MLB Power Rankings: Re-Ranking All 30 MLB Lineups at the 1-Quarter Mark
Make no mistake about it, folks—lineups around the major leagues are under attack.
A downturn in offensive production, which began in 2010, continues, with major leaguers hitting only .250 through games as of May 17. While batting average is only one way for us to measure a player or team's effectiveness at the plate, with so many lineups looking mediocre, it makes ranking MLB lineups difficult.
But we're going to give it a shot.
Unlike our Opening Day rankings, which were based on history, expectations for the upcoming season and what we saw in spring training, these updated rankings are based solely on a team's production so far.
What you see is what you get, and what we've got following the first quarter of the regular season are rankings that look quite different from what we expected.
*All lineups and rosters courtesy of MLBDepthCharts. All statistics courtesy of FanGraphs and Baseball-Reference, unless otherwise linked/noted and are current through May 17. Players whose names are italicized are part of a platoon; those with an asterisk (*) after their name are injury replacements.
30. San Diego Padres (Previous Rank: 24)
1 of 30
Primary Lineup
| Will Venable | CF | L |
| Everth Cabrera | SS | S |
| Seth Smith | RF | L |
| Carlos Quentin | LF | R |
| Chase Headley | 3B | L |
| Jedd Gyorko | 2B | R |
| Yasmani Grandal | C | S |
| Yonder Alonso | 1B | R |
| Pitcher | P | L/R |
Bench
| Nick Hundley | C | R |
| Rene Rivera | C | R |
| Alexi Amarista | IF/OF | L |
| Chris Denorfia | OF | R |
| Cameron Maybin | OF | R |
Injury Report
None.
Overview
Not even Seth Smith's torrid start to May (.447 BA, 1.399 OPS) was enough to keep the San Diego Padres lineup from ranking as the worst in baseball, one that suffers from a severe case of underperformingitis.
Everth Cabrera has forgotten how to get on base, where he can use his elite speed and baserunning skills to cause havoc for the opposition. That's left the likes of Chase Headley, Jedd Gyorko and Will Venable with fewer run-producing opportunities—never a good thing.
Of course, it would help if the aforementioned trio of run producers were hitting above the Mendoza Line, which they're not, with a combined .177 batting average.
The recent return to action for oft-injured outfielders Cameron Maybin and Carlos Quentin should help, but neither one can be counted on to stay healthy for any length of time. Factoring them in to the equation is only setting yourself up for disappointment if you're one of the Friars' faithful.
29. Atlanta Braves (Previous Rank: 13)
2 of 30
Primary Lineup
| Jason Heyward | RF | L |
| Justin Upton | LF | R |
| Freddie Freeman | 1B | L |
| Evan Gattis | C | R |
| Chris Johnson | 3B | R |
| B.J. Upton | CF | R |
| Andrelton Simmons | SS | R |
| Tyler Pastornicky | 2B | R |
| Pitcher | P | L/R |
Bench
| Gerald Laird | C | R |
| Ryan Doumit | 1B/OF | S |
| Ramiro Peña | IF | S |
| Dan Uggla | 2B | R |
| Jordan Schafer | OF | L |
Injury Report
None.
Overview
Atlanta Braves batting coach Greg Walker knows what the problem with the offense is, as he explained to MLB.com's Mark Bowman:
"So far this year, we haven't done a good job of fighting the guy [on the mound] instead of fighting ourselves. We've fought ourselves way too much this year. You're not going to win when you're fighting yourself, instead of the other team.
"
That's not a problem that's easily solved when a team is swinging as often as the Braves are and failing to make consistent contact. No team in baseball has a lower contact rate than Atlanta (75.2 percent), while only three teams have swung at more pitches.
But Atlanta's issues go deeper than the yearly race between the Upton brothers and Dan Uggla to see which one will be the first to 150 strikeouts on the season (I've got my money on B.J. Upton, who leads baseball with 51 whiffs.)
After MVP candidate Freddie Freeman and Justin Upton, nobody on the team is getting on base with any consistency, including leadoff hitter Jason Heyward (pictured), whose .313 mark ranks fourth on the team.
"It's kind of the like the 'you've got to walk before you run' mindset," Walker told Bowman. "That's where we're at. We've got to walk before we run. We've got to crawl, walk and then run. This team is going to run. Eventually we're going to run, and hopefully we're still in first place when we do it."
28. New York Mets (Previous Rank: 27)
3 of 30
Primary Lineup
| Juan Lagares | CF | R |
| Daniel Murphy | 2B | L |
| David Wright | 3B | R |
| Curtis Granderson | RF | L |
| Chris Young | CF | R |
| Lucas Duda | 1B | L |
| Anthony Recker* | C | R |
| Ruben Tejada | SS | R |
| Pitcher | P | L/R |
Bench
| Juan Centeno | C | L |
| Wilmer Flores | IF | R |
| Eric Campbell | IF/OF | R |
| Bobby Abreu | OF | R |
| Eric Young Jr. | OF | R |
Injury Report
| Travis d'Arnaud | C | Concussion | 7-day DL |
Overview
New York Mets fans were outraged that Juan Lagares, second among the team's regulars with an .819 OPS, hasn't been in New York's starting lineup lately. But manager Terry Collins has his reasons, as he explained to ESPN New York's Adam Rubin:
"We’ve got to somehow get his stroke back. He’s starting to expand the zone a little bit right now. When we get him back to where he’s taking some of those pitches, his defense is something we need, and we need very much. But we’re not scoring. So we’ve got to figure out how to get some runs.
"
The key phrase there: "We're not scoring."
The team has scored seven runs in its last 38 innings of play, all coming against the Washington Nationals on the road. Therein lies one of the team's biggest problems—its inability to produce at home. Take a look at where it ranks when playing in the cozy confines of Citi Field:
| BA | .200 | 15 | 30 |
| OBP | .282 | 15 | 29 |
| OPS | .584 | 15 | 30 |
| XBH | 43 | 15 | 29 |
| R | 64 | 14 | 27 |
On the road? The Mets are top 10 in every category except extra-base hits, where they rank 13th in baseball.
It certainly doesn't help that Curtis Granderson and Chris Young, bought in to provide some much-needed power to the middle of the lineup, are hitting a combined .201 with 19 extra-base hits and 30 RBI.
Three of the team's regulars—Granderson, Ruben Tejada and the injured Travis d'Arnaud—are all hitting below .200. It's difficult to score runs when you've got three players in the lineup who are essentially automatic outs.
