It’s only early, but early trends become medium-term trends which become long-term trends. Identifying them now pays huge dividends down the road. Check it out as you embark on fantasy baseball here.

Home Runs

Atlanta leads with six. Minnesota and San Francisco haven’t hit any yet. Barry Who?

Hits

The Red Sox (not surprisingly) and the Padres (surprisingly) are tied at 38 each after just a few games. San Diego is batting .355, while the Red Sox have a few extra games under their belts. The Mets are also hitting .333 through Wednesday games.

The Phillies, with three potential league MVPs in the lineup, have struggled mightily against the Nationals this week, hitting .153 through Wednesday. That can’t last. Same story in Detroit, where the Tigers are currently hitting .191. That cannot hold up with that lineup.

Stolen Bases

Minnesota leads the way with Carlos Gomez ripping off a few. They will need to manufacture runs this year as they rebuild. Ten teams have yet to steal a bag.

ERA

Or should that be ELA in 2008? Both Los Angeles teams have started beautifully with pitching, as the Dodgers sit at .133 and the Angels at .138 so far. Also impressive has been the unheralded Washington staff which has stifled the Phillies in the season-opening series.

Chicago White Sox and Pittsburgh have ERAs approaching 10. Yikes!

Strikeouts

Boston and Oakland both boast strikeout specialists but they have played extra games, hence being tied atop the ‘K’ category with 34 each. Tampa Bay and the Yankees sit at the bottom at the moment with just nine each.

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