21 April MLB Power Rankings

MLB Power Rankings

21 April 2012

Today I’m ranking my five best and five worst based on their play up to this point. Number 1 in the best column being the best ,and the number 1 in the worst column being the worst. So here we go:

Best 5

5) St. Louis Cardinals

Albert who? The Cards sit a top NL Central by 4 games with a 10-4 record. Their lineup has really stepped up to fill Albert’s shoes. The addition of Carlos Beltran hasn’t been a bad move either, as he has belted 5 home runs. David Freese continues his post season magic by hitting .364. Adam Wainwright hasn’t won a game yet, going 0-3. The rest of the Cardinals staff is 10-1. This team has made me feel good about picking them to go to the World Series thus far.

4) Detroit Tigers

With MVP candidates at the corners, the Tigers boast one of the best line ups in baseball. Once they get hot, it will be very tough to top this team. The rotation has been decent thus far, as Justin Verlander is going to try win his second Cy Young. They will really get put to the test today as they play a double header with the team featured at the top of this list.

3) Washington Nationals

I know you’re probably saying “WHAT?!?!?” I did tell you however, that these rankings were based to play at this point. You have to wonder if they remain in first for a month or so, will they extend Stephen Strasburg’s inning count? They set him to a limit of 160 this year ,and if you’re winning I think you have got to extend that because he has pitched phenomenal so far this year. He’s just such a complete pitcher. The rest of the rotation hasn’t been bad either. The one thing I think helps the Nats get to number 3 is that they have played the Cubs, Astros, and Mets as their starting series.

2) Los Angeles Dodgers

If I’m a pitcher about to throw to Matt Kemp, I’m going to think twice. Matter of fact, if there’s a base open I’m walking this slugger. Kemp is terrorizing opponent pitching in the month of April with a .481 average and 8 bombs! The one-two punch of Kershaw and Billingsley has proved effective, and nobody can seem to throw out Dee Gordon. The Dodgers have tremendous upside. If the success continues, you have to wonder what that new management will try to go out and get before the trade deadline.

1) Texas Rangers

I think the Rangers are the most complete team in the majors up to this point. Their line-up from top to bottom has been hitting well ,and their pitching has been solid to this point. They hold the best record in the majors at 11-2 ,and they just completed a sweep of the Red Sox. I know we still have a long way to go ,but its hard to pick against them up to this point.

　

Worst 5

5) Los Angeles Angels

The Angels haven’t made any waves in the AL West yet, and its safe to say they haven’t made a ripple. The Angels are 5-9 ,and Albert Pujols has been quite mediocre to this point. They are seven games back from the Rangers already. Now, with this being said, I’m not counting my World Series champion out yet. I don’t think its time to panic if you’re an Angels fan. The team needs to gel still. They have potential to be the best in the Majors, and I think they will get on a hot streak as soon as the middle of the line up gets the bats going.

4) San Diego Padres

Not much to be said about the Padres to this point. I had them picked last in the NL West. Really a lackluster line up with a lackluster rotations leads to a lackluster year. This is proving true for the Padres up to this point.

3) Kansas City Royals

My opinion on the Kansas City Royals is that they have tremendous upside. I really like Eric Hosmer. However, like I said in my preview, I think this team needs a couple of years. They have the best prospects in baseball, and these prospects need time to grow. Don’t count the Royals out of the AL Central yet, as it is still way too early. If you are a Royals fan, be patient, you’re time is coming. I would like to see Kansas City add a good veteran to this team before the trade deadline.

2) Boston Red Sox

The team I had picked to win the AL East. I didn’t expect for their pitching to sort of implode through the first 13 games. The BoSox rank in the top 15 for runs, batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. David Ortiz is hitting .392. The bats are there, even with the Jacoby Ellisbury issues. All fingers point to the Red Sox pitching, where Josh Beckett has the best ERA with a 5.03, and I believe that tells Boston’s story to this point.

1) Chicago Cubs

The Cubbies have won three games. They boast a no-name offense. They have had quality starts, as the rotation has been promising. It seems that when the rotation provides a good start, the bull pen murders it. The Cubs formula to success is that they need to learn how to score 10 runs a game.

　

That’s my power rankings for 21 April. As always, shoot me an email at JCGriffin13@yahoo.com ,or hit me up on twitter @griffaldo .

PS Gabriel Keister’s pick for the NBA Championship is the San Antonio Spurs