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27. Philadelphia Phillies (Previous Rank: 26)
4 of 30
Primary Lineup
| Ben Revere | CF | L |
| Jimmy Rollins | SS | S |
| Chase Utley | 2B | L |
| Ryan Howard | 1B | L |
| Marlon Byrd | RF | R |
| Domonic Brown | LF | L |
| Carlos Ruiz | C | R |
| Cody Asche | 3B | L |
| Pitcher | P | L/R |
Bench
| Wil Nieves | C | R |
| John Mayberry Jr. | 1B/OF | R |
| Reid Brignac | IF | L |
| Cesar Hernandez | IF/OF | S |
| Tony Gwynn Jr. | OF | L |
Injury Report
| Darin Ruf | 1B/OF | Strained left oblique | 15-day DL |
Overview
Despite a resurgent performance by Chase Utley (pictured) and solid contributions from veterans Marlon Byrd, Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins and Carlos Ruiz, the Philadelphia Phillies are inept when it comes to scoring runs.
Only two teams, Atlanta and San Diego, have crossed home plate less frequently than the Phillies have, a major reason why the team has the third-worst run differential (minus-37) in baseball.
The amazing thing is that the Phillies are above average when it comes to hitting with runners in scoring position (.250 BA, .745 OPS), ahead of the National League average (.240/.697) and just about even with the MLB mark (.244/.704), according to ESPN.
But for a team with some powerful bats (Brown, Byrd and Howard, specifically), the Phillies are dealing with a prolonged power outage.
Only three teams, the Texas Rangers, St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals, have hit fewer home runs than the Phillies (27). Of those, only 13 have come at home, in one of the more hitter-friendly venues the game has to offer.
That's a problem for manager Ryne Sandberg, who addressed reporters, including The Philadelphia Inquirer's Marc Narducci, before the team's game against Cincinnati on Friday (the Phillies would be shut out, 3-0): "I have seen opportunities with baserunners and walks combined and we have lacked that final hit to drive in runs. We haven't hit the ball out of the ballpark at our place here at home as often."
How to fix what ails the offense, especially at home, is a daunting task that Sandberg has to tackle.
26. Houston Astros (Previous Rank: 28)
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Projected Lineup
| Jose Altuve | 2B | R |
| Dexter Fowler | CF | S |
| Jason Castro | C | L |
| Chris Carter | DH | R |
| Marc Krauss | 1B | L |
| George Springer | RF | R |
| Alex Presley | LF | L |
| Matt Dominguez | 3B | R |
| Jonathan Villar | SS | S |
Bench
| Carlos Corporan | C | S |
| Jesus Guzman | 1B/OF | R |
| Marwin Gonzalez | IF | S |
| L.J. Hoes | OF | R |
Injury Report
None.
Overview
The Houston Astros have shown an increase in power this season, ranking eighth in baseball with 43 home runs, but that power has come with a price. Of the 12 players who have gone deep at least twice for the Astros, only two—Matt Dominguez (.252) and Dexter Fowler (.265)—are hitting above .235.
The team's lone All-Star representative last season, Jason Castro (pictured), has regressed as expected. His unsustainable .359 BABIP in 2013 has dropped to a .299 mark, resulting in an equal drop in his batting average (.276 to .217).
Top prospect George Springer has shown flashes of brilliance, and he'll eventually be joined by first base prospect Jonathan Singleton, who should provide some more power in the middle of the lineup. Houston needed to show some progress in the rebuilding process this season, and so far, it's done just that.
25. Cincinnati Reds (Previous Rank: 17)
6 of 30
Projected Lineup
| Billy Hamilton | CF | S |
| Joey Votto | 1B | L |
| Brandon Phillips | 2B | R |
| Chris Heisey* | RF | R |
| Todd Frazier | 3B | R |
| Ryan Ludwick | LF | R |
| Devin Mesoraco | C | R |
| Zack Cozart | SS | R |
| Pitcher | P | L/R |
Bench
| Brayan Pena | C | S |
| Tucker Barnhart | C | S |
| Ramon Santiago | IF | S |
| Roger Bernadina | OF | L |
| Chris Heisey | OF | R |
| Neftali Soto | 1B | R |
Injury Report
| Jack Hannahan | 3B | Oct. 2013 shoulder surgery | 15-day DL |
| Skip Schumaker | IF/OF | Dislocated left shoulder | 15-day DL |
| Jay Bruce | OF | May 2014 left knee surgery | 15-day DL |
Overview
The Cincinnati Reds were having enough trouble scoring runs before Jay Bruce (pictured) went down with an injured knee that's expected to keep him out of action until June at the earliest.
The Reds have scored fewer runs than Houston, with only Brandon Phillips and Todd Frazier able to consistently produce at the plate. Billy Hamilton's continued struggles when it comes to getting on base have caused a ripple effect in the lineup.
Now, word comes that perennial MVP candidate Joey Votto has been dealing with knee pain for weeks and could join Bruce on the sidelines thanks to a strained quad, according to manager Bryan Price, via C. Trent Rosecrans of USA Today.
A Reds lineup without Bruce is bad enough. A Reds lineup without Bruce and Votto for any extended period of time could be disastrous to the team's postseason aspirations.
24. Chicago Cubs (Previous Rank: 25)
7 of 30
Projected Lineup
| Emilio Bonifacio | CF | R |
| Luis Valbuena | 2B | L |
| Anthony Rizzo | 1B | L |
| Starlin Castro | SS | R |
| Nate Schierholtz | RF | L |
| Wellington Castillo | C | R |
| Mike Olt | 3B | R |
| Junior Lake | LF | R |
| Pitcher | P | L/R |
Bench
| John Baker | C | L |
| Darwin Barney | 2B/SS | R |
| Chris Coghlan | OF | L |
| Ryan Kalish | OF | L |
Injury Report
| Justin Ruggiano | OF | Left hamstring strain | 15-day DL |
| Ryan Sweeney | OF | Right hamstring strain | 15-day DL |
Overview
Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo have put their miserable 2013 campaigns behind them and have swung the bats with a purpose, looking very much like the cornerstone pieces for GM Jed Hoyer to build a lineup around in Chicago.
Emilio Bonifacio has been a pleasant surprise atop the lineup, but he's not part of the Cubs' long-term plans. Whether Mike Olt, who leads the team with eight home runs is, remains to be seen, given his inability to make consistent contact or get on base regularly (.173 BA, .255 OBP).
