MLB Power Rankings: The Top 15 Teams Through Week 2
Including the American League East, this is shaping up to be one of the most competitive Major League Baseball seasons in recent memory. There are several improved teams this year, and they’re all hungry for wins.
Whose appetite has been most ravenous through the first two weeks of the season? Join me in the journey down the river of my reasoning. And for your own reasons, enjoy the show…
15. St. Louis Cardinals: They're Slugging Like Champions And Pitching All Right
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The Redbirds battled back to wind up 7-7, third in the National League, after starting the season way under .500. Since Matt Holliday returned, the Cardinals are playing like champions.
The team's batting average of .290 is the highest in the Tony La Russa era. They slid to number 15 in the Majors in team ERA, though—a sign of the missing ace, Big Adam Wainwright.
The Cards could still get it right and win the NL pennant—if they can close games.
14. Oakland Athletics: They're Playing .500 Ball and Pitching Much Better
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At 8-8, they are No. 1 in team ERA so far. Still, the A's need more offensive production to really be considered contenders in the American League.
Pitching wins championships, but offense helps get teams there.
13. San Francisco Giants: Their Pitching Staff Is Loaded With Live Arms
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The Giants are in second place behind the Colorado Rockies. The division rivals will meet plenty of times this season and have the opportunity to impress me.
What's been really impressive is the Rockies doing it big without ace Ubaldo Jimenez. He should be back before too long. Then it's on.
This race could go down to the last day. Fun, fun and fun...
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12. Toronto Blue Jays: They Can Rake From Canada To the Jake
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The Blue Jays hit the Twins with 13 fun runs to open the season, and proceeded to start 5-5. If Adam Lind and Aaron Hill have bounce back seasons, then the Jays have one of the most prolific lineups in MLB.
Jose Bautista and the boys will need to provide punch for a suspect starting pitching crew.
11. Florida Marlins: The Bats That Saved Baseball In Miami
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In second place behind the Philadelphia Phillies, the Marlins, behind pitcher Josh Johnson and shortstop Hanley Ramirez, are primed to make a run.
Whether or not they'll run all season long remains to be seen. The Phillies look like a lock for winning the division, so Florida will have to scramble to make the playoffs.
In the improved National League, it'll be tough. Stay tuned.
10. Milwaukee Brewers: Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun And Ricky Weeks Are Brewing
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Prince Fielder started showing signs of the slugger the Brewers know and love. Coupled with Ryan Braun, and tripled with Ricky Weeks, Milwaukee's offense is brewing and their mugs could run over.
Schlemiel! Schlimazel! The Brewers are clinging to second place behind the Reds. The hard-charging Cardinals are on Milwaukee's heels, though.
If the pitching holds up in Wisconsin, the Brewers can make the playoffs.
9. Chicago White Sox: The Only Team To Give Cleveland the Flux
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The White Sox are in third place behind the surprising Indians and Royals in their division. The Southsiders have played a tough schedule to start the season.
The White Sox beat the 10-4 Indians in the first two games of the season, and now Cleveland looks like world beaters.
To win more, Chicago needs to find a way to close out the end of games.
8. Los Angeles Angels: The Halos Are Bouncing Back From Last Season
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As mentioned, the Angels got swept to start the month. They rebounded, though, thanks to Maicer Izturis and Howie Kendrick’s solid starts.
Vernon Wells and Torii Hunter could be a fierce duo in the middle of the lineup. Jared Weaver has been one of the best pitchers in the league.
Manager Mike Scioscia appears to have the Angels flying again after a .500 start. They missed the playoffs last year—a rarity under Scioscia.
They appear to be headed back.
7. Cincinnati Reds: Their Pitching Staff Is the Key To Where They Finish
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With their easy schedule during the first month of the season, the Reds got off to a good start this year. Coming up at the end of the month, their matchup with the Cardinals will be a deciding factor in these power rankings.
The Cardinals owned the Reds last season. We'll soon see about this one.
6. New York Yankees: With A 5-4 Start, the Yankees Pitchers Aren’t Like Tigers
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The Jankees—I mean Yankees—started off the season with a series win over Detroit. They then beat up the often-bullied-by-the-Yankees Minnesota Twins in the Boogie Down Bronx.
Boston, however, buzz killed New York over the weekend by taking the series at Fenway Park. The Jankees—I mean Yankees—will rebound, though, I suspect.
They helped send the Orioles into a tailspin after Baltimore's manager had criticized Derek Jeter's approach to batting. The Yankees then hosted Jackie Robinson Day and proceeded to lose to Texas.
They bounced back to win the series.
5. Philadelphia Phillies: They're Hitting the Lights Out Without Chase Utley
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The pitching staff in Philadelphia is rock solid and prepared for almost anything. Philly also has one of the most dangerous offenses in the league.
Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard have gotten off to solid starts, and they seem to be in mid season form.
Without power-hitting second baseman Chase Utley, though, it remains to be seen if they'll have enough punch to go all the way. Wilson Valdez has done a nice job replacing Utley so far.
The injured Dominic Brown has the potential to be a solid outfielder.
4. Kansas City Royals: Are You Serious?
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Closer Joakim Soria is about the biggest name on the roster, but they’ve been playing good baseball (10-5). Seems like they did the same thing last season before falling off.
How long before the kings in K.C. fall off the royal bridge? Check back with me at the end of next month.
3. Cleveland Indians: They're Doing Good Now, What Will Their Grade Be Later?
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Cleveland is glad to have Grady Sizemore back, but they didn't need him. They get an A for their fast-and-furious, first-place start (11-4).
The Indians have done it against good competition—Chicago, Boston, Seattle, Los Angeles and Baltimore.
We'll see how long they can keep it up. For now, Shin Soo-Choo and Asdrubal Cabrera look like All-Stars.
2. Colorado Rockies: Owners Of the Longest Winning Streak So Far In 2011
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Pitcher Matt Lindstrom and third-place hitter Carlos Gonzalez have helped get the Colorado Mashers off to a good start.
In first place through the first 14 games, the Rockies need to keep it up for the whole season. They could do some damage in the National League.
They'll have to continue to outdo the defending world champions.
1. Texas Rangers: Ron Washington Has Arlington On Fire
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“Wash” could probably become the first African-American governor of Texas—if the election were held today.
His Rangers' defense was tight, and the team raced to 9-1 against Boston, Seattle, Baltimore and Detroit. The Rangers were the only MLB team to start the season 6-0 at home.
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