MLB Power Rankings: Week 4

MLB Power Rankings: Where MLB FanHouse's editors, writers and bloggers team up to break down the who's who and the what's what in the baseball world.

I'm typically terrified of curses. Or jinxes. Or any real excuse for why something went the way I didn't want it to. Which explains why I firmly believe a certain AL East team will go 2-8 over their next 10 games, after we stuck them at the top of this week's power rankings. After all, that's more or less what happened to the Marlins over the past week. But ultimately, there's at least some semblance of order unfolding: I mean, who didn't have the Padres, Pirates and Blue Jays as contenders through the first three weeks of the season?

1. Red Sox | Previous Week: 4
It's kind of amazing what a Jacoby Ellsbury steal of home will do for team morale. Not only did the Sawx subsequently sink the Yankees, but they managed to vault themselves toward the best record in baseball. And all because Jorge Posada never saw it coming, obviously.
2. Dodgers| Previous Week: 2
These guys have some sticks, and they're still trying to figure out how to use them. Four of their seven non-Manny Ramirez starters have taken turns batting cleanup behind Manny. However you sort them, they're going to be dangerous, though. Manny had the lowest average among the starters heading into Tuesday's game. -- Jeff Fletcher
3. Cardinals| Previous Week: 9
Ryan Franklin has established himself as the closer, and, in turn, the bullpen will be more easily situated. If they keep getting contributions from players like Joe Thurston and Brian Barden, a case could be made that they are the deepest offense in the league. -- Matt Snyder
4. Mariners | Previous Week: 8
Who needs J.J. Putz? The M's have two closers now: Brandon Morrow and David "I come before Hank Aaron" Aardsma. Things are going so well for the M's that even Carlos Silva won a game for the first time in 10 months. -- JF
5. Phillies| Previous Week: 14
The World Champs have some good news: they're apparently over their championship hangover. Well, in theory. Also, the Marlins met Earth this past week. Bad news might be on the horizon too, though: Cole Hamels is dealing with another injury. That, clearly, would change things.
6. Blue Jays | Previous Week: 10
Can they seriously keep raking like this all season long? They lead the majors in runs scored. They do have good balance in the lineup. It's just too bad Shawn Marcum and Dustin McGowan are on the shelf. There's only gonna be so much Roy Halladay can do when the offense finally slows down a bit. -- MS
7. Cubs | Previous Week: 3
Just trying to keep their noses above water while missing their Nos. 3, 4 and 5 hitters -- and one of the best setup men in baseball -- due to injury. The bullpen is still shallow, but there are positive signs with the entire pitching staff of late. They've just been awful on offense. If it wasn't for Kosuke Fukudome, where would they be? -- MS
8. Tigers | Previous Week: 17
If his last outing was any indication, Justin Verlander could be getting back to pre-2008 form. That means they have a solid nucleus of young pitchers in Verlander, Edwin Jackson, Armando Galarraga and Rick Porcello. Add in a healthy Jeremy Bonderman (fingers crossed), and that's a stout unit for years. -- MS
9. Pirates | Previous Week: 20
Yes. That's right. The freaking Pirates are one of the 10 best teams in baseball. And as Pat Lackey would say -- if he wasn't still swimming in the champagne-filled rivers of Pittsburgh -- maybe this won't last. But right now, the Pirates are pitching well, hitting well and winning.
10. Marlins | Previous Week: 1
So, yeah, the good news for the Marlins is that they righted the ship a little bit. And that Hanley Ramirez should be back soon. The bad news is that they suffered from our obvious jinx last week. Granted, they're still in first place, but a 3-7 record over their last 10 doesn't bode well in what is supposed to be a tough division.
11. White Sox | Previous Week: 11
Wait. So let me get this straight ... on Tuesday, Bartolo Colon was awesome and John Danks was not? WTF. Seriously though -- that's a really bizarre thing to try and wrap your head around -- no? In good news, the ChiSox bullpen and lineup is performing the way Fornelli thought it would, which means this is a division contender for now.
12. Yankees | Previous Week: 7
The terrifying thing is that the Yanks are playing .500 ball and Mark Teixeira and CC Sabathia aren't playing well. Also: Alex Rodriguez isn't back for a week or so. If A-Rod returns and those guys start batting, this might actually be the team that people were scared of to begin the season.
13. Braves | Previous Week: 12
The "we got put No. 1 in the FanHouse power rankings" freefall cooled a bit this week -- the Braves managed to pick up five wins over the last week, including winning a series against a very dangerous (see above) Cardinals team, as Jo-Jo Reyes busted out his best Tom Glavine impersonation. That's to say: could be worse!
14. Reds | Previous Week: 13
