ESPN does a weekly segment on MLB Power Rankings, so I figured I would do my first of 10 power rankings of the season. I wanted to do a preseason rankings, but they are just based on hype on not what is actually happening on the field. So I have held off for the first 5 series of the season, and now I can’t wait any longer.
1. Texas (13-3). After watching them play live twice over the weekend, there really isn’t a team even close to these guys right now. Yes, Detroit’s starting rotation was not set up well for this series and the Rangers were coming into the Motor City as the hottest team in baseball, but what the Rangers did was still pretty dang impressive. As a team, they are batting .310 right now (which is better than everyone but Prince in our starting lineup to give you some perspective.) The Ranger’s weakness is their starting pitching, except they boast a top 5 ERA right now. Pretty much, besides the injury to Beltre on Saturday, I don’t know how Texas can play any better now or in October. Texas Rangers: Trending UP (if possible).
2. New York Yankees (9-6). As much as I don’t like the Pinstripers, they just mashed Boston at Fenway (even though everyone seems to be doing that this year). Coming back from a 9-0 deficit is pretty impressive, when you start the comeback in the 7th inning it is almost unbelievable. The Yankees boppers have started to pick it up over the past week, which isn’t good news for the Olde English D coming to the Big Apple next weekend. While New York still has a lot of questions in their rotation and bullpen, if they score 7+ runs a game they will be very tough to beat. NY Yankees: Trending UP
3. Detroit Tigers (10-6). This might seem a little high for the hometown team, but these guys are still 10-6 (on pace for 100 wins) even after losing 3 of 4. The biggest question coming into the season was going to be starting pitching, and so far these guys are answering the bell. The 4 normal starters in the rotation have all recorded at least 2 quality starts, and once Fister returns I imagine he will quickly catch up. After the first weekend it looked like the Tigers were going to get to the elusive 1,000 run barrier, but they have cooled dramatically over the last 2 weeks. They are 10th in OBP out of 14 AL teams (.306), remove the Red Sox weekend and they likely are 14th. Is this a case of cold weather blues, seeing some of the best pitchers in the AL to start the season, or a genuine concern? The next 16 games should give us a better idea. Detroit Tigers: Trending slightly DOWN.
4. Washington Nationals (12-4). Yes, you read that right. The Nationals have started out hot and have kept it up over the first 16 games. They are leading baseball in ERA (2.34) and have already played 8 one run games. I think this is the case of good luck and some great pitching. It will be very exciting if they are still in the top 5 in the next power rankings. Everyone wants to talk about their star pitcher, Strasburg, but I have been very impressed with Gio Gonzalez switching over to the NL. Washington Nationals: Trending UP
5. LA Dodgers (12-4): The LA baseball team started out 9-1, mainly because of Matt Kemp making a strong bid for the NL MVP award this season. He has been an absolute monster to start the year. Can he threaten for the Triple Crown this season? Outside of Kershaw, I don’t think their pitching staff is deep enough to continue this torrid streak, but there is no reason why they can’t be a major contender in the NL West. LA Dodgers: Trending NEUTRAL.
6. St. Louis Cardinals (11-5): Who said these guys were going to miss Albert Pujols? Ok, I am not saying they aren’t, but this start is more than most Cardinals fans could have even hoped for. The new manager seems to have the players respect, and they are playing hard for him and to prove that they are more than Pujols. Chris Carpenter’s absence will begin to show soon I think, but they have enough pieces to be competitive in an average NL Central. St. Louis Cardinals: Trending UP.
7. Atlanta Braves (10-6): The Braves have had 2 5 game winning streaks already this season. The first was the result of excellent pitching, and the 2nd was just from all around domination where they outscored opponents by 31 runs in the 5 games. I think they have a more solid roster than the Nats, and with the Phillies and Marlins struggling, Atlanta will be looking to take an early grasp on the NL East. This team will be scary whenever Jair Jurjens remembers the season has started. Atlanta Braves: Trending UP.
8. Toronto Blue Jays (9-6): Toronto likely is not a top 10 team, but I put them here because I am hoping. The AL East has been dominated by the Yankees, Red Sox, and Rays over the past few seasons, I really hope this year in the Jays year. They have started out pretty strong, but their normal closer is now on the DL so will they be able to replace him? Toronto Blue Jays: Trending NEUTRAL.
9. Tampa Bay Rays (9-7): Tampa has the toughest schedule to open the season, and so far they are doing pretty well to get through it. Once their schedule lightens up a bit, they can rack up a lot of wins quickly. They have been similar to the Tigers this season, their strength is pitching and defense but so far it has been their offense carrying them to wins. Tampa Bay Rays: Trending NEUTRAL.
