We might only be three weeks into the 2014 MLB regular season, but it’s pretty clear that some teams aroujnd the league are here to stay. Whether it’s the Milwaukee Brewers winning 14 of their first 19 or the Oakland Athletics dominating overall performance, these clubs are ready to contend for the long haul. What other team finds itself among the top three in Major League baseball? Who is No. 1 on this list? Check out below.
3. Atlanta Braves (12-6)
Winners of seven of their last 10 games, the Braves are clearly the best team in the National League East through three weeks. Led by a pitching staff that boasts the best ERA (2.44) in the majors, this is clearly going to be a great season from that aspect for a team that has consistently found itself in contention for a playoff spot over the course of the last quarter century.
The most interesting aspect of Atlanta’s hot start, especially from a pitching standpoint, is that its relying on journeymen starters to get the job done. Free-agent signings Aaron Harang and Ervin Santana have combined for a 5-1 record with a 0.77 ERA in seven starts. Meanwhile, youngster Alex Wood has put up a 1.67 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP in four starts.
Atlanta is doing this with the likes of Brandon Beachy, Gavin Floyd, Kris Medlen and Mike Minor all on the disabled list. That’s four pitchers they expected to be mainstays in the rotation as early as a few months ago.
Offensively, it’s been up and down. Freddie Freeman has gotten off to an incredibly hot start. He’s hitting nearly .400 with five homers, 14 runs batted in and 49 total bases in 18 games. Justin Upton is hitting .319 and has matched Freeman for the team lead in homers with five. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Jason Heyward and B.J. Upton have struggled big time. Heyward is hitting .171 with a ridiculous 28.6 percent strikeout rate. For his part, Upton is hitting just above the mendoza line and has struck out 22 times in 72 at-bats.
In order for the Braves to maintain this success, they are not only going to have to get production from Upton and Heyward, one or two of those starters currently on the shelf are going to have to get healthy. It’s just not realistic to expect this level of performance from the Harang’s and Santana’s of the world. For now, it’s a relatively surprising start for an injury-plagued team.
2. Milwaukee Brewers (14-5)
Benny Sieu, USA Today: Gomez and the Brewers are having an early-season blast in Milwaukee.
Owners of the best record in baseball, the Brewers could easily be No. 1 on this list. Outside of losing two of three against the division rival St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee has been downright scary all season long. Magnifying this is the fact that Milwaukee is a ridiculous 10-1 on the road this season.
With five regulars currently hitting over .300, including veteran Aramis Ramirez batting at a ridiculous .352 clip, the Brewers offense is downright scary. Just think about this for a second. Ramirez, Jonathan Lucory, Carlos Gomez and Ryan Bruan have combined for 14 homers, 48 runs batted in and 157 total bases in just 19 games. Murderer’s Row, anyone?
Pitching wise, the Brewers have been good enough to maintain a solid level of consistency. Yovani Gallardo has been downright filthy in four starts. He’s won both of his decisions and currently boasts an ERA under 1.50. Wily Peralta, Marco Estrada and Kyle Lohse join Gallardo with ERA’s under three. Meanwhile, closer Francisco Rodriguez has not given up run in 10 appearances and has already converted in all seven of his save opportunities.
The reason Milwaukee isn’t No. 1 on this list is because it simply hasn’t been as dominating as one of the four California teams out west…
1. Oakland Athletics (13-5)
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At 13-5 and winners of 11 of their last 13, the A’s are as hot as any team in baseball. They lead the American League West by 2.5 games just three weeks into the season. Their pitching staff ranks first quality starts, WHIP and batting average against and second in ERA. In addition to this, Oakland’s offense has come alive this season. It ranks in the top 10 of the majors in runs, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. Want to talk about all-out dominance? Oakland’s +32 run differential is 19 more than the second-place team in the AL in that category.
Interestingly enough, Alberto Callaspo is the only regular A’s player with a batting average over .300. It’s been more of a committee approach at the plate with Callaspo, Josh Donaldson, Brandon Moss and Yoenis Cespedes all driving in double-digit runs through 18 games. Heck, even Josh Reddick has got it going with seven hits in his last three games.
In terms of pitching, that’s where the A’s strength is. Staff ace Sonny Gray has won three of his four starts and boasts an ERA of 1.80. Meanwhile, Jesse Chavez, who earned his first win on the season Sunday against the Houston Astros, boasts a 1.38 ERA and 0.92 WHIP through four starts. Veteran addition Scott Kazmir has also stepped up big time with a 2-0 record and 1.65 ERA in just as many starts.
If you think about it for a second, Oakland should be much better than 13-5. Remember, Jim Johnson struggled a great deal early in the season, blowing two games all by himself. At 13-5, Oakland is currently the best team in baseball.
Photo: Benny Sieu, USA Today