I thought they were supposed to be offensive minded? Those days apparently left with Adam Dunn, whom I'm sure most Reds fans don't miss (though they should, check out his stat line and compare it to the Reds' anemic offense). Only the D'backs have a worse team batting average in the NL. -- MS
15. Royals | Previous Week: 6
Despite a Sports Illustrated cover, Zack Greinke still doesn't get near enough credit. What if someone in New York started out with this line: four starts, 4-0 record, 0.00 ERA, 36 strikeouts, 0.90 WHIP? Insanity. Get on board and check him out. -- MS
16. Mets | Previous Week: 5
It's a shame that the Mets are currently wasting Johan Santana's sub-1.00 ERA; everyone else in the rotation is stinking the joint up and they find themselves in the realm of .500. On the bright side, they're one of a few teams willing to spend money, and once teams fall out of contention early, the Mets should have a chance to shore up the rotation.
17. Padres | Previous Week: 16
Although they have played better than expected, the Pads have to be worried about Jake Peavy (5.74 ERA). Last time he pitched in the WBC he had a terrible, injury-marred year. Now, it might happen again. If this doesn't improve, here's a guess the Padres, er, Cubs won't want Peavy to pitch in the WBC in 2013. -- JF
18. Rangers | Previous Week: 19
They are what they are. Leading the AL in slugging percentage by quite the hefty margin, yet still lingering around the .500 mark. Kevin Millwood is still throwing the ball well and Frank Francisco is still lights out as closer, but the entire staff ERA is a smidgen under 6.00. That's not going to cut it unless they are content with a season around .500. -- MS
19. Twins | Previous Week: 18
The thing to remember about the Twins is that the pitching, right now, has been horrible. Glen Perkins (2.48) is the only starter with a decent ERA. By decent, I mean under 4.44. The good news, though, is that Francisco Liriano, Scott Baker and Kevin Slowey are the guys really struggling and no one doubts their talent.
20. Rays | Previous Week: 15
Despite the freaking mash-fest that Carlos Pena (MLB's home run leader!) is putting on in 2009, the Rays find themselves in the basement of the AL East. Perhaps it's time to bring David Price up?
21. Giants | Previous Week: 26
Yeah, Bengie Molina's the cleanup hitter. You wanna make something of it? Dude's leading the team with three homers and 14 RBI. He's also leading a pitching staff that's looking as good as advertised so far. Even Barry Zito is pitching better. -- JF
22. Orioles | Previous Week: 23
The thing that is so saddening about the 2009 incarnation of the Orioles is that baseball requires pitching and isn't just a home run derby. Well, actually, the offense is still too young, but they try. And on the bright side, there's most definitely a nucleus to build around here.
23. Angels | Previous Week: 27
If their rotation woes get so bad that they have to sign Hideki Irabu, at least there would be one good thing: Rally Toad. When you start talking about finding pitchers who aren't even in the majors, you've got problems. -- JF
24. Diamondbacks | Previous Week: 22
At this point, they need the offense to pick up their game just as much as they need Brandon Webb back. The Snakes rank dead last in batting average and on-base percentage in the NL. Conor Jackson, Chris Young, Justin Upton and Eric Byrnes have been collectively awful as the four-man outfield rotation. Too bad they didn't have any use for Carlos Quentin, huh? -- MS
25. Brewers | Previous Week: 24
If Ryan Braun really wants one of their starters to get suspended for a retaliatory beanball, could we suggest Jeff Suppan or Manny Parra? Dave Bush and Braden Looper are actually doing an adequate job behind Yovani Gallardo in the rotation. -- MS
26. Athletics | Previous Week: 21
Who'd have guessed the two healthiest infielders three weeks into the season would be Bobby Crosby and Jason Giambi? The A's offense started to wake up over the weekend against the Rays, but they are still trying to find themselves. Believe in Dallas Braden, though. He's no All-Star, but he's no fluke either. -- JF
27. Indians | Previous Week: 25
So Cliff Lee circa 2008 shows up and the offense disappears -- followed by Kerry Wood losing the game in the ninth inning. I guess that "luck" from last season is coming back to haunt Lee. On the flip side of luck, Mark DeRosa has 16 RBI despite hitting only .200. -- MS
28. Astros | Previous Week: 29
Lance Berkman is only hitting .174, but the rest of the offense has been decent enough. The questions still remain in the rotation behind Roy Oswalt and Wandy Rodriguez -- the latter of whom is establishing himself as a solid big-league starter. - MS
29. Rockies | Previous Week: 28
When they do fall out of the race (and they probably will eventually), hopefully they can trade Todd Helton and Garrett Atkins. It's time to rebuild this group around Dexter Fowler, Ian Stewart, Chris Iannetta and Troy Tulowitzki.
30. Nationals | Previous Week: 30
The disaster continues. There are bright spots, though. The offense, led by Ryan Zimmerman, Dunn and Elijah Dukes looks to be progressing. Also, rookie Jordan Zimmerman appears to be the real deal.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

