Now that baseball's back in full swing, we're going to start doing power rankings each week based on the teams we believe are playing the best baseball. Remember these rankings are based on the previous week of baseball, and the following weeks will be based on that plus overall performance throughout the season.
1. Atlanta Braves
Minus a hiccup against the Phillies last Wednesday, the Braves are now off to their best start since 2007. Justin Upton has been scorching hot, hitting six home runs in seven games, and the Braves pitching staff accumulated a 2.29 ERA, which is second best in the league. If Atlanta keeps this up, it doesn't look like anyone can stop them from getting to the World Series.
2. Washington Nationals
The Nationals have started this year the same way they did last year, winning. Despite struggling against the Reds over the weekend, the Nationals have enough fire power to remain as one of the top teams in the league. Stephen Stasburg and Gio Gonzalez have been solid in their season debuts, and Bryce Harper is showing the rest of the league why he should be the NL MVP. Harper has a .379 average, he's hit three home runs, and has 5 RBIs.
3. Texas Rangers
Raise your hand if you had the Rangers off to a hot start? If you didn't it's okay because I didn't either. After brushing off an opening night loss to the lowly Astros, the Rangers have won five out of their last six, and now sit tied atop the AL West with the A's. Plus it does kinda help when Yu Darvish almost pitches a perfect game.
4. Oakland Athletics
The A's are continuing to build off how they finished last season. With all the talk this offseason on the Rangers, Angels, and Mariners the Athletics have just fed off of the lack of attention and continued to perform on the field.
5. Cincinnati Reds
The Reds are off to another solid start this season. With a healthy Joey Votto, and a dominant Johnny Cueto, the Reds are the team to beat in the NL Central.
6. Arizona Diamondbacks
Without Justin Upton the DBacks were just going to sit around and twiddle their thumbs right? WRONG! The DBacks are off to a sizzling start, and are now tied with the Giants atop the NL West. If the DBacks can keep this kind of play up we may be looking at a three team race between the Dodgers, the Giants, and the DBacks for the NL West crown.
7. Detroit Tigers
The Tigers aren't above .500 yet, but they are playing in one of the weakest divisions in the MLB. Just give this team a few weeks, I think we'll all see that this team is just as good as they were last year.
8. Los Angeles Dodgers
With the payroll this team has,they have played right around where they should up to this point so far. Its a good start for the Dodgers, but it's going to take a lot more to push ahead of the Giants and the DBacks and win the NL West.
9. San Francisco Giants
The defending champs got off to a rocky start but have now got into a groove and have won three in a row. It difficult for any champion to repeat, but if any team can do it the Giants may just be that team. Just think if they do it would be three titles in four years, talk about a dynasty.
10. Boston Red Sox
No one had the Red Sox off to this hot start, and that includes me (see our Boston Red Sox article). If the Red Sox keep up this kind of play they may just be the surprise team of the season.
11. Colorado Rockies
Speaking of teams that are surprises just take a look at the Rockies. They aren't playing great baseball, but they are winning and thats what counts. I do think this spot is way too high for the Rockies right now, but you never know, they may also shock the world.
12. New York Mets
The Mets are off to a solid start once again this year. If the Mets can keep playing the way they are, they may become a thorn in Atlanta and Washington's NL East title hunt. That is if they can avoid the usual patented Mets let down that comes toward the middle of the season.
13. Chicago White Sox
The White Sox are right where I predicted them to be during the preseason, the middle of the pack. This team has experience and could really make some noise if they, like a lot of teams, could put all of their pieces together.
14. St. Louis Cardinals
I've learned over the years to never turn a blind eye to the Cardinals. Every time it seems that the Cardinals are down, they always find a way to prove everyone wrong. So I'm not sleeping on the Cardinals, not until atleast September that is.
15. Seattle Mariners
If only King Felix could play every night, then the Mariners may have a chance. Despite his one loss Felix Hernandez has played very well to start this season. If the rest of his team steps up and plays well when he's not out, the Mariners may contend in the now loaded AL West.
16. New York Yankees
Poor Yankees, your old, beaten up, and no one is giving you much of a chance. Now some might say that this is karma (I would), but you never know what can happen in a season. Plus this is the Yankees folks, something tells me they'll start doing something right soon.
17. Kansas City Royals
Now this spot may be a tad too high for the Royals right now, but also as of right now they are the only team in the AL Central that is above .500. You combine that with the fact they are playing some decent baseball, they may keep moving up if they keep it up.
18. Baltimore Orioles
Not a lot going for the Orioles early this season. But what else is new. This team showed us all last year that they don't play for right now, they play for October. One bright spot for the Orioles right now is Chris Davis. Davis right now is on fire and already has 18 RBIs so far. If he can keep that up and get the rest of the Orioles on board, they could make another push for the playoffs.
19. Minnesota Twins
The Twins haven't been relevant in the last few years for a multitude of reasons. One of those may just be former AL MVP Joe Mauer. Maybe if he started focusing on leading his team instead of doing Head and Shoulders commercials the Twins would be in contention again.