Things are looking up for the Cubs, who have scored more runs (162) than some of the teams that rank ahead of them, but there's much work to be done before anyone considers the lineup to be complete.
23. Kansas City Royals (Previous Rank: 9)
8 of 30
Projected Lineup
| Norichika Aoki | RF | L |
| Eric Hosmer | 1B | L |
| Billy Butler | DH | R |
| Alex Gordon | LF | L |
| Salvador Perez | C | R |
| Johnny Giavotella* | 2B | R |
| Lorenzo Cain | CF | R |
| Mike Moustakas | 3B | L |
| Alcides Escobar | SS | R |
Bench
| Brett Hayes | C | R |
| Danny Valencia | IF/OF | R |
| Jarrod Dyson | OF | L |
| Pedro Ciriaco | IF | R |
Injury Report
| Omar Infante | 2B | Lower back disc irritation | 15-day DL |
Overview
Norichika Aoki hasn't been as big a spark plug atop the Kansas City Royals lineup as many expected, while Alex Gordon's drop to the heart of the order has not resulted in an uptick of offense, with the former leadoff hitter driving in only 16 runs while hitting a paltry .250 with a .655 OPS.
The biggest culprits for a lack of production, however, remain Billy Butler and Mike Moustakas (pictured), whose continued free-falls into irrelevance have to be a major concern for a team that many expected to be a contender.
Manager Ned Yost knows that the lack of production from the bats in his lineup is killing his team's chances, but he remains optimistic, as he told MLB.com's Dick Kaegel and Jackson Alexander:
"We need to produce more runs, we need to hit better with runners in scoring position. Two-out hits are hard to come by. We just have to get more guys in our lineup clicking so we can produce more offense.
You look at what happened last year. If we could've stayed at .500 through this stretch, we would've been in the playoffs. Because this team's going to get hot like it did last year and we're going to get on a nice run. So to be at .500 at this point instead of nine games under .500, we're in pretty good shape because we all believe in our offense.
"
Yost had better hope that his faith is well-placed, for if the Royals fall flat again this season, there could be sweeping changes in the team's leadership.
22. St. Louis Cardinals (Previous Rank: 3)
9 of 30
Projected Lineup
| Matt Carpenter | 3B | L |
| Kolten Wong | 2B | L |
| Matt Holliday | LF | R |
| Allen Craig | RF | R |
| Yadier Molina | C | R |
| Matt Adams | 1B | L |
| Jhonny Peralta | SS | R |
| Peter Bourjos | CF | R |
| Pitcher | P | L/R |
Bench
| Tony Cruz | C/3B | R |
| Mark Ellis | 2B | R |
| Daniel Descalso | IF | L |
| Jon Jay | OF | L |
| Joey Butler | OF | R |
Injury Report
None.
Overview
The St. Louis Cardinlas not only excelled at hitting with runners in scoring position in 2013 (a MLB-best .330/.402/.463 slash line), but they posted the third-highest team on-base percentage (.332)—tops in the National League.
All of a sudden, the team is doing neither particularly well.
The Cardinals are hitting only .241 with a .663 OPS when runners are within striking distance of home plate, a precipitous drop from a season ago. But more troubling is the team's .318 on-base percentage, fifth in the Senior Circuit and 16th in baseball.
If players aren't getting on base, there's no way to drive them in—which is why the Cardinals sit tied with the Chicago Cubs in 23rd place when it comes to runs scored (159).
Allen Craig (pictured), one of the biggest culprits in both categories, insists that the team has not lost confidence in itself, he recently told Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
"We’re confident that we’ll get better. That’s how it is right now. We have a lot of games left like I’ve said quite a few times. Every year is a new year. You have to find another way to do it. We’ll be there in the end.
"
Until Craig and his teammates find another way to get the job done, the lineup will continue to flounder in the land of non-contenders.
21. Pittsburgh Pirates (Previous Rank: 20)
10 of 30
Projected Lineup
| Travis Snider | RF | L |
| Neil Walker | 2B | S |
| Andrew McCutchen | CF | R |
| Pedro Alvarez | 3B | L |
| Starling Marte | LF | R |
| Ike Davis | 1B | L |
| Tony Sanchez* | C | R |
| Jordy Mercer | SS | R |
| Pitcher | P | L/R |
Bench
| Chris Stewart | C | R |
| Gaby Sanchez | 1B | R |
| Clint Barmes | IF | R |
| Josh Harrison | IF/OF | R |
| Jose Tabata | OF | R |
Injury Report
| Russell Martin | C | Strained left hamstring | 15-day DL |
Overview
The Pittsburgh Pirates have an excellent heart of the order with Andrew McCutchen, the reigning NL MVP, the powerful Pedro Alvarez and the talented Starling Marte.
Ike Davis has begun to find his groove after floundering with the New York Mets, and he and Gaby Sanchez have formed a formidable platoon at first base.
But the team lacks a legitimate leadoff hitter (Marte has the speed but not the plate discipline), and neither Travis Snider nor Jose Tabata can be relied upon to provide consistent production at the plate.
While he's not a leadoff hitter, promoting top prospect Gregory Polanco would provide the lineup with a much-needed boost, as would the return to action of catcher Russell Martin.
20. Seattle Mariners (Previous Rank: 23)
11 of 30
Projected Lineup
| Michael Saunders | RF | L |
| James Jones | CF | L |
| Robinson Cano | 2B | L |
| Corey Hart | DH | R |
| Kyle Seager | 3B | L |
| Justin Smoak | 1B | S |
| Dustin Ackley | LF | L |
| Mike Zunino | C | R |
| Brad Miller | SS | L |
Bench
| John Buck | C | R |
| Willie Bloomquist | IF/OF | R |
| Stefen Romero | IF/OF | R |
| Cole Gillespie | OF | R |
Injury Report
| Logan Morrison | 1B/OF | Strained right hamstring | 15-day DL |
Overview
Adding Robinson Cano, Corey Hart and Logan Morrison over the winter was supposed to drastically improve the Seattle Mariners' offense.
Except that it hasn't.
Take a look at where the Mariners currently sit among AL clubs and where they sat at the end of the 2013 season:
| BA | .231 | 15 | 12 |
| OBP | .293 | 15 | 13 |
| OPS | .663 | 14 | 10 |
| XBH | 116 | 11 | 10 |
| R | 172 | 11 | 12 |
Those are some pretty damning numbers right there.
