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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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April 3, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) throws in the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres during the opening day game at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
April 3, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) throws in the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres during the opening day game at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
6

Los Angeles Dodgers (2-1)

Last week: N/A
Last rank: 4

Last year, the Dodgers were among the worst teams in the league at hitting left-handed pitching. It took all of two games this season for those same issues to rear up again. After battering the Padres on Opening Day, LA was shut down by fringe left-hander Clayton Richard. Moves were made over the offseason to make the lineup more balanced, but the Dodgers still have some work to do against southpaws.

Obviously the Dodgers will lose some games this season against left-handers, and you cannot draw too many conclusions about one bad game against a lefty in the first week of the season. Clayton Kershaw was phenomenal on Opening Day, and will continue to build his annual case for the Cy Young.

Apr 3, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Andrew Benintendi (16) celebrates with center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. (19) and right fielder Mookie Betts (50) during the ninth inning at Fenway Park. The Boston Red Sox won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Andrew Benintendi (16) celebrates with center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. (19) and right fielder Mookie Betts (50) during the ninth inning at Fenway Park. The Boston Red Sox won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
5

Boston Red Sox (2-0)

Last week: N/A
Last rank: 5

Picking up right where he left off last season, Rick Porcello picked up the win on Opening Day at Fenway Park. Andrew Benintendi homered, making it easier to forget that this will be the first season without David Ortiz in a Boston uniform. It was a relatively subdued offensive performance from Mookie Betts and the lineup that tore up the American League last year, but it’s early.

If the Red Sox move up the power rankings in the coming weeks, it will be because their starting rotation and bullpen will have proven themselves. There are no questions about the lineup and its abilities to put up runs night in and night out. Can the pitching staff hold onto the leads the offense stakes them too? That will be the big question for the Red Sox early in this season.

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