Under Expectations: The Necessary Culture Shift in Underperforming MLB Teams
Four pre-2022 contenders have not played to expectations through May in the MLB season. Krebs’ latest Friday MLB Column takes a look into what needs to change and how to right the ship in a competitive MLB.
Predicting baseball or sports is impossible due to factors that dictate on-field performance. As much as insiders know about a game, anything can happen on the field or court. Many sports analysts predict division winners and playoff contenders before the season starts. When teams appear strong on paper and cannot produce on the field, it raises the question of why people try to predict the impossible, even if just for fun. Preseason contenders in any sport is a label and designation that does not hold much weight, amplified if the players do not perform to expectations.
Teams featuring playoff-caliber MLB talent (Phillies, White Sox, Red Sox, and Mariners) sit around or below .500 in the win/loss column via MLB.com standings. Not all these teams will sit at the bottom of the league at the end of the season; at least one or two will find their groove, but it is shocking to see teams once thought to be at the top of the league fall to the bottom.
Inconsistency is a liability, and these teams demonstrate unreliability in run production and bullpen competency. Inconsistency in a sport of consistency is not a sustained indicator of success. If a team’s talent level does not hit expectations, something must change quickly before the inevitable personnel changes with subpar teams in a losing effort.
Instead of falling into a failed lull that has not resulted in early season success, managers and team staff must self-assess, make in-house changes, and work cohesively with the people in the building to maximize the roster. The time is now to work together to create a successful team in-house before moving on to the future, but swift action is necessary to catch up to the substantial leads that established teams have created. Failure should not be an option for these teams, and they must do what they can to change current practices or risk a massive overhaul.
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