ON THE PROWL: Victor Martinez and the Tigers, usually under-achievers in the early months, are hunting mercilessly and increasing their division lead. Photo courtesy Rick Osentoski-USA Today Sports
¡Hola! And welcome to this here second version of this season’s MLB Power Rankings. Cinco De Mayo has more than one basis for its celebration, but these days it’s really just a half-hearted excuse for college students and alcoholics to drink during a work/school day. As it turns out, that’s also the best part of going to a baseball game for most fans.
We are five fast weeks into the season and the picture of who’s for real and who should be done playing baseball in September is starting to take shape.
Just like last year, this second edition of the Power Rankings sees some major shifts. That’ll happen when your sample size of games played nearly doubles. Several team have jumped as many as 7 or 8 spots up or down. I try to limit the magnitude of movements up or down the board, but in these here second rankings, some big moves just can’t be helped.
Take a look for yourself and see what I mean.
MLB POWER RANKINGS – MAY 5TH
1. Detroit Tigers | 17-9 (9-5 Home, 8-4 Road) [Change From Last Ranking: + 4]
The only team left with less than ten losses is also one of the teams with the fewest games played.
2. Milwaukee Brewers | 21-11 (9-6 Home, 12-5 Road) [+ 2]
They’ve earned this ranking so far, but the question remains: are they a sheep in wolf’s clothing?
3. Oakland Athletics | 19-12 (6-6 Home, 13-6 Road) [- 1]
Winning ball games with names you barely know just like the Athletics love to do.
4. San Francisco Giants | 20-11 (10-5 Home, 10-6 Road) [+ 7]
Winners of 2 of the last 4 World Series look eager to make it 3 in the last 5.
5. Atlanta Braves | 17-13 (9-6 Home, 8-7 Road) [- 4]
They’ve cooled off considerably. To make things worse, everyone in their division has a winning record.
6. Los Angeles Dodgers | 18-14 (6-9 Home, 12-5 Road) [- 3]
Chavez Ravine has not been the sweetest home cookin’ early on. The return of Kershaw will help.
7. Texas Rangers | 17-14 (9-7 Home, 8-7 Road) [± 0]
In second in the AL West behind Oakland. Or, as I call it, right where they belong.
8. New York Yankees | 16-14 (9-8 Home, 7-6 Road) [± 0]
The team notorious for the big names is relying on the small ones to get the job done.
9. Colorado Rockies | 19-14 (11-5 Home, 8-9 Road) [+ 5]
11 of 19 wins have come at home. That’ll have to change for the Rox to stay relevant in the NL West.
10. Washington Nationals | 17-14 (9-8 Home, 8-6 Road) [± 0]
Could have the division if they hadn’t dropped two of three to Philly on the road.
11. New York Mets | 16-14 (8-8 Home, 8-6 Road) [+ 7]
Obligatorily-high ranking means virtually nothing given the way their 2013 season played out.
12. Los Angeles Angels | 15-15 (7-8 Home, 8-7 Road) [+ 5]
Losing Hamilton gave them an excuse to fall apart. Instead, they’re turning things around.
13. St. Louis Cardinals | 16-16 (7-5 Home, 9-11 Road) [- 7]
Just a really bad couple weeks for the Cards. If they fall any lower I’ll be quite surprised.
14. Baltimore Orioles | 15-14 (7-6 Home, 8-8 Road) [+ 7]
A narrow winning record for now. Let’s see how they continue to fare without Chris Davis.
15. Cincinnati Reds | 15-16 (8-7 Home, 7-9 Road) [± 0]
The last thing they can afford to do is help Milwaukee increase their lead in the division.
16. Boston Red Sox | 15-17 (8-11 Home, 7-6 Road) [- 3]
This may be a little high for them, but the defending champs get the benefit of the doubt.
17. Toronto Blue Jays | 14-17 (5-7 Home, 9-10 Road) [- 8]
And here we go again. To be honest, they should probably be even lower.
18. Tampa Bay Rays | 15-17 (7-7 Home, 8-10 Road) [- 2]
Two games under .500, but also only two games out of the division lead.
19. Philadelphia Phillies | 15-14 (6-7 Home, 9-7 Road) [+ 6]
Perhaps I was too harsh on them last week. Then again, perhaps I’m being too nice now.
20. Kansas City Royals| 14-16 (8-7 Home, 6-9 Road) [- 8]
Losers of four straight are just caught at the wrong time in this ranking, methinks.
21. Miami Marlins | 16-15 (14-5 Home, 2-10 Road) [+ 5]
Somehow, inexplicably, the Marlins have a winning record. It makes no sense.
22. Minnesota Twins | 14-15 (8-9 Home, 6-6 Road) [- 3]
The offense can only carry the team for so long.
23. Seattle Mariners | 14-15 (5-6 Home, 9-9 Road) [+ 4]
So they aren’t as bad as I initially thought. Yes, Cano can have that kind of effect on a team.
24. Chicago White Sox | 15-17 (9-7 Home, 6-10 Road) [± 0]
They continue to perform above their talent level. Let’s see how long they can keep that up.
25. Cleveland Indians | 13-18 (9-7 Home, 4-11 Road) [- 5]
Road series have been absolutely disastrous. I don’t know if Francona can right the ship.
26. San Diego Padres | 14-18 (8-8 Home, 6-10 Road) [- 3]
Their golden boy Cashner has struggled at times which might explain this little downturn.
27. Pittsburgh Pirates | 12-19 (8-9 Home, 4-10 Road) [- 5]
You can’t make the playoffs in April, but you can certainly miss them. See: The Pirates.
28. Chicago Cubs | 11-18 (7-9 Home, 4-9 Road) [+ 1]
Don’t read into this modest bump up. The Cubs have turned losing into an art form.
29. Arizona Diamondbacks | 11-23 (3-15 Home, 8-8 Road) [- 1]
This start to their home schedule is baffling. Perplexing. And sadly, a little bit too funny.
30. Houston Astros | 10-21 (6-13 Home, 4-8 Road) [± 0]
The media covered the calling-up of Springer like Jesus had risen. They forgot it’s still the Astros.
