MLB Power Rankings: Week 1

MLB Power Rankings: Where we care what you've done for us lately when we break down the who's who and the what's what in the baseball world each week.

Baseball is here. Only for three days so far, but that's enough for knee-jerk reactions and our collective excitement, certainly. Are the Yankees in trouble? Will Ken Griffey, Jr. lead the Mariners back to glory? Are the Orioles for real? Are the Braves bound for the playoffs again? Will the Marlins manage to save baseball and win the National League East? What happens when Jim Thome and Kyle Farnsworth meet in a hadron collider?

Find out the answers to these questions -- and more! -- after the jump.

1. Red Sox | Previous Week: 2
The Red Sox didn't answer all the questions directed their way this offseason, but they came mighty close in their opener. Josh Beckett fanned 10 over seven innings against Tampa and displayed the velocity on his fastball that was so lacking last October. Mike Lowell -- coming off of a hip injury that kept him out of last year's ALCS -- had an RBI double and Jason Varitek -- coming off of the worst season of his career -- wrapped a home run around Pesky's Pole. All are good omens. -- Andrew Johnson
2. Cubs| Previous Week: 3
The Cubbies are only 1-1 so far after an extra-inning loss to the Astros on Tuesday night. But Alfonso Soriano has started hot and Carlos Zambrano looked like an ace in the opener against Houston. Ryan Dempster wasn't quite as dominant, but, hey, he's Ryan Dempster. Nice performances by the bullpen bode well, but a lot of this team's potential to dominate could hinge on Rich Harden's health. That's not scary at all.
3. Mets | Previous Week: 5
The Mets only squeaked by the Reds, but Johan Santana -- four walks aside -- dominated; a whopping 12 left on base might be a bad sign, but it's also the reason this game wasn't more out of hand. And the bullpen problems of yore, with J.J. Putz and Francisco Rodriguez now locking down the eighth and ninth innings, appear to be solved.
4. Rays | Previous Week: 1
James Shields struggled yet again at Fenway Park Tuesday. In four career starts at the "lyric little bandbox," Shields is winless and has a double-digit ERA. There's hardly any shame in that (though he may want to learn how to pitch there given the frequency with which the Rays visit Boston), and Tampa Bay still looks solid. It will look even better when B.J. Upton gets back in the lineup, likely next Monday against the Yankees. -- AJ
5. Braves| Previous Week: 9
Derek Lowe and Jair Jurrjens looked spectacular in their debuts against the world champion Phillies, Jordan Schafer hit a tater and is as-billed defensively, Jeff Francoeur's new stance looks pretty good and Chipper Jones appeared healed from his oblique injury when he blasted a shot on Tuesday. Good times all around in the A-T-L.
6. Diamondbacks | Previous Week: 7
The bad news: Brandon Webb looked awful on Opening Day. The good news: the Snakes still won. Felipe Lopez and Tony Clark won't hit two jacks a game, obviously, but it's still a nice start, as is Chad Tracy coming out hot. The bullpen is heavily underrated, and that will serve the D'backs well for the rest of the year.
7. Twins | Previous Week: 11
The Twins are another 1-1 team that is getting too much credit, since, you know, small sample sizes equal not so uber-important. But their one loss was a close game against the Mariners in which Francisco Liriano managed to go seven innings without walking anyone. Scott Baker on the DL is a nightmare but there's just something about this squad.
8. Yankees | Previous Week: 6
So you may have heard, but Mark Teixeira and CC Sabathia flopped in their Yankees debuts. There would be more cause for concern if both big-money additions hadn't gotten off to slow starts in the past. Patience is a virtue this time of year, just don't expect anyone in New York to understand that. -- AJ
9. Dodgers | Previous Week: 10
What a waste of $25 million. Manny Ramirez is only 1-for-7. Obviously, and without any question, Scott Boras must be to blame. Is Manny already tanking to get a new contract? -- Jeff Fletcher
10. Phillies | Previous Week: 4
To quote an anonymous person who knows a lot about sports, "Oy." The Phillies, after pitching Cole Hamels on Saturday in an exhibition, proceeded to get manhandled by the Braves in the first two games of the season. Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley stranded eight on base combined Tuesday alone. Brett Myers' poor start is less surprising, but no less troubling than Jamie Moyer's.
11. Rangers | Previous Week: 15
The Ranger-love, folks, will be a fixture around here all season loooooong. Or at least until the pitching catches up to them. For now, though, they're looking pretty good (as are myself and Mr. Snyder for picking them to win the AL West!) Kevin Millwood dominated the Indians on Opening Day, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Hank Blalock both hit early-season jacks, and the Rangers had 15 hits in a blowout win against Cleveland. They're going to be fun to watch at the very least.
12. Marlins | Previous Week: 20
The Fish obviously took a tremendous jump this week, and maybe it's a stretch, especially since they've only faced the Nationals, but, man, they look good. Josh Johnson was flat-out dominant Tuesday and Ricky Nolasco was no slouch in the opener either, even though he gave up five earned runs. Hanley Ramirez is just consensus-No.-1-in-fantasy-level disgusting at this point.
13. Angels | Previous Week: 19
Chone Figgins walks, steals second, takes third on a fly ball and scores on a ground ball. Manufactured runs are like porn to Angels broadcaster Rex Hudler. Guy is working for the right team. -- JF
