The biggest surprises of the 2020 MLB season

Most of the 30 MLB teams are closing in on the halfway point of the 60-game 2020 schedule, and there have been plenty of unexpected developments, both positive and negative. Here are the five biggest surprises so far of the 2020 MLB season

5. Trout’s Angels are floundering

The Angels are co-owners of the worst record in the American League with the injury-plagued Red Sox, entering Monday at 9-20 (.321).

Expectations were sky-high following the hiring of manager Joe Maddon and the addition of Anthony Rendon and Julio Teheran in free agency. Fans were also counting on Shohei Ohtani to rejoin the rotation. Rendon is hitting well (1.012 OPS), as is Mike Trout (as usual, with an OPS of .952), but Ohtani (.671 OPS), Justin Upton (.357 OPS), and highly-touted outfield prospect Jo Adell (.470 OPS) have all been subpar at the plate. Teheran has a 10.38 ERA through four starts.

4. Rocky start for Arenado

Perennial MVP candidate Nolan Arenado was given the dreaded "day off" treatment on Sunday as his prolonged slump at the plate continues. The Colorado third baseman is batting just .218 on the season and has only four hits in his last 32 at-bats (.125).

3. Orioles cashing in with Santander

The Baltimore Orioles are 14-14 through Sunday and in the thick of the playoff race despite being given less than a one percent chance to qualify before Opening Day. Right fielder Anthony Santander is a big reason behind their success, as he’s second in the AL in homers (10), RBI (27) and total bases (76).

2. Powerful Padres making playoff push

The San Diego Padres are 18-12 – good for second in the NL West – which puts them in the playoff picture. They’ve won seven straight games thanks in large part to their explosive offense, which tallied a grand slam in five of those seven games. Fernando Tatis Jr. leads the NL in home runs (12), RBI (29) and total bases (80).

1. Pitchers, shifts driving hitters batty

As of Saturday, the cumulative major league batting average is .242, down significantly from last year’s mark of .252. That would be the lowest MLB batting average since 1968, the so-called "Year of the Pitcher." As many have pointed out, defensive shifts are up about 35%, so more would-be hits are turning into outs.