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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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Apr 16, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Mitch Moreland (18) heads to first base after hitting a two RBI single during the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Mitch Moreland (18) heads to first base after hitting a two RBI single during the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
6

Boston Red Sox 9-6

Last week: 5-2
Last rank: 5

The Red Sox have yet to emerge as a power-hitting juggernaut as they search for an identity following the retirement of David Ortiz. Mookie Betts is still impossible to strike out, but the home runs have yet to materialize. Hard to quibble with a .356 batting average and zero strikeouts. Boston has only seven home runs on the year.

If the Red Sox cannot hit home runs, they might as well settle for doubles. Mitch Moreland has already hit 10 on the year and is batting .358. His hot bat has made it possible for Hanley Ramirez to leave his glove behind and slide into a more full-time DH role.

Starting pitching has been an issue for the Red Sox, with Chris Sale the only consistent performer. Steven Wright’s knuckleball was smacked all over Fenway Park by the Orioles in his last start, and Rick Porcello is pitching like a number-three on a bad team. The Red Sox are going to need more home runs if this continues.

Apr 16, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Dylan Bundy (37) delivers a pitch against Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Dylan Bundy (37) delivers a pitch against Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
5

Baltimore Orioles 9-4

Last week: 4-2
Last rank: 9

The Orioles have built their hot start on the backs of the Blue Jays miserable start, winning five of their six games. Home runs have come in bunches at times, but so too have the strikeouts and weak at-bats. Trey Mancini turned in two two-homer games last week to tie an MLB record with seven home runs in his first 12 games. Chris Davis, on the other hand, has already struck out 17 times this season.

Dylan Bundy has paced the rotation, and is taking his place as the MLB ace the Orioles have been seeking since the days of Mike Mussina. He picked up his second win last weekend, and is now 2-1 with a 1.86 ERA and 17 strikeouts against only three walks.Kevin Gausman has not been so lucky, struggling with his command. He may need to scrap the two-seamer he added over the winter, as he does not have a feel for its movement.

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