That water-seeks-its-own-level stuff - you know, riding high in April, shot down in May - is taking effect in the National League, where the Padres in the West, Pirates in the Central and Marlins in the East once were making noise in their respective divisions.
Now it's as if their quick starts never happened. The only still-persevering underdogs are in the American League, where the division leaders are the Rangers, Royals and Blue Jays.
Just as you imagined.
The Padres have gone 4-15 after their 9-3 start. The bullpen, built largely in spring training, was awful during a 2-12 stretch in which closer Heath Bell made only two appearances in both of the wins. It compiled a 6.95 ERA.
The Pirates were 11-7 on April 26, and thoughts of a 17th straight losing season temporarily were put on hold. No longer. They've dropped 11 of 12 including seven in a row.
The Marlins have lost 13 of 19 after their 11-1 start. Before Friday, their last starter to earn a victory was Anibal Sanchez on April 16. It was 20 straight winless starts.
In the AL, the Zack Greinke -led Royals - trying to become '09's version of the '08 Rays - are the biggest story despite an anemic offense, elevating to seven games above .500 Thursday for the first time since September 2003.
The once-surprising Mariners nosedived and were replaced atop the West by the now-surprising Rangers winners of six of eight, who improved because their pitching did. The Blue Jays, picked to finish fourth in the toughest division, lead the East.
If it's a year for underdogs, AL teams are showing a lot more staying power than NL teams.
