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MLB Power Rankings: Apr. 18 Edition
April 18, 2009
Team of the Year (so far): Florida Marlins (pictured above)
As the 2009 MLB Season settles in, so do the teams. But in the first three weeks of surprise mania and slacking dynasties, anything can happen. That's why the Blue Jays are 4.5 games ahead of the Red Sox; the Rays are below .500; the Mariners are 8-3...
But still, there's hope in somehow sorting out the teams. So roll out the power rankings, and let the hassling for the top spots begin...
1. Tampa Bay Rays (5-6)
The Rays haven't had the dream season start they'd hoped for, but they're certainly still a top contender right now.
2. Boston Red Sox (4-6)
Boston hasn't had a great start, along with Tampa, but, once again, the Sox are still considered one of baseball's elite.
3. Chicago Cubs (6-4)
These third through sixth spots are all very tightly contested, but right now, the leader of those teams is the Cubs.
4. Los Angeles Dodgers (8-3)
The Dodgers have had quite a start, going 8-3, and are looking like they may have enough in them to keep this up for most of the season.
5. Philadelphia Phillies (4-5)
The reigning World Series champion has also had a pretty shaky start, even though it's very likely they'll soon snap out of it and back into the NL pennant picture.
6. New York Yankees (6-5)
Just an average start so far for the Yanks in a season supposed to be one of their best ever, yet Yankee fans are still going to be upset at me placing them this low. However, although my bias may be slightly getting the better of me, I have a gut feeling that this so-so 6-5 start may be a sign of things to come.
7. Los Angeles Angels [of Anaheim] (4-6)
Another great team following the trend of slow starts, and for now, the Dodgers look like the top team in LA. However, that surely won't last long. Or will it???
8. Florida Marlins (9-1)
By far the best season so far by any team, the Marlins did have to survive an extra-inning scare by the Nationals last night, yet still improved their record to a whopping 9-1. The NL East is going to be really tough this year, but Phillies, Mets, and Braves, watch out for Florida!!!
9. New York Mets (5-5)
Average first three weeks for the promising Mets, looking to finally overcome their curse and make an impression in the NL playoffs.
10. St. Louis Cardinals (8-4
Although they struggled a little yesterday in Chicago, St. Louis has had a terrific start and have gotten themselves on the edge of the glorified top 10.
11. Atlanta Braves (5-5)
12. Minnesota Twins (5-7)
What a comeback win yesterday against the Angels. Not the preferred season beginning for the Twins, but perhaps last night's victory will get them going again.
13. Chicago White Sox (5-5)
14. Toronto Blue Jays (8-4)
After crossing out team after team trying to find the perfect fit for this spot, I eventually chose the unexpected Blue Jays. They've had a great start, even though they'll have to work hard to keep this up.
15. Oakland A's (5-5)
Closing out the upper half of the rankings is the A's, whose mediocre start has dropped them a few spots in the standings.
16. Milwaukee Brewers (3-7)
17. Arizona Diamondbacks (3-7)
At the beginning of a disastrous four team stretch of the four biggest slumps in the MLB right now, Arizona needs to get back to winning, quickly.
18. Detroit Tigers (5-5)
19. Texas Rangers (4-6)
20. Cleveland Indians (3-8)
21. Baltimore Orioles (6-4)
22. San Diego Padres (8-3)
An amazing opening three weeks have moved the supposedly-untalented Padres up seven spots in just 11 games.
23. Kansas City Royals (6-4)
24. Cincinnati Reds (5-4)
5-4 is better than hoped for in Cincinnati, and I have a feeling this season may be a great rebuilding year to get the Reds back in contention in the near future.
25. Seattle Mariners (8-3)
Another lowly team among a swarm of surprising 8-3 or 8-4 teams, the Mariners hope to improve on a terrible effort last season.
26. Colorado Rockies (4-5)
27. Pittsburgh Pirates (5-5)
With this once-again boring Pirates effort, it brings up one of my biggest questions: what would a pirate be doing in Pittsburgh anyway? I thought they sailed in the ocean on ships...Whatever...
28. San Francisco Giants (3-7)
San Fran may as well give up on the Giants now. They have no hope of success (or desire for success, either, for that matter) currently.
29. Houston Astros (3-7)
30. Washington Nationals (1-8)
Just shoot me. I'm done with the Nats...forever.