MLB Power Rankings (April 5, 2018)

It’s important not to overreact to what happened over the first week of the MLB season (looking at you, Yankee fans), but some things have definitely become clearer with the games really counting. Here are the updated power rankings, which will be released every Thursday.

 

1. Houston Astros (6-1) | Last week: 1

No movement at the top, as the defending World Series champions have the best record in baseball through seven days. Perhaps we’re getting ahead of ourselves, but they have the talent to sit atop the power rankings from March to October.

 

2. New York Yankees (4-2) | Last week: 2

Yankee Stadium let Giancarlo Stanton hear it in his home debut when he struck out five times for the first time in his career, but he answered with a home run the following day. Also, it’s pretty cool to see Aaron Judge play centerfield when needed.

 

3. Boston Rex Sox (5-1) | Last week: 4 (+1)

Boston dropped the first game of the season to Tampa Bay, but they’ve won five straight and take on the Bronx Bombers next week in what will be a fun-to-watch series.

 

4. Washington Nationals (4-2) | Last week: 5 (+1)

The Braves took two-of-three against Washington, but the Nationals have a chance to create some separation against the Mets and Braves again over their next six games, especially with Bryce Harper looking as dangerous as ever.

 

5. Los Angeles Angels (5-2) | Last week: 8 (+3)

People were concerned about Shohei Ohtani after he struggled through spring training, but the former Japanese star has been tremendous on the mound (1-0, 6.0 innings, 6 K, 0.67 WHIP) and at the plate (.429 AVG, 2 HR, 5 RBI) so far in the regular season.

 

6. Los Angeles Dodgers (2-5) | Last week: 3 (-3)

The Dodgers were swept by Arizona to start this week, but one of the games was a 15-inning thriller where Chase Utley put them ahead with an RBI single before the D-Backs scored two runs in the bottom of the inning to win. LA will be fine.

 

7. Arizona Diamondbacks (5-1) | Last week: 12 (+5)

As stated, Arizona just walked off in a 15-inning affair, and it was the type of early-season win that could give the team momentum for the rest of the season in my opinion.

 

8. Chicago Cubs (2-3) | Last week: 6 (-2)

Splitting with the Marlins in a four-game series was a less-than-ideal start for Joe Maddon’s club, but like the Dodgers, there is no reason to panic about the Cubs.

 

9. Milwaukee Brewers (4-2) | Last week: 9

Sure, they gave up some top prospects, but Milwaukee still has to be thrilled with Christian Yelich slotted in the two-hole for them. It only took three games for him to rack up a five-hit game in which he was responsible for five runs.

 

10. Cleveland Indians (2-4) | Last week: 7 (-3)

Cleveland got pounded by the Angels two days ago and then had Corey Kluber’s seven strong innings go to waste in a 13-inning loss, but they should get back on track against the Royals and Tigers.

 

11. St. Louis Cardinals (3-3) | Last week: 11 

The Cardinals have been led by shortstop Paul DeJong offensively so far this season, as the 24-year-old is hitting .455 with three homers and five RBI. And at least this actually worked for Dexter Fowler.

 

12. Minnesota Twins (3-2) | Last week: 13 (+1)

It hasn’t been a great start for Byron Buxton with two strikeouts in four-of-five games, but the Twins are finding ways to win games like they did in 2017.

 

13. New York Mets (4-1) | Last week: 19 (+6)

Be prepared to pay your debts when making a deal with Noah Syndergaard. The Mets have done a great job defending Casterly Rock through five games.

 

14. Colorado Rockies (3-3) | Last week: 14

Despite not yet playing in the thin air of Coors Field, the Rockies have already allowed at least eight runs three times this season (all losses). They’ll need to keep the ball in the yard when they finally play in Colorado tomorrow.

 

15. Seattle Mariners (3-2) | Last week: 17 (+2)

Seattle was walloped by the Giants yesterday in the Bay Area, but they did well to take two against the Indians to open the season. Dee Gordon has looked comfortable at the dish and roaming centerfield for the first time in his career.

