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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 3, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) delivers a pitch during the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) delivers a pitch during the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
18

Pittsburgh Pirates (0-2)

Last week: N/A
Last rank: 15

For a team looking to keep its championship window open a year longer, the Pirates certainly got off to a disheartening start on Opening Day. Gerrit Cole struggled through the Red Sox lineup, while Andrew McCutchen struck out three times and went 0-for-5. Both have to be better for the Pirates to have any real shot at contending.

The offense was completely shut down by the Red Sox in the second game of the year. The Pirates did not get a single runner past second base in a 12-inning game. On the plus side, Jameson Taillon pitched a gem, matching Chris Sale with zeroes.

Cole should rebound from the poor start. Boston’s lineup is strong one to nine, but seeing McCutchen swing a bat as if all the bones in his body had been replaced with noodles does not bode well. Is this really the beginning of the long, downhill slide for a former All-Star and MVP?

Apr 2, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka (19) looks on during the first inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka (19) looks on during the first inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
17

New York Yankees (1-2)

Last week: N/A
Last rank: 18

The Yankees watched Masahiro Tanaka get bombed out early on Opening Day, and have to worry about his health and long-term future. He looked great in Spring Training, but his elbow has long been viewed as a ticking time bomb. Sabathia pitched great in shutting down the Rays, and if the Yanks can get him through a lineup twice without any damage, that counts as a big win at this point of his career. While Aaron Judge has looked good at the plate, Gary Sanchez is still looking for his initial hit of the season.

Michael Pineda remains the biggest enigma in baseball. He allowed eight hits and four runs in only 3.2 innings in his 2017 debut, and struggled to hold runners on. Gary Sanchez has a rocket for an arm, but even he cannot contend with Pineda’s slow delivery and lackadaisical attitude about holding runners on base. There is no excuse for allowing a stolen base to lead-footed catcher Derek Norris.

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