MLB Power Rankings: Where All 30 Teams Stand After Week 1
After an offseason of analyzing teams on paper and making predictions based on potential, there are finally some on-field results to influence this week's MLB power rankings.
Now, with that being said, we are still dealing with an incredibly small sample size, so potential and overall outlook will still play a significant role in where teams fall.
This is a fluid process, with teams rising and falling based on where they were ranked the previous week. If a team keeps winning, it will keep climbing—it's as simple as that.
With that in mind, don't expect these rankings to mirror the current standings.
Teams like the Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves both made big climbs after terrific first weeks, but it's all still relative to where they were in the Opening Day power rankings, so neither team is in the top five just yet.
One week into the 2015 season, here is a look at where all 30 MLB teams currently stand.
30. Minnesota Twins (1-5, Previous: 28)
1 of 30
Last Week: 1-5
The Minnesota Twins started with a thud, as they were swept by the Detroit Tigers and outscored 22-1 over the course of the three-game series.
They finally picked up their first win of the season Friday behind a terrific start from Tommy Milone, but with a 5.88 ERA, their pitching staff ranks dead last after the first week of action.
That's concerning, to say the least, for a team that has posted the worst starters' ERA in baseball each of the past two seasons. This drop to the No. 30 spot also reflects the Ervin Santana suspension, as losing him is certainly a blow.
Hitter of the Week
- 2B Brian Dozier (5-for-25, 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R)
Pitcher of the Week
- SP Tommy Milone (1-0, 7.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K)
29. Philadelphia Phillies (3-3, Previous: 30)
2 of 30
Last Week: 3-3
All signs point to it being a long season for the Philadelphia Phillies, but a series win against the Washington Nationals was a nice way to cap off the first week.
Veterans Ryan Howard (3-for-20, 7 K) and Chase Utley (2-for-19, 6 K) are both off to rough starts at the plate, and the offense as a whole has not looked great.
However, the starting pitching has been a pleasant surprise, as Aaron Harang, Jerome Williams and Sean O'Sullivan each turned in a quality start. It remains to be seen how long that will hold up, but it's an early positive.
Hitter of the Week
- SS Freddy Galvis (7-for-22, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 2 R)
Pitcher of the Week
- SP Aaron Harang (1-0, 6.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K)
28. Texas Rangers (3-4, Previous: 24)
3 of 30
Last Week: 3-4
The Texas Rangers already suffered a huge blow with the loss of Yu Darvish for the season during spring training, and the injury bug continued its reign of terror on the team this past week when fellow starter Derek Holland was sidelined with a shoulder strain.
"With what Derek went through last year, and how good he's looked this spring, it's disappointing, obviously," general manager Jon Daniels said, per Jean-Jacques Taylor of ESPNDallas.com. "His last tune-up—I wasn't there, but the guys that were said he looked tremendous—there was no indication or signs that anything was wrong."
On the positive side, Prince Fielder enjoyed a solid first week as he looks to return to form after playing just 42 games last season. Nick Martinez and Colby Lewis also threw the ball well in their respective starts.
Hitter of the Week
- 1B Prince Fielder (11-for-29, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R)
Pitcher of the Week
- SP Nick Martinez (1-0, 7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K)
27. Milwaukee Brewers (1-5, Previous: 22)
4 of 30
Last Week: 1-5
It was a rough start to the season for the Milwaukee Brewers, as the Colorado Rockies smoked them in a three-game sweep in Milwaukee to kick off the year. The Rockies outscored them 20-6 in the series, including a 10-0 drubbing on Opening Day.
The Brewers notched win No. 1 on Saturday with a shutout of their own against the Pittsburgh Pirates, as Jimmy Nelson led the way with seven shutout innings.
The 25-year-old Nelson, who is replacing Yovani Gallardo in the rotation, had a rough spring (17.1 IP, 6.23 ERA), so a dominant first start of the regular season is certainly a promising sign.
