MLB Power Rankings: Wrapping Up a Strange Week
The first week of the season is down. Let us take a look at the MLB Power Rankings as things stand right now.
Well, the first week of the MLB season has ended. There have been some dominant performances, and some of the teams that we expected to perform well have struggled out of the gate. It has been the typical opening week.
It is also important to avoid reading too much into the first week of the season. Players are still getting used to being on the field for a full game, and pitchers are not yet pitching as deep into a game as they would be. Likewise, if a team was to struggle in the middle of the season, it would not be nearly as noticeable as it is at the start of the season.
However, even in the first week, there are still things to pay attention to, and trends that could be concerning. For those teams and players doing well, that hot start could well be a springboard to a surprising season.
With the first week in the books, let us take a trip around the game. Here are the MLB power rankings as we head into the second week of the season.
127. The San Diego Padres were surprisingly competitive with a 3-4 record, but two of those wins were by one run. With the worst run differential in the game, -17, the bottom is likely to fall out soon.. . Previous: 30th. San Diego Padres. 30. team
. Previous: 26th. Milwaukee Brewers. 29. team. 76. Losing <a rel=
team. 17. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Aside from <a rel=. . Previous: 23rd. Atlanta Braves. 28
Cincinnati Reds. 27. team. 61. Remember when the Reds indicated that they were considering a four man rotation at closer? Just one week into the season, and it looks as though <a rel=. . Previous: 29th
26. team. 128. Well, one week into the season, and <a rel=. . Previous: 28th. Chicago White Sox
Oakland Athletics. 25. team. 96. The A’s rotation was going to be a question mark until <a rel=. . Previous: 25th
Minnesota Twins. 24. team. 2. If the first week is any indication, 2016 was the fluke for the Minnesota Twins. a solid start to the year, and an opening series sweep, has the Twins hopeful for this season. Now, they just need to get <a rel=. . Previous: 27th
7. Herostratus sought infamy by burning the Temple of Artemis, in hopes that his name would live on forever. Instead, it was decreed that he would never be mentioned again, and his name was striken from all official records. Let us hope that the Royals do not need to take such action against <a rel=. . Previous: 16th. Kansas City Royals. 23. team
102. The Angels may have dodged a bullet with <a rel=. . Previous: 22nd. Los Angeles Angels. 22. team
21. team. 8. Guess who has the best record after the first week in the MLB? That’s right – the Arizona Diamondbacks. <a rel=. . Previous: 24th. Arizona Diamondbacks
11. The Orioles may have been 4-1 last week, but <a rel=. . Previous: 21st. Baltimore Orioles. 20. team
team. 43. <a rel=. . Previous: 14th. New York Yankees. 19
Previous: 20th. Philadelphia Phillies. 18. team. 6. The Phillies started off hot last season as well before collapsing as soon as the calendar flipped to May. However, with the young talent ready to contribute at the Major League level, 2017 may not be a repeat of last year..
Miami Marlins. 17. team. 82. Last year was considered to be the breakout for <a rel=. . Previous: 17th
108. The Rockies may have actually built a legitimate pitching staff. After the first week, including three games against the Dodgers at Coors Field, Colorado has a 3.40 ERA. That development has taken away from <a rel=. . Previous: 19th. Colorado Rockies. 16. team
. Previous: 15th. Detroit Tigers. 15. team. 63. The Tigers were heading into the 2017 in a state of flux. With an aging roster and a window of opportunity that is seemingly closing, they were hoping for clarity one way or the other. If the first week is any indication, they may hover around .500, making that decision even tougher.
14. team. 21. The Rays were returning to their old philosophy of speed and defense. <a rel=. . Previous: 18th. Tampa Bay Rays
team. 126. The Rangers were swept by the Indians, then took two of three from Oakland. While the focus may be on <a rel=. . Previous: 11th. Texas Rangers. 13
St. Louis Cardinals. 12. team. 33. The highlight of the week involved a ball that got stuck to <a rel=. . Previous: 10th
Previous: 13th. Pittsburgh Pirates. 11. team. 4. <a rel=.
. Previous: 9th. Seattle Mariners. 10. team. 62. This start was about the worst case scenario for the Mariners. <a rel=
team. 39. This was a horrendous week for the Blue Jays. And yet, they showed signs of fight, literally, against the Rays. Personally, I’m thinking that scuffle wakes them up, much like a dustup last year set Toronto in motion. If not, the free fall begins next week.. . Previous: 12th. Toronto Blue Jays. 9
team. 40. The positive: <a rel=. . Previous: 7th. San Francisco Giants. 8
90. Holy Aesop! That’s <a rel=. . Previous: 5th. Washington Nationals. 7. team
135. <a rel=. . Previous: 8th. Houston Astros. 6. team
. Previous: 6th. New York Mets. 4. team. 3. At this point in time, the Mets may be calling Doc Gooden and <a rel=
Previous: 3rd. Los Angeles Dodgers. 3. team. 71. The Dodgers have the second best run differential in the league at +18, but are just 4-3. This is due to their struggles against lefties, but if their performance against <a rel=.
14. Right now, the only thing that could stop the Red Sox has been the flu. The bug has run rampant through the clubhouse, and even found its way into the broadcast booth. Anyone know if Dunkin’ Donuts helps hydrate?. . Previous: 2nd. Boston Red Sox. 2. team
Next: Jeremy Guthrie's awful day
team. 9. Unless the Cubs are sitting under .500 when May rolls around, there is no reason to assume they will not be playing in the postseason. They may even be deeper than they were last season, as Theo Epstein is looking to build a dynasty.. . Previous: 1st. Chicago Cubs. 1