MLB Power Rankings: Mariners continue hot start to the season, American League full of surprises

By Sean Sears | Apr 11, 2019

TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 21: Members of the Seattle Mariners stand for the national anthem ahead of their game against the Oakland Athletics during the 2019 Opening Series at the Tokyo Dome on Thursday, March 21, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 09: Evan Longoria #10 and Tyler Austin #19 of the San Francisco Giants celebrate beating the San Diego Padres at Oracle Park on April 09, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /

28. San Francisco Giants, 4-9, fourth in the NL West

The Giants lack firepower on offense and, in response, recently took a flier on former Yankees and Twins 1B Tyler Austin. The 27-year-old has experience in the outfield, but the Giants also added elite OF Kevin Pillar to the roster last week as well. The Giants have scored 30 runs through their first 11 games and haven’t limited other teams from scoring either, only holding teams to two runs or less three times this season.

Their pitching has been among the best in baseball with a 2.43 ERA this season, despite Johnny Cueto likely sitting out the majority of the 2019 season. Madison Bumgarner and Jeff Samardzija have pitched well, and new closer Will Smith has three saves on the season and still hasn’t allowed a run, but if the offense doesn’t start to click the Giants might have some difficult roster decisions coming shortly.

27. Toronto Blue Jays, 4-8, fourth in the AL East

Toronto is another team with great pitching, but their offense hasn’t been able to take advantage of it. Marcus Stroman is off to another strong campaign with a 2.41 ERA and 18 strikeouts compared to just six BB’s. Stroman is joined by Aaron Sanchez, Matt Shoemaker and Trent Thornton, who have combined to only allow nine runs in 53.4 IP.

Currently, on a four-game losing streak, the Blue Jays have had a terrible time at the plate with a .579 team OPS and only 29 runs scored. The team traded defensive OF Kevin Pillar to the Giants as the club prepares to call up their new wave of talented prospects, headlined by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette. Young C Danny Jansen has struggled at the dish so far, though the 24-year-old backstop has shown in the minors he’s an above-average receiver and framer behind the plate. But until their top prospects arrive, this team will be in a fight with Baltimore for last place in the AL East.

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