Hitter of the Week
- 1B Adam Lind (9-for-20, 3 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R)
Pitcher of the Week
- SP Jimmy Nelson (1-0, 7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 K)
26. Arizona Diamondbacks (3-3, Previous: 27)
5 of 30
Last Week: 3-3
Archie Bradley was the story of the week for the Arizona Diamondbacks, as the 22-year-old made his MLB debut against the Los Angeles Dodgers and allowed just one hit in six innings of work.
The No. 25 prospect in baseball to start the year, according to Baseball America, Bradley could potentially emerge as the ace of a Diamondbacks staff that went to Josh Collmenter on Opening Day.
The rest of the team's starters went a combined 1-3 with a 7.03 ERA in 24.1 innings, and if the Diamondbacks are going to climb any higher in these rankings that will need to change.
Hitter of the Week
- 1B Paul Goldschmidt (7-for-21, 1 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 6 R)
Pitcher of the Week
- SP Archie Bradley (1-0, 6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 6 K)
25. Tampa Bay Rays (3-3, Previous: 25)
6 of 30
Last Week: 3-3
Forced to piece together a starting rotation with Drew Smyly, Alex Cobb and Matt Moore all sidelined to start the season, a 3-3 performance by the Tampa Bay Rays against a pair of teams expected to contend was a solid showing.
Next up are a pair of division foes in the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees as the Rays look to keep pace in the division while their pitching staff gets back to full health.
On the offensive side of things, losing designated hitter John Jaso to a jammed wrist and James Loney to a strained oblique hurts a group already viewed as thin heading into the season. Those losses have opened things up for Allan Dykstra and Mikie Mahtook on the big league roster.
Hitter of the Week
- CF Kevin Kiermaier (8-for-21, 4 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 6 R)
Pitcher of the Week
- SP Jake Odorizzi (1-0, 6.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K)
24. Colorado Rockies (4-2, Previous: 29)
7 of 30
Last Week: 4-2
The Colorado Rockies can hit, that much is for sure, as they wrapped up the first week of the season hitting .317 as a team and averaging 5.83 runs per game.
Corey Dickerson, Troy Tulowitzki and Nolan Arenado are all on fire to start the year, but the biggest surprise has been Gold Glove second baseman DJ LeMahieu. He's 12-for-25 at the plate so far after hitting .267 with a .663 OPS last year.
The starting pitching has been better than expected so far, but a pair of blown saves from closer LaTroy Hawkins has been costly. Don't be surprised if John Axford sees ninth-inning duties moving forward.
Hitter of the Week
- 3B Nolan Arenado (9-for-24, 4 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 7 R)
Pitcher of the Week
- SP Jordan Lyles (1-0, 12.0 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 5 K)
23. Houston Astros (3-3, Previous: 23)
8 of 30
Last Week: 3-3
After winning 70 games last season, a 19-win improvement over their 2013 total, the Houston Astros are looking to take another big step forward this season.
With an improved offense and a reworked bullpen, the starting rotation was perhaps the biggest area of concern heading into the season. That makes the 2.29 ERA the Astros' starters have posted so far, the third-best mark in the league, a terrific sign.
The trio of Dallas Keuchel, Scott Feldman and Collin McHugh doesn't receive much attention, but they have a chance to be rock solid at the top of the staff, and they're off to a great start so far.
Also, if you didn't see George Springer rob Texas of what would have been a walk-off grand slam Sunday...wow.
Hitter of the Week
- CF Jake Marisnick (6-for-15, 1 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 1 R)
Pitcher of the Week
- SP Dallas Keuchel (1-0, 14.0 IP, 9 H, 2 ER, 6 BB, 7 K)
22. New York Yankees (2-4, Previous: 19)
9 of 30
Last Week: 2-4
A 14-4 victory on Sunday Night Baseball was a nice way to close out the week, but overall, it was not a great first week of the season for the New York Yankees.
