Rant Sports MLB Power Rankings For Week Five
It is time to continue our MLB Power Rankings for the 2012 season. For the fifth week, we will try to place a greater emphasis on how teams have performed over the first month of the season. This week we will continue to focus on the top 10 teams in the majors.
Tampa Bay Rays (This Week: 1, Last Week: 4) - For the first time in our MLB Power Rankings the Rays have taken the top spot. Evan Longoria is out for several weeks, but it hasn’t stopped them from winning 6 in a row. They’re fifth in the American League in runs scored thanks to a career year from Matt Joyce, and strong rebound seasons from Carlos Pena and Luke Scott. It’s unlikely they’ll keep up their 114 win pace, but this is one of the best teams in the American League. The Rays are an extremely well run organization, and living proof that smart management, and excellent scouting can overcome any financial issues. Make no mistake – this is a team built for the long run.
Texas Rangers (This Week: 2, Last Week: 1) - They drop to the #2 spot in our MLB Power Rankings, thanks to the fact they’ve only won one game since April 29th. It’s been a tough week as the Rangers lost 2/3 to the Rays, got swept by the Jays and lost last night 3-6 against the Cleveland Indians. They’re still one of the best teams in baseball, but they’re a different team without Josh Hamilton. His status as a free agent is an important story to watch, as the Rangers can’t replace his production internally. But given his durability issues can they afford to sign him to a long term deal?
Washington Nationals (This Week: 3, Last Week: 3) - How good is Stephen Strasburg? He didn’t allow more than 2 runs in a single game until his sixth start. And now the Nationals have added another superstar in Bryce Harper, who has only hit 316 to go along with his 943 OPS in 6 games. The scary thing is, Harper hasn’t looked overmatched, and the 19 year old could have a tremendous impact on the National League East playoff race.
St. Louis Cardinals (This Week: 4, Last Week: 2) - They’re first in runs scored in the majors, and their worst hitter with at least 80 plate appearances has a 798 OPS. They’re getting outstanding production from top to bottom. This is a very dangerous team, and there is a chance that Lance Berkman could return sometime this week. They’ve got a big series next week against the Atlanta Braves, and Berkman would be a nice weapon to have against them.
Los Angeles Dodgers (This Week: 5, Last Week: 6) - More then a month has passed and the Dodgers find themselves in the top 5 of our MLB Power Rankings. At some point it’s hard to keep calling their success a result of a weak schedule, and it might be time to admit the Dodgers were a better team than we gave them credit for.
Matt Kemp Fun Fact – Matt Kemp has as many homers as the San Diego Padres (12).
Baltimore Orioles (This week: 6, Last Week: Eight) - It’s still strange to see the Orioles in the top 10 of our MLB Power Rankings. If the season ended today, the Baltimore Orioles would be the top wild card team in the American League. There must be something in the water in the Baltimore area, as the Nationals lead the majors in ERA (2.41) and the Orioles are right behind them at (2.79). Jason Hammel has pitched like an ace, striking out nearly a batter an inning while posting an elite 61.2% groundball rate.
Atlanta Braves (This Week: 7, Last Week: 5) - They’re a game and a half behind the Washington Nationals, and for the first time in years it’s their pitching that has let them down. The Braves are tied for first with the Cardinals for runs scored (142), but they’re 24th in ERA (4.33).
Toronto Blue Jays (This Week: 8, Last Week: N/A) - The Canadian squad makes a return to our MLB Power Rankings. They’re third in the AL in runs scored while getting virtually no production from superstar Jose Bautista. The defence has been stellar, as Brett Lawrie and Colby Rasmus have been fantastic additions to the Jays. Their pitching might only be middle of the pack, but if they continue to keep the ball on the ground the defence will make up for any perceived weakness.
New York Yankees (This Week: 9, Last Week: 7) - You have to feel sorry for Mariano Rivera, putting up elite numbers and losing his season thanks to an injury that occurred during practice. David Robertson is an outstanding reliever, but there’s simply no replacing Mariano Rivera. You never really appreciate someone until they’re gone, and it’ll be interesting to see how the Yankees play in the late innings without Rivera.
Cleveland Indians (This week: 10, Last Week: 9) - The biggest question here is what happened to Ubaldo Jimenez? He went from Cy Young contender to throwing batting practice. The velocity is down to 92 MPH, and Jimenez simply can’t pitch without the high end velocity. He’s always had control problems, but it’s easy to get away with that when you’re averaging 95-96 MPH on your fastball. When you do that at 92, you’re going to get hammered. I have to wonder if Jimenez is playing through an injury, because someone in his prime like Jimenez shouldn’t see a 3-4 MPH drop in his fastball.
