MLB Power Rankings: Week 4
We are one month into the 2021 season. Fun fact - since 2006, 53% of teams that lead their division at the end of April go on to make the postseason. There are certainly a lot of surprise division leaders as we turn the calendar to May. This is shaping up to be a great season so far, let’s take a look at the power rankings this week.
10 - Houston Astros (15-13)
A 5-2 week have the Astros back on the power rankings after a two week absence. This team can hit the ball very well but their pitching is a huge question mark. Believe it or not the Astros have the second best run differential in the league at +32.
9 - Oakland Athletics (17-12)
They split a series with the Rays and lost 2 of 3 to the Orioles at home. Not the best week following their 13-game win streak. Take that streak out and this team is mediocre. They’re doing enough to hang on to the top 10 for now but they have the worst run differential (-6) on this list.
8 - St. Louis Cardinals (16-12)
Welcome to the power rankings, St. Louis! When you win 8 of 10 games that will happen. The Cardinals are expected to contend for the NL Central and they are starting to look good entering May. Nolan Arenado seems to have fit in well in his new home. The depth of this team is a concern but if their stars play well they will be a good team all season.
7 - Kansas City Royals (16-10)
Why is the team with the best record in baseball this low on the rankings? A -3 run differential doesn’t help and look at the teams they’ve been playing - Tigers, Pirates, and a slumping Twins team. Don’t get your hopes up too high KC fans.
6 - Chicago White Sox (15-12)
The White Sox are getting hot. A huge blow to their offense though with Luis Robert going down with a significant hip injury. We’ll see how they bounce back as the offense is what is carrying this team with the 3rd best team batting average in the league. The pitching has started to improve and if they keep doing that they will keep climbing these rankings.
5 - Milwaukee Brewers (17-11)
Listen, the Brewers are a great team and their series against LA proved that. But this offense is still a major concern. I do talk a lot of how good their pitching is but it can be inconsistent at times. Those two factors add up to a -1 run differential after one month.
4 - San Francisco Giants (17-11)
Is this team really gonna be this good over a full 162? Time will tell but you have to give credit where credit is due. They only trail San Diego for the best team pitching in baseball and their offense is doing enough to win games. If the Giants, Padres and Dodgers are gonna be this good, this will be one hell of a fun division battle to watch.
3 - San Diego Padres (16-13)
The Padres have done a great job at beating the top team in their division, taking 3 of 4 from the Dodgers and then 2 of 3 to the Giants last weekend. Their pitching has been dominant and they boast the best team ERA in baseball. Yu Darvish leads the rotation and Mark Melancon is shutting down games in the 9th inning. This team’s pitching is scary good.
2 - Boston Red Sox (17-12)
The Red Sox keep climbing the power rankings and they continue to swing the bats very well. Any time you have 3 everyday guys in your lineup hitting over .300 you’re gonna be winning a lot of games. Losing 3 of 4 to the Rangers was not a good look but in my eyes they have taken a step forward into legit contenders in the AL East this season.
1 - Los Angeles Dodgers (17-12)
Another rough week for the boys in blue, going 2-5. A huge offensive outburst on Sunday will hopefully turn the tide. Despite a 3-9 run over the last two weeks, they STILL are only 0.5 games back of the best record and have the best run differential in the league by a mile (+45). It’s gonna take a lot more than a couple bad weeks to knock this team off the top spot.