don't expect this to last considering they started off hot last season and were in first in May.

San Francisco Giants (4-0):

The Giants have great pitching led by two time defending NL Cy Yound Award Winner Tim Lincecum. They also have Matt Cain in the rotation and Pablo Sandoval is not a bad three hitter. But let's face it. The Giants haven't been this good since 2002. Giants fans...remember that year?

Arizona Diamondbacks (3-1):

The D'backs have some great young talent with hitters like Mark Reynolds and Justin Upton. But their ace Brandon Webb is hurt again and their pitching staff is not too deep. 2001 all over again?

Most Disappointing

Los Angeles Angels (1-4):

After winning their first game against the Twins, who have now won five in a row, the Angels have lost four in a row dropping to 1-4. The Angels always seem to get off to a slow start, but with John Lackey gone and no solid replacement for Francisco Rodriguez, could this be a down year for the Halos?

Boston Red Sox (1-3):

The Red Sox blew a three-run lead to the Kansas City Royals of all teams on Friday night. With a weaker lineup than in years past, such as losing Manny Ramirez and his relpacement Jason Bay, the Red Sox may struggle to win many games this season in a tough AL East featuring the Yankees and Rays.

Chicago White Sox (1-4):

The White Sox beat the Cleveland Indians on opening day but have sputtered ever since. The team's starting rotation is too talented, led by Mark Buehrle along with Jake Peavy and John Danks to fail. Is Ozzie Guillen out if the Sox miss the playoffs again?

They've got a chance

Kansas City Royals (2-2):

Last season the Royals were 18-11 and in first place in the AL Central in May. This season, after beating the Red Sox, the Royals are thinking they can compete in a less than stellar division. Can they make a run at the Wild Card? Not with the AL East being as good as it is. But at least the Royals can dream.

Pittsburgh Pirates (2-2):

The Pirates haven't finished a season with a winning record since 1992. Is that all you need to know? So while 2-2 is nice, where will it lead?

It's getting tight

The NL East is baseball's tightest division. It's the only one in which all teams have won at least two games (including the Nationals), and only one that has all teams separated by 1 1/2 games or less (including the Mets). When will the Phillies make their move and run away with this division? Or will they?

Is that true?

The biggest division lead by a first place team belongs to the AL West's Oakland Athletics. Huh? Not the Angels? Rangers? How about those Mariners with King Felix and Cliff Lee? No, not really...

Check in Monday as I'll post my top and bottom five teams through week one in Major League Baseball, plus every Monday I'll have my full 30 team power rankings. This is just a taste test.