Apr 7, 2015
Tigers take top spot in MLB Power Rankings
The Detroit Tigers have climbed to top spot in the TSN.ca MLB Power Rankings ahead of the Kansas City Royals and the rising San Diego Padres.
The Detroit Tigers have climbed to top spot in the TSN.ca MLB Power Rankings ahead of the Kansas City Royals and the rising San Diego Padres.
In the season's first update, there are some big moves compared to the presason rankings.
The Tigers moved up, from five to one, and the Padres jumped from 20 to three, but the New York Mets, from 15 to four, and Boston Red Sox, from 19 to eight, were among the early risers.
By contrast, the Milwaukee Brewers collapsed right from the start, taking their preseason rank of 10 right down to 30, while the Miami Marlins, from 16 to 29, Chicago White Sox, from eight to 27, and Seattle Mariners, from three to 25, all started out worse than expected.
There have been ups and downs with the Toronto Blue Jays thus far, and they sit at 19, down two spots from their preseason ranking.
Detroit Tigers
This Week: 1 | Last Week: 4 | Record: 11-3
Team Stats
-
RS72
-
RA41
-
Diff.+31
-
OPS.838
-
ERA2.59
In six combined starts, LHP David Price and RHP Shane Greene have allowed two earned runs in 45 1/3 innings (0.40 ERA) and the offence has been boosted by the power of RF J.D. Martinez, who has five home runs in 57 at-bats.
Key Injuries: RHP Justin Verlander (triceps), RHP Joe Nathan (elbow).
Kansas City Royals
This Week: 2 | Last Week: 6 | Record: 11-3
Team Stats
-
RS81
-
RA45
-
Diff.+36
-
OPS.844
-
ERA3.45
It would be enough to get Gold Glove calibre defence and mediocre offensive production out of CF Lorenzo Cain, but he's delivering more than that, hitting .380 with four stolen bases; he's also one of three Royals (Mike Moustakas and Kendrys Morales are the others) to score at least a dozen runs.
Key Injuries: RF Alex Rios (hand), RHP Greg Holland (pec).
San Diego Padres
This Week: 3 | Last Week: 20 | Record: 10-5
Team Stats
-
RS80
-
RA56
-
Diff.+24
-
OPS.779
-
ERA3.01
The hope was that adding outfielders Justin Upton, Wil Myers and Matt Kemp would provide a boost for a pathetic Padres attack. So far, so good, as Kemp is hitting .361 with a .945 OPS, Upton hitting .315 wit ha .930 OPS and Myers .313 with a .796 OPS.
Key Injuries: LHP Cory Luebke (elbow), RHP Ian Kennedy (hamstring).
New York Mets
This Week: 4 | Last Week: 15 | Record: 11-3
Team Stats
-
RS64
-
RA42
-
Diff.+22
-
OPS.690
-
ERA2.85
The offence has only been okay and is missing two of their best hitters, but the Mets' pitching staff has been outstanding, from 41-year-old Bartolon Colon (3-0, 2.25 ERA, 0.80 WHIP) to recovering from Tommy John surgery Matt Harvey (3-0, 3.50 ERA, 1.00 WHIP), to second-year emerging ace Jacob De Grom (2-1, 0.93 ERA, 1.14 WHIP).
Key Injuries: RHP Zack Wheeler (elbow), RHP Jenrry Mejia (suspension), 3B David Wright (hamstring), C Travis d'Arnaud (hand).
St. Louis Cardinals
This Week: 5 | Last Week: 4 | Record: 8-4
Team Stats
-
RS44
-
RA26
-
Diff.+18
-
OPS.689
-
ERA1.90
The Cardinals' pitching has been amazing, with all five members of the starting rotation owning an ERA of 2.77 or better cotnributing to a 1.88 ERA in 76 2/3 innings from starting pitchers thus far.
Key Injuries: LHP Jaime Garcia (shoulder).
Chicago Cubs
This Week: 6 | Last Week: 9 | Record: 8-5
Team Stats
-
RS59
-
RA53
-
Diff.+6
-
OPS.722
-
ERA4.01
Key Injuries: None.
Los Angeles Dodgers
This Week: 7 | Last Week 2 | Record: 9-4
Team Stats
-
RS65
-
RA52
-
Diff.+13
-
OPS.870
-
ERA3.48
1B Adrian Gonzalez is the most notable masher in baseball's best offence to this point, but 2B Howie Kendrick and CF Joc Pederson both have an OPS over 1.000 as well.
Key Injuries: RHP Kenley Jansen (foot), LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (shoulder).