But manager Lloyd McClendon believes that his club will turn things around, comparing Seattle's current struggles at the plate to those of the Detroit Tigers, with whom McClendon was a coach, from a season ago.
Per MLB.com's Greg Johns:
"Everybody talks about the offense in Detroit. But it wasn't a push-button offense. They had ups and downs and struggles, too. Last year in Detroit we got shutout maybe five or six times. It happens. It happens to everybody. It's always personal when it happens to you.
But we're going to be fine. This team will be fine. We'll hit. We're challenged a little offensively, but I believe when it heats up, bats heat up as well. I think we have some bats that will heat up. They're grinding it out and trying to get it done.
"
19. Baltimore Orioles (Previous Rank: 14)
12 of 30
Projected Lineup
| Nick Markakis | RF | L |
| Manny Machado | 3B | R |
| Chris Davis | 1B | L |
| Adam Jones | CF | R |
| Nelson Cruz | DH | R |
| Steve Clevenger* | C | L |
| J.J. Hardy | SS | R |
| David Lough | LF | L |
| Jonathan Schoop | 2B | R |
Bench
| Caleb Joseph | C | L |
| Steve Pearce | 1B/OF | R |
| Ryan Flaherty | IF/OF | L |
| Delmon Young | OF | R |
Injury Report
| Michael Almanzar | 3B | Left patellar tendinitis | 15-day DL |
| Francisco Peguero | OF | Right wrist tendinitis | 15-day DL |
| Nolan Reimold | OF | July 2013 back surgery | 60-day DL |
| Matt Wieters | C | Strained right elbow | 15-day DL |
Overview
It's been difficult to figure out exactly what the Baltimore Orioles are given the chunks of time that Chris Davis, Manny Machado and now Matt Wieters have missed.
But one thing is for sure: The Orioles are going to have to do a much better job of hitting when there's nobody on base than they have been if they hope to stay in the thick of the playoff race.
| BA | .275 | .244 |
| OBP | .324 | .291 |
| OPS | .724 | .664 |
| wRC+ | 97 | 85 |
That may not seem like a major difference, but in what is shaping up to be the most heated divisional race in baseball, it could be the difference between a division crown and another October spent watching the playoffs on TV.
18. Washington Nationals (Previous Rank: 10)
13 of 30
Projected Lineup
| Denard Span | CF | L |
| Anthony Rendon* | 3B | R |
| Jayson Werth | RF | R |
| Wilson Ramos | C | R |
| Ian Desmond | SS | R |
| Danny Espinosa* | 2B | S |
| Tyler Moore* | 1B | R |
| Nate McLouth* | LF | L |
| Pitcher | P | L/R |
Bench
| Jose Lobaton | C | S |
| Greg Dobbs | IF | L |
| Kevin Frandsen | IF | R |
| Zach Walters | IF | S |
| Scott Hairston | OF | R |
Injury Report
| Bryce Harper | OF | Torn ligament in left thumb | 15-day DL |
| Jeff Kobernus | OF | Fractured left hand | 60-day DL |
| Adam LaRoche | 1B | Strained right quad | 15-day DL |
| Eury Perez | OF | Fractured toe | 60-day DL |
| Ryan Zimmerman | 3B | Fractured right thumb | 15-day DL |
Overview
While the Washington Nationals ranked seventh in baseball with 299 runs scored over the second half of the 2013 season, the team struggled to hit with runners in scoring position, bating a meager .245, the ninth-worst mark in the game.
Denard Span is no longer trying to acclimate himself to a new clubhouse and a new league, Ryan Zimmerman's shoulder injury is ancient history and Ian Desmond continues to develop into one of the better-hitting shortstops in baseball.
But the key to it all is Bryce Harper, the 21-year-old phenom who has struggled to stay healthy since breaking into the league two years ago. Harper has unreal talent, immense power and the ability to carry a team's offense on his back when others are struggling.
A healthy Harper, one who plays in more than 118 games, as he did a season ago, will go a long way toward curing what ails the Nationals offense.
17. Texas Rangers (Previous Rank: 4)
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Projected Lineup
| Shin-Soo Choo | LF | L |
| Elvis Andrus | SS | R |
| Adrian Beltre | 3B | R |
| Prince Fielder | 1B | L |
| Alex Rios | RF | R |
| Mitch Moreland | DH | L |
| Leonys Martin | CF | L |
| Robinson Chirinos | C | R |
| Rougned Odor* | 2B | L |
Bench
| J.P. Arencibia | C | R |
| Luis Sardinas | IF | S |
| Michael Choice | OF | R |
Injury Report
| James Adduci | OF | Fractured left pinkie finger | 15-day DL |
| Engel Beltre | OF | Fractured right tibia | 60-day DL |
| Kevin Kouzmanoff | IF/OF | May 2014 back surgery | 15-day DL |
| Donnie Murphy | IF | Neck strain | 15-day DL |
| Jurickson Profar | 2B | Torn muscle in right shoulder | 60-day DL |
| Geovany Soto | C | March 2014 knee surgery | 60-day DL |
Overview
Injuries have decimated the Texas Rangers lineup, with two of the team's expected Opening Day starters (Jurickson Profar and Geovany Soto) yet to play and two key reserves (Kevin Kouzmanoff and Donnie Murphy) both relegated to spectator duty.
Aside from Shin-Soo Choo and Alex Rios, the team hasn't had an everyday player live up to even the most modest of expectations thus far.
Elvis Andrus (.253 BA, .652 OPS) and Adrian Beltre (.259 BA, .739 OPS), both former All-Stars, have been mediocre at best. Prince Fielder (pictured), who along with Choo was added over the winter to bolster the lineup, was invisible over the first four weeks of the season.
Now we've learned that Fielder is dealing with a herniated disk in his neck, something that GM Jon Daniels told reporters has likely played a role in Fielder's struggles, per Richard Durrett of ESPN:
"Putting two and two together, it stands to reason it [the neck] would be affecting his swing. He [Fielder] described it as a lack of strength in his left arm as the main symptom. For the type of hitter he is, I certainly think that could impact his ability to hit for power.
"
The injury isn't expected to land Fielder on the disabled list and, as recently noted by B/R's Jason Catania, the hulking first baseman has made adjustments at the plate and has begun to heat up at the plate.
But it's going to take more than a streaking Fielder to push the Rangers back into the upper echelon of major league lineups.