Facing the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox at home to open the year, the Yankees had a prime opportunity to prove they belonged in the AL East contender conversation, but they hit just .193 and averaged 3.4 runs per game prior to Sunday's outburst.
A subpar start to the season for Masahiro Tanaka (2 GS, 9.0 IP, 9 H, 9 R, 7 ER, 1.56 WHIP) has only furthered concerns about the starting rotation, while a productive Alex Rodriguez has been the standout offensively to this point.
Hitter of the Week
- DH Alex Rodriguez (6-for-20, 2 2B, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 3 R)
Pitcher of the Week
- RP David Carpenter (4 G, 5.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K)
21. San Francisco Giants (3-4, Previous: 20)
10 of 30
Last Week: 3-4
The San Francisco Giants started the season 3-1 but then dropped three straight to the San Diego Padres over the weekend. The NL West matchups keep coming for them, as their entire April slate of games is made up of division foes.
Many pointed to the starting rotation as an area of concern during the offseason, and the early returns have done little to quell those concerns. Madison Bumgarner made it just three innings in his start Saturday, Matt Cain is on the disabled list and Jake Peavy has been dealing with a back issue.
One positive takeaway in all of that was the debut of Chris Heston, who allowed just three hits and two unearned runs in six innings to pick up the win Wednesday starting in place of Cain. The 27-year-old entered the season as the team's No. 25 prospect, according to the Baseball America Prospect Handbook.
Hitter of the Week
- LF Nori Aoki (12-for-30, 2 2B, 1 RBI, 4 R)
Pitcher of the Week
- SP Tim Lincecum (0-0, 7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K)
20. Chicago White Sox (2-4, Previous: 16)
11 of 30
Last Week: 2-4
The Chicago White Sox entered the season with legitimate expectations after a busy offseason and promptly ran into a buzz saw known as the Kansas City Royals. The Royals outscored them 21-7 in a three-game sweep in Kansas City, but the White Sox rebounded to take two of three from the Minnesota Twins over the weekend.
Chris Sale made his triumphant return to the mound Sunday after missing his first start of the season recovering from a foot injury, and he looked every bit the part of a Cy Young contender.
Getting the rest of the rotation to follow suit will be the focus moving forward, as even with a strong outing from Sale, the team currently ranks 25th with a 5.50 starters' ERA.
Hitter of the Week
- RF Avisail Garcia (7-for-19, 2 2B, 1 RBI, 3 R)
Pitcher of the Week
- SP Chris Sale (1-0, 6.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K)
19. Miami Marlins (1-5, Previous: 11)
12 of 30
Last Week: 1-5
The Miami Marlins opened the season in the No. 11 spot in these rankings, but after going 1-5 against two teams ranked near the bottom in the Tampa Bay Rays and Atlanta Braves, the Marlins drop considerably.
Dee Gordon (.346 BA) and Christian Yelich (.304 BA) are off to a nice start atop the lineup, but the rest of the offense is still finding its footing, including Giancarlo Stanton, who is just 3-for-19 with three RBI so far.
Mat Latos will take the ball Monday looking to erase the memory of what was a disastrous first outing in a Marlins uniform, as he allowed seven earned runs and failed to get out of the first inning. He'll be key to bridging the gap to Jose Fernandez returning around midseason.
Hitter of the Week
- 2B Dee Gordon (9-for-26, 2 2B, 1 3B, 3 RBI, 5 R, 3 SB)
Pitcher of the Week
- SP Dan Haren (0-0, 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K)
18. Oakland Athletics (3-4, Previous: 17)
13 of 30
Last Week: 3-4
The new-look Oakland Athletics started off the 2015 season with a mixed bag, as they split a four-game series with the Texas Rangers but dropped a series to the Seattle Mariners over the weekend.
Outside of rookie Kendall Graveman (3.1 IP, 8 R, 7 ER), the starting pitching has been fantastic so far. Sonny Gray took a no-hitter into the eighth inning on Opening Day, while Scott Kazmir and Drew Pomeranz combined to allow three hits and no runs in 14 innings of work over their respective starts.
