Issue date: 4/15/09 Section: Sports

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The 2009 Major League Baseball season has already started and it looks like it will be a competitive season. In just the first week of the season, there are no undefeated teams - but then again, it's only the first week of the season.

Before I get started with anything, it is only right for me to pay homage to the late Nick Adenhart. He had an extremely bright career ahead of him and he was the top young prospect in the MLB. At only 22, he had so much to offer for the Los Angeles Angels and the MLB in general; to lose his life in a foolish hit-and-run accident is not the way to end a career.

His tragic death impacted everyone, but it was heartwarming to see the overflow of gifts on Adenhart's memorial outside of Angel Stadium. It was also interesting more so in a good way that the media showed Adenhart's agent Scott Boras breaking down during the press conference. Agents in general, especially Boras, are notorious for being greedy and demanding huge multi-million dollar contract deals for his players (He represented Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez, just to name a few players). To see his soft side at the press conference, it's nice to see that under all that money, he at least has close relationships with the players he works with.

Now onto the rundown of the top teams so far this season. Here are the teams that will most likely lead their division - at least until the All-Star break:

American League - West

Los Angeles Angels - As of Sunday, the Seattle Mariners were leading the AL West, but the Angels can easily take over that spot. The loss of Adenhart will be a huge gap to fill, but there are rumors that free-agent Pedro Martinez will be an option for the Angels since Kelvim Escobar, John Lackey and Ervin Santana will not return until mid-May.
Runner-up: Seattle Mariners

American League - Central

Detroit Tigers - Miguel Cabrera is off to a tremendous start with a .520 batting average, 10 RBI's and three home runs. Brandon Inge is right behind him with a .304 batting average, seven RBI's and four home runs. What the Tigers need to keep up in order to stay on top of AL Central is its pitching. In its first seven games, the Tigers have given up 33 runs.
Runner-up: Chicago White Sox

American League - East

New York Yankees - I still support my Yankees no matter what, but besides that, the Yanks will climb back up to the top of the AL East as usual. The loss of A-Rod might take a toll on the Yankees' offense, but Mark Teixeira is slowly developing his groove with the Yanks. The surprise performer though is Nick Swisher: a .471 batting average, nine RBI's and two home runs. Maybe the Oakland Athletics and White Sox did give of something good after all. Pitching is still an issue for the Yankees and with CC Sabathia's on-anp-off performance, the Yanks will need more than A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte to hold the weight for everyone else.
Runner-up: Tampa Bay Devil Rays

National League - West

Los Angeles Dodgers - The Dodgers' pitching is solid; only 23 runs were given up in its first seven games. The bats are also doing well with 32 runs score in seven games. Manny Ramirez has a .286 batting average and four RBI's.

Sorry, but the San Francisco Giants do not look good right now. Tim Lincecum was hyped way too much and as of Sunday; he has given up 14 hits and seven runs in just 8.1 innings and has a 7.56 ERA. If he keeps this up, he will end up as another success-turned-failure like Barry ... Zito, that is.
Runner-up: San Diego Padres

National League - Central

St. Louis Cardinals - Albert Pujols is dominating yet again with a .375 batting average, nine RBI's and three home runs. The pitching is superb, only giving up 22 runs in seven games. Watch out for Lou Piniella and the Chicago Cubs though as they are always thirsty for that world title they've always wanted, but couldn't have.
Runner-up: Chicago Cubs

National League - East

Florida Marlins - This is another team with mostly no-name young players who will bring their team up to the top without notice. Out of the Marlins' entire 25-man active roster, there are only four players over the age of 30. The Marlins' offense is producing runs as if every game was batting practice, with 37 runs and eight home runs in just six games. The Atlanta Braves are making a comeback though and as of Sunday, the Braves were tied with the Marlins for 1st place in the NL East with 5-1 records. The defending champs Philadelphia Phillies are 3-3 and can also make a comeback as well. The NL East will most likely be the most competitive division this season.
Runner-up: Atlanta Braves


Nick Hunte can be reached at nhunte@statehornet

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