16. Milwaukee Brewers (Previous Rank: 19)
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Projected Lineup
| Carlos Gomez | CF | R |
| Scooter Gennett | 2B | L |
| Ryan Braun | RF | R |
| Jonathan Lucroy | C | R |
| Lyle Overbay | 1B | L |
| Mark Reynolds* | 3B | R |
| Khris Davis | LF | R |
| Jean Segura | SS | R |
| Pitcher | P | L/R |
Bench
| Martin Maldonado | C/1B | R |
| Elian Herrera | IF/OF | S |
| Rickie Weeks | 2B | R |
| Jeff Bianchi | IF | R |
| Logan Schafer | OF | L |
Injury Report
| Aramis Ramirez | 3B | Strained left hamstring | 15-day DL |
Overview
As was the case in 2013, injuries have hit the heart of Milwaukee Brewers lineup, with Ryan Braun spending time on the disabled list earlier this season and Aramis Ramirez currently sidelined.
The Brewers continue to do just enough at the plate to keep a firm grip on first place in the NL Central and the National League's best record (27-16).
Braun has been productive (.314 BA, .906 OPS), while Carlos Gomez (.290 BA, .924 OPS) is putting up MVP-caliber numbers atop the lineup, ranking among the league leaders in home runs (nine), slugging percentage (.555), runs scored (27) and OPS.
But Khris Davis and Jean Segura have regressed from their breakout performances a year ago, while Lyle Overbay has contributed little at the plate. That's left the Brewers with some big holes in the lineup that aren't easily filled.
15. Arizona Diamondbacks (Previous Rank: 18)
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Projected Lineup
| Gerardo Parra | RF | L |
| Martin Prado | 3B | R |
| Paul Goldschmidt | 1B | R |
| Miguel Montero | C | L |
| Aaron Hill | 2B | R |
| Cody Ross* | LF | R |
| A.J. Pollock | CF | R |
| Chris Owings | SS | R |
| Pitcher | P | L/R |
Bench
| Tuffy Gosewisch | C | R |
| Eric Chavez | 1B/3B | L |
| Cliff Pennington | IF | S |
| Ender Inciarte | OF | L |
| Alfredo Marte | OF | R |
Injury Report
| Mark Trumbo | OF | Fractured right foot | 15-day DL |
Overview
As is the case with many of the teams around baseball, an inability to get on base consistently is what plagues a talented Arizona Diamondbacks lineup.
Arizona's .310 on-base percentage ranks ninth in the National League and 20th in baseball. Goldschmidt (.375) and Miguel Montero (.376) are the only two regulars who have an on-base percentage above .350.
Martin Prado (.301, pictured), who is usually an on-base machine, along with the injured Mark Trumbo (.264) and his replacement, Cody Ross (.227) is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to players not pulling their weight.
While the team's .238/.300/.365 slash line with runners in scoring position is mediocre, the D-Backs are putting runs on the board, ranking 12th in baseball and fifth in the National League with 178 runs scored.
14. Cleveland Indians (Previous Rank: 11)
17 of 30
Projected Lineup
| Michael Bourn | CF | L |
| Nick Swisher | 1B | S |
| Michael Brantley | LF | L |
| Carlos Santana | 3B | S |
| Lonnie Chisenhall | DH | L |
| Asdrubal Cabrera | SS | S |
| Yan Gomes | C | R |
| David Murphy | RF | R |
| Mike Aviles* | 2B | R |
Bench
| Jesus Aguilar | 1B | R |
| Jose Ramirez | IF | S |
| Ryan Raburn | OF | R |
Injury Report
| Jason Giambi | 1B/DH | Strained right calf | 15-day DL |
| Jason Kipnis | 2B | Strained right oblique | 15-day DL |
| Nyjer Morgan | OF | Strained PCL in right knee | 15-day DL |
Overview
The Cleveland Indians rotation isn't the only reason for concern around Progressive Field these days.
Nick Swisher (.203 BA, .625 OPS) and Carlos Santana (.156 BA, .611 OPS, pictured) have essentially been non-factors, while the injured Jason Kipnis (.234 BA, .748 OPS) wasn't exactly tearing the cover off of the ball before he got injured.
Even more alarming is the team's drop in production with runners in scoring position. Cleveland's batting average has dropped 34 points (.264 to .230), its OPS by 71 points (.771 to .700).
Yet despite that lack of production, the Indians rank in the top half of baseball in multiple offensive categories, including runs scored (177, tied for 13th) and OPS (.704, 15th), helping to keep the Tribe from falling further in our rankings.
13. Boston Red Sox (Previous Rank: 1)
18 of 30
Projected Lineup
| Dustin Pedroia | 2B | R |
| Shane Victorino | RF | S |
| David Ortiz | DH | L |
| Mike Napoli | 1B | R |
| Grady Sizemore | LF | L |
| A.J. Pierzynski | C | L |
| Jackie Bradley Jr. | CF | L |
| Xander Bogaerts | SS | R |
| Brock Holt* | 3B | R |
Bench
| David Ross | C | R |
| Mike Carp | 1B/OF | L |
| Jonathan Herrera | IF | S |
| Jonny Gomes | OF | R |
Injury Report
| Will Middlebrooks | 3B | Fractured right index finger | 15-day DL |
Overview
After outscoring the rest of baseball by nearly 60 runs a season ago, the Boston Red Sox's offense has taken a step back in 2014. Some regression was expected, of course, given that the team needed to replace Stephen Drew and Jacoby Ellsbury.
It's not as if the team's offense has totally disappeared, and the Sox are still one of the best when it comes to getting on base, ranking fourth in on-base percentage (.332), but the lineup has more question marks than usual.
Dustin Pedroia isn't an ideal fit in the leadoff spot. It's not that he isn't up to the task, but some of his run-producing ability is wasted when he steps to the plate without anyone else on base.
Jackie Bradley Jr. and Grady Sizemore, expected to split time in center field, have been forced into the lineup at the same time and have combined to hit only .212 with 26 RBI.
Along with the perennially maddening Will Middlebrooks, who was hitting only .197 before heading to the disabled list Saturday, the bottom of the lineup is full of underperformers.