On the offensive side of things, no one player is off to a huge start, but the team as a whole has been great, with a .304 average and an average of 6.14 runs per game.
Hitter of the Week
- C Stephen Vogt (7-for-19, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 3 R)
Pitcher of the Week
- SP Sonny Gray (1-0, 15.1 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K)
17. Cincinnati Reds (4-2, Previous: 21)
14 of 30
Last Week: 4-2
To be blunt, the Cincinnati Reds offense was a mess last season. The Reds hit .238 as a team and averaged just 3.67 runs per game, so a good start at the plate here in 2015 is a welcome sign.
Joey Votto (3 HR, 8 RBI), Todd Frazier (3 HR, 8 RBI) and Jay Bruce (2 HR, 2 RBI) have provided the power, while speedster Billy Hamilton has wreaked havoc on the bases with seven steals.
It remains to be seen what exactly we can expect out of the trio of Anthony DeSclafani, Raisel Iglesias and Jason Marquis in the starting rotation, but a productive offense would certainly make things easier on the pitching staff.
Hitter of the Week
- 1B Joey Votto (8-for-24, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 5 R)
Pitcher of the Week
- SP Johnny Cueto (0-1, 14.0 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 14 K)
16. Cleveland Indians (2-4, Previous: 10)
15 of 30
Last Week: 2-4
After taking two of three from the Houston Astros to begin the season, it was a rough weekend for the Cleveland Indians.
Not only did the Detroit Tigers sweep them, but in the process, the Indians lost catcher Yan Gomes to a sprained MCL that is expected to sideline him for six to eight weeks, according to ESPN.com. The 27-year-old quietly emerged as one of the best all-around backstops in the game last year, and he'll certainly be missed.
"Losing Gomes, man, that can be a season-killer," manager Terry Francona told reporters Sunday.
All-Star left fielder Michael Brantley has also been battling a back strain, and the hope is he can return to the lineup Tuesday. With an off day Monday, and having sat out the past two games, he's now had some time to rest.
Hitter of the Week
- 1B Carlos Santana (7-for-21, 1 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 4 R)
Pitcher of the Week
- SP Trevor Bauer (1-0, 6.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 5 BB, 11 K)
15. New York Mets (3-3, Previous: 15)
16 of 30
Last Week: 3-3
The New York Mets started the season as well as anyone could have hoped. Bartolo Colon earned the victory on Opening Day, Matt Harvey looked sharp in his return to the mound and the team walked away with a series win over the highly touted Washington Nationals.
However, the Mets dropped two of three to the Atlanta Braves over the weekend and also found out that closer Jenrry Mejia would be lost for 80 games to a performance-enhancing-drug suspension, so for the time being, they stay put in the No. 15 spot in these rankings. Jeurys Familia is more than capable of stepping into the ninth-inning role, but losing Mejia weakens the bullpen as a whole.
On an unrelated note, keep an eye on catcher Travis d'Arnaud (6-for-18, 5 RBI), as he could be one of the breakout stars of 2015.
Hitter of the Week
- 3B David Wright (8-for-25, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 3 R)
Pitcher of the Week
- SP Matt Harvey (1-0, 6.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K)
14. Atlanta Braves (5-1, Previous: 26)
17 of 30
Last Week: 5-1
If the Atlanta Braves are going to have any chance of contending in 2015, it will be on the strength of their pitching staff, and that staff closed out the first week of the season with an MLB-best 1.83 ERA.
The bullpen in particular has been great, with Jason Grilli nailing down all three save chances he's seen and Jim Johnson throwing 4.1 scoreless innings in a setup role.
The Braves are the biggest risers in these rankings, up 12 spots from where they opened the season, but they'll need to prove themselves over the next few weeks to climb any higher. It was a great first week, but it is still a very small sample size we're talking about.
