There’s a lot of movement in the power rankings, and a lot happened around baseball last week, headlined by the Dodgers-Padres series.
Dodgers and Padres deliver energetic weekend series with a playoff feel.
Dodgers-Padres series packed with energy, emotion, excitement https://t.co/KWaYWsh1pz pic.twitter.com/ghtQrtDead
— MLB UK ⚾️🇬🇧 (@mlbuk) April 19, 2021
Pitching highlights: Jacob deGrom strikes out nine consecutive batters (one short of the MLB record), Shane Beiber becomes first to record double-digit strikeouts in first four starts of a season, Aaron Nola throws first career complete game shutout.
Jacob deGrom couldn't match Tom Seaver's streak of 10 consecutive strikeouts. His own streak ends at nine, making him one of eight pitchers to accomplish that feat.
Still, nine straight strikeouts. Wow: pic.twitter.com/lg60Br2ors
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) April 17, 2021
10+ strikeouts in his first 4 starts 🤯
Shane Bieber is breaking records. pic.twitter.com/bDBLrrj78k
— FanDuel Sports Network Cleveland (@FanDuelSN_CLE) April 18, 2021
Aaron Nola has thrown the first complete game shutout of his career.
Brilliant. pic.twitter.com/xvQOQyEMUq
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) April 18, 2021
The Red Sox became the first American League team to hit ten wins this season, surpassing spring expectations early.
Starting off the homestand strong.
📝 https://t.co/RPiuCX1ljd pic.twitter.com/7NBxg9Ys9F
— Red Sox (@RedSox) April 18, 2021
Meanwhile, the Yankees have the worst record (5-10) in the American League and are off to their worst start since 1997.
How much should Yankees fans be worried at this stage in the early season? pic.twitter.com/7esDen3q2Y
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 18, 2021
36-year-old Sean Kazmar Jr. was called up to the Braves and made his first MLB appearance since 2008.
4,589 days since his last appearance, Sean Kazmar Jr. is in a big league game.
What a story. 🙌🥲 pic.twitter.com/PtB2a3c68L
— MLB (@MLB) April 17, 2021
. . .
Power Rankings
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (13-3) | PREV: 1
2. San Diego Padres (10-7) | PREV: 2
3. Boston Red Sox (10-6) | PREV: 8 (+5)
4. Los Angeles Angels (8-5) | PREV: 7 (+3)
5. Oakland Athletics (9-7) | PREV: 19 (+14)
6. Tampa Bay Rays (8-8) | PREV: 12 (+6)
7. Atlanta Braves (7-9) | PREV: 4 (-3)
8. New York Mets (7-4) | PREV: 18 (+10)
9. Philadelphia Phillies (8-7) | PREV: 3 (-6)
10. Houston Astros (7-8) | PREV: 6 (-4)
11. Cincinnati Reds (9-6) | PREV: 9 (-2)
12. Chicago White Sox (8-8) | PREV: 13 (+1)
13. Cleveland Indians (8-7) | PREV: 10 (-3)
14. Minnesota Twins (6-8) | PREV: 5 (-9)
15. Milwaukee Brewers (8-7) | PREV: 15
16. Kansas City Royals (9-5) | PREV: 23 (+7)
17. San Francisco Giants (9-6) | PREV: 16 (-1)
18. Seattle Mariners (10-6) | PREV: 24 (+6)
19. St. Louis Cardinals (7-8) | PREV: 14 (-5)
20. New York Yankees (5-10) | PREV: 11 (-9)
21. Toronto Blue Jays (7-9) | PREV: 20 (-1)
22. Washington Nationals (5-8) | PREV: 22
23. Chicago Cubs (6-9) | PREV: 17 (-6)
24. Miami Marlins (7-8) | PREV: 26 (+2)
25. Baltimore Orioles (7-9) | PREV: 21 (-4)
26. Arizona Diamondbacks (6-10) | PREV: 25 (-1)
27. Texas Rangers (7-9) | PREV: 28 (+1)
28. Pittsburgh Pirates (7-9) | PREV: 30 (+2)
29. Detroit Tigers (6-10) | PREV: 27 (-2)
30. Colorado Rockies (4-12) | PREV: 29 (-1)
LAD-SD again this weekend.