Fansided

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; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jose Quintana (62) delivers a pitch during the first inning of the game against the Detroit Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jose Quintana (62) delivers a pitch during the first inning of the game against the Detroit Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports /
28

Chicago White Sox (0-1)

Last week: N/A
Last rank: 27

The 2017 season could not have gotten off to a worse start for the White Sox. Their original Opening Day was rained out, forcing the game back a day. When the weather cleared up, only a few thousand fans actually turned up to see them take on the Tigers.

The game itself was a disaster. Jose Quintana allowed three home runs and six earned runs in only 5.1 innings. He also walked three and struck out only two. Quintana did have a handful of starts like this last season, allowing three home runs in two separate starts. Still, not the type of start to the season the White Sox were hoping for from Quintana as they look to shop him to the highest bidder.

Mar 31, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) rounds second on a home run against the New York Yankees in the third inning at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) rounds second on a home run against the New York Yankees in the third inning at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
27

Atlanta Braves (1-1)

Last week: N/A
Last rank: 24

The Braves may have been a touch overrated in the initial edition of the power rankings this season. They could still improve on last season’s record and finish, but Opening Day provided a better look at what is to come this year. While there is certainly no shame in being shut down by Noah Syndergaard, three of their seven hits came off the bat of Freddie Freeman. He cannot be expected to do everything by himself again this season, but probably will not get much support.

The big issue for the Braves on Opening Day was the fact that their bullpen imploded after Julio Teheran left the game. Teheran pitched six stellar innings, but the game went off the rails when the relievers took over. The Mets hung a six-spot on the Braves in the seventh inning, as the bullpen allowed three hits and five walks. It was ugly all around, and the struggles of the bullpen will be a problem all year in Atlanta.

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