Early MLB storylines to be aware of heading into April

The opening weekend of MLB is over, which suggests March has ended and April baseball will get underway. Listed below are some early-season storylines that followers ought to suppose twice about believing in.

Atlanta’s revenge on Philadelphia with a gap collection win

The Braves gained two out of three video games in Philadelphia over the weekend. The final time Atlanta performed at Residents Financial institution Park, they have been eradicated from the 2023 NLDS by the Phillies for a second consecutive season. Some Braves followers would possibly really feel their squad exacted some revenge with the opening collection win in opposition to their playoff nemesis. 

Nevertheless, regardless of Atlanta’s 21-14 common season report in opposition to Philadelphia since 2022, the reigning NL East champs are 2-6 because the favorites over that interval when video games have mattered probably the most in October. 

The on-pace numbers for Mookie Betts

It is a small pattern dimension, however after six contests, Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts has 11 hits in 22 at-bats. He is collected 4 dwelling runs, 10 RBI and a .621 on-base share. Betts has additionally crossed dwelling plate 9 instances in that span and is on tempo for 243 runs scored. 

Some have puzzled if the leadoff hitter can common one run per contest and change into the primary participant to tally 150 runs in a season since Jeff Bagwell’s 152 in 2000.  

With a revamped Dodgers lineup hitting behind Betts, it is actually a chance to common one run per sport however watch out for early-season expectations. Not solely does a participant should be productive to succeed in such ranges, however he should keep wholesome as properly. 

It is too early within the marketing campaign to imagine in particular person statistics, particularly in an period of excessive harm threat and scheduled upkeep days.  

The Yankees nice begin after sweeping the Astros

New York’s four-game sweep in Houston in opposition to the franchise that has knocked them out of the postseason 4 instances since 2015 was the proper begin to the brand new marketing campaign for The Pinstripes. 

Newly acquired outfielder Juan Soto had a fantastic collection, which included a clutch game-saving throw from proper discipline within the ninth inning of Thursday’s season opener in addition to back-to-back go-ahead hits on Saturday and Sunday.