Hitter of the Week
- SS Andrelton Simmons (7-for-23, 3 2B, 1 3B, 5 RBI, 3 R)
Pitcher of the Week
- SP Julio Teheran (2-0, 12.0 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 9 K)
13. Baltimore Orioles (3-3, Previous: 14)
18 of 30
Last Week: 3-3
No Nelson Cruz, no problem for the Baltimore Orioles, as they lead all of baseball with 11 home runs on the young season. They paced the league with 211 long balls as a team a season ago.
The offense is nice, but the story of the first week has to be Ubaldo Jimenez, who was brilliant against a stacked Toronto Blue Jays lineup Saturday, allowing just one hit and fanning eight in seven shutout innings.
Jimenez allowed just 12 hits and two runs in 15 innings over his final three appearances of the spring, winning the No. 5 starter job in the process, and he's starting to look like the Jimenez of old. That after he posted a 4.81 ERA and eventually lost his rotation spot last year.
Hitter of the Week
- CF Adam Jones (8-for-21, 2 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 6 R)
Pitcher of the Week
- SP Ubaldo Jimenez (1-0, 7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K)
12. Chicago Cubs (3-2, Previous: 13)
19 of 30
Last Week: 3-2
Setting aside the issues with Wrigley Field and a disappointing opening night loss, there is a lot to like about the way the Chicago Cubs have started the season.
They capped off the first week of the season with Dexter Fowler delivering a go-ahead two-run home run with two outs in the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies on Sunday. There is no better way to build early-season momentum than late-inning, come-from-behind wins.
The bullpen, which was quietly really good last season, looks like it could be a real strength for this team. The Cubs pen currently ranks second in the NL with a 2.04 ERA, and the late-inning trio of Neil Ramirez, Pedro Strop and Hector Rondon is as good as any in the National League.
Hitter of the Week
- CF Dexter Fowler (5-for-21, 1 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 3 R)
Pitcher of the Week
- SP Jake Arrieta (1-0, 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 7 K)
11. Pittsburgh Pirates (2-4, Previous: 7)
20 of 30
Last Week: 2-4
After getting swept by the Cincinnati Reds to start the season, allowing a pair of walk-off wins in the process, the Pittsburgh Pirates did a nice job bouncing back and taking a series against the Milwaukee Brewers over the weekend.
A hot start from Pedro Alvarez is a good sign for the offense, as a return to the form that saw him lead the National League with 36 home runs in 2013 would give them a big shot in the arm.
Superstar Andrew McCutchen has been slowed by a sore left knee, sitting out Saturday's game as a result. However, he returned to the lineup Sunday and went 2-for-5 with a home run and four RBI.
Hitter of the Week
- 1B Pedro Alvarez (6-for-20, 1 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 4 R)
Pitcher of the Week
- SP Francisco Liriano (0-0, 7.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 7 K)
10. Los Angeles Angels (2-4, Previous: 5)
21 of 30
Last Week: 2-4
The Los Angeles Angels were the highest-scoring offense in the league last season, but they are off to a slow start at the plate this year, hitting just .195 as a team and averaging 2.67 runs per game.
Mike Trout (.400 BA, 1.058 OPS) is currently the only regular hitting over .250, and the trio of Albert Pujols, Matt Joyce and Chris Iannetta is a combined 8-for-58 (.138 BA) with 18 strikeouts.
Last year's breakout star, Garrett Richards, is not yet ready to rejoin the rotation, but he'll make a Triple-A rehab start Tuesday, and the team will make a decision from there. With the starters currently pitching to a 5.60 ERA, he'll be a welcome addition.
Hitter of the Week
- CF Mike Trout (8-for-20, 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 3 R)
Pitcher of the Week
- RP Huston Street (2 SV, 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K)
9. Washington Nationals (2-4, Previous: 1)
22 of 30
Last Week: 2-4
With Anthony Rendon, Jayson Werth and Denard Span all sidelined to begin the season, it comes as no big surprise that the Washington Nationals have struggled offensively. They're currently hitting an MLB-low .194 as a team and averaging just 2.17 runs per game.
