I told you before the season got underway that this was going to be the most difficult season yet in my 12 years doing weekly MLB power rankings. And so far, I have been wrong about that statement.
Injuries, of course, are playing a big part of several teams’ issues. Nowhere is that more true than in Houston and Philadelphia. Last year’s World Series combatants are both below .500 with a combined record of just 13-19. The Astros are without second baseman José Altuve and right-hander Lance McCullers. The Phillies are down two-time MVP Bryce Harper, first baseman Rhys Hoskins and lefty Ranger Suárez.
I’ll have some observations about the Orioles here on the site before they take on the Nationals in D.C. on April 18.
Here are my power rankings.
1. Atlanta Braves (12-4, No. 2 last week): The Braves head to San Diego with some revenge on their mind after going 6-0 in this past immaculate week. However, they lost three of four to the Padres at home prior to that.
2. Tampa Bay Rays (14-2, No. 4): Tampa finally played a very good team in the Blue Jays and lost their first two games of the season. They also lost a very good starting pitcher in lefty Jeffrey Springs, who’ll be down at least two months with ulnar neuritis.
3. Toronto Blue Jays (10-6, No. 5): The Jays have two tough series this week in Houston and the Bronx after holding serve at home against the previously unbeaten Rays. They are looking as if they can measure up.
4. New York Yankees (10-6, No. 3): The Yankees are getting lots of great innings out of ace Gerrit Cole early on. Big-ticket free agent Carlos Rodón is due to have a throwing session mid-week. With Rodón, Luis Severino and Frankie Montas down, Nestor Cortes and Domingo German are filling in the big gaps.
5. San Diego Padres (8-9, No. 1): The Padres shocked me by winning three of four in Atlanta, but then they stumbled badly by going 2-5 against the Mets in Queens and the Brewers back in San Diego. Who would have believed that after 17 games, neither Yu Darvish nor Blake Snell would have a win in between them in six starts. Outside of Seth Lugo, the starting pitching has been awful. As has Juan Soto in a Padres uniform.
6. Cleveland Guardians (9-7, No. 6): After a so-so 3-3 week against the Yankees and Nationals, the Guardians stay on the road for three against the Tigers and then return home to face the Marlins for three. With Triston McKenzie still down and Zach Plesac not helping much, this rotation isn’t the force we thought it would be. But don’t count out one of the best pitching organizations in the game from figuring it out.
7. New York Mets (10-6, No. 7): The Mets have gotten little from Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, José Quintana and Carlos Carrasco, and oh, did I mention they lost star closer Edwin Díaz after he hurt himself celebrating during the World Baseball Classic shortly before Opening Day? It’s amazing Buck Showalter is holding this together. They are bringing up third baseman Brett Baty in an effort to jump-start an offense that has gotten just six home runs outside of Pete Alonso (eight) and Francisco Lindor (four). In fact, the Mets are hitting just .217/.339/.374 as a team. Baty hit .400/.500/.886 with five home runs and 15 RBIs in nine games for Triple-A Syracuse before getting the call.
8. Minnesota Twins (10-6, No. 8): Rocco Baldelli’s squad has to be a bit down with a 2-2 series split in the Big Apple after winning the first two. But the good news is the starting pitching seems to give them a chance each and every night to be in a game. That consistency pays dividends during the long haul of 162 games.
9. Houston Astros (7-9, No. 9): A reputation as the reigning world champs only takes you so far. The Astros are playing worse than their standing in my rankings reflects. This smells like a team nowhere near as good as it was a year ago. The Astros don’t seem worried that it’s going to get late sooner than they think.
10. Seattle Mariners (8-8, No. 10): Scott Servais’ boys went 4-2 against the Cubs and Rockies. Jarred Kelenic’s home run at Wrigley Field still hasn’t come down. It’s sure comforting to a manager to have Luis Castillo, George Kirby and Logan Gilbert in his rotation.
11. Milwaukee Brewers (11-5, No. 11)
12. St. Louis Cardinals (7-9, No. 12)
13. Baltimore Orioles (9-7, No. 16)
14. Boston Red Sox (8-8, No. 14)
15. Los Angeles Angels (7-8, No. 13)
16. Los Angeles Dodgers (8-8, No. 18)
17. Philadelphia Phillies (6-10, No. 15)
18. Arizona Diamondbacks (9-7, No. 17)
19. Chicago Cubs (8-6, No. 20)
20. Texas Rangers (9-6, No. 21)
21. Miami Marlins (8-8, No. 24)
22. Chicago White Sox (6-10, No. 19)
23. Pittsburgh Pirates (9-7, No. 22)
24. San Francisco Giants (5-9, No. 23)
25. Cincinnati Reds (6-10, No. 25)
26. Detroit Tigers (5-9, No. 29)
27. Kansas City Royals (4-12, No. 26)
28. Colorado Rockies (5-11, No. 27)
29. Washington Nationals (5-11, No. 28)
30. Oakland Athletics (3-13, No. 30)
Want more? I discussed this week’s MLB power rankings with PressBox managing editor Luke Jackson: