MLB Roundtable: Breaking down 1st month of season

We're one month into the 2026 MLB season, and theScore baseball editors Bryan Mcwilliam, Tom Ruminski, and Simon Sharkey-Gotlieb are here to answer some of the most pressing questions so far.

What's the biggest early-season storyline?

Success of ABS: Even the most ardent of traditionalists can't deny just how great the ABS system has been. In addition to helping umpires get their calls right, it's brought an element of strategy to the game and created excitement in the ballpark without completely eliminating the human element. ABS also allows fans to appreciate how hard an umpire's job is in this era. The system is still so new that players are almost experimenting with it in many ways, and you'll probably start to see them get the hang of it by the All-Star break. For now, we'll applaud MLB for introducing a fantastic system that's been a roaring success. - Sharkey-Gotlieb

José Soriano's wild start: The Angels right-hander has allowed just one run over 37 2/3 innings. One single run. The 27-year-old's 0.24 ERA is the lowest for any pitcher through the first six starts of a season since earned runs became official in both leagues in 1913 (minimum 30 innings). Soriano's numbers are bound to come back to Earth - he owns a career 3.56 ERA - but let's enjoy this historical run while it lasts and give him props. - Ruminski

Mets' miserable play: The Mets entered the season with one of baseball's highest payrolls and lofty expectations following David Stearns' roster overhaul. However, things aren't going well. New York dropped 12 straight and were just five losses short of matching the franchise record before beating the Twins on Wednesday. Each loss only draws more eyes to the Mets, who own the second-worst record in the majors despite featuring high-paid stars like Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor, and Bo Bichette. - Mcwilliam

Which team has impressed you the most?

Braves: Atlanta looked cursed again after a slew of injuries and bad luck to open the season - a trend that's become part of the club's identity over the last few years. Yet the Braves are off to a 18-8 start with a plus-62 run differential despite missing Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Hurston Waldrep from the rotation. The team is also dealing with the loss of Ha-Seong Kim and Sean Murphy, as well as Jurickson Profar's season-long suspension. Additionally, the hot start has come with limited production from Ronald Acuña Jr., who has just one home run. Meanwhile, reigning NL Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin, Matt Olson, and Michael Harris II have combined for 20 homers and 61 RBIs. - Ruminski

Padres: On paper, the Padres didn't look like a complete team entering 2026. Major question marks loomed over the rotation, and the lineup had holes the front office didn't address in the offseason because of the potential sale of the franchise. But it's late April, and San Diego is tied for the second-best record in baseball and shares the NL West lead with the Dodgers. How have the Padres done it? A ridiculous bullpen anchored by the game's best closer in Mason Miller, a breakout campaign from starter Randy Vásquez, and beating the teams they're supposed to beat. An upcoming series in Mexico against the D-Backs, followed by three home games against the red-hot Cubs, could offer a gauge of what this club is truly made of. - Mcwilliam

Yankees: The Yankees received plenty of criticism for running back a roster that, despite winning 94 games in 2025, had a litany of flaws exposed in the playoffs. Well, it appears this group may have learned some harsh lessons from last year's early exit. The 16-9 Yankees own the AL's best record and run differential (plus-37) by wide margins, already threatening to pull away from the AL East pack after sweeping from the rival Red Sox this week. Aaron Judge continues to do his thing offensively and is receiving help from unlikely sources in Ben Rice (1.169 OPS, eight homers) and Amed Rosario (.868 OPS, 13 RBIs). Max Fried and Cam Schlittler have been brilliant in the rotation, taking the pressure off Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón to perform once they're healthy. Right now, these Yankees look like the team to beat in the AL. - Sharkey-Gotlieb

Which team do you think is overachieving?

Twins: Buoyed by a surprising sweep of the Tigers and series wins over the Blue Jays and Red Sox, the Twins jumped atop the AL Central in mid-April and now sit 1 1/2 games back of first place. Still, even accounting for the AL Central's reputation, the squad's hot start seems unlikely to last. A soft April schedule helped Minnesota catch some teams at the right time, and the Twins had some flaws exposed while being swept by the Reds last weekend. Taj Bradley might be breaking out, but his pace isn't sustainable. And Austin Martin isn't finishing the season with a Bondsian .515 OBP. Baseball has a way of balancing itself out over time, and it wouldn't be shocking to see the rebuilding Twins rapidly backsliding by mid-May. - Sharkey-Gotlieb

Cardinals: It seems nobody told the players that St. Louis is rebuilding. The Cardinals are over .500 despite focusing on a youth movement after trading pricey veterans in the offseason. It's a nice story, but don't expect it to last. The club owns a minus-11 run differential, which means they've been a bit lucky - their expected record is 11-13. Notably, the Cardinals are 5-0 in one-run contests and have yet to play a rival from the NL Central, a division where the Cubs, Brewers, Reds, and Pirates could all be fighting for playoff spots. - Ruminski

Athletics: The A's have looked like one of the best teams in baseball after putting their season-opening sweep against the Blue Jays in the rearview mirror. Since then, they've posted a 13-9 record and have played well against division rivals. Shea Langeliers has been tremendous, his eight homers tying for fifth in the majors. Jeffrey Springs has also been a bright spot in the rotation, with his 0.98 WHIP. We'll see if the Athletics can continue their success with a questionable bullpen and rotation lacking star power, but let's enjoy the ride for now. - Mcwilliam

Which struggling team are you most worried about?

