The first week of the season brought with it plenty of action, high scores, and a distraction from the ongoing steroid investigation. We put away the predictions (at least for the moment) and actually watch the games and stats unfold before our very eyes.

Some first week performances by individual players and teams jumped off the page at me, and made me optimistic for an exciting year to come.

Chris Shelton and the 5-0 start by the Tigers certainly rose to the top of all lists. Detroit picked up steam during spring training as a sleeper selection with a healthy Ivan Rodriguez and Magglio Ordonez in tow. Shelton already has 10 extra-base hits.

The Brewers also came out swinging, led by strong outings from their starting rotation. Chris Capuano leads the league in strikeouts. Derrick Turnbow has four saves. Prince Fielder is starting to catch up to big league pitching with a couple multi-hit games after a strikeout-filled start. He'll be just fine.

Jeremy Bonderman of the Tigers leads the AL with 16 strikeouts, but it was the pitches he didn't make that spelled defeat against the White Sox on Monday. Jim Thome clubbed his fourth home run, and Paul Konerko and Joe Crede finally homered to give Thome some company in that stat column.

Mark Hendrickson of the Devil Rays recorded the first complete game and shutout of the year.

Is it me, or does Curt Schilling look ready to repeat his 2004 season? He's been masterful through two outings and emerged victorious in both games.

Xavier Nady of the Mets is second in the NL in hitting at .474. He'd always shown some power in San Diego, but the high average (if only for a week) comes as a bit of a surprise.

It's no surprise that David Wright is off to a torrid start to the year. He's hitting HRs, driving in runs, and he even stole a base! He'll be an All-Star for many years to come and will probably claim an MVP or two before it's done. It will be fun to watch him battle Derrek Lee and Albert Pujols.

Jon Papelbon already has three saves as he takes the closer role and Terry Francona moves Keith Foulke into the set-up job. Papelbon has a live arm and looks like he could become a premier closer. The offense will certainly score runs to provide opportunities, even with Coco Crisp missing the next month.