Ok so it is really early in the season, but going into Wednesday and off a first impression there a few guys who looked like they could be headed for the Hall of Fame that are not playing up to those standards or the ones we are used to to seeing. Again way too early to make any real judgements, but fans really hope to see their players put up some better numbers soon.
First I have to start with the most obvious, Boston starter Chris Sale. The guy has been an All-Star for the last seven years, spending time with both Sox teams in Chicago and Boston. He was also my first round draft pick in my fantasy league. Well that sure isn't working out. Sale is 0-3 with 9.00 ERA after his most recent loss to the Blue Jays, lasting only four innings and giving up seven hits and five earned runs. His first start was also a really rough one, giving up seven earned runs against the surprisingly impressive Mariners offensive over only three innings on the mound. Sale has plenty of time to turn things around, but his control and big decline in pitches that are getting batters to chase is something the 2018 Champs may want to worry about. As I watched him pitch today against Toronto, I noticed he had a good amount of guys in two strike counts, but instead of a something just off the plate he would miss rather high at head level or low in the dirt, or just put it over the plate that turned into a hit. Sale needs to get his control and clutch pitching back in line or he is in for a long disappointing season. Just for my fantasy baseball hopes, I would really like to see him turn it around.
Next on my list is Buster Posey of the San Francisco Giants. Posey dealt with injury issues last year and needed surgery, but hopes were high that he was ready to turn things around after a year with low power numbers. Well things are not off to the best of starts, as the team I have seen become regular to get shutout could really use some offensive help from their former MVP. Posey has a career batting average of .305, but he is currently rocking a .212 average with still no RBIs. Normally batting fourth in the lineup, he should be one of the leaders on the team in that category. The Giants are off to a tough start, as it isn't just Posey that isn't producing at the rate he normally does, with Longoria, Crawford, and the Giants outfield also struggling to come up with runs. The new addition of Kevin Pillar may be turning that around after his first grandslam and other extra base hits he has come up with recently. Buster has had a great career and looks to bring those numbers up to help the team he has a long contract with.
Finally we have another former MVP who just signed a nice $23 Million deal with Atlanta who has not been to impressive so far in the 2019 season. Like Posey he has no RBIs, luckily his team has not felt the affects as badly. Donaldson has a .184 batting average and has not done what he is know for, sending one over the wall. Donaldson has one extra base hit and doesn't appear to be living up to the deal he signed. Donaldson will need to get those numbers up and come through more for his team, as they compete in one of the most intense divisions, now dealing with a Phillies rival that acquired some big name bats in the offseason. Plenty of time to improve, hopefully Donaldson turns the heat up and adds some more to his career HR total.
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