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MLB Power Rankings: Trouble for Cubs?

By Joshua Sadlock

Apr 17, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros right fielder Carlos Beltran (15) and Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) observe action from the dugout during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros right fielder Carlos Beltran (15) and Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) observe action from the dugout during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports /
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April 14, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) throws in the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
April 14, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) throws in the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Arizona Diamondbacks 10-6

Last week: 3-3
Last rank: 11

We were buying into the Diamondbacks last week, and they gave us no real reason for a drop this week. With several expected contenders off to slow starts, the Diamondbacks get another bump up in the power rankings and into the top ten.

Zack Greinke lost his matchup with Clayton Kershaw, but has looked better this season. Greinke has to adjust to pitching with a slower fastball. Shelby Miller, on the other hand, does not have to worry about velocity. He was hitting 99 mph while shutting down the Padres last time out. Miller allowed only one earned run in 7.1 innings to lower his ERA to 3.50.

Robbie Ray, Patrick Corbin, and Taijuan Walker have also pitched well, helping to pick up an offense that is waiting for Paul Goldschmidt and A.J. Pollock to really get going.

Apr 19, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander (35) looks on during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander (35) looks on during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Tigers 8-6

Last week: 3-3
Last rank: 7

As their lineup turns another year older, the Tigers have struggled to get their bats going to start the year. Veterans like Miguel Cabrera, Ian Kinsler, and Victor Martinez are barely scraping the Mendoza Line. That will turn around at some point as the weather warms.

The important thing for the Tigers is that their starting pitching has been able to carry the load. It was supposed to be the other way around, with the offense carrying a mediocre staff. Michael Fulmer, Daniel Norris, and Matt Boyd have pitched well. Expect Justin Verlander to quickly figure out what went wrong during his shellacking at the hands of the Cleveland Indians over the weekend.

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