Boston Red Sox
This Week: 8 | Last Week: 19 | Record: 9-5
Team Stats
-
RS71
-
RA65
-
Diff.+6
-
OPS.682
-
ERA4.23
There was lots of love for CF Mookie Betts early, but he's hitting .200 with a .608 OPS, which is still better than RF Shane Victorino (.147 AVG, .469 OPS) and 1B Mike Napoli (.136 AVG, .465 OPS) -- a few early holes in the lineup.
Key Injuries: C Christian Vazquez (elbow).
Atlanta Braves
This Week: 9 | Last Week: 30 | Record: 8-5
Team Stats
-
RS55
-
RA51
-
Diff.+4
-
OPS.707
-
ERA3.72
Key Injuries: LHP Mike Minor (shoulder).
Oakland Athletics
This Week: 10 | Last Week: 11 | Record: 7-8
Team Stats
-
RS74
-
RA60
-
Diff.+14
-
OPS.757
-
ERA3.36
C Stephen Vogt (hitting .349 with a 1.184 OPS), DH Billy Butler (.375 AVG, .949 OPS) and 1B Ike Davis (.317 AVG, .884 OPS) lead a surprisingly potent A's attack.
Key Injuries: RHP A.J. Griffin (elbow), RHP Jarrod Parker (elbow), CF Coco Crisp (elbow), RHP Sean Doolittle (shoulder).
Washington Nationals
This Week: 11 | Last Week: 7 | Record: 7-7
Team Stats
-
RS55
-
RA53
-
Diff.+2
-
OPS.681
-
ERA2.80
The pitching has been as advertised, but the offence has needed every bit of Bryce Harper's strong start (.940 OPS, 4 HR) to hover around mediocre.
Key Injuries: 3B Anthony Rendon (knee), CF Denard Span (core).
Cincinnati Reds
This Week: 12 | Last Week:22 | Record: 7-7
Team Stats
-
RS59
-
RA61
-
Diff.-2
-
OPS.674
-
ERA4.13
Lacklustre offensively despite a stunning start from SS Zack Cozart, who has four home runs and is hitting .353 with a 1.036 OPS in the early going. Fortunately, RHP Anthony DeSclafani (2-0, 0.86 ERA, 0.62 WHIP) has given the pitching staff a shot in the proverbial arm.
Key Injuries: RHP Homer Bailey (forearm).
New York Yankees
This Week: 13 | Last Week: 21 | Record: 7-7
Team Stats
-
RS70
-
RA60
-
Diff.+10
-
OPS.739
-
ERA3.45
Key Injuries: RHP Ivan Nova (elbow).
Houston Astros
This Week: 14 | Last Week: 23 | Record: 8-6
Team Stats
-
RS47
-
RA48
-
Diff.-1
-
OPS.658
-
ERA2.98
The lineup is still not pulling its weight, but the pitching staff, led by LHP Dallas Keuchel and RHP Collin McHugh, is buying them some time.
Key Injuries: None.
Tampa Bay Rays
This Week: 15 | Last Week: 25 | Record: 6-8
Team Stats
-
RS51
-
RA64
-
Diff.-13
-
OPS.681
-
ERA4.24
Key Injuries: LHP Matt Moore (elbow), RHP Alex Cobb (forearm), LHP Jake McGee (elbow), LHP Drew Smyly (shoulder), 1B James Loney (oblique), DH John Jaso (wrist).
Pittsburgh Pirates
This Week: 16 | Last Week: 1 | Record: 6-8
Team Stats
-
RS56
-
RA51
-
Diff.+5
-
OPS.637
-
ERA3.46
The Pirates' pitching is strong, but they don't have a regular with an OPS of .800 or better -- 1B Pedro Alvarez (.799) and LF Starling Marte (.792) are closest in a weak Pirates lineup.
Key Injuries: RHP Charlie Morton (hip).
Arizona Diamondbacks
This Week: 17 | Last Week: 29 | Record: 7-7
Team Stats
-
RS61
-
RA56
-
Diff.+5
-
OPS.679
-
ERA3.76
There are some decent pieces in Arizona, but their middle infielders are getting crushed right now. Chris Owings, Aaron Hill and Nick Ahmed have combined to go 20-for-122 (.164), with four extra-base hits and 38 strikeouts.
Key Injuries: LHP Patrick Corbin (elbow), RHP Bronson Arroyo (elbow), 3B Jake Lamb (foot).
Colorado Rockies
This Week: 18 | Last Week: 28 | Record: 7-7
Team Stats
-
RS60
-
RA66
-
Diff.-6
-
OPS.736
-
ERA4.28
Key Injuries: RHP Tyler Chatwood (elbow), LHP David Hale (oblique).
Baltimore Orioles
This Week: 20 | Last Week: 18 | Record: 7-7
Team Stats
-
RS68
-
RA73
-
Diff.-5
-
OPS.796
-
ERA5.01
Baltimore's pitching problems aren't altogether surprising, but that's been countered, at least somewhat, by CF Adam Jones' monster start (5 HR, 16 RBI, .442 AVG, 1.290 OPS).
