The 2021 Major League Baseball season is well underway, and there have already been some surprising developments. While some squads have exceeded expectations, others have fallen far short of them. Here are six teams that have been particularly disappointing.
1. New York Mets
The Mets are a prime example of how preseason projections can be misleading. With the offseason acquisition of star shortstop Francisco Lindor, New York was expected to make a serious bid for the National League East title. Instead, the team has struggled out of the gate, with an underwhelming 6-7 record as of April 15th. Their lineup has been inconsistent, and injuries have already taken a toll on their starting rotation.
2. New York Yankees
Speaking of New York disappointments, the Yankees are also off to a rough start. Despite having one of the most potent offenses in the game, the Bronx Bombers have been uncharacteristically quiet at the plate, scoring just 38 runs in their first 11 games. Their pitching staff has also been shaky, with ace Gerrit Cole being the only consistent performer. The Yankees will need to turn things around quickly if they want to avoid a disappointing season.
3. St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals are in a deep hole after their lackluster start to the season. Despite making the playoffs in 2020, the Cards have been outscored 44-22 in their first 11 games. Their normally stout pitching staff has been struggling, and the offense has been held scoreless in four of their last seven games. With a tough NL Central division that features the likes of the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs, the Cardinals will need to start playing better baseball soon.
4. Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox are another team that has been struggling in the early going. After a disastrous 2020 campaign, Boston was hoping to turn things around with some key offseason additions. However, their pitching staff has been a weak link so far, and the offense has been inconsistent. With the powerhouse Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees in their division, the Red Sox will need to pick up their game if they want to stay in the playoff race.
5. Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies were a popular pick to make the postseason this year, but they’ve stumbled out of the gate with a 6-6 record. Their starting pitching has been solid, but the bullpen has been a major weakness, with blown saves costing them valuable wins. The offense has also been inconsistent, with big-money signing J.T. Realmuto struggling to find his groove at the plate. The Phillies will need to find some consistency if they want to challenge for the NL East title.
6. Atlanta Braves
Last but not least, the Braves have also been underwhelming in the early going. After making it to the NLCS last year, Atlanta was expected to contend once again in 2021. However, a slow start has many fans worried. The offense has been average at best, and the starting pitching has been shaky. Despite the struggles, the Braves are still within striking distance in the NL East, and a winning streak could turn things around quickly.
In conclusion, it’s still early in the season, and there is plenty of time for these teams to turn things around. However, the slow starts have been disappointing for fans and players alike. It will be interesting to see if these squads can bounce back and salvage their seasons.
