7 Discoveries From 7 Days of the MLB Season - Thursday Thoughts

July 30, 2020

Week one of the 2020 Major League Baseball season is in the books. Here are our seven takeaways from the last seven days.

 

1. Early season favorites struggle.

For the first time in 66 years, no team in the league started off 3-0.  The last time that occurred, 1954, when 16 teams made up Major League Baseball. The defending World Series Champion Washington Nationals are just 2-4 after losing two of three to the Yankees. Meanwhile, both the Astros and Dodgers sit one game above .500 at 3-2.

2. The Buffalo Blue Jays

The Blue Jays will play their home games in Buffalo, home of their AAA affiliate starting August 11th. Questions arose before the season if the Canadian government would allow them to play in Toronto and the answer is no.

3. Tampa Bay is a World Series contender.

The Rays are one of six MLB teams who have never hoisted the Commissioner’s Trophy. They lost their home opener but rallied to win four in a row including a walk-off victory against the Blue Jays and a 14-5 win over the Braves in their first matchup.

4. Surprises in the NL West.

Everyone expected the Dodgers to be the front runners, but LA sits in third behind both the Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres. Eric Hosmer, Wil Myers, and Fernando Tatis Jr. have combined for four home runs and 18 RBI’s in their first five games. 

5. Texas' Cruz, Cleveland's Bieber Standout 

Speaking of statistics, your early leader on the offensive side is Nelson Cruz. The Rangers star is on a tear with three home runs and ten RBIs already. On the hill,  fans in Cleveland are getting Bieber Fever. Shane Bieber that is. Last year’s MLB All-Star Game MVP,  racked up 14 strikeouts in his first start of the season.

6. Running out of beer & snacks is BAD.

Yes, baseball may look a little different this season. Embrace it. Enjoy the game with family and friends from the comforts of your own dugout. Make sure you have enough beer and snacks, and be sure to drink from a bat - it makes you feel like you're at the ballpark.

7. COVID-19 poses a real threat to MLB’s 60 game season.

This is one item we were hoping we wouldn’t have to write about this year, but the reality has already hit home with the Miami Marlins as over a dozen players and coaches have tested positive. Their season has been put on pause throughout the weekend and we hope this is just an isolated incident and not indicative of what the future might hold.

We've seen dominating pitching performances, offensive onslaughts, game-winners, and more than a few surprises along the way.  America's national pastime is back, so raise your Dugout Mug and cheers to baseball!

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