rewrite this title AL knee-jerk reactions: Astros’ Jose Altuve needs a change of scenery

Major League Baseball is only roughly 6 percent through a 162-game regular season, but that’s not stopping Yardbarker MLB writers from delivering knee-jerk reactions about AL teams.

Is it time for Houston’s Jose Altuve to make a move? Will the Yankees torpedo the rest of the league with that offense? Read on. 

All records and statistics are through Sunday.

AL East

BALTIMORE ORIOLES (4-6) | Last place won’t be a permanent state | Going into the season, we predicted the Orioles to win the AL East, albeit not by a large margin. So far, 2025 has not treated Baltimore kindly, but it’s too talented to stay in the division’s cellar. However, Baltimore’s 4.71 ERA, 12th in the AL, is a big concern.

BOSTON RED SOX (6-4) | Outfielder Wilyer Abreu is a budding star | Abreu has a ridiculous .483/.595/.897 slash line through his first 10 games, giving the Red Sox a boost amid the immense early struggles of DH Rafael Devers. Of course, Abreu’s numbers will even out over time, but so far, it’s hard not to get excited about the early contributions.

NEW YORK YANKEES (6-3) | This is MLB’s best lineup, but … | The Yankees lead the majors in slugging percentage (.585), OPS (.950) and home runs (25), perhaps aided in part by the emergence of the torpedo bat. Regardless, though, it’s unlikely New York can sustain this torrid hitting pace over a long season, and when regression arrives, can the Yankees keep winning? 

TAMPA BAY RAYS (4-5) | Rays can’t score away from home | During their first homestand at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, the Rays scored 27 runs in six games, an average of 4.5 runs per game. The spacious Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas wasn’t nearly as kind to Tampa’s lineup over the weekend, however, as the Rays scored only nine runs in three games against the Rangers. 

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (5-5) | Outfielder George Springer recaptures his old form | Springer’s Blue Jays tenure has generally been inconsistent, if not underwhelming, after coming over from the Houston Astros in 2021. However, the 35-year-old may have located the fountain of youth (.379/.455/.621 slash line in 10 games). — Seth Carlson

AL West

ATHLETICS (4-6) | New home an offensive haven | The Athletics have played three games at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, their new home field. In those games, the A’s and Cubs combined for 44 runs, making the A’s new home the AL version of Coors Field.

HOUSTON ASTROS (4-5) | Jose Altuve is a disaster in the outfield | How many miscues, misplays and balls falling in for hits can the Astros take? It is long past time to put Altuve where he belongs: second base, where he started in the All-Star Game six times. “The routes and the fly balls, the tracking, the whole entire thing, he’s looking more comfortable and comfortable every day,” manager Joe Espada said, according to The Athletic’s Chandler Rome. Ugh.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS (6-3) | Ron Washington is a magician | Manager Ron Washington has the team playing hard and believing in itself, an indication the Angels could have their first winning season since 2014. But remember: They’ve been outscored 47-46.

SEATTLE MARINERS (3-7) | Jorge Polanco is back, baybee! | The Mariners retained the infielder after a disappointing and injury-plagued 2024 season. He has started the season white-hot, belting a two homers and striking out just three times in 20 plate appearances. TEXAS RANGERS (8-2) | Jack Leiter’s living up to expectations | Leiter has battled inconsistency as he attempted to live up to his billing as the second overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft. Although he is on the injured list because of a blister on his right middle finger, Leiter had the two best starts of his MLB career to open the season, giving hope that he can be the top-of-the-rotation starter the Rangers envisioned. — David Hill

AL Central  

CHICAGO WHITE SOX (2-7) | White Sox will be more competitive than expected | Yes, the White Sox are in the AL Central basement, as predicted. However, despite their lame record, the White Sox have a -5 run differential and lost three games in the final three innings.

CLEVELAND GUARDIANS (3-6) | Closer Emmanuel Clase is a disaster | Clase has thrown the second-most innings of any relief pitcher from 2022 to 2024 (219.2, one out fewer than Tyler Rogers) as he has established himself as one of the best closers in the game. He is off to a slow start, allowing three earned runs on seven hits over four innings; he allowed just five earned runs over 74.1 innings in 2024.

DETROIT TIGERS (5-4) | Spencer Torkelson has figured it out | The first baseman has carried a white-hot spring training into the regular season. With a pair of homers and a 1.057 OPS entering Monday, Torkelson is showing that he could be the player the Tigers envisioned.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS  (4-5)| Mediocre outfield is regressing | Royals outfielders ranked 27th in the majors with a .648 OPS last season. Although Kansas City attempted to upgrade its outfield, the same group has led to predictably mediocre results (.583 OPS).

MINNESOTA TWINS (3-6) | Outfielder Harrison Bader a tremendous bargain | The Twins signed the outfielder to a one-year deal for $6.25M to serve as their fourth outfielder. Instead, in eight games, he leads the team in homers (three), RBI (eight) and OPS (.988). — David Hill