Around the Diamond: April in Review

The first month of the 2013 baseball season has come to an end.  Being less than 20 percent of the way into the season, it is hard to tell exactly how things will shape up, but at this point, we can start to get an idea of who the contenders and pretenders ar. Although much can change in the suimmer months, here are my picks for the best and worst of the Major Leagues in April:

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Best Team (AL)
Boston Red Sox (18-8)
his is not a homer pick! The Boston Red Sox are for real. The starting pitching has been fantastic and enough can't be said about the impact John Farrell has had on this team. This years lineup has a nice blend of speed & power from both sides of the plate & the bullpen has been rock solid. If this team can stay away from the injury bug then I cant see a scenario that they aren't competing for a division title come September.

Honorable Mention
Texas Rangers (17-9)
A lethal lineup that will benefit playing half their games in Arlington. Yu Darvish has been great but they need more pitching if they want to have a shot at the pennant. 

Worst Team (AL)
Houston Astros (8-19)
What can you say about Houston? This team has been stripped to a bare minimum and going through a complete rebuild.

Dishonorable Mention
Toronto Blue Jays (10-17)
The offseason champs look anything but now that the real games have started. But seriously this team has already been ravaged by injuries & the shiny new rotation has been awful.

Best Team (NL)
Atlanta Braves (17-9)
Despite dropping 4 in a row, the Braves are the deepest team in the senior circuit. The offense has a chance to be really special led by early season MVP candidate Justin Upton. Starting pitching is still strong, and the bullpen might be the best in baseball.

Honorable Mention
Flip a coin! Colorado (16-11) is playing very well, and Pittsburgh and Arizona (15-12)  are each tied for the third best record in the NL.

Worst Team (NL)
Miami Marlins (8-19)
See Houston Astros

Dishonorable Mention
Chicago Cubs 9-15 - How long will it take Theo Epstein & company to build a contender?

Best Pitcher (AL)
How can you pick just one?
* Clay Buchholz (BOS): 5-0 * 1.19 ERA *  39 K * 37.2 IP
* Matt Moore (TAM): 5-0  * 1.13 ERA *  38 K *  32 IP
* Yu Darvish (TEX): 4-1  * 1.65 ERA * 49 K * 32.2 IP

Worst Pitcher (AL)
* Josh Johnson (TOR): 0-1 * 6.82 ERA * 19 K * 19.2 IP
* Jarrod Parker (OAK): 0-4 * 8.10 ERA  * 14 K  * 23.1 IP

Best Pitcher (NL)
* Matt Harvey (NYM): 4-0 * 1.54 ERA * 39 K  35 IP
* Adam Wainwright (STL): 4-1 * 1.93 ERA * 37 K * 37.1 IP

Worst Pitcher (NL)
* Matt Cain (SF): 0-2 * 6.59 ERA *  26 K * 28.2 IP
* Cole Hamels (PHI): 0-3 * 5.40 ERA * 26 K * 31.2 IP

Best Hitter (AL)
* Chris Davis (BAL):  .346 BA * 8 HR * 25 RBI * 15 Runs
* Adam Jones (BAL): .352 BA * 4 HR * 20 RBI * 22 Runs 
* Mike Napoli (BOS):  .281 BA * 4 HR * 27 RBI * 13 Runs 

Best Hitter (NL)
* Justin Upton (ATL):  .302 BA *  12 HR * 18 RBI * 20 Runs
* Bryce Harper (WAS):  .373  BA * 9 HR * 18 RBI * 17 Runs

So there it is. Some of the best & worst performances from the month of April. The season is young but you cant underestimate how important it is to get off to a good start. 

- M. Lucas Jr.