20. Los Angeles Angels
After becoming the greatest acquisition of this past offseason Josh Hamilton just hasn't lived up to his former AL MVP caliber. Right now Hamilton is averaging just .156 and isn't even a factor is most of the games for the Angels up to this point. Now all the blame can't be placed on Hamilton, Trout, Pujols, and Ianetta can all step it up too.
21. Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto is another example of a team that isn't playing the way it should. I suppose unlike the Angels most of this team wasn't intact last year, but try telling that to Toronto fans. All I have to say is give it some time Blue Jays fans, Rome wasn't built overnight.
22. Tamp Bay Rays
The Rays have all the pieces to contend in the AL East. They have a Cy Young winner in David Price, and a guy who knows how to win in Evan Longoria. If they can just put it all together they may be able to get back to where they should be in the AL East hunt.
23. Philadelphia Phillies
What happened to the Phillies? Two years ago they were the most dominant team in baseball, and now if it wasn't for AAA Miami they would be dead last in the NL East. The good thing for the Phillies right now is that Ryan Howard is off to a hot start, and he keeps that up he may lead the Phillies back to where they used to be.
24. Chicago Cubs
I just don't know what to make of the Cubs. They won two of three from the Pirates, got swept by the Braves, and now have split with the Brewers this week. If anything is true in this league it is that the Cubs are one of the most inconsistent teams in the MLB.
25. Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates just don't have a lot of stars other than Andrew McCutchen, and right now he's not having such a good start. If the Pirates don't get someone to help out McCutchen they maybe just compete with the Cubs to see who wants to stay out of the NL Central dog house.
26. Cleveland Indians
I honestly believed the Indians would have a better start than what they have had so far. With Terry Francona taking over and the Indians acquiring guys like Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher the Indians were a solid pick to contend with the Tigers in the AL Central. Hopefully this is just an early season slump, but then again, it is the Indians.
27. San Diego Padres
The Padres youth just keeps kicking them in the butt. They have a few veterans, but overall this team is one of the youngest in the MLB. Until this team gains more experience, they will continue to stay at the bottom of the NL West.
28. Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers just haven't been the same team since Prince Fielder left. Although Ryan Braun has continued to be a presence, no one else has stepped up to help lead this team. Until that happens the Brewers might as well get used to battling the Cubs and Pirates for last in the NL Central.
29. Houston Astros
Just when you think the Astros have something going for them, they prove they are still the same team we're all used to. After winning their season opener the Astros have dropped six in a row. It may take a miracle for the Astros to return to MLB relevance.
30. Miami Marlins
This team is nothing more than a AAA team. Enough said.
1. Atlanta Braves
Minus a hiccup against the Phillies last Wednesday, the Braves are now off to their best start since 2007. Justin Upton has been scorching hot, hitting six home runs in seven games, and the Braves pitching staff accumulated a 2.29 ERA, which is second best in the league. If Atlanta keeps this up, it doesn't look like anyone can stop them from getting to the World Series.
2. Washington Nationals
The Nationals have started this year the same way they did last year, winning. Despite struggling against the Reds over the weekend, the Nationals have enough fire power to remain as one of the top teams in the league. Stephen Stasburg and Gio Gonzalez have been solid in their season debuts, and Bryce Harper is showing the rest of the league why he should be the NL MVP. Harper has a .379 average, he's hit three home runs, and has 5 RBIs.
3. Texas Rangers
Raise your hand if you had the Rangers off to a hot start? If you didn't it's okay because I didn't either. After brushing off an opening night loss to the lowly Astros, the Rangers have won five out of their last six, and now sit tied atop the AL West with the A's. Plus it does kinda help when Yu Darvish almost pitches a perfect game.
4. Oakland Athletics
The A's are continuing to build off how they finished last season. With all the talk this offseason on the Rangers, Angels, and Mariners the Athletics have just fed off of the lack of attention and continued to perform on the field.
5. Cincinnati Reds
The Reds are off to another solid start this season. With a healthy Joey Votto, and a dominant Johnny Cueto, the Reds are the team to beat in the NL Central.
6. Arizona Diamondbacks
Without Justin Upton the DBacks were just going to sit around and twiddle their thumbs right? WRONG! The DBacks are off to a sizzling start, and are now tied with the Giants atop the NL West. If the DBacks can keep this kind of play up we may be looking at a three team race between the Dodgers, the Giants, and the DBacks for the NL West crown.
7. Detroit Tigers
The Tigers aren't above .500 yet, but they are playing in one of the weakest divisions in the MLB. Just give this team a few weeks, I think we'll all see that this team is just as good as they were last year.
8. Los Angeles Dodgers
With the payroll this team has,they have played right around where they should up to this point so far. Its a good start for the Dodgers, but it's going to take a lot more to push ahead of the Giants and the DBacks and win the NL West.
9. San Francisco Giants
The defending champs got off to a rocky start but have now got into a groove and have won three in a row. It difficult for any champion to repeat, but if any team can do it the Giants may just be that team. Just think if they do it would be three titles in four years, talk about a dynasty.