12. Tampa Bay Rays (Previous Rank: 15)
19 of 30
Projected Lineup
| Desmond Jennings | CF | R |
| Logan Forsythe* | 2B | R |
| Matt Joyce | DH | L |
| Evan Longoria | 3B | R |
| James Loney | 1B | L |
| Wil Myers | RF | R |
| David DeJesus | LF | L |
| Yunel Escobar | SS | R |
| Ryan Hanigan | C | R |
Bench
| Jose Molina | C | R |
| Cole Figueroa | IF | L |
| Sean Rodriguez | IF/OF | R |
| Brandon Guyer | 1B/OF | R |
Injury Report
| Ben Zobrist | 2B | Dislocated left thumb | 15-day DL |
Overview
What I wrote about the Tampa Bay Rays lineup on Opening Day remains true: "Here's the thing about Tampa Bay's lineup: It's deep and talented, but after Ben Zobrist, Evan Longoria and Wil Myers, it's very ordinary."
The Rays get on base a bit more frequently than other teams (.325 on-base percentage), but they really don't do any one thing significantly better than the rest of the teams in baseball.
What they do have, however, is a trio of veterans who have provided consistent production in the heart of the order (Matt Joyce, James Loney and Evan Longoria) and arguably the best manager in baseball, Joe Maddon, who is as good as anyone at mixing and matching his lineup on a daily basis.
11. New York Yankees (Previous Rank: 12)
20 of 30
Projected Lineup
| Brett Gardner | LF | L |
| Derek Jeter | SS | R |
| Jacoby Ellsbury | CF | L |
| Mark Teixeira | 1B | S |
| Alfonso Soriano | DH | R |
| Brian McCann | C | L |
| Yangervis Solarte | 3B | S |
| Ichiro Suzuki* | RF | L |
| Brian Roberts | 2B | S |
Bench
| John Ryan Murphy | C | R |
| Brendan Ryan | IF | R |
| Kelly Johnson | IF/OF | L |
| Zoilo Almonte | OF | L |
Injury Report
| Carlos Beltran | OF | Right elbow inflammation | 15-day DL |
| Francisco Cervelli | C | Strained right hamstring | 60-day DL |
Overview
Few teams in baseball added as many big names to their lineup over the winter as the New York Yankees, who signed veteran free agents Carlos Beltran, Jacoby Ellsbury, Kelly Johnson, Brian McCann and Brian Roberts to overhaul their injury-plagued lineup from a season ago.
Yet despite all that veteran talent, it's an unknown utility player, Yangervis Solarte (pictured), who has proved to be the team's most important addition.
Solarte has been a consistent contributor while bouncing around the field, helping to make up for the lack of production from Beltran, Johnson, McCann and Roberts, who are all hitting below .240.
But the team continues to put runs on the board and produce at the plate, posting the sixth-highest OPS in baseball (.746) and the fourth-best mark in the American League. That's largely due to the production the team has gotten from Solarte, along with holdovers Brett Gardner, Ichiro Suzuki and Mark Teixeira, the latter of whom is swinging the bat as well as he has in years.
10. San Francisco Giants (Previous Rank: 22)
21 of 30
Projected Lineup
| Angel Pagan | CF | S |
| Hunter Pence | RF | R |
| Buster Posey | C | R |
| Michael Morse* | 1B | R |
| Pablo Sandoval | 3B | S |
| Brandon Crawford | SS | L |
| Brandon Hicks* | 2B | R |
| Gregor Blanco | LF | L |
| Pitcher | P | L/R |
Bench
| Hector Sanchez | C | S |
| Ehire Adrianza | IF | S |
| Joaquin Arias | IF | R |
| Tyler Colvin | OF | L |
Injury Report
| Brandon Belt | 1B | Broken left thumb | 15-day DL |
| Marco Scutaro | 2B | Lower back strain | 60-day DL |
Overview
Despite being without Marco Scutaro all season long and losing Brandon Belt to a broken thumb, the San Francisco Giants have had one of baseball's best offenses in the early part of the season.
The Giants have one of the most powerful lineups in baseball, ranking third in home runs (50), ninth in runs scored (184) and 10th in slugging percentage (.402).
Only one of the team's regulars—Pablo Sandoval (.590)—sits with an OPS below .745. While he's shown flashes of life recently, hitting .393 over the past week (11-for-28), the Giants need more consistent production from their third baseman if they hope to stay atop the NL West standings—or rise in the rankings.
9. Minnesota Twins (Previous Rank: 29)
22 of 30
Projected Lineup
| Brian Dozier | 2B | R |
| Joe Mauer | 1B | L |
| Trevor Plouffe | 3B | L |
| Chris Colabello | RF | R |
| Jason Kubel | LF | L |
| Kurt Suzuki | C | R |
| Josmil Pinto | DH | R |
| Aaron Hicks | CF | S |
| Eduardo Escobar | SS | S |
Bench
| Chris Parmelee | 1B/OF | L |
| Eduardo Nunez | IF/OF | R |
| Danny Santana | IF/OF | S |
| Sam Fuld | OF | Concussion-like symptoms | 7-day DL |
| Miguel Sano | 3B | Tommy John surgery | Out for season |
| Josh Willingham | OF | Fractured left wrist | 15-day DL |
Overview
If I told you before the season began that the Minnesota Twins would have one of baseball's 10 highest-scoring offenses through the first quarter of the season—without any significant production from Miguel Sano or Josh Willingham—chances are you'd have tried to have me committed.
But that's exactly how things have played out for the Twins, who rank fifth in the American League and seventh in baseball with 193 runs scored. Additionally, only two teams, the Colorado Rockies and Oakland A's, get on base as frequently as the Twins do, with only the A's drawing more walks than the upstarts in Minnesota.
Three unlikely run producers—Chris Colabello, Trevor Plouffe and Kurt Suzuki—are among the American League leaders in RBI, while Brian Dozier (pictured) has become the team's biggest offensive threat.
Dozier is tied for the major league lead in runs scored (40), ranks fifth in walks (30) and home runs (11) and is sixth in stolen bases (12). Not bad for a guy who, heading into the season, had stolen 23 bases and hit 24 home runs over the first two years of his career.
8. Miami Marlins (Previous Rank: 30)
23 of 30
Projected Lineup
| Christian Yelich | LF | L |
| Derek Dietrich | 2B | L |
| Giancarlo Stanton | RF | R |
| Casey McGehee | 3B | R |
| Jarrod Saltalamacchia | C | S |
| Garrett Jones | 1B | L |
| Marcell Ozuna | CF | R |
| Adeiny Hechavarria | SS | R |
| Pitcher | P | L/R |
Bench
| Jeff Mathis | C | R |
| Ed Lucas | IF | R |
| Donovan Solano | IF | R |
| Jeff Baker | IF/OF | R |
| Reed Johnson | OF | R |
Injury Report
| Rafael Furcal | SS | Left hamstring | 15-day DL |
Overview
A healthy Giancarlo Stanton (pictured) has put up the kind of offense-carrying numbers that we've long believed he was capable of (.320, 12 HR, 43 RBI). While he's been the team's MVP, Stanton isn't alone in turning the Miami Marlins' offense from one of baseball's worst into the National League's second-highest-scoring unit.
