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 19, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics left fielder Khris Davis (2) runs past third base against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics left fielder Khris Davis (2) runs past third base against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
20

Oakland A's 10-11

Last week: 3-3
Last rank: 27

The A’s continue to be a thorn in the side of the Mariners and Texas Rangers. They have won five of their past six games against two of the teams expected to beat up on them all season. Oakland has done it with an offense and pitching staff that rank right around the middle of the American League. With nine players currently on the disabled list, it has been a rotating door around the field and on the mound while they try to get healthy.

The more exciting news to come out of Oakland this week is the fact that the A’s are expected to announce a site for a new stadium later this year. New A’s president Dave Kaval has been very enthusiastic about his organization’s commitment to staying in Oakland for the long haul.

Apr 25, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Ervin Santana (54) is congratulated by pitching coach Neil Allen (41) after leaving the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Ervin Santana (54) is congratulated by pitching coach Neil Allen (41) after leaving the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
19

Minnesota Twins 10-11

Last week: 3-4
Last rank: 23

There should be nothing but smiles for Ervin Santana so far this season. He has been nothing short of unhittable for the Twins. He is 4-0 with a 0.77 ERA and 0.66 WHIP. Santana has not allowed more than a single earned run in any of his four starts, and it’s not as if he is doing it all against the worst teams in the league. He has shut down the Texas Rangers and Cleveland Indians (although starts against the White Sox and Royals have helped his cause).

Santana is a solid pitcher with almost 150 wins in the big leagues over the past 13 years, but there is obviously no way he keeps this pace up. He does seem to have found good consistency over the past five years, and is 41-36 with a 3.46 ERA over that time period. An ace? Probably not, but the veteran right-hander is filling up the fringes of the strike zone, and it is helping him stay away from hard contact.

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