14. White Sox | Previous Week: 16
An eighth-inning, three-run Jim Thome home run gave the Pale Hose the early AL Central lead. However, that home run comes with a monster asterisk because it was blatantly fueled by Kyle Farnsworth, who coughed up the shot, clearly wanting an epic Dugout confrontation between the Professor and WordUp.
15. Indians | Previous Week: 8
The Tribe freefalls in this week's rankings based solely on Cliff Lee's performance. Was it the opposite of last year's start? Yes. Should it really trick me into thinking that he's getting ready to do the opposite of what he did last year? Probably not. Does it scare me that I picked them to win the World Series and now the guy on whom the season hinges got shellacked in the opener? Hells to the yes.
16. Cardinals | Previous Week: 14
Led for eight innings on Monday, rolled to a 9-3 win on Tuesday? PLAYOFFS, BABY! Albert Pujols is hitting .714/.800/1.286. The MVP race is OVER!!! Surely, this is all because Tony La Russa has stopped batting his pitcher eighth. -- Pat Lackey
17. Orioles | Previous Week: 25
Opening Day might be a microcosm for the rest of Baltimore's season, except with a whole lot more losing than winning. The pitching is going to be an adventure, if we're being nice about it. But the blossoming youngsters might make the bumpy journey worth it. Center fielder Adam Jones looks primed to break out after going 3-for-3 with two RBI and a triple in the O's opener. -- AJ
18. Athletics | Previous Week: 17
The kiddie corps the A's call a rotation has allowed five earned runs in 11 innings in the first two games. If they can keep that pace over the next 160 games, the A's will be OK. However, Nomar Garciaparra has started both of the first two games. If that trend continues, it will be a bad sign for Oakland. -- JF
19. Reds | Previous Week: 13
Is it being harsh to rank a team that's played one game and lost a close game to Johan Santana this lowly? It's the knee-jerk Power Rankings! Of course it's not! THE REDS ARE ON PACE FOR A 0-162 RECORD THIS YEAR, PEOPLE! IT'S ALL DUSTY BAKER'S FAULT, SOMEHOW!!! -- PL
20. Mariners | Previous Week: 24
Manager Don Wakamatsu got a beer shower after winning the opener. That's bad karma, because they blew a two-run lead and lost the next night. Coughing up three runs after announcing his own job status isn't exactly a good start for young talent and new Mariners closer Brandon Morrow. -- JF
21. Brewers | Previous Week: 12
They gave up 10 runs to the Giants' terrible offense? How on earth will they ever get by without CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets? And is that really Jorge Julio in the bullpen? That would've been a bad idea in 2003. -- PL
22. Blue Jays | Previous Week: 28
Toronto enters the fourth day of the season in first place (2-0) after Rod Barajas' walk-off sac fly Tuesday, but let's be honest, the only reason is because the team it is opening against (Detroit) is even more of a disaster. Roy Halladay was roughed up Monday and closer B.J. Ryan still isn't touching 90 mph on the radar gun. In other words, enjoy the top spot in the East while it lasts, Jays fans. -- AJ
23. Giants | Previous Week:18
They won their opener 10-6, hitting three homers to overcome Tim Lincecum's bad start. Yeah, it's the Bizarro Giants. -- JF
24. Royals | Previous Week: 21
Kansas City probably doesn't deserve to be this low; Gil Meche was outstanding against the White Sox on Tuesday and Alex Gordon homered. Both things are very, very good signs for the Royals. Additionally, the AL Central might be overrated. Yet, here they are. It probably has something to do with leaving 11 men on base.
25. Pirates | Previous Week: 26
Nyjer Morgan and Freddy Sanchez are batting .444! Jack Wilson hit a game-winning three run double in the opener! Oh, and Ian Snell bombed out on Tuesday night and gave up eight runs in four innings. And Andy LaRoche has three errors in two games. And their pitching staff has absolutely no idea how to get Albert Pujols out. -- PL
26. Rockies | Previous Week: 23
Aaron Cook was the anchor of the Rockies' rotation in 2008. In 2009, he has already been shellacked once. This team's not going to win much this year, in other words. But there are a few shining moments: Troy Tulowitzki has two jacks already, which is a great sign for the Rox, and Ian Stewart appears to be getting run, which makes a whole lot of sense on so many levels.
27. Astros | Previous Week: 29
If I picked the Cubs to win the World Series, and the Astros are 1-1 against the Cubs so far, that makes them the second best team in baseball, right? Wait a second ... did Cecil Cooper really bat Pudge Rodriguez second? Is anyone actually in charge of this team? -- PL
28. Nationals | Previous Week: 27
Scott Olsen got straight up blasted Tuesday (24.00 ERA FTW!), much like John Lannan did on Monday. The bullpen's not very good and while Adam Dunn appears to have been a nice signing (so early, right?), there's no one else doing a tremendous amount of damage in the lineup two games into the season. I'm looking at you, Lastings Milledge!
29. Tigers | Previous Week: 22
OHMYSWEETGOD. Could Detroit be going through a worse stretch than the last couple of months? It looked like Michigan State was going to reclaim hope for a city ravaged by the economy and then those villanous Tar Heels blew the Spartans out. Somehow, the Tigers are making things worse. Como se dice, "fire sale"?
30. Padres | Previous Week: 30
If you can name the four guys in the Padres rotation other than Jake Peavy, either your fantasy league is way too deep or you need to get a life. -- JF

