IMO: 10 Games in = 10 Surprises

What is going on, BLOG! I know I have been MIA since the beginning of the season. I have just been super busy! I moved, I 've worked about eight days in a row with no day off. Its just been busy. I have missed you guys, and I am ready to get back into with you guys! Happy August, welcome to level 8 of 2020. Okay, enough with the guff. 1- The biggest and not the biggest surprise is the uptick in positive COVID-19 cases. The Marlins were the first team to have a significant outbreak, making sense for a Florida based group. The MLB did launch an investigation into why the whole team was positive. We are now onto the ST. Louis Cardinals also have a small outbreak after team members went to a casino. The rumors around Mia were that they went to a gentlemen's club. To me, it doesn't matter what happened or how it happened. It is that they put the entire MLB at risk and threw some wrenches into plans. Manfred did institute some harsher punishments for those who break league mandates and get positive tests. 2- The MLB is now planning on punishing cheaters now. I don't know too much about all of it or the details that are yet to come. Kind of late, but what set the stage for this was Joe Kelly of the LA Dodgers threw behind Alex Bregman, made a face, and then was suspended 8 games. YES, he threw the ball NEAR the actual cheaters, made a silly face, and suspended 8 games. The reason the MLB went with to justify it was his history of throwing at batters. 3- We are seeing how new rules are working. In extra-inning games, we are witnessing a runner start at 2B for the team batting. I have enjoyed watching these extra-inning games because I like seeing how the game is played. Pitchers are taking out scouting reports from their pockets signs changing, managers getting creative with runners, and defensive shifts. We are also starting to see 7 innings doubleheaders. This was voted on a few games into the season. I think this is great to get all the games in and save the teams some energy. 4- To no surprise, the Opt-outs continue. Lorenzo Cain said bye, Francisco Lariano had offers, but said maybe next year. The strangest one was Yoenis Cespedes just not showing for the game, cleaning out his hotel room, not communicating with the team. The news tells me there is more going on with this situation we are being told, and the Mets should be ready to entirely cut ties. 5- The injuries are stacking up. Eduardo Rodriguez of the Red Sox was shut down. Betts, after finally getting the bat going, is currently day-to-day with a finger injury. Shohei Ohtani will most likely not pitch for the rest of 2020 after a forearm strain. He will still hit and play DH. Braves ace Mike Soroka who I saw pitching at a top-notch level, is done for the season after tearing his right Achilles Tendon. 6- History being continuously made. The Chicago White Sox had a lineup to feature a Cuban born player in the top 4 lineup spots. Tyler Alexander of the Detroit Tigers set an MLB RECORD for an RP with 9 consecutive strikeouts. Albert Pujols is 2 HR away from Willie Mays 660 and 5th on the All-Time. Aaron Judge made Yankee's history with being the first player since A-Rod in 07 with 5 games with HR. 7- Bullpen arms are at a premium. The names- Brad Hand(CLE), Wade Davis(COL), Craig Kimbrel(CHC), Edwin Diaz(NYM) have all struggles out of the gate. With each game holding 2.5 times the weight of a regular game. These guys need to perform or possibly be watching someone else do their job. Austin Riley(ATL), Manuel Margot(TB), Justin Smoak(MIL), Hunter Pence(SF), Khris Davis(Oak) are all struggling with their starting jobs. If they can't figure it out, they also will be watching the game from the bench. 8- Prospect performances- Jo Adell for the LAA is set to get called up and play on 8/4. With Trout out on Paternity celebrating the birth of his new child. 2B of the Chi Sox Nik Madrigal is getting called up to keep an eye on him. The Chi Sox are pumping in so much talent. The Padres are calling up RHP Luis Patino, the kid is incredible and only 20! I forgot to mention Luis Robert is making NOISE for the Chi Sox and showing he is here to stay! Have you guys seen Dustin May(LAD) and Nate Pearson(TOR) take the mound for their teams and kill it? Me too. I am waiting to see Casey Mize get the call from the Tigers rumors floated around this last week. A bunch of other names to keep an eye on and watch out for coming soon- SS Wander Franco(TB), OF Cristian Pache(ATL), C Adley Rutschman(BAL), OF Jared Kelenic, Julio Rodriguez(Sea), 3B Alec Bohm(Phi), OF Dylan Carlson(STL), C Joey Bart(SF), P Matt Manning(DET), 3B Spencer Torkelson(DET), SS Royce Lewis(MIN). 9- The most surprising teams so far at the bottom- The Angels at 3-7 The Mets at 4-7, The D-Backs at 3-7. These are 3 teams who should be at least at 5-5 or better to start the season. Each, of course, has reasons why but man, rough start so far each of these teams. I have also been surprised by the 7-2 Colorado Rockies, and 7-4 Padres are keeping pace with the LA Dodgers at 7-4 in the NL West. To no surprise, the Yankees are 8-1 to start the season. 10- But we aren't talking about the Yankees right now, I want to mention who is in 2nd. The Baltimore Orioles are 5-3 and 1.5 games up on the Blue Jays and 2 games up on Rays. Other teams full of youth and high upside are making noise. The White Sox are 2 games back of the Twins with the Tigers also. Only 3 games back of the Twins. I am just shocked by these teams as well as the Seattle Mariners are right in the mix in the AL West only 2.5 Games back. The last team to mention is the SF Giants, who keep pace with the rest of the NL West.