Four teams are off to better-than-expected starts

Jorge Cantu has actually posted better numbers than Miguel Cabrera, the man he replaced in Florida. Gary Rothstein/Icon SMI

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The disappointing Detroit Tigers are understandably taking almost all the attention for their stunningly dreadful beginning. And that's just not right. There are a handful of teams that are almost as stunning as the Tigers, but in a positive way: the Marlins, Cardinals, Royals and Orioles.

Here's a look at those four surprise starters and whether they can keep it up.

Marlins (5-3)

Miguel Cabrera's old team is certainly playing better than his new one. Cabrera's bargain replacement, Jorge Cantu, is out-hitting Cabrera so far (.242 to .125), Hanley Ramirez (2 HRs, 6 RBIs, .414) is doing what everyone expects and Mike Jacobs (four homers) looks like he might continue what he showed this spring.

But no one ever won a division such a sparse budget -- an MLB-low $18 million payroll. They may be aided by having faced the Pirates and Nationals after opening against the Mets. So, it's a little early to celebrate.

The Marlins do get OK bang for their measly buck, but they lack pop after the first four in their lineup and are almost bereft of proven starting pitching. While they have some great arms in the organization (Brett Sinkbeil, Chris Volstad, Aaron Thompson, Gaby Hernandez), most of them are still at least a year or two away.

Verdict: Not this year, but maybe by 2010.

Cardinals (7-2)

St. Louis seemed to be a complete disaster early in the spring with Juan Gonzalez and Scott Spiezio taking all the attention and an oddly large number of Mitchell Report alums hanging around camp. But by the end, Gonzalez and Spiezio were gone, and the Cards looked like they had a little hope.

At the very least, we know they are feisty. If it's not pitching coach Dave Duncan getting into it with an overzealous shock jock who aired a conversation without telling him, it's Albert Pujols and Astros pitcher Brandon Backe nearly coming to blows during batting practice over Pujols running into the Astros' young catcher J.R. Towles in a recent game.

Pujols followed his near fight by slugging two home runs. Let's not forget that Duncan has gotten more out of his rotation of former relievers than anyone could have imagined. Adam Wainwright is no surprise anymore, but Braden Looper continues to perform well (2-0, 3.09), and what's really stunning, Duncan may be on the verge of turning Todd Wellemeyer (1-0, 2.25) and Brad Thompson (1-0, 2.53) into viable starters, as well.

The four former relievers join Kyle Lohse (2-0, 0.00) who was unemployed until mid-camp, to form the best rotation in the NL so far. If Chris Carpenter or Mark Mulder ever returns, they may really have something here.

Verdict: They look like they'll be better than anyone thought (myself included), and while there's still plenty of time to turn south, and the Cubs or Brewers should win this division, I wouldn't rule them out completely.

Royals (6-2)

Simultaneously, Kansas CIty showed up both New York teams this week when ex-Met Brian Bannister beat the Yankees (and struck out Alex Rodriguez in every at-bat; in all, A-Rod whiffed four times that day). Good things are happening here, and I have to admit; I may have been the last to notice.

The top of the rotation -- Gil Meche, Bannister and Zack Greinke -- provides lots of promise, just as GM Dayton Moore envisioned. And Rule V pickup Joakim Soria is closing games efficiently (five games, no walks, seven K's so far).

Things are definitely looking up, with Alex Gordon and Billy Butler showing great potential as hitters. Eventually, they may take the Nos. 3 and 4 spots from the rhyming duo of Mark Teahen and Jose Guillen. I still don't love the signing of Guillen, but at this point I should just defer to Moore, who apparently knows what he's doing.

Verdict: They look good for the future, and they're much better now than most of us realized. Not a contender, but far from bad.

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