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

4-08-2009 @ 8:26PM

hockeegirl8 said...

Saying that having Nomar starting is a bad thing for the A's is an extremely stupid thing to say. He is a .314 career hitter who batted .455 with a .486 OBP, .727 SLG, and two home runs in 33 Spring Training AB. Yesterday, he got two hits and scored the A's first run of the 2009 season. In fact, the Associated Press wrote, "Nomar Garciaparra began the rally with a leadoff hit, one of four singles off Moseley in the inning." Former pitcher and current Angels announcer Mark Gubicza commented, "What a great hitter Nomar is." And he said that last night. Another Angels announcer, Rory Markas, said during last night's game, "Apparently, he is still good enough not only to play for someone but also to hit cleanup." On Opening Day, a current teammate of Nomar's, Travis Buck, said, "Of course you want to start on Opening Day. But who's going to complain about getting bumped by Nomar Garciaparra? The guy's going to be in the Hall of Fame, and obviously he's still a great hitter." Writer Joe Stiglich wrote, "Throw in the fact that Garciaparra is in his 14th major league season and hit .455 in 13 games this spring, I can see why Geren wants him in there Opening Day." Just the other day, A's manager Bob Geren said, "Nomar's had a great spring for us. I'd like to get him in there as much as possible." During Spring Training Dodgers announcer Rick Monday said, "Nomar has been red-hot with hits in 9 out of his last ten games [including] multi-hit games." I would also like to point out that Nomar hit .435 with a .533 OBP, .870 SLG, and 1.403 OPS in September of 2008. Furthermore, he was robbed of a hit 14 times last year. With those hits, his batting average in 2008 would have been .350. His eight home runs in 55 games/163 AB averages out to 24 home runs in 162 games/25 home runs in 500 AB. Also, the A's won last night, and he was a key component in the victory. In addition, a play made by Eric Chavez and Nomar was picked by the Angels TV station as the play of the game. While they thought Chavez had made a good play, Gubicza felt it was "an even better play by Nomar."