MLB Check In: Dodgers Suck, Braves On The Come Up

The Major League Baseball season is roughly one-quarter the way through. Let’s check out some of the top headlines from the season thus far, including who’s hot and who’s not.

Dodgers Are A Disaster

After coming up one game short of a world championship last year, the Dodgers have been one of the worst teams in the National League early in 2018. Amidst a slew of injuries to the likes of Corey Seager, Clayton Kershaw, Justin Turner, and others, the Dodgers recently dropped 10 games below .500. There is time to get things turned around, but the Dodgers are in a deep hole inside the competitive NL West.

Upstart Braves

On the opposite side of the spectrum, the Braves have turned heads this season on their way to the top of the NL East standings. Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ozzie Albies, the two youngest players in the majors, have looked like superstars in the making. With veterans Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis also having productive years, the Braves look like they’re for real this season.

Cano Hurt and Suspended

In the span of a few days, Seattle Mariners star Robinson Cano broke a bone in his hand and then got slapped with an 80-game suspension for testing positive for a banned substance. The suspension will keep Cano out until the middle of August, a huge blow for the Mariners, who are trying to keep pace with the Astros and Angels atop the AL West standings.

Living Up to the Hype

Through the early part of the season, two-way Japanese star Shohei Ohtani has more than lived up to the hype with the Los Angeles Angels. While he only serves as a DH a few times a week, Ohtani has six home runs and 17 RBIs in just 81 at-bats. Only two of his teammates who are playing every day have more home runs and only four have more RBIs. He’s been nearly impressive as a pitcher, going 3-1 with a 3.58 ERA in his first six major league starts.

Rivalry Renewed

The rivalry between Yankees and Red Sox appears to have been reignited. There has already been a benches-clearing incident between the teams. More importantly, they are the two best teams in baseball right now, and it looks like they’ll be fighting it out for the AL East division title all season.