10. Chicago White Sox (9-6): This might be the last time 2 AL Central teams crack the top 10 of the power rankings. For us Tiger fans, lets hope that is the case anyways. The White Sox flew under the radar this offseason compared to Detroit, but they are no longer being overlooked. They beat the Tigers in a 3 game home series last weekend, and then Philip Humber just threw a perfect game in Seattle. I think getting rid of Ozzie will help this team bond and play hard. As much as I hate to say this, the White Sox team could be a fun one to root for this season. They have a stable of young power arms coming out of the bullpen. They have some very good starting pitchers, and Paul Konerko is still there. While the Tigers are the better team, the White Sox could have the best chance to compete with Detroit over the course of the season. Chicago White Sox: Trending UP.
11. Arizona Diamondbacks (8-8): The Dbacks started hot, but then went on a 5 game skid. They are eagerly awaiting Chris Young and Justin upton to return to the lineup. Until that can happen, they will continue to slide. Arizona Diamnondbacks: Trending DOWN.
12. Cleveland Indians (8-6): The Indians started out hot this season, finishing their first road trip 7-2. They can thank the extremely easy schedule to begin the season as to why they are ranked so highly. I just cant see the Indians climbing much higher than this spot right now because the schedule will have to get tougher, and Cleveland does not have enough firepower to keep up. Cleveland Indians: Trending UP.
13. San Francisco Giants (7-7): I thought the Giants were going to make a playoff push this year with Posey coming back. But SF suffered another huge season ending injury for the 2nd year in a row, closer Brian Wilson needs Tommy John surgery and will hopefully be back for the start of next season. This team has some big holes to fill, but right now the starting pitching (besides Tim Lincecum) is stepping up to help this team win. The NL West race is already intriguing with 2 of the teams suffering from some major injuries early in the year. SF Giants: Trending NEUTRAL.
14. Philadelphia Phillies (7-9): Some people still have these guys as a top 10 team… really? Yes their talent level is likely still top 10, but they are not playing that way. I don’t think they should be entitled to a top 10 ranking. Clif Lee is now of the DL with a non-serious injury, but it will still be interesting to see if this team can score enough runs to keep up with the top of their division. Philadelphia Phillies: Trending DOWN.
15. Baltimore Orioles (9-7): The Orioles have also benefitted from a below average strength of schedule to start off the year. Their winning record will likely not stick around too long. The Orioles are a below average team in the best division in baseball, and quickly their record will be worse than they actually are. Baltimore Orioles: Trending NEUTAL.
16. Colorado Rockies (8-7): Colorado is sneaking under the radar in the NL West, and they are the 2nd place team in the division currently. If Jamie Moyer can give them a quality start every other time on the mound, the Rockies will surprise some people. I still do not think they are as talented as the Dodgers or as fundamentally sound as the Giants and will likely be that next tier with the D’backs. Colorado Rockies: Trending UP.
17. Miami Marlins (7-8): The Ozzie Guillen experiment almost met an abrupt ending with some of his reckless Fidel Castro comments, but in the midst of that the baseball team has been steadily improving. Their record was helped out by playing the lowly Cubbies. If Hanley Ramierez can actually be a good teammate, and just shut up and play 3rd base this team could push for a wild card spot. I am still waiting for the team to implode with so many dugout characters. Miami Marlins: Trending UP.
18. New York Mets (8-6): The other New York team has also been helped out by a weak schedule to start the campaign. The Mets are just not that good, but David Wright has been a monster in their first 14 games, and they have had some good pitching. This is very similar to the Orioles situation, the Mets are a below average team in a very good division. Even if they show some major improvements they are slotted for the bottom of the NL East. NY Mets: Trending DOWN.
19. Milwaukee Brewers (7-9): The Brew Crew have struggled to start the year, which was to be expected with Prince leaving a giant hole in the middle of the lineup. Unlike the Cardinals, they don’t really have anyone to step in to sort of fill the shoes of the big guy. Aramis Ramirez was a bad pickup, and Ryan Braun will likely struggle with little protection. The bullpen has been struggling to start the season as well. Lucky for them they play in a bad division as well, so it will take quite a bit for them to not be in contention. Milwaukee Brewers: Trending DOWN.