4-29-2009 @ 12:50PM

Jake said...

Red Sox at #1? That story is so played out. Give me something good like the Orioles or Pirates at the top.

4-29-2009 @ 2:04PM

TomCollins said...

The Cubs in the top 10? Aren't they in the bottom half of their own division? Plus, if this is a "power ranking" wouldn't the fact that "their Nos. 3, 4 and 5 hitters" result in a significant drop in "power ranking"?

It's just so ridiculous that it's laughable.

4-29-2009 @ 4:07PM

Matt Snyder said...

As of Wednesday afternoon the Cubs were in 2nd in the NL Central ... by percentage points over the Brewers and Pirates.

Also, surviving without those players is a sign the entire team is powerful.

4-29-2009 @ 6:23PM

And one hour later, they're in second to last place. Look at 'em survive.

Regardless, I guess it's unfair to judge a team's success based off their standing in the power rankings.

4-29-2009 @ 7:18PM

Yeah, I probably should have just waited. Regardless, a little picky aren't we?

You didn't even name what teams should be ahead of them. At least name one and say "XXXXXX is better than the Cubs"

Otherwise it comes off as you having a vendetta against the Cubs.

4-29-2009 @ 3:33PM

midnightsun137 said...

yankees at 12 and mets at 16?
whoever wrote this is a moron

4-30-2009 @ 1:00AM

sandytarrdesign said...

Actually the Yankees should be 17 at best.....Lest we forget the 22 to 4 loss to the Indians. 22 to 4 with the highest paid players in MLB....unfuckingbelievable. 22 to 4

4-29-2009 @ 4:48PM

Bas said...

Pirates from #20 to #9?? After dropping both Monday and Tuesday night's games to Milwaukee?

4-29-2009 @ 7:03PM

James G. Banks said...

Hey people, they are just sportwriters. That's all. Nothing else. They watch the games. They are not there on the field. They look at statistics all day long. Statistics mean crap in baseball when a somewhat unknown finally gets in a groove and starts hitting like he's carrying a telephone pole. Boston will be a wild card at best. Mets will once again be a sidenote. Yankees will once again be an overpaid team. There are your crappy New England teams.