Blue Jays, Rangers, Brewers and Pirates: 2009 Surprise Baseball Teams

In 2007, it was the Colorado Rockies that stormed the scene and vaulted right to the World Series before their eventual defeat at the hands of the Boston Red Sox.

In 2008, it was the Tampa Bay Rays who put years of losing behind them and took their vaunted far system into the Fall Classic before meeting their fate with the Philadelphia Phillies.

So with the 2009 Major League Baseball season nearly halfway done, surely some team has put themselves in a position to shock the world and put the dreams of a lot of a few heavy favorites to sleep. With that being said, let's take a look at those who have stepped up the plate and done just that thus far in the season.

Toronto Blue Jays

In a division that was supposed to be a three-way dogfight for both the division title and the Wild Card berth for the American League, everyone was thinking that the struggle would involve Boston, New York, and last year's American League Champion Tampa Bay. Instead, it was Toronto that jumped out of the gate early and held the division lead through most of the first two months on the backs of a young pitching staff and the return of second baseman Aaron Hill.

As fun as it was in the early going for the Blue Jays, they've started to slide back in the standings, which will soon take shape in the way many expected. As of this writing, they stand 5 games behind Boston in third place, with New York two games ahead of them in the Wild Card lead. Even Tampa, which struggled mightily at the start of the season, sits only one game behind Toronto for third place. Add to that injuries to Roy Halladay and Scott Downs, an already thin pitching staff gets thinner and doesn't help them in their quest to stay in the long-term picture.

Texas Rangers

This was supposed to a division that was dominated by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, especially after they won the division by 21 games a year ago. There was even talk that Oakland would poke its head out of the woodwork and possibly make a race out of it. There weren't too many people that thought Texas even belonged in the conversation. Well, here we are in June. Oakland is mired 9 games out of first place, currently placing last in the division and the Angels, who have struggled to build momentum, currently sit in second place, 2 games behind Texas.

If any team in the majors truly embodies the upstart, it's the Rangers. This is a team that has consistently struggled to pitch, especially in their home park, yet have a respectable 4.42 team ERA. So while the pitching staff hasn't been stellar, they've been solid enough to keep them in games for what has always been an explosive offense to do its job. With Los Angeles having some major issues in terms of their own pitching, this is a team that could hold on for the long haul.

Milwaukee Brewers

They made their first postseason in 26 years in 2008 before being ousted by the eventual champion Phillies. Still, it was a big step forward. Unfortunately, they lost their ace, CC Sabathia to the New York Yankees in free agency, their number two starter, Ben Sheets, to free agency, and were generally unable to help their pitching staff much. Yet, with that being said, they still play in the National League Central and as of this writing, are in first place by 1 game over the Cardinals.

Still, for as much as they've accomplished thus far, the Brewers aren't likely to hold on for long. Their staff ace, Yovanni Gallardo, is a 23-year-old pitcher who missed a good deal of last season with arm issues. They lost their starting second baseman, Rickie Weeks, in the midst of a breakout season to yet another wrist injury. Add to that the fact that they are 11-12 in 1-run games and better on the road than they are at home, this is a team that will likely slip back into the pack.

San Francisco Giants

San Francisco is team that fits the classic mold of a break-out candidate. They are relatively young at their starting positions. They have an experienced, yet viable pitching staff. And they were given next to no shot to win the division from the heavily favored Dodgers. So with the odds stacked against them, should we really be surprised that they sit in second place, 8.5 games behind Los Angeles? Or should we be more surprised that they are just 1.5 games out of the Wild Card lead?

With young players like Pablo Sandoval, who thus far is the NL Rookie of the Year, reigning Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum, and Matt Cain, this is a team that could jump into contention quickly. Add to that mix veteran savvy from playoff tested players like Randy Johnson, Barry Zito, and Aaron Rowand, the Giants could very well be the big mover this fall.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Now I'm going to preface this selection right out of the gate. There is no way this team will be in the playoff hunt when September rolls around. Still, this is a team that is playing near .500 baseball after the first three months, which is impressive considering that they've already traded Nate McClouth, their best player, and bear a much larger resemblance to a AAA squad than they do a major league franchise.

The Pirates merit mention on this list because they were supposed to battle it out with Washington for the worst record in baseball this season. Instead, they've made life interestingly difficult for all opponents, something that could carry over into the playoff push as long as they don't tear the roster down too badly. In September, they won't so much represent the upstart as much as they do the nail in someone else's coffin.

References

MLB Standings, MLB.com

MLB Sortable Team Stats, MLB.com

Brewers Reach First Postseason Since 1982, NYSun.com

Wild Card Standings, MLB.com