Key Injuries: C Matt Wieters (elbow), SS J.J. Hardy (shoulder), 2B Jonathan Schoop (knee).
Toronto Blue Jays
This Week: 19 | Last Week: 17 | Record: 7-7
Team Stats
-
RS83
-
RA67
-
Diff.+16
-
OPS.775
-
ERA4.46
The Jays already had a decent lineup before adding 3B Josh Donaldson (1.003 OPS) and 2B Devon Travis (1.053 OPS) in offseason deals. Trouble is, none of their young starters has an ERA under 6.00 to this point.
Key Injuries: RHP Marcus Stroman (knee), LF Michael Saunders (knee), 2B Maicer Izturis (groin).
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
This Week 21 | Last Week 13 | Record: 6-8
Team Stats
-
RS60
-
RA57
-
Diff.+3
-
OPS.657
-
ERA4.06
The Angels' offence is ugly, despite CF Mike Trout's typical greatness (.353 AVG, 1.012 OPS). 1B Albert Pujols (.192 AVG, .680 OPS) certainly isn't helping.
Key Injuries: RHP Tyler Skaggs (elbow), LF Josh Hamilton (shoulder).
Texas Rangers
This Week: 22 | Last Week: 26 | Record: 6-8
Team Stats
-
RS58
-
RA67
-
Diff.-9
-
OPS.631
-
ERA4.44
Key Injuries: RHP Yu Darvish (elbow), LHP Matt Harrison (back), LHP Martin Perez (elbow), LHP Derek Holland (shoulder), LF Ryan Rua (ankle).
Philadelphia Phillies
This Week: 23 | Last Week: 24 | Record: 5-9
Team Stats
-
RS39
-
RA59
-
Diff.-20
-
OPS.598
-
ERA3.91
Key Injuries: LHP Cliff Lee (elbow), LF Domonic Brown (Achilles), RHP Chad Billingsley (elbow), RHP Jonathan Pettitbone (elbow).
Cleveland Indians
This Week: 24 | Last Week: 12 | Record: 5-8
Team Stats
-
RS44
-
RA52
-
Diff.-8
-
OPS.622
-
ERA3.90
Surprising offensive woes in Cleveland, as 1B Carlos Santana (.777 OPS) is the only regular (minimum 30 at-bats) with an OPS better than .560.
Key Injuries: 1B Nick Swisher (knee), RHP Gavin Floyd (elbow), C Yan Gomes (knee).
Seattle Mariners
This Week: 25 | Last Week: 3 | Record: 5-9
Team Stats
-
RS55
-
RA75
-
Diff.-20
-
OPS.706
-
ERA4.68
Key Injuries: None.
San Francisco Giants
This Week: 26 | Last Week: 14 | Record: 5-10
2014 Team Stats
-
RS43
-
RA64
-
Diff.-21
-
OPS.660
-
ERA3.81
Key Injuries: RF Hunter Pence (forearm), RHP Matt Cain (forearm), RHP Jake Peavy (back).
Chicago White Sox
This Week: 27 | Last Week: 8 | Record: 5-8
Team Stats
-
RS44
-
RA61
-
Diff.-17
-
OPS.671
-
ERA4.77
Early offensive struggles, despite the work of 1B Jose Abreu (.923 OPS) and problems in spots 3-5 of the starting rotation have the White Sox chasing at this point in the season.
Key Injuries: None.
Minnesota Twins
This Week: 28 | Last Week:27 | Record: 5-9
Team Stats
-
RS45
-
RA72
-
Diff.-27
-
OPS.595
-
ERA4.98
Key Injuries: RHP Ervin Santana (suspension),RHP Ricky Nolasco (elbow).
Miami Marlins
This Week: 29 | Last Week: 16 | Record: 3-11
Team Stats
-
RS53
-
RA72
-
Diff.-19
-
OPS.652
-
ERA5.28
Veteran RHP Dan Haren (3.32 ERA, 0.84 WHIP) has been a pleasant surprise, but that's been more than offset by the mess that is Mat Latos (0-3, 10.24 ERA, 2.38 WHIP).
Key Injuries: RHP Jose Fernandez (elbow), RHP Henderson Alvarez (shoulder).
Milwaukee Brewers
This Week: 30 | Last Week: 10 | Record: 2-12
Team Stats
-
RS41
-
RA87
-
Diff.-46
-
OPS.581
-
ERA5.31
Pretty much everything is going wrong for the Brewers to start the year, with injuries and slumps contributing to this horrible record. No one on the club has hit more than one home run.
Key Injuries: CF Carlos Gomez (hamstring), 2B Scooter Gennett (hand), C Jonathan Lucroy (toe).