Fansided

MLB Power Rankings: Contenders begin to separate

By Joshua Sadlock

Apr 19, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) pitches during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) pitches during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 23, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts (50) is greeted by shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) after hitting a three-run home run against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts (50) is greeted by shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) after hitting a three-run home run against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston Red Sox 11-9

Last week: 2-3
Last rank: 6

The Red Sox have been stuck in neutral to start the year while they wait for their offense to get on the same page. They scored only two runs in the first two games of their series in Baltimore last weekend, going 1-for-16 with runners in scoring position. Mookie Betts has not been able to fill the void left by David Ortiz all by himself, and Hanley Ramirez is not protecting him.

Boston needs to put the Pedroia-Machado debacle in the rearview mirror. Pedroia was not able to keep his pitchers from taking shots at Machado, but addressed the situation after the game. He is the leader of the team, and has to squash any clubhouse trouble that came from his part in the beanball battle.

Apr 19, 2017; San Diego, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) pitches during the eighth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2017; San Diego, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) pitches during the eighth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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Arizona Diamondbacks 14-9

Last week: 4-3
Last rank: 8

With another solid week in the books, the Diamondbacks stay in the upper echelon of the league. Zack Greinke is living up to his contract in year two of the deal, and has 31 strikeouts with a 2.93 ERA in 30.2 innings. He is relying more on his slider this season, and it is working. Robbie Ray and Patrick Corbin have fed off Greinke and have pitched well.

The pitching has been a nice surprise, but the Diamondbacks offense was expected to be great. They have five regular players batting .300 or better, and two more within a few points. David Peralta has rebounded from a year lost to injuries with a very fast start. He has nine extra-base hits and three steals.

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