Veteran bats like Garrett Jones, Casey McGehee and Jarrod Saltalamacchia have bought stability to the lineup, something I didn't think was possible back on Opening Day (at least for Jones and McGehee.)
But as McGehee explained to MLB.com's David Furones, Miami's ability to produce runs has been as much about a change in mentality as anything else:
"Without guys getting on base, you don't get those opportunities. I think the other thing is that you don't have the pressure to drive in a run because you really feel like the guy behind you is going to do it if you leave him out there.
"
Youngsters Derek Dietrich and Christian Yelich may not be lighting the world on fire, hitting a combined .258, but the duo has posted a more than respectable .343 on-base percentage ahead of the team's big bats.
7. Los Angeles Dodgers (Previous Rank: 2)
24 of 30
Projected Lineup
| Dee Gordon | 2B | L |
| Yasiel Puig | RF | R |
| Hanley Ramirez | SS | R |
| Adrian Gonzalez | 1B | L |
| Matt Kemp | CF | R |
| Carl Crawford | LF | L |
| Juan Uribe | 3B | R |
| A.J. Ellis | C | R |
| Pitcher | P | L/R |
Bench
| Drew Butera | C | R |
| Scott Van Slyke | IF | R |
| Justin Turner | IF | R |
| Chone Figgins | IF/OF | S |
| Andre Ethier | OF | L |
Injury Report
None.
Overview
There may not be a bigger surprise in baseball this year than the play of Dee Gordon, who despite a continued aversion to drawing walks has posted a .354 on-base percentage, second in Los Angeles to only Yasiel Puig (pictured), whose .415 mark ranks fifth in the National League and seventh overall.
Gordon's new-found ability to get on base consistently has allowed him to cause havoc on the basepaths, leading the game with 25 stolen bases. More importantly, it's allowed those hitting behind him in the lineup, like Puig, to step to the plate with a runner on base, one with elite speed.
What's holding the Los Angeles Dodgers back from a higher ranking is the scuffling at the plate from key pieces like Matt Kemp and Hanley Ramirez. Neither one has produced at the MVP-caliber pace that we've become accustomed to seeing when the two players are healthy and in the lineup on a daily basis.
6. Chicago White Sox (Previous Rank: 21)
25 of 30
Projected Lineup
| Alejandro Dr Aza | CF | L |
| Gordon Beckham | 2B | R |
| Conor Gillaspie | 3B | L |
| Jose Abreu | 1B | R |
| Adam Dunn | DH | L |
| Dayan Viciedo | LF | R |
| Alexei Ramirez | SS | R |
| Moises Sierra | RF | R |
| Tyler Flowers | C | R |
Bench
| Adrian Nieto | C | R |
| Paul Konerko | 1B/DH | L |
| Leury Garcia | IF/OF | S |
| Marcus Semien | IF/OF | R |
Injury Report
| Adam Eaton | OF | Right hamstring strain | 15-day DL |
| Avisail Garcia | OF | April 2014 left shoulder surgery | Out for season |
Overview
Anyone still think that the Chicago Cubs' decision to sign Cuban defector Jose Abreu to a six-year, $68 million deal was too big of a risk for a rebuilding team to take?
Locked in what figures to be an entertaining season-long battle with New York's Masahiro Tanaka for AL Rookie of the Year honors, Abreu leads the Junior Circuit in home runs (15), RBI (41) and slugging percentage (.606).
Another one of the ChiSox's offseason additions, Adam Eaton, has been excellent as the team's leadoff hitter, posting a .363 on-base percentage when he's healthy, and a handful of holdovers from last year's squad have raided the level of their play.
Alexei Ramirez ranks third in the AL with a .322 batting average, and Dayan Viciedo is 16th (.299). While neither has enough plate appearances to qualify for the leaderboard yet, both Conor Gillaspie (.333) and Tyler Flowers (.306) would rank among the top 20 as well.
With so many players swinging solid bats, it's no surprise to find the White Sox sitting as the third-highest-scoring offense in all of baseball.
5. Detroit Tigers (Previous Rank: 6)
26 of 30
Projected Lineup
| Ian Kinsler | 2B | R |
| Torii Hunter | RF | R |
| Miguel Cabrera | 1B | R |
| Victor Martinez | DH | S |
| Austin Jackson | CF | R |
| Nick Castellanos | 3B | R |
| Alex Avila | C | L |
| Andrew Romine* | SS | R |
| Rajai Davis* | LF | R |
Bench
| Bryan Holiday | C | R |
| Danny Worth | IF | R |
| Don Kelly | IF/OF | L |
| J.D. Martinez | OF | R |
Injury Report
| Andy Dirks | OF | March 2014 back surgery | 60-day DL |
| Jose Iglesias | SS | Stress fractures in both shins | 60-day DL |
Overview
After losing Prince Fielder, Omar Infante and Jhonny Peralta over the winter—and then losing Andy Dirks and Jose Iglesias to injury during the spring—it was fair to expect a drop in the Detroit Tigers' offensive production.
But as MLive.com's Chris Iott pointed out earlier this week, that simply hasn't been the case:
"The Tigers are averaging 4.89 runs per game this season after averaging 4.91 runs in 2013, despite the offensive firepower they lost in the offseason. But the 2013 Tigers were shut out 12 times. The 2014 Tigers have been shut out just once. They are on pace to be shut out just four or five times.
"
The power the Tigers lost has been replaced with players who hit to contact and have above-average speed once they get on base. Detroit's contact rate has risen from 78 percent in 2013 to 81.7 percent, and the team has already stolen more bases (36) than it did all of last season (35).
Oh, and the Tigers still have that Miguel Cabrera fellow, who after a slow start has begun to deliver his usual MVP-caliber performance, hitting .350 with 10 extra-base hits, 22 RBI and an OPS of 1.077 in May.