20. California Angels of Anaheim Orange County Cyprus Township at Disney (6-10): The Angels paid all of this money to win, and they just haven’t been clicking yet. This team is unbelievably talented, but has forgot that a World Series is earned not just awarded to the “expert’s” choice. I think they will begin to turn it around, but a lot of it will depend on if their bullpen will be able to hold up. They are among the worst bullpen ERA’s in the AL right now. Also, how much longer will we have to wait for Albert’s first home run of the season? California Angels: Trending NEUTRAL.
21. Oakland Athletics (8-9): This is another team that has benefitted from a weak schedule to begin the year. The Cuban Centipede has been a pleasant surprise to begin the season, although currently he is looking like a straight power hitter and struggling to get on base with regularity. But, this has been the problem with the entire lineup, the A’s have a dismal .277 OBP so far this year. Oakland Athletics: Trending DOWN.
22. Cincinnati Reds (7-9): The Reds are a confusing team, they should be good enough to be a playoff contender, but they seem to consistently underperform. The Cincy fans are begging for flame thrower Chapman to be moved to the starting rotation, and I wonder how long management will be able to resist. Seems like the winner of this division will not have much more than 85 wins this season, so this race has a long ways to go. Cincinnati Reds: Trending NEUTRAL.
23. Seattle Mariners (7-10): The Mariners just got a perfect game thrown on them at home, and they blew a great start by Felix Hernandez. When will Felix the cat get out of the death trap in the Northwest? Seattle will struggle again to score runs this season, but their pitching staff has been above average so far. I doubt Seattle will be able to climb out of the AL West basement. Seattle Mariners: Trending DOWN.
24. Pittsburgh Pirates (6-9): I don’t know if there is a team in baseball that I would like to see in the playoffs more than the Pirates (besides the Tigers of course). I couldn’t even imagine how frustrating it would be to be a fan of Pittsburgh. Their stadium is beautiful, and draws crowds from all over (hopefully me in late June), their management is making money off the team yet refuses to invest in itself to improve. McCutchen is an exciting player that is hidden by the awfulness, and the team is trying to build around him with all of their early draft picks, but for some reason their scouts are striking out on young talent. Erik Bedard is trying to restart his career, but is 0-4 with a 2.63 ERA so far. If that doesn’t scream frustration, I am not sure what will. Pittsburgh Pirates: Trending DOWN.
25. Boston Red Sox (4-10): While the Red Sox might be playing the worst baseball in either league right now, I cannot put them last because they are still incredibly talented. Their bullpen is a mess and the Sox faithful has already turned on Bobby Valentine. It looks like the players are not responding to the increased discipline of their new skipper. Since the start of September 2011, the BoSox starters have an ERA above 6.00. It might be good for this team to get away from Fenway again. A leader needs to step up and rally this team, even if it is just for self pride… these guys are too good to be this bad. Boston Red Sox: Trending free fall DOWN.
26. Minnesota Twins (5-11): The Twins got some timely hitting from Mauer and Morneau over their last road trip which must be a good sight for those from Minny-soh-ta, too bad their pitching staff is not clicking yet. The Twins did almost finish .500 after a tough road trip. Minnesota Twins: Trending UP.
27. Kansas City Royals (3-12): This is a usual sight to see this early in the season. The Royals with the worst record in baseball, except this year they are actually pretty talented. The reason they aren’t dead last is because the other 3 teams are really that bad. Eric Hosmer has gotten off to a slow start (along with the rest of the offense), but he has been hitting the ball extremely hard lately. I think that results in some increased production soon. Kansas City Royals: Trending DOWN.
28. Houston Astros (6-10): If the Cubbies weren’t in this division, Houston might break the record for most losses in a season. Luckily for these two teams, they get to play each other enough that they could each get to 50. The Astros are trying to incorporate the next generation of players from their farm system, the problem is they are just not that good. Houston Astros: Trending DOWN.
29. Chicago Cubs (4-12): It will be a very compelling race to see which Central division is the worst in baseball. The NL variety has 3 average teams and 2 bottome dwellers, while the AL has one good team and 4 below average ones. The Cubs are hoping new GM Theo Epstein can rid them of the terrible contracts and begin to infuse the North siders with some young talent. Chicago could be a team to watch next offseason, but for now they should pay you to watch them. Chicago Cubs: Trending DOWN.
30. San Diego Padres (5-12): Last and definitely least here. San Diego is in the midst of full blow up mode after trading any sort of talent they had last season. Their payroll is low to match their talent. I am not sure what the future holds with this organization, but this year is already one to forget. San Diego Padres: Trending DOWN.
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