Maybe it’s partly my predictions, which are already in the toilet. But some of these teams’ starts are truly shocking. I get that they’ve played barely more than a month, but at least one of the divisions looks upside down (yes, the NL Central).

Here are the four most surprising of the early surprises. 

The surprise here is that someone other than the White Sox is the most surprising. They are 0-10 in series openers, in last place this late in the season for the first time since 1976 and further from first than everyone but the A’s, who are only trying to move (more on that later). It’s their worst start since the Nixon administration (1973), via MLB Network. There’s a starting pitching issue. But with Albert Pujols and especially Yadier Molina retired (plus Adam Wainwright sidelined), is there a leadership issue? Manager Oli Marmol’s decision to call out Tyler O’Neill blew up as opposed to blowing over. 

This team appears very talented on paper, but as Jerry Reinsdorf lamented in an email response, “Too bad games are not played on paper.” On the field, the White Sox were looking less than fully committed until recently putting together their first two-game winning streak (now three). Injuries have killed them again (3-15 in Tim Anderson’s absence) but they do need to show consistent interest. 

Nobody saw this one coming. GM Ben Cherington admitted on The Post podcast “The Show” that their preseason models had them about where I did (which was fourth). But the Pirates put together their best start since the Barry Bonds era before their recent four-game losing streak. Is it a fluke? Well, over a recent 15-game stretch, they outscored opponents 100-45. 

The small-payroll Rays shock me every year, and let’s finally give them credit. They became the fifth team since integration (1947) to win at least 25 of their first 31 games (2016 Cubs, 1984 Tigers, 1958 Yankees, 1955 Dodgers), via MLB Network. They’ve scored 16 more runs than anyone and given up 16 fewer, so it’s far from luck. Their run differential is the best since the 1902 Pirates (Honus Wagner!)