Baseball is a funny game. A few good breaks here and there and the worst team in baseball may be leading the toughest division after the first two weeks. And, in the case of David Ortiz, one of the game's best hitters may look like one of its worst.

That's not to say everything that happens early in baseball season is a lie, but everything should be taken with a grain of salt. It takes 162 games for the cream to rise to the top in Major League Baseball, and you can't judge a marathon by the first sprint.

However, some things are obvious in baseball, even after just two weeks. These are things that can't be fixed or broken by time, luck or the law of averages.

For example, Andruw Jones can't buy a hit and it's obvious. That's saying a lot considering the $18 million he's making from the Dodgers this season, but the fat and happy Jones simply refuses to change his swing mechanics. So in his case two weeks is enough to decide that a lousy start is not a fluke; he's just not that good anymore.

This raises the question, who's legit and who's not? Or is it too early to tell?

Legit:

• The Arizona Diamondbacks early 8-game win streak:

The D-Backs dominant 9–3 start to 2008 should come as no surprise given the breakout performances of youngsters Chris Young, Justin Upton, Stephen Drew and Mark Reynolds. Not to mention Arizona's aces Brandon Webb and Dan Haren, who both look ready to compete for the NL Cy Young.

The room for improvement on this team was clearly underrated before the season started. They are easily the best team in baseball at the moment.

• The 2–10, last place Detroit Tigers:

No the Tigers won't finish last in the division, but they certainly won't win it either. Only two teams in history have ever started the season 0–7 and even gotten back to .500. Neither made the playoffs.

It's obvious the Tigers went too far in the offseason stockpiling hitters, while neglecting their shaky pitching staff. I'm thinking they would like to undo the Jair Jurrjens for Edgar Renteria deal now that Dontrelle Willis is already headed to the DL and they are missing a decent fifth starter.

• Carlos Pena's league-leading six home runs:

The guy hit 46 home runs last year and people called it a fluke. Pena had shown great power at all levels, he just hadn't showed it on a consistent basis. Like David Ortiz, who didn't hit 30 home runs until he was 28 years old, Pena is a late bloomer. By the way, Pena was 28 at the beginning of last season.

He'll hit 40-plus this season and be seen as one of baseball's great power hitters for the next few years.

Not Legit:

• The first place Baltimore Orioles:

Give them another two weeks and they will be in the cellar where they belong. They deserve credit for opening the season with gritty play, but the O's have a bad rotation, a bad lineup and a bad bullpen.

• Big Papi's 3–43 start:

David Ortiz has five consecutive 30–100 seasons under his belt and he'll make it six this year. It's just a matter of time before Big Papi has Beantown going wild with his late game heroics.

• Sabathia's 11.57 ERA and the Indians 5–7 record:

 C.C. Sabathia has overcome cold spells like this throughout his career and will bounce back for another fine season as the Indians ace. The back end of the Indians' rotation has pitched like the front end is supposed to, but once Sabathia and Fausto Carmona hit stride so will the Tribe.

This club will be right in the thick of things come October, just watch.

Wait and see:

• Johan Santana worth $150 million?

Despite a solid ERA and WHIP, he's 1–2 in his first three starts with the Mets and soon people may start questioning the Mets giving him the largest contract ever awarded a pitcher. Santana is 29 years old and has already lost three to four miles per hour on his fastball from his best years in Minnesota.

The Giants made a mistake they would love to take back when they signed another lefty, Barry Zito, to the biggest contract ever awarded to a pitcher at the time. The Mets may beginning to feel that same regret. Sure Santana will be a top tier starter for the next couple years, but who's to say he'll be worth anything near his more than $20 million salary once he creeps into his thirties?

• Marlins can still play, open season 7–5

It's unbelievable how the Marlins do what they do. Conventional wisdom says that their major league team with a $21 million payroll (less than A-Rod's salary alone) would struggle to beat a lot of Triple-A teams, instead they look like the same kind of scrappy Marlins team with the potential to finish near the .500 mark.

Keep in mind the Marlins' highest paid player, closer Kevin Gregg, makes a half a million dollars less than the league average. Hanley Ramirez is fast becoming a top-five player in the league even without Miguel Cabrera around. Dan Uggla, Josh Willingham, Mike Jacobs and Jeremy Hermida all have the potential for 25–30 home runs.

It's hard to believe but once Cameron Maybin gets called up to take over in center field the Marlins will have an above average lineup with some serious speed and serious pop.

• Johnny Cueto and Edinson Volquez: 29.6 IP, 9 ER, 33 K's:

One thing is for certain, if this rookie tandem proves to be legit, the Reds will almost assuredly be baseball's surprise team in 2008. Through four starts they couldn't have looked much better with a strikeout to walk ratio of 27 to five and an almost non-existent ERA.

At this rate Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, Johnny Cueto and Edinson Volquez make a scary top four. The run support should still be there if Griffey can stay healthy and help Brandon Phillips and Adam Dunn shoulder the load.

• Cardinals atop the NL Central?

Dave Duncan's pitching genius is once again on display in St. Louis to start the 2008 season. In 12 games the Cardinals patchwork pitching staff has combined for a 2.61 ERA, good for second in the majors behind only the red-hot Diamondbacks.

With ace Chris Carpenter and former 20-game winner Mark Mulder sidelined until midseason, the Cards are more than making do with what they've got. Speaking of Cardinal pitchers, converted pitcher Rick Ankiel appears to be primed for a breakout season in the outfield and capable of putting up monster power numbers. Early on there is a lot to like about Tony LaRussa's squad.