4. Los Angeles Angels (Previous Rank: 5)
27 of 30
Projected Lineup
| Erick Aybar | SS | S |
| Mike Trout | CF | R |
| Albert Pujols | 1B | R |
| Raul Ibanez | LF | L |
| Howie Kendrick | 2B | R |
| C.J. Cron | DH | R |
| Chris Iannetta | C | R |
| Luis Jimenez* | 3B | R |
| Collin Cowgill* | RF | R |
Bench
| Hank Conger | C | S |
| Efren Navarro | 1B/OF | L |
| John McDonald | IF | R |
| Grant Green | IF/OF | R |
Injury Report
| Kole Calhoun | OF | Sprained right ankle | 15-day DL |
| David Freese | 3B | Fractured right middle finger | 15-day DL |
| Josh Hamilton | OF | Torn UCL in left thumb | 15-day DL |
| Ian Stewart | 3B | Left hand contusion | 15-day DL |
Overview
With three of the team's regulars on the disabled list and Mike Trout showing signs that, contrary to popular opinion, he actually is a man and not a machine, you'd expect the Los Angeles Angels offense to be a mess.
But that's simply not been the case in Los Angeles, where it's been a total team effort for the Angels, one of only six teams that have scored 200 runs.
Fill-ins like Collin Cowgill, C.J. Cron and Grant Green have picked up the slack in place of the team's injured stars, while a pair of longtime fixtures on the squad, Erick Aybar and Howie Kendrick, have put up quality numbers.
Perhaps the biggest reason for the team's success has been the play of Albert Pujols, who ranks among the league leaders in home runs and runs scored despite posting a .234 BABIP and .319 on-base percentage, nearly 70 and 90 points, respectively, below his career norms.
3. Toronto Blue Jays (Previous Rank: 8)
28 of 30
Projected Lineup
| Jose Reyes | SS | S |
| Melky Cabrera | LF | S |
| Jose Bautista | RF | R |
| Edwin Encarnacion | 1B | R |
| Dioner Navarro | C | S |
| Adam Lind | DH | L |
| Juan Francisco | 3B | L |
| Brett Lawrie | 2B | R |
| Anthony Gose | CF | L |
Bench
| Josh Thole | C | L |
| Erik Kratz | C | R |
| Steve Tolleson | IF/OF | S |
| Kevin Pillar | OF | R |
Injury Report
| Maicer Izturis | IF | Torn LCL in left knee | 60-day DL |
| Colby Rasmus | CF | Tight right hamstring | 15-day DL |
Overview
Last season, the Toronto Blue Jays' offense ranked ninth in runs scored (712) and fourth in home runs (185) despite having only two players, Edwin Encarnacion and Adam Lind, play in more than 120 games.
A relatively healthy lineup has provided even better results this year, with the Blue Jays ranking fourth in runs scored (213), second in home runs (57) and third in OPS (.758).
Jose Bautista has reestablished himself as one of the game's most dangerous hitters, while Melky Cabrera (pictured) has seemingly put his PED-related distractions and injury-filled 2013 behind him, ranking among the league leaders in batting average and runs scored.
That the Blue Jays have been able to put up such gaudy numbers without much of a contribution from leadoff hitter Jose Reyes, who has struggled to get on base with any consistency, makes the team's production all the more impressive.
2. Oakland Athletics (Previous Rank: 7)
29 of 30
Projected Lineup
| Coco Crisp | CF | S |
| John Jaso | DH | L |
| Josh Donaldson | 3B | R |
| Brandon Moss | 1B | L |
| Yoenis Cespedes | LF | R |
| Jed Lowrie | SS | S |
| Derek Norris | C | R |
| Josh Reddick | RF | L |
| Eric Sogard | 2B | L |
Bench
| Kyle Blanks | 1B/OF | R |
| Alberto Callaspo | IF | S |
| Nick Punto | IF | S |
| Craig Gentry | OF | L |
Injury Report
| Jake Elmore | IF | Strained left quadriceps | 15-day DL |
Overview
No team in baseball has outscored its opposition by a higher margin than the Oakland Athletics, who own a plus-85 run differential, 34 runs ahead of Detroit.
While part of that can be attributed to stellar performances by the pitching staff, credit is due to the team's under-the-radar offense, which puts up big numbers without featuring your typical superstar in the middle of the lineup.
Oakland may have only one player, Derek Norris, hitting above .300, but it has two—Josh Donaldson and Brandon Moss (pictured)—that have cracked the AL's top 10 in home runs.
The A's also have only two regulars with an OPS below .700, further evidence of a well-balanced attack, one in which any member of the lineup can serve as the catalyst on any given night.
That the opposition never knows exactly who the biggest threat is only adds to their effectiveness.
1. Colorado Rockies (Previous Rank: 16)
30 of 30
Projected Lineup
| Charlie Blackmon | RF | L |
| Nolan Arenado | 3B | R |
| Carlos Gonzalez | LF | L |
| Troy Tulowitzki | SS | R |
| Justin Morneau | 1B | L |
| Corey Dickerson* | CF | L |
| Jordan Pacheco* | C | R |
| DJ LeMahieu | 2B | R |
| Pitcher | P | L/R |
Bench
| Michael McKenry | C | R |
| Charlie Culberson | IF/OF | R |
| Brandon Barnes | OF | R |
| Drew Stubbs | OF | R |
Injury Report
| Michael Cuddyer | RF | Left Hamstring Strain | 15-day DL |
| Wilin Rosario | C | Viral Infection | 15-day DL |
Overview
Even when the Colorado Rockies' offense doesn't put up gaudy numbers, it's leaving an impression.
"They can play small-ball if they need to, and they also can hit homers," Kansas City starter James Shields, who held the Rockies to only one run, recently told USA Today's Jorge L. Ortiz. "Their lineup is very similar to the (Detroit) Tigers lineup, very diverse. They don't have too many weak spots."
That's an impressive endorsement, especially when you consider that the Rockies are missing two key pieces of the lineup, including last year's National League batting champion Michael Cuddyer.
Colorado leads the game in nearly every possible offensive category and sits with a nearly 20-run lead over Oakland for the highest-scoring offense in the land.
Charlie Blackmon and Troy Tulowitzki have both put up MVP-caliber numbers, former American League MVP Justin Morneau has rediscovered his mojo and youngster Nolan Arenado's bat has caught up with his Gold Glove defense earlier than expected.
Have the team's numbers been inflated by the hitter's paradise that is Coors Field? Of course.
But as manager Walt Weiss told Ortiz, those who sleep on the offense when his club is on the road are in for a rude awakening: "I know from a national perspective we're always going to be seen as a Coors Field product. But it's a good offensive club, and we make it tough on pitchers regardless of where we're playing."
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