Baseball

The New York Yankees faced very different prospects than they are normally used to when the 2013 season began, but in the face of adversity, this year's version of the Bronx Bombers has passed this special test with flying colors.

Popular 2013 World Series picks like the Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays have stumbled out of the starting gate, but we have come to expect MLB disappointments over the past 10 years. Read on to refresh your memory.

The Boston Red Sox may have lost eight of their last 10 games, but with a 22-16 record, thety only trail the New York Yankees by two games and the Baltimore Orioles by one game in the AL East.

It's been said, by no less an authority than the great Ted Williams himself, that hitting a baseball is the single most difficult thing to do in sport.

And Mr. Williams never even had to face Matt Harvey.

Bryce Harper isn't invincible.

During the sixth inning of the Washington Nationals' road game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Harper was hot in pursuit of an A.J. Ellis fly ball to deep right field. Harper appeared to be in position to make a play on the ball, but just as he pulled up short, he met an unforgiving force.

The right field wall.

Let's be honest—the New York Mets are a lousy baseball team. Not only that, but aside from when Matt Harvey pitches, they're an unwatchable team to boot.

As we draw near the quarter mark of the 2013 MLB campaign, it's time to take a look at some things that have been learned about manager Terry Collins' squad this season.

Aside from the excellent performances of a few select players, it has not been pretty—at all.

Read on.

After their first 40 games, the Oakland A's are 20-20 in the 2013 season.

Remember 2012? The A's started 20-20 as well. In 2006, The A's—led by Frank Thomas—rode a five-game winning streak to get to 21-19 after 40 games. 

The Philadelphia Phillies have struggled in the early weeks of the 2013 regular season. They are 14-16 thus far, 3.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves for first place in the suddenly tight National League East.

General manager Brian Cashman spent the offseason (and parts of spring training) picking up aging veterans presumably on the tail ends of their respective careers to fill the holes left by the injured stars of the team.

The idea of Alex Rodriguez not being expected to have a big impact on a team for a season is hard to fathom. But after his performance in the 2012 postseason and necessary surgery on his left hip, the expectations for Rodriguez in the 2013 season were slim to none.