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MLB Power Rankings: The rise of the expected contenders

David Hill
David Hill

Call to the pen

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 26: Didi Gregorius

MLB power rankings
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 26: Didi Gregorius

Over the past week, two teams that were expected to have a strong 2018 campaign began to find their stride. How will this shake up the MLB Power Rankings?

Heading into the 2018 season, it was expected that the New York Yankees, Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Chicago Cubs would find their way towards the top of the MLB Power Rankings. It certainly made sense that they would have a strong performance, with the Cubs improving their rotation and the Yankees stellar lineup.

Instead, the Yankees and Cubs stumbled out of the gates. What had been a rough week or two continued, and as the calendar continued towards May, those stumbles became more concerning. Eventually, it was expected that these teams would come out of their malaise, and ascend to the top of the standings.

Well, as April is about to turn into May, two of those teams have begun to round into form. The Yankees and Cubs have been on a tear, shooting up the standings as they have put themselves back into the early playoff picture. Meanwhile, the Nationals have continued to struggle, sitting in an expected fourth place in the division.

There is still plenty of time left in the season for these teams to move up the standings and reclaim their expected place atop their divisions. For now, let us see how these recent runs have impacted the MLB Power Rankings.

MLB power rankings
DETROIT, MI – APRIL 20: Ned Yost
MLB power rankings
BALTIMORE, MD – MARCH 31: Joe Mauer
MLB power rankings
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 18: Bryce Harper
MLB power rankings
ANAHEIM, CA – APRIL 17: Shohei Ohtani
MLB power rankings
PITTSBURGH, PA – APRIL 08: Jameson Taillon
MLB power rankings
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David Hill

David Hill

Obsessed with 1880's base ball, peculiar moustaches, and craft beer. Somehow, I am allowed to make my thoughts public.