Outside of a rough start from Stephen Strasburg (5.1 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 3 ER), the starting pitching has been strong as expected, as the Nats have gotten a quality start in their other five games.
This team is going to be just fine; it's just a matter of getting all of the offensive pieces in place. For the time being, though, the Nationals have to drop out of the top five in these rankings.
Hitter of the Week
- RF Bryce Harper (6-for-23, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R)
Pitcher of the Week
- SP Max Scherzer (0-1, 13.2 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 16 K)
8. Toronto Blue Jays (4-2, Previous: 12)
23 of 30
Last Week: 4-2
A busy offseason created lofty expectations surrounding the Toronto Blue Jays, and they started the season off on the right foot with series wins on the road over the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles.
The highlight of the week came Friday when Mark Buehrle picked up the 200th win of his career, joining Tim Hudson, CC Sabathia and Bartolo Colon as the only active pitchers with 200 victories.
The pitching staff remains the big question mark here. Daniel Norris (W, 5.2 IP, 3 ER) was decent in his debut, but Aaron Sanchez (3.1 IP, 7 H, 3 ER) was hit hard, and Brett Cecil has already been yanked from the closer role in favor of rookie Miguel Castro.
Hitter of the Week
- 1B Edwin Encarnacion (7-for-24, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 4 R)
Pitcher of the Week
- SP Mark Buehrle (1-0, 6.0 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K)
7. Kansas City Royals (6-0, Previous: 18)
24 of 30
Last Week: 6-0
Pretty much everything went right for the Kansas City Royals in the first week of the season, as they swept the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Angels and outscored their opponents 40-15 in the process.
The offense ranks second in the league with a .327 average, the starting pitching has been solid and the bullpen has allowed just six hits and three walks in 16.1 scoreless innings of work.
Jon Paul Morosi of Fox Sports summed it up perfectly: "[The Royals] won the American League last year, they are better now, and I can tell you—right now, without reservation—that my preseason assessment of them was an airball."
Hitter of the Week
- C Salvador Perez (10-for-24, 1 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 4 R)
Pitcher of the Week
- SP Edinson Volquez (1-0, 8.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K)
6. Boston Red Sox (4-2, Previous: 8)
25 of 30
Last Week: 4-2
The Boston Red Sox's offensive firepower was on full display in their Opening Day win over the Philadelphia Phillies, as they homered five times, including two each from Dustin Pedroia and Hanley Ramirez.
For all that has been made about the signings of Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval, a healthy season from Pedroia and a step forward from second-year shortstop Xander Bogaerts could make the biggest difference from an offensive standpoint.
Clay Buchholz got shelled Sunday night, but beyond that rough outing, the starting pitching has been solid so far after being talked about as a weakness all offseason. That Joe Kelly Cy Young prediction looks a tiny bit less ridiculous after a terrific first start, but there is still a lot of season in front of us.
Hitter of the Week
- SS Xander Bogaerts (11-for-27, 1 2B, 1 3B, 6 RBI, 4 R)
Pitcher of the Week
- SP Joe Kelly (1-0, 7.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K)
5. San Diego Padres (4-3, Previous: 6)
26 of 30
Last Week: 4-3
The new-look San Diego Padres finished up the first week of the season hitting .280 as a team. To put that into perspective, no one with more than 75 at-bats on last year's team hit higher than .267.
Ian Kennedy made it just 2.1 innings into his first start of the year before a hamstring strain forced him out of the game and eventually to the disabled list. Odrisamer Despaigne replaced him and threw 4.2 perfect innings of relief, so that rotation spot should be in good hands until Kennedy returns.
The Matt Kemp storyline aside, Padres versus Dodgers has a chance to be one of the better rivalries in the league this year if the three-game series to open the season is any indication.
