Three Weeks In

Whether you're a real manager or a fantasy baseball manager, I think the worst thing you can do at this point is panic, like using your ace to bolster a struggling bullpen. But at the same time, now that most teams have played 17 or 18 games, I think it's time to face some facts.

#1 The Yankees are not in the Red Sox league, yet
Fresh off a three-game-sweep of the Bombers, it's evident Boston is the far superior team. The Sox have the best winning percentage in baseball and Manny isn't hitting, yet (although last night was a good start). Meantime, it's a miracle if New York's bullpen phone doesn't ring before the fifth. They need their starters back soon.

#2 The Braves are back
Thanks to a resurgent Tim Hudson and a dynamite bullpen (Wickman, Villarreal, Gonzalez, Paronto), the Braves look like they just might be able to hang with the Mets, at least for now. What's scary is that Andruw Jones and Jeff Francoeur haven't done much of anything yet.

#3 The AL West is wide open
I'll admit I thought the Angels were going to run away with this one, but so far the Halos have stumbled out of the gate (9-9) and the main reason is, they're not hitting. They've only scored 65 runs so far. Only the Mariners (in 4 fewer games), Nationals, Cardinals, Pirates and Giants have scored fewer. None of those other teams look like post-season contenders yet, and if LA doesn't want to join them on the golf course in October, they'd better pick it up. Luckily, they still have a diesel starting rotation now that Colon is back, so they might be able to win a whole lot of 3-2 games.

#4 The Nationals are bad, and getting worse
6-13, second fewest runs scored in baseball, second most runs allowed in baseball, and I bet you can't name 3 of their pitchers. Poor, poor Manny Acta.

#5 The NL Central is also wide open
I know it's early, but the Cardinals look like shadows of their former selves. The Astros and Reds closer situations scare me. Pittsburgh has no business winning the division, the Cubs suffer a new injury every day. That leaves the Brew Crew. This team hasn't been to the post-season since 1982. Is this the year?