Ronel Blanco of the Houston Astros has had a standout start to the season, pitching a no-hitter against Toronto and nearly repeating the feat against Texas. However, the Astros have struggled in games where Blanco did not pitch, with only one victory apart from his starts. Despite their 3-7 record, the Astros remain a World Series contender, having faced tough opponents like the Yankees, Blue Jays, and Rangers.
The absence of key players like Justin Verlander and José Urquidy has provided opportunities for Blanco and other pitchers like Christian Javier and Framber Valdez to step up. While the starting rotation has shown promise, the bullpen has struggled, with a 0-5 record and a 6.89 ERA.
In the Central divisions, the Pittsburgh Pirates have surprised many by tying for the best record in baseball at 8-2. Rookie Jared Jones has been impressive on the mound, striking out 17 batters in just two starts. The Milwaukee Brewers are close behind at 6-2, benefiting from strong performances by their starting pitchers.
In the AL Central, Cleveland and Kansas City have started the season well, averaging runs and limiting opponents' scoring, while Detroit is also off to a solid 6-3 start.
Trivia enthusiasts may be interested to know that the last time the Pirates won a postseason series was in the 1979 World Series against Baltimore.
Blanco's no-hitter set a record as the earliest in MLB history by date, showcasing his talent on the mound. The Atlanta Braves staged an impressive comeback after falling behind early in a game against Arizona, ultimately winning 9-8.
Despite concerns about pitcher Spencer Strider's elbow, the Braves lead the NL East with the best run differential in the National League.
