MLB Observations from the Opening Week of the Season

Now that the first week of the baseball season is behind us, let’s take a look at some observations from the week.

Despite starting 0-6, the Houston Astros can't be written off just yet.

Back in early April of 2005, I went to see the Astros against the New York Mets at Shea. The Astros looked horrific.

They went on to go to the World Series that year.

I am not saying the Astros are going to make the World Series, but they won’t be the worst team in baseball either.

However, let's put the Astros' slow start in perspective: They scored 13 runs for the week, and the Arizona Diamondbacks scored 13 runs in the fourth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday.

The White Sox are 2-4. Just like I can’t take a lineup that has Casey Kotchman batting third seriously, I can’t take a lineup that has Mark Kotsay batting fifth seriously.

Jon Rauch was 4-for-4 in save opportunities. Who needs Joe Nathan in Minnesota?

I was really impressed with Cincinnati Reds pitcher Mike Leake on Sunday. He showed tremendous poise and has just a wicked change-up. Once he gets established and starts getting those close pitches, which he didn’t get on Sunday against the Chicago Cubs, he will be tough to beat.

Biggest difference between Leake and Clay Buchholz? Confidence. Leake gets the ball and throws with conviction. Buchholz takes five minutes between pitches and has zero confidence he can get batters out at the major league level.

The New York Yankees went into Boston and Tampa and came out 4-2. Doesn’t bode well for the rest of the league.

The underbelly of the Rays’ bullpen is terrible.

The buzz around Atlanta Braves rookie Jason Heyward is legit. This kid is a monster.

The Mets went 2-4 at home to start the season. With that, the Jerry Manuel watch is on in New York.

The Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers, and Philadelphia Phillies all started 5-1. I only expect the Phillies to be there at the end.

Through six games, the Kansas City Royals’ bullpen has a 8.41 ERA. Ouch.

Things could get ugly for the Chicago Cubs if they get off to a slow start this year.

The extension the Milwaukee Brewers gave Yovani Gallardo was a really good one for the team. They will have Gallardo locked up for his prime years.

The odds of Alex Gonzalez and Vernon Wells of the Blue Jays leading the American League in home runs after week one? Infinity to one.

It’s quite possible that Roy Halladay could win 25-plus games this year.

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