MLB Power Rankings: Angels, Yankees are legit and Mariners, Red Sox showing quit
By Tim Boyle
10. MLB Power Rankings: Tampa Bay Rays
The low-budget contending Tampa Bay Rays have gotten hot starts from Jin-Man Choi and Wander Franco at the plate but not much else in terms of offense. Over on the mound, they remain a heavily-strategic club. Their pitching has been one of the best stories for this organization.
The issue facing Tampa Bay is how long this can last. It must be exhausting to have to outsmart your opponent every night for a win. Their roster lacks sure things. They seem to be teetering on falling further down the MLB Power Rankings.
9. MLB Power Rankings: St. Louis Cardinals
A lack of offense has the St. Louis Cardinals barely hanging onto a spot in the top ten of the MLB Power Rankings. The bullpen has been solid with the exception of the closer, Giovanny Gallegos. The Cardinals need to keep an eye on him.
St. Louis should only have one competitor for the division crown. It’s going to take a little more offense and some improvements from the starting rotation to get them there. Right now, they may simply be the benefactors of playing in an easy division.
8. MLB Power Rankings: San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres have been a strange team. Eric Hosmer and Manny Machado are killing baseballs. The rest of the lineup is not holding up their end of the bargain.
Their pitching, however, has made up for some of the lack of offense. Sean Manaea looks steady and closer Taylor Rogers has secured them plenty of wins early on this season. Keeping pace with the other two good teams in their division will be a challenge. With some average-at-best clubs on the schedule for the upcoming week, it’s the Padres’ chance to climb the MLB Power Rankings and find themselves in the number one spot in their division.
7. MLB Power Rankings: Los Angeles Angels
Another week may need to pass for the Los Angeles Angels to firmly dig their heels in and make it known to the rest of Major League Baseball that this isn’t the same club they have been over the last few years. All alone atop the American League West, they have plenty of high-fives to pass around for their success.
Mike Trout is off to the races in what he’ll hope is another MVP-worthy campaign. He is joined this year by Taylor Ward whose hot start should be the most pleasant surprise of all for the Angels. Even in the absence of Shohei Ohtani pitching amazingly well and underperforming when he does hit, the Angels are winning games. Somewhere, Rob Manfred and advertisers are thrilled at the idea of Trout and Ohtani playing deep into October.
6. MLB Power Rankings: San Francisco Giants
A true test of the National League West takes place this week. The San Francisco Giants next play the Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals. Two successful series will push them higher on this list next week. Splitting the games will probably have them fall. Even though it’s May, every game counts in the MLB Power Rankings.
Joc Pederson is looking like an absolute steal for the Giants. He’s possibly bound to win the team’s Triple Crown. Injuries to Brandon Belt and Mike Yastrzemski will pose an early challenge for this team in the coming days. Having also lost Anthony DeScalafani and Alex Cobb, the depth and resiliency of this team will be put to the test.