MLB Power Rankings: Week 3
Three weeks in and still plenty of surprises. Many teams have stayed the course while others turned the tide and we near the end of the first month of the season. I don’t suspect a lot of these teams to be in the top 10 come September but there are always a couple teams that surpass expectations. Let’s do this!
10 - New York Mets (9-8)
I had about 4 different teams I was considering for the 10th spot on the rankings. Ultimately I went with the Mets because they have a 7-4 record within their division and are 4-1 in 1-run games. Those are two things you need to do well playing in a tight division.
9 - Seattle Mariners (13-10)
Another surprise team on this list but I do believe they are hanging on by a thread. They did not look great against better teams (Dodgers, Red Sox, Astros). For now I will give them some credit but this could be the last time they are on this list for the rest of the season.
8 - Chicago White Sox (12-9)
A 4-1 week as this White Sox team back in the top 10. I do believe this is the best team in the American League and it’s only a matter of time before they retake the AL Central lead.
7 - Boston Red Sox (14-9)
They had an okay week going 3-3. They still are the best offensive team in baseball and as I keep saying over and over, the American League is wide open. It’s early but I have a sense this Boston squad has a high sense of belief in themselves and I’m gonna give credit to their manager Alex Cora for that.
6 - Kansas City Royals (14-7)
The Royals continue to stay hot with a 5-2 week. You could make the argument they are beating up on weaker teams but they have given up the fewest home runs in baseball. That’s no easy task in today’s homer happy league. No team in the American League is particularly elite, so it’s anyone's game right now.
5 - Oakland Athletics (15-8)
They ran their winning streak to 13 games after a 1-7 start. It’s hard to figure out why if you look at their stats. Ranked 17th in pitching and 15th in offense. Maybe it was just a hot stretch of games, or maybe their stats are evening out after the horrible start they had. Either way, this A’s team belongs in the top 5.
4 - San Francisco Giants (15-8)
Is there a third team in the NL West contending to overthrow LA? It could be this Giants team, who lead the league in shutouts. Granted, they have played the Marlins and Rockies a lot so take that with a grain of salt. But you can’t ignore the hot start they have had and I think they will be better than most people think.
3 - Milwaukee Brewers (13-9)
A sweep of the Padres last week gave this team a huge boost. To me, this team can beat anyone on any given day. Their offense still is nothing to be boasting about but it’s their pitching that is carrying this team.
2 - San Diego Padres (13-11)
What a statement series for the Padres this weekend in Chavez Ravine highlighted by a late-inning, 6-run comeback in extra innings on Sunday Night Baseball. Fernando Tatis Jr. hit 5 home runs and this Padres team looked great in every facet of the game. Now if they can only play like that against worse teams, they’re gonna challenge the Dodgers for the top spot all season long.
1 - Los Angeles Dodgers (15-8)
Yes, they went 2-4 last week with 3 of those losses against the Padres. Their offense is slumping bad but you also have to consider how many injuries the Dodgers have had to their lineup. They have the Dodger “B” team out there right now with Luke Raley and Sheldon Neuse starting every day. They are also notorious for slow starts to the season. They’re still the best team in baseball.