American League
Central Division
White Sox: Alexei Ramirez leads American League in hitting and could be early leader for AL player of the month.
Indians: Cleveland rocks? Not really. Worst home attendance in baseball, despite coming off postseason appearance.
Royals: Lorde finally got her picture taken with George Brett, whose photo inspired her hit song, “Royals.”
Tigers: Victor Martinez entered the weekend with only one strikeout in 46 at-bats.
Twins: Surprisingly, Joe Mauer and anonymous lineup led majors Friday in on-base percentage (.353).
East Division
Blue Jays: At this rate, Mark Buehrle could be the next Jamie Moyer, baffling hitters well into his 40s.
Orioles: “Crush” has crash-landed. Chris Davis hit 53 home runs last year. Entering weekend, he had but one.
Rays: Desperate measures call for … Erik Bedard? He becomes seventh starter already for injury-plagued staff
Red Sox: Coincidence? Xander Bogaerts posts photo of scantily clad young woman on Twitter, then homers off Chris Sale.
Yankees: Mark Teixeira’s return from abductor strain should make league’s top-hitting offense even better. Or not.
West Division
Angels: Latest freak injury — leadoff man Kole Calhoun sprains right ankle after stepping in divot running out routine grounder.
Astros: Top hitting prospect George Springer arrives in nick of time. Astros hit .185 over their first 14 games.
Athletics: Who has the best winning percentage in majors since start of 2012? Bill Beane’s Moneyballers.
Mariners: With three extra-base hits over first 15 games, Robinson Cano becomes first $240 million singles hitter.
Rangers: Written off by most, Kevin Kouzmanoff is back and hitting after spending last two years in the minors.
National League
Central Division
Cubs: If Rome was burning, the Cubs marketing department would be promoting the 100th anniversary of the Coliseum.
Brewers: Is the old K-Rod back? Francisco Rodriguez averaged 15.4 strikeouts per nine innings in first seven appearances.
Cardinals: John Mozeliak given a two-year extension through 2018. May be the best GM in the game.
Pirates: At least no one made fun of Mike Tyson’s arm after his embarrassing first pitch performance at PNC Park.
Reds: Manager Bryan Price asks reporters if they want to stand in the cage for Aroldis Chapman’s first BP. No volunteers.
East Division
Braves: Go figure. The team that ranked 11th in the league in OBP on Friday was first in run differential
Marlins: Reverting to form after good start, and the only team still left winless (0-6) on the road.
Mets: A tell-all book by the guy in Mr. Met costume? Only in New York do mascots have their own publisher.
Nationals: Loss of Ryan Zimmerman for four to six weeks could be fatal. Can Bryce Harper be the Dude?
Phillies: Jonathan Papelbon says he’s “kind of like the Ric Flair villain.” Phillies would prefer “kind of like a premier closer.”
West Division
Diamondbacks: Manager Kirk Gibson’s first bad decision of 2014 was joining Twitter. Easier for his critics to find him.
Dodgers: After shocking allegations on his escape from Cuba, Yasiel Puig’s agent releases a meaningless statement.
Giants: Buster Posey, the one indispensable Giant, takes a foul ball off shoulder Thursday. Sits the next day.
Padres: Former Cub Andrew Cashner could be the Lou Brock of the 21st century, which makes Anthony Rizzo Ernie Broglio.
Rockies: So far, so good for LaTroy Hawkins. Getting the job done as closer at 41.
