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MLB Power Rankings: Cubs still on top

By Joshua Sadlock

Apr 4, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta (49) walks off the field after the top of the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta (49) walks off the field after the top of the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 4, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) delivers a pitch during the first inning of the game against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) delivers a pitch during the first inning of the game against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports /
8

Detroit Tigers (1-0)

Last week: N/A
Last rank: 10

The Tigers opened their season a day late against the White Sox, and did what a contender is supposed to do against a bad team, winning easily and recording a shutout. Is that impressive? Not so much, at least from a mound standpoint. Justin Verlander should pitch well against the White Sox as they are currently constructed. Beating up on Jose Quintana, however, that deserves a tip of the cap.

Detroit’s lineup is aging, but still dangerous. The AL Central is very watered down this year after the top two teams. That will give the Tigers plenty of chances to pad their win total. The pitching staff might be problematic after the top three, but should still be good enough in this division.

Apr 2, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner hits a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks during opening day at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner hits a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks during opening day at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
7

San Francisco Giants (1-2)

Last week: N/A
Last rank: 7

Giants fans had to be having a mini-meltdown watching their team blow a lead in the ninth inning on Opening Day. Signing All-Star closer Mark Melancon to a long-term contract should have solved the issues that plagued the Giants all of last season, but alas, the Diamondbacks came back and handed Melancon the loss in his first appearance with his new team.

Melancon will be fine. The Giants will be fine. The bullpen will be fine. If you’re a Giants fan, take two deep breaths, put the loss in the rearview mirror, and enjoy the fact that Madison Bumgarner, the pitcher, is tied for the MLB lead with two home runs.

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