What baseball teams have been the biggest surprise and disappointment in 2012?

1. 88

   adjkp25posted 11 years ago

   What baseball teams have been the biggest surprise and disappointment in 2012?
   
   Which team has been playing much better than you thought and which one is playing worse?  Why do you feel this way?

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2. 79

   Cogersonposted 11 years ago

   I think the Nationals and the White Sox are the biggest surprise.  While the Phillies and the Marlins have to be the biggest disappointments.

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   1. 88

      adjkp25posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I'm with you on 3 of the 4.  I'm not surprised about the Nationals.  I knew they had the talent to be up there but I didn't expect it this year.
      
      For me I would say the A's over the Nats, I had no idea Oakland could do what they are doing right now.

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3. 60

   RobSawyerposted 11 years ago

   The Pirates are the biggest positive surprise in my opinion.  They are on their way to their first winning season since 1992, and are in the playoff hunt for the first time in a very long time.  The fact that they are doing this with little "brand-name" players (McCutchen and Hanrahan were the only Pirates on the All-Star team) is also remarkable. The Pirates are posting the 5th lowest payroll in the majors this season.
   
   As far as worst surprises this season, I would say the Red Sox, who are borderline .500.  The pitching has been terrible with all starters including Beckett (ERA of 4.54 for the "ace").  With hitters like Pedroia, Ortiz, and Gonzalez, you would have expected them to be in at least second in the AL East and in the playoff hunt.

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   1. 88

      adjkp25posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      The Pirates were in contention last year for a while too before faltering, they look for real this year.
      
      I thought the Red Sox could win the east but they have not lived up to expectations and injuries have hurt them a bunch.

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4. 61

   petertebinposted 11 years ago

   Surprise teams for me would have to be the Baltimore Orioles & Oakland A's. Now I did think St. Louis Cardinals would do worse then they are doing with the loss of Albert Pujols. As far as the Nationals are a great team I predicted them before the season to win that division as well as the Braves to play well. As for disappointing teams the Phillies, Red Sox & Marlins.

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5. 94

   theframjakposted 11 years ago

   The Marlins have bombed big time this year after big off season acquisitions and the opening of the new stadium.  They had me fooled.  I thought they were going to be in it until the end.  Instead, they threw in the towel before the end of July.

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   1. 77

      teaches12345posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Let's hope the Marlin's have a better season in the coming year.

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6. 73

   BLACKANDGOLDJACKposted 11 years ago

   Phillies are definitely the big tank job in the National League. Pirates are the biggest surprise. I've been watching the Pirates for a long time, and I never expected this. In fact, I'm watching them right now and they are beating Arizona 4-2 in the last of the 3rd.
   
   In the American League, I'll pick the Indians as the biggest disappointment, especially lately. They finally broke the losing streak this afternoon. I watch a lot of their games too. I think the Red Sox are what we thought they would be. Beckett got pounded again this afternoon. But I still think the Red Sox have a chance for a wild card. 5 1/2 out and they are going to Cleveland. Somebody is going to suck. Oakland is the biggest surprise, but I think they'll fade. That would be something if they stay ahead of the Angels who spent all that money.

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7. 58

   Eric L. Andrewsposted 11 years ago

   Surprises, in a good way, would included the Oakland A's, Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates.  Washington has also been surprisingly good all year.  The former is the most exciting story.  Disappointments would be the Boston Red Sox first and foremost.  Other teams playing unexpectedly poorly would be Miami and Philly.

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8. 89

   GaryKauffmanposted 11 years ago

   This year feels like it has a lot more surprises and disappointments than usual. It'd be hard to find a bigger surprise than the Pirates playing as well as they have and still be in contention this late in the season. The A's have also been a huge surprise not only for the way they're winning (mostly through no-name pitchers) but that they are staying in contention with the Angels and Rangers.
   
   I'm sure fans of a number of teams are disappointed. Obviously the Marlins haven't done as well as expected but they haven't had a good track record lately anyway. I would consider the Phillies and Red Sox as the two biggest disappointments because they were seen shoo-ins for playoff spots and possible division titles, yet both could end up last in their divisions.

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9. 78

   billd01603posted 11 years ago

   My Red Sox are the biggest disappointment. Very poor starting pitching and a disfunctional clubhouse. The Philliess are a disappointment  in the NL

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