MLB Power Rankings: Brewers are kings of the Central, Astros invading the West
By Tim Boyle
10) MLB Power Rankings: St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are making noise and will need to continue to do so all year long. Even if they will play three very bad National League Central teams all year long, they cannot stop winning. They are in a tie for the second wild card which means there are teams outside of the division vying for the place they could settle at.
The Cardinals should have no problem competing for a playoff spot. They have the pitching but may need to upgrade at a few spots midseason. A bullpen arm or two plus another bat—possibly a shortstop—could be exactly what is missing and holding them back right now.
9) MLB Power Rankings: Houston Astros
Houston, we do not have a problem. The Houston Astros are back to winning games. They still may lack the right tools to get as far as they did in recent years. The first step was not falling behind early. They’ve taken care of this.
Despite not hitting much at all this year, the Astros have invaded the American League West hoping recapture the crown they’ve worn plenty in recent seasons. This remains a weaker version of other Astros teams from the last few years anchored by Justin Verlander in the rotation having a season to remember before turning 40. Once this team starts hitting, watch out. They could take the division crown and run with it.
8) MLB Power Rankings: San Diego Padres
This is the San Diego Padres team we expected last year. And they’re doing it without Fernando Tatis Jr. Things are clicking for this club. The duo of Eric Hosmer and Manny Machado are leading the way alongside some strong pitching.
The Padres are getting the kind of starting pitching they paid for with Joe Musgrove and MacKenzie Gore leading the way. Even without Blake Snell and Mike Clevenger just