Red Sox: You can't win the AL East - baseball's most competitive division - in April, but you can absolutely lose it. The Red Sox are sure doing their best to make that happen. Boston's inconsistency has the team at 9-16 with a minus-22 run differential and only two series wins thus far. The Red Sox have also hit an AL-worst 14 home runs and own the Junior Circuit's lowest OPS (.636) by a wide margin. Sonny Gray's recent injury further depletes a rotation already missing other pieces. While it's early, this ongoing nine-game stretch against the division-rival Yankees, Orioles, and Blue Jays could determine the fate of the 2026 Red Sox. - Sharkey-Gotlieb

Phillies: One of baseball's biggest surprises is the Phillies, who are an MLB-worst 8-17 despite a star-studded team of proven winners. Dave Dombrowski made very few changes in the offseason as the roster continued to age, and that may have been a mistake. Outside of Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper, there has been next to no production from the lineup, while the pitching staff has struggled without ace Zack Wheeler. The three-time All-Star returns Saturday, but this doesn't look like the same team that's made four straight playoff appearances and was close to winning a World Series in 2022. - Mcwilliam

Mets: It's easy to double down on the Mets here because no team in MLB history has ever made the postseason after losing 12 consecutive regular-season contests. But there are other red flags. Marcus Semien continues to decline after down seasons in 2024 and 2025. Devin Williams might have a New York problem, as the star closer looks just as inconsistent with the Mets as he did with the Yankees. Lastly, the Mets looked disastrous without Soto in the lineup and are now facing an extended absence for Lindor. - Ruminski

Which player's hot start has you most intrigued?

Mike Trout: Is the Angels star officially back? The three-time MVP has been on a roll, recapturing his vintage form through 25 games. Trout leads the AL in runs, and his series against the Yankees in New York (five homers in four contests) was awe-inspiring. If the 34-year-old can avoid the injury bug that's plagued him over the last five years, we could see a resurgence of one of this generation's best talents. That would not only do wonders for the Angels but also be a treat for baseball fans everywhere. - Mcwilliam

Jordan Walker: After years of regression and questions, the version of Walker the Cardinals have been waiting for seems to have finally arrived. The former top prospect's eight home runs are tied for second in the NL - already halfway to his career-high 16 from his rookie season - and he's one of six qualified players slugging above .600. Walker's porous outfield defense has also improved somewhat. While he's still striking out a ton, his eye has gotten sharper, as shown by his career-best 9.2% walk rate. Considering how far he'd fallen, the rebuilding Cardinals will be in a great place if this really is his breakout. - Sharkey-Gotlieb

Sal Stewart: I owe you an apology, Sal. I wasn't really familiar with your game. The 22-year-old wasn't getting the same type of attention as Konnor Griffin, Nolan McLean, and Bubba Chandler as a potential NL Rookie of the Year heading into the season. However, Stewart appears to be the favorite for the award at this point. The first baseman has gone deep eight times with a 1.004 OPS. He's also recorded 24 RBIs in 25 games to help the Reds get off to a strong start in what looks to be a tough division. - Ruminski

Which player on a new team are you following most?

Munetaka Murakami: Despite winning a Triple Crown in Japan, Murakami had his detractors about his hitting and how his offensive profile would translate to the majors. So far, it's been a smooth ride, with the 26-year-old quickly becoming a must-watch player. Murakami's 10 home runs rank second in the majors, and he tied the MLB rookie record by homering in five consecutive contests. He also sits in the top seven in both slugging and OPS. Murakami still has a lot of swing-and-miss in his game, but he's countering that with an elite eye, drawing 21 walks. His prodigious power has injected new life into the White Sox, making them fun to watch again. - Sharkey-Gotlieb

Kyle Tucker: You're going to draw plenty of eyes when you sign a four-year, $240-million deal with a $60-million AAV to join the two-time defending World Series champions. With that in mind, Tucker is off to an underwhelming start, slashing .244/.327/.372 with three homers and 13 RBIs. However, the four-time All-Star is second on the team with 12 walks, which means he's taking what's given to him and isn't trying to force anything until his bat comes around. The former Gold Glover has also shown off his arm this season, sitting in the 98th percentile for arm value after finishing in the 83rd percentile in 2025. - Ruminski

Dylan Cease: The right-hander's early-season outings have me circling his start dates on my calendar. Through five outings, Cease owns a 2.10 ERA and leads the majors in strikeouts. He's already recorded two double-digit strikeout performances and has yet to allow a homer. The 30-year-old has also played a crucial role in keeping the Blue Jays afloat amid a rash of injuries to key players. If the past is any indication, Cease will continue to take his turn every fifth day and rack up plenty of strikeouts. - Mcwilliam