MLB Power Rankings: Mets, Cardinals making things tough at the top

Like every other team in the AL East, the Orioles struggle to keep runs off the board. Of major concern are the struggles of Chris Tillman and Bud Norris, who have allowed a combined 39 earned runs in 36 innings of work. Tillman has the pedigree to straighten it out, but the Orioles may need to cut bait on Norris sooner rather than later.. . Previous: -6th. Baltimore Orioles. 16. team. 11

17. team. 135. While I want to be skeptical on Houston, the Astros have quietly put up the 5th best run differential in baseball. Jose Altuve continues to be the Ichiro of the new generation, but let’s give some credit to Jed Lowrie also. On a team with a bunch of free swingers, Lowrie is holding a .432 OBP. He is the yin that this line-up badly needs.. . Previous: +1st. Houston Astros

team. 102. Lost in the bungling of the Josh Hamilton situation is the fact that the Angels could have used the offensive boost. In particular, Albert Pujols (.203/.289/.365) would have loved the protection and it’s readily apparent that neither Matt Joyce or David Freese are going to provide it.  . . Previous: -4th. Los Angeles Angels. 18

128. I know it goes without saying that the White Sox are not a patient team at the plate. That much is evidenced by their collective 40 walks in 572 at-bats as a team. However, more concerning is the fact that the team is seeing just 3.71 pitches per plate appearance. You won’t win many games if you are allowing the opposing pitcher to hang around that long.. . Previous: +1st. Chicago White Sox. 19. team

62. Do you think J.A. Happ is welcoming the idea of pitching in Safeco rather than Rogers Centre? The former Blue Jay has quietly been brilliant, posting a 2.30 ERA and a 3.10 FIP while stranding runners at an 84% clip. If not for Happ and King Felix, this pitching staff would be completely lost.. . Previous: -7th. Seattle Mariners. 20. team