10 Early Season MLB Statistics That Should Have Fans Worried

Michael

3 min read

Post on May 17, 2025

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10 Early Season MLB Statistics That Should Have Fans Worried

Baseball's early season is a whirlwind of hope and hype, but some concerning trends are already emerging. While it's still early, certain statistics paint a worrying picture for several teams. Let's dive into ten early-season numbers that should have fans hitting the panic button (or at least, adjusting their expectations).

1. The Dodgers' Struggling Bullpen: Los Angeles's historically dominant bullpen is showing cracks. Their ERA is significantly higher than last year, and their strikeout rate is down. This is a major concern given their reliance on pitching depth in the past. Could this be a sign of fatigue or a deeper issue? Only time will tell, but their early struggles are definitely noteworthy.

2. Shohei Ohtani's Slugging Percentage Dip: While still a force on the mound, Ohtani's batting numbers have taken a dip. His lower slugging percentage suggests a potential issue with his swing or approach at the plate. For the Angels, who rely heavily on his offensive power, this is a serious concern for their playoff hopes.

3. The Yankees' Offensive Woes: Despite boasting a star-studded lineup, the Yankees are struggling to score runs. Their team batting average and on-base percentage are alarmingly low. This inconsistency at the plate is a significant red flag, especially given their high payroll expectations. Are injuries to key players the culprit, or is it something more systemic?

4. The Mets' Rotation Instability: The Mets' starting pitching rotation, expected to be a strength, is showing vulnerability. Injuries and inconsistent performances have left them scrambling early. Their reliance on the bullpen has already led to fatigue and diminished performance in that area as well.

5. The Astros' Home Run Drought: Houston, a team known for its power hitting, is struggling to hit home runs. This unexpected slump could signal underlying issues with their approach at the plate or even pitching adjustments by opposing teams. Their lack of power is a major concern.

6. High Strikeout Rates Across the League: Across the league, strikeout rates are unusually high. This could be attributed to several factors, including pitchers’ increased velocity and improved breaking pitches, or perhaps a shift in hitter approach. Whatever the cause, the impact on scoring is undeniable.

7. The Braves' Defensive Lapses: Atlanta, typically a strong defensive team, is committing a higher number of errors than anticipated. This defensive inconsistency can be costly in close games and significantly impact their chances of winning the division.

8. The Cardinals' Starting Pitching Struggles: St. Louis's starting rotation, expected to carry the team, is significantly underperforming. Their high ERA and lack of consistent innings are raising serious questions about their depth and preparedness for the long season.

9. The Padres' Inconsistent Offense: While boasting star power, the Padres haven't translated their talent into consistent offensive production. Their inability to string together hits and score runs consistently is a major red flag.

10. Increased Number of Injuries League-Wide: The early season has seen a higher than average number of significant injuries across the league. This raises concerns about player workload, training regimens, and the overall physical demands of the game.

What Does This Mean for Fans?

These early-season stats don't necessarily doom these teams to failure, but they do highlight areas of concern. Fans should temper their expectations and monitor team performance closely. The season is long, and things can change rapidly, but these statistics provide valuable insights into potential vulnerabilities. Keep an eye on these teams and see how they address these challenges as the season progresses!

Call to Action: What MLB teams are you most worried about this season? Share your thoughts in the comments below!