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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 15
Next
Apr 25, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; Michael Wacha #52 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; Michael Wacha #52 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
16

St. Louis Cardinals 9-11

Last week: 3-2
Last rank: 24

The Cardinals have begun to pick it up, as was expected. They have quality arms in their bullpen, but the start to the season was ugly. Over the past two weeks, the bullpen ERA has fallen to a slightly more palatable level of 5.46. That’s a big step in the right direction. Closer Seung Hwan Oh has been unscored upon in five of his past six outings. The ERAs are inflated because the ullpen was flat-out awful over the first two weeks of the season.

While the offense continues to scuffle, Lance Lynn and Michael Wacha have impressed on the mound. That is a great development for the Cardinals, as both are coming back from injuries. Mike Leake has also pitched well, helping to pick up the slack for Adam Wainwright and Carlos Martinez.

Apr 19, 2017; New York City, NY, USA; A ball hit by Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Michael Saunders (not pictured) drops in front of New York Mets left fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) in the eighth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2017; New York City, NY, USA; A ball hit by Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Michael Saunders (not pictured) drops in front of New York Mets left fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) in the eighth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /
15

New York Mets 8-12

Last week: 0-5
Last rank: 12

The Mets have been MLB’s walking wounded squad so far this season. Injuries have decimated their starting lineup. The starting rotation is feeling the pain too, but at least Zack Wheeler has made four starts. Sure, he’s 1-2 with a 5.40 ERA, but starts are starts for Wheeler.

Michael Conforto is finally finding a role with the Mets. The front office painted themselves into a corner with too much outfield depth — none of it in center field. Conforto is pushing himself into a platoon role, and deserves a shot at more regular playing time if Curtis Granderson continues to struggle. Conforto has three multi-hit games in his past four starts, while Granderson is batting .149 on the year with a .459 OPS.

Home/MLB