MLB: Orioles and Marlins the surprise early pace-setters

Yes, it’s very early in the season, but it’s never too early to start handing out the MLB awards. And the winners are:

Most surprising AL Team - Baltimore Orioles: The Orioles are in second place in the AL East with an 11-9 record. After losing Erik Bedard and Miguel Tejada, their best pitcher and offensive player, the Orioles were expected to struggle all year long.  But they have come out the gates strong, sweeping Seattle in a four-game series, and winning a series against the Yankees. It’s a long season, but as of now they are the biggest surprise.

Most surprising NL Team - Florida Marlins: The Marlins are in top spot in the NL East at 12-8. Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis were traded in the off-season, and this year looked like another one of those wire-to-wire last place seasons. But The Marlins have managed to get off to the best start in their division, out-performing the favored Mets, Phillies, and Braves.

They beat the Braves in a three-game series in the third week of the season. As expected Hanley Ramirez has been an offensive juggernaut (.365 6HR 16 RBIs). But Scott Olsen has been a pleasant surprise on the mound (3-0 2.60 ERA). It is still doubtful that the Marlins can keep this up.