Hitter of the Week
- LF Justin Upton (8-for-26, 2 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 5 R)
Pitcher of the Week
- SP James Shields (1-0, 13.0 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 15 K)
4. Los Angeles Dodgers (3-3, Previous: 4)
27 of 30
Last Week: 3-3
It appears that Adrian Gonzalez is just going to single-handedly make up for the offensive production that left town with Hanley Ramirez and Matt Kemp. The slugger finished up the week hitting .609 with three doubles and five home runs.
Meanwhile, ace Clayton Kershaw has looked downright human to start the season. A Jimmy Rollins home run bailed him out on Opening Day, but he allowed 10 hits and six runs (five earned) in his second start against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday.
Yasiel Puig (3-for-22, 7 K) has also struggled in the early going, and while it's obviously still way too early to be legitimately concerned about either player, it goes without saying that they both mean a ton to the success of the team.
Hitter of the Week
- 1B Adrian Gonzalez (14-for-23, 3 2B, 5 HR, 7 RBI, 8 R)
Pitcher of the Week
- SP Zack Greinke (1-0, 13.0 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 11 K)
3. Seattle Mariners (3-3, Previous: 3)
28 of 30
Last Week: 3-3
The Seattle Mariners began the year against what figures to be their two biggest competitors for the AL West crown in the Los Angeles Angels and Oakland Athletics, walking away with a 3-3 record after an extra-inning win Sunday.
After a dominant spring (27 IP, 0.67 ERA), Taijuan Walker was shelled in his regular-season debut, allowing nine hits and nine earned runs in 3.1 innings. In fact, the starting pitching as a whole was disappointing, ranking 27th in the league with a 5.61 ERA.
Big picture, the Mariners performed well below expectations across the board last week and still managed to walk away with a .500 record. After a three-game series with the Dodgers to start next week, they play the Rangers, Astros and Twins, so that should help them hit their stride.
Hitter of the Week
- LF Dustin Ackley (5-for-14, 1 2B, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 4 R)
Pitcher of the Week
- SP Felix Hernandez (1-0, 12.0 IP, 10 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 11 K)
2. St. Louis Cardinals (3-2, Previous: 2)
29 of 30
Last Week: 3-2
A pitching-rich team in years past, the St. Louis Cardinals began the 2015 season with some legitimate questions about their rotation—specifically, the health of Adam Wainwright and Michael Wacha and how well Carlos Martinez could hold down the No. 5 starter job.
Wainwright threw six scoreless innings in the season opener, Wacha allowed one run in 6.1 innings Saturday and Martinez went six strong innings in a no-decision Sunday. Fair to say those concerns have been eased, at least for the time being.
The offense has started somewhat slowly, something it did last year as well, but the Cardinals should have a good chance to get things going with series against the Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds this coming week.
Hitter of the Week
- 3B Matt Carpenter (6-for-20, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 4 R)
Pitcher of the Week
- SP Adam Wainwright (1-0, 6.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K)
1. Detroit Tigers (6-0, Previous: 9)
30 of 30
Last Week: 6-0
To put it simply, the Detroit Tigers were very clearly the best team in baseball over the first six games of the season.
Their .355 team batting average leads all of baseball, their 2.00 team ERA is tops in the American League, they've stolen 10 bases as a team, they've committed just three errors defensively and even the bullpen has been solid.
After outscoring the Minnesota Twins by a 22-1 margin over the first three games of the season, the Tigers convincingly topped the Cleveland Indians by a 25-15 spread over the weekend.
The AL Central looked wide open heading into the season, but the Tigers have quickly made it clear that they are still the team to beat.
Hitter of the Week
- 1B Miguel Cabrera (13-for-25, 2 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 4 R)
Pitcher of the Week
- SP David Price (2 GS, 1-0, 14.1 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 11 K)
All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference unless otherwise noted.
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.jpg?w=600 "Biggest Winners and Losers After 30 Games ⚾")
