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 14, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez (34) claps after the last out of the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 14, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez (34) claps after the last out of the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
24

Seattle Mariners 9-13

Last week: 2-4
Last rank: 18

The end of Felix Hernandez as an MLB ace may be upon us. The right-hander, who has been in the big leagues piling up 200-inning seasons since the age of 19, lasted only two innings on Tuesday night in an ugly 19-9 loss to the Detroit Tigers before being removed. Hernandez, who allowed four runs on six hits before being yanked, has dead arm. He left his start on Opening Day early due to a groin injury.

Hernandez is now 2-2 on the year with an inflated 4.73 ERA. He is averaging 91.1 mph with his four-seam fastball, and has allowed a .348 batting average against. Hernandez has seen his ERA climb each year for the past three years, and the trend is only continuing to worsen. This is not what the Mariners need to get their season back on track.

Apr 21, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Michael Lorenzen (right) stands at the mound after giving up a three run home run as Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo rounds the bases during the ninth inning at Great American Ball Park. The Cubs won 6-5. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 21, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Michael Lorenzen (right) stands at the mound after giving up a three run home run as Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo rounds the bases during the ninth inning at Great American Ball Park. The Cubs won 6-5. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports /
23

Cincinnati Reds 10-12

Last week: 1-6
Last rank: 19

Choo-choo! All aboard the regression train! The wheels are starting to fall off the Reds after a respectable start to the season. As they briefly held onto first place to start the year, the Reds bullpen was able to hold leads and get outs without giving up too much damage. They have come crashing back down to earth.

Michael Lorenzen and Blake Wood have been hit hard over the past week. Rookie Amir Garrett was torched by the Milwaukee Brewers in his last start, giving up nine earned runs. If the Reds can figure out how to pitch around Eric Thames, they might be ok. Bronson Arroyo, who had not pitched in the big leagues since 2014 has now won two starts in a row.

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