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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 2, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer (22) throws a pitch against the New York Yankees during the second inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer (22) throws a pitch against the New York Yankees during the second inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
16

Tampa Bay Rays (2-1)

Last week: N/A
Last rank: 19

Entering the 2017 season, we knew several things about the Rays. First, they would hit a ton of home runs, but most of them would likely be of the solo variety since the team struggles to get on base as a whole. The starting rotation would have to pitch well every night in order to contend. The bullpen would be awful, but the outfield defense would be among the best in the league.

Through two games, most of that preseason narrative has played out true to form in Tampa Bay. They jumped all over Masahiro Tanaka and the Yankees on Opening Day, but could barely put bat on ball the next time out against CC Sabathia. Chris Archer pitched very well on Opening Day, but Jake Odorizzi was shelled in the second game. The bullpen has not yet been asked to do much.

Apr 3, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Colorado Rockies pitcher Jon Gray (55) walks back to the dugout after being taken out of the game by manager Bud Black in the fifth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Colorado Rockies pitcher Jon Gray (55) walks back to the dugout after being taken out of the game by manager Bud Black in the fifth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
15

Colorado Rockies (2-1)

Last week: N/A
Last rank: 16

While the Rockies have started the year with a strong start, we are no closer yet to knowing whether or not their pitching staff can do enough to stay in contention for an entire year. The Brewers are not exactly the 1927 Yankees, but were able to put five runs across the plate in each of the season’s first two games.

Jon Gray is expected to take a big step forward and trend towards becoming an ace this season, but he allowed five runs in only four innings on Opening Day. Was it just nerves? The Rockies will have to hope so, because they cannot be much more than a .500 team (albeit a very exciting offensive .500 team) without better pitching from their young arms.

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