10. Boston Red Sox
No one had the Red Sox off to this hot start, and that includes me (see our Boston Red Sox article). If the Red Sox keep up this kind of play they may just be the surprise team of the season.
11. Colorado Rockies
Speaking of teams that are surprises just take a look at the Rockies. They aren't playing great baseball, but they are winning and thats what counts. I do think this spot is way too high for the Rockies right now, but you never know, they may also shock the world.
12. New York Mets
The Mets are off to a solid start once again this year. If the Mets can keep playing the way they are, they may become a thorn in Atlanta and Washington's NL East title hunt. That is if they can avoid the usual patented Mets let down that comes toward the middle of the season.
13. Chicago White Sox
The White Sox are right where I predicted them to be during the preseason, the middle of the pack. This team has experience and could really make some noise if they, like a lot of teams, could put all of their pieces together.
14. St. Louis Cardinals
I've learned over the years to never turn a blind eye to the Cardinals. Every time it seems that the Cardinals are down, they always find a way to prove everyone wrong. So I'm not sleeping on the Cardinals, not until atleast September that is.
15. Seattle Mariners
If only King Felix could play every night, then the Mariners may have a chance. Despite his one loss Felix Hernandez has played very well to start this season. If the rest of his team steps up and plays well when he's not out, the Mariners may contend in the now loaded AL West.
16. New York Yankees
Poor Yankees, your old, beaten up, and no one is giving you much of a chance. Now some might say that this is karma (I would), but you never know what can happen in a season. Plus this is the Yankees folks, something tells me they'll start doing something right soon.
17. Kansas City Royals
Now this spot may be a tad too high for the Royals right now, but also as of right now they are the only team in the AL Central that is above .500. You combine that with the fact they are playing some decent baseball, they may keep moving up if they keep it up.
18. Baltimore Orioles
Not a lot going for the Orioles early this season. But what else is new. This team showed us all last year that they don't play for right now, they play for October. One bright spot for the Orioles right now is Chris Davis. Davis right now is on fire and already has 18 RBIs so far. If he can keep that up and get the rest of the Orioles on board, they could make another push for the playoffs.
19. Minnesota Twins
The Twins haven't been relevant in the last few years for a multitude of reasons. One of those may just be former AL MVP Joe Mauer. Maybe if he started focusing on leading his team instead of doing Head and Shoulders commercials the Twins would be in contention again.
20. Los Angeles Angels
After becoming the greatest acquisition of this past offseason Josh Hamilton just hasn't lived up to his former AL MVP caliber. Right now Hamilton is averaging just .156 and isn't even a factor is most of the games for the Angels up to this point. Now all the blame can't be placed on Hamilton, Trout, Pujols, and Ianetta can all step it up too.
21. Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto is another example of a team that isn't playing the way it should. I suppose unlike the Angels most of this team wasn't intact last year, but try telling that to Toronto fans. All I have to say is give it some time Blue Jays fans, Rome wasn't built overnight.
22. Tamp Bay Rays
The Rays have all the pieces to contend in the AL East. They have a Cy Young winner in David Price, and a guy who knows how to win in Evan Longoria. If they can just put it all together they may be able to get back to where they should be in the AL East hunt.
23. Philadelphia Phillies
What happened to the Phillies? Two years ago they were the most dominant team in baseball, and now if it wasn't for AAA Miami they would be dead last in the NL East. The good thing for the Phillies right now is that Ryan Howard is off to a hot start, and he keeps that up he may lead the Phillies back to where they used to be.
24. Chicago Cubs
I just don't know what to make of the Cubs. They won two of three from the Pirates, got swept by the Braves, and now have split with the Brewers this week. If anything is true in this league it is that the Cubs are one of the most inconsistent teams in the MLB.
25. Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates just don't have a lot of stars other than Andrew McCutchen, and right now he's not having such a good start. If the Pirates don't get someone to help out McCutchen they maybe just compete with the Cubs to see who wants to stay out of the NL Central dog house.
26. Cleveland Indians
I honestly believed the Indians would have a better start than what they have had so far. With Terry Francona taking over and the Indians acquiring guys like Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher the Indians were a solid pick to contend with the Tigers in the AL Central. Hopefully this is just an early season slump, but then again, it is the Indians.
27. San Diego Padres
The Padres youth just keeps kicking them in the butt. They have a few veterans, but overall this team is one of the youngest in the MLB. Until this team gains more experience, they will continue to stay at the bottom of the NL West.
28. Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers just haven't been the same team since Prince Fielder left. Although Ryan Braun has continued to be a presence, no one else has stepped up to help lead this team. Until that happens the Brewers might as well get used to battling the Cubs and Pirates for last in the NL Central.
29. Houston Astros
Just when you think the Astros have something going for them, they prove they are still the same team we're all used to. After winning their season opener the Astros have dropped six in a row. It may take a miracle for the Astros to return to MLB relevance.
30. Miami Marlins
This team is nothing more than a AAA team. Enough said.