The MLB is a few weeks into the shortened season and there are some solid teams with slow starts. There are teams that were considered contenders before the season that are playing below expectations The Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Angels, Philadelphia Phillies, and Washington Nationals are trying to overcome slow starts. Can they overcome it to reach playoffs?
Since it is a sixty- game season there is even less room for error if a team wants to make the postseason. Though there are teams that are not meeting the expectations, they instead are facing a different reality. Here are four teams that are having a disappointing start to 2020.
Contenders with Slow Starts
Arizona Diamondbacks
Coming into the 2020 season the Arizona Diamondbacks had high expectations of being a contender after signing Madison Bumgarner and deals with young up and coming players. The Diamondbacks hit the fewest home runs beside the Pirates so far in the MLB and their offense is not consistent. They are behind the Rockies and Dodgers in the National League West.
The Diamondbacks prized off-season acquisition Bumgarner, has shown some diminished velocity and does not look the All-Star he once was. He was put on the Injured List for back problems. They also have rotation depth problems so Bumgarner injury is even a bigger blow. Their bullpen has trouble with protecting leads late in games. Overall, they are playing below their expectations in a tough division.
Los Angeles Angels
The Angels on paper looked like a contender with Mike Trout and plenty of young stars in their lineup. As well as the splashy $245 million dollar deal with Anthony Rendon who is off to the worst start of his career. The offense was supposed to be their strength in 2020 with Trout, Rendon, and a healthy Shohei Ohtani to make up their core.
Trout is doing well homering in each of the first games and a .928 slugging percentage. Ohtani is striking out more than ever as he struggles at the plate. What is more worrisome for the Angels is that Rendon is hitting .103 in the first fourteen games with only four hits. The pitching is struggling with giving up runs in the early part of the season. There are only sixty games leaving no time to waste so the Angels will want to get it together.
Reigning Champions
Washington Nationals
The reigning champs, the Washington Nationals have been one of the bigger disappointments to start the 2020 season. There were some lofty expectations for this team that on paper looked like a contender. They still could be if they can get it together soon even though the margin of error is smaller this year. The offense is having a hard time getting going and pitching is hurting them late in games.
The bullpen has it’s woes as Sean Doolittle and Daniel Hudson have had some disastrous innings blowing games late for Nationals. Doolittle was once a top closer but this year he will be lucky to secure his spot on the team. Additionally, ace Max Scherzer has a hamstring injury that could keep him out of games.
The Nationals have some problems that need to be fixed if they want to be a contender. As a matter of fact, they find themselves at bottom of standings with the franchise’s worst winning percentage. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the season plays out for them.
All three teams will have their work cut out for them the rest of the season as they try to get past the complications. Stay tuned for more on these three teams as the season progress. Belly Up Sports is the place for more sports and entertainment like above.
