12 - Minnesota Twins (13-9)

(PR: NR)

Don’t look now but the Twins have won 9 of their last 10 games, including sweeps of division foes White Sox and Tigers. I mentioned in my season preview that this Twins team is difficult to predict but so far they have proven they are to be taken seriously. If they stay healthy, the offense will be very productive. A player to keep your eye on - starting pitcher Joe Ryan (3-1, 1.17 ERA through 4 starts).

11 - Tampa Bay Rays (12-10)

(PR: 10)

I can see this Rays team going one of two ways - one, they’re a power house waiting to explode or two, the month of April is a preview of what this team is gonna be, just slightly above average. They need to play better to keep up with the Yankees and Blue Jays.

10 - Seattle Mariners (12-10)

(PR: 7)

Seattle had a tough road trip, going 2-4 in Tampa Bay and Miami. Maybe it was the Florida humidity or more accurately, it’s the sign of a young team going through the ups and downs. I do believe this team will go on a run but they need to be better in an increasingly competitive AL West.

9 - Los Angeles Angels (15-9)

(PR: NR)

If you told me a month ago the Angels would be on top of the AL West going into May and it was because of their pitching, I would have laughed at you. But let's take a look at two starting pitchers who lead the team in innings pitched - Michael Lorenzen (23.2 IP) has a 3.04 ERA and is 3-1, Patrick Sandoval (21 IP) is 1-1 with a 1.29 ERA. There just might be something special happening in Anaheim.

8 - St. Louis Cardinals (13-9)

(PR: 5)

Last week was a bit all over the place for the Cardinals and I think that will be a common theme for the Red Birds this season - inconsistency. At times they look great, other times they seem lost. Expect them to ride these power rankings like a roller coaster all season.

7 - San Diego Padres (15-8)

(PR: 9)

The Padres beat up on the lowly Reds and Pirates last week. They have managed to climb the standings and enter this week tied with the Dodgers for the NL West lead. They need to prove they can beat better teams to earn a higher spot on these rankings but the Padres are in a good spot early in the season.

6 - San Francisco Giants (14-8)

(PR: 3)

It was a tough week for the Giants, going 2-3 against the A’s and Nationals. Certainly nothing to freak out about but they dip a few spots in the rankings. They have a chance to bounce back with a 2-game set against the rival Dodgers in Los Angeles this week.

5 - Milwaukee Brewers (15-8)

(PR: 10)

The Brewers beat up on the Pirates and Cubs last week and although those are weaker opponents, the Brew Crew is starting to look more like themselves after a slow start to the season. They moved up 5 spots this week in the power rankings as their offense has started to pick up the pace a bit the last couple weeks.

4 - Toronto Blue Jays (15-8)

(PR: 4)

The Blue Jays lost their lead in the division but they have a big opportunity to take it back with a midweek matchup with the Yankees. They won 5 of 7 games last week against the Red Sox and Astros and continue to look like a legit contender.

3 - New York Yankees (16-6)

(PR: 8)

The Yankees have won 9 games in a row as the sleeping offense that began the season has exploded and the Bronx Bombers have taken over first place in the AL East. Anthony Rizzo is the talk of the town, leading all of baseball with 9 home runs.

2 - New York Mets (16-7)

(PR: 2)

The Mets continue to play excellent baseball early this season. Despite finding themselves in a lot of drama involving hit batters with multiple teams, this ball club finds ways to win. Tylor Megill has emerged as yet another stud arm in an already stellar pitching rotation.

1 - Los Angeles Dodgers (14-7)

(PR: 1)

The Dodgers offense had a bit of a slump against the midweek series against the Diamondbacks, going 15 straight innings without scoring a run. They continue to get excellent performances from their pitching though, as Walker Buehler threw a rare complete game shutout last week and Clayton Kershaw became the franchise’s all-time leader in strikeouts during his start Saturday night.

MLB Power Rankings: Week 4