 

16. San Francisco Giants (3-3) | Last week: 15 (-1)

The Giants only scored two runs over their first two games—but both were 1-0 victories. After that, though, they were shutout in two straight. Perhaps their big win over Seattle will give the offense a boost.

 

17. Atlanta Braves (4-2) | Last week: 25 (+8)

It was actually pretty funny to see Atlanta’s skipper Brian Snitker get tossed twice in the season-opening series against the Phillies, and both resulted in wins. I miss the days where managers would be thrown out more regularly. Anyway, Snitker seems to have a great grasp on his team, as they’ve won series against Philly and Washington.

 

18. Pittsburgh Pirates (4-1) | Last week: 23 (+5)

Pittsburgh was fortunate to kickoff the 2018 season against the Tigers, but they still had to (and did) take care of business on the field. Josh Bell and company will look to keep it going against the one-win Reds.

 

19. Toronto Blue Jays (4-3) | Last week: 20 (+1)

Justin Smoak is leading the way for the Blue Jays with a .385 average and nine RBI, and he might have to stay as hot as he’s been for Toronto to keep up with New York and Boston for more than a few weeks.

 

20. Texas Rangers (2-5) | Last week: 16 (-4)

The Rangers need Adrian Beltre (.192 AVG) to pick it up, but remember, it’s only been a week. On the bright side, Elvis Andrus is more confident than ever with a .414 OBP and no strikeouts over 26 at-bats.

 

21. Philadelphia Phillies (1-4) | Last week: 10 (-11)

As I said in the opening, it’s important to not overreact so early, but Phillies manager Gabe Kapler has made some mind-boggling moves. I truly believe that not starting Odubel Herrera in the season-opener and pulling Aaron Nola after 68 pitches of shutout baseball was extremely deflating and could have long-term implications. At least Jake Arrieta will make his first start on Sunday.

 

22. Baltimore Orioles (1-5) | Last week: 18 (-4)

Baltimore was just swept by the Twins, and now they have to head to Yankee Stadium to face the number-two team in our power rankings. There’s a decent chance Buck Showalter’s club goes 1-9 to start the season.

 

23. Oakland Athletics (3-4) | Last week: 24 (+1)

Sean Manaea has been as advertised at the top of the rotation (1-1, 1.15 ERA, 0.51 WHIP), but the A’s need to finish things against the Rangers today with a win before a tough stretch against the Angels and Dodgers in Los Angeles.

 

24. Kansas City Royals (1-3) | Last week: 22 (-2)

The Royals are struggling offensively with only one player hitting above .267, but closer Kelvin Herrera has struck out five in 2.1 innings so far after a sub-par 2017 season.

 

25. San Diego Padres (1-5) | Last week: 21 (-4)

Promising centerfielder Manuel Margot only has two hits in 20 at-bats to start the year, but I fully expect him to turn it around. He and shortstop Freddy Galvis are both exciting defenders up the middle.

 

26. Chicago White Sox (3-2) | Last week: 29 (+3)

DH Matt Davidson was the surprise breakout hero on Opening Day with three home runs in a 14-7 win, but he’s cooled off since then. Chicago is still probably a year away from being competitive.

 

27. Tampa Bay Rays (1-5) | Last week: 26 (-1)

Facing the Red Sox then Yankees then Red Sox again isn’t a fun way to start the season. Tampa Bay will look to pick up at least one victory against Boston this weekend before the schedule softens up.

 

28. Cincinnati Reds (1-3) | Last week: 27 (-1)

It only took one game for starting pitcher Homer Bailey to record his first hit of the year (off Max Scherzer nonetheless), but that and six strong innings of one-run baseball wasn’t enough to avoid a loss in the season opener.

 

29. Miami Marlins (2-4) | Last week: 30 (+1)

At 2-4, the Marlins are exceeding expectations, and that was against the Red Sox and Cubs. They might actually have a chance to be above .500 by Monday after a trip to Philadelphia.

 

30. Detroit Tigers (1-4) | Last week: 28 (-2)

Detroit unfortunately doesn’t have much to work with other than Miguel Cabrera. They need to take a game against the White Sox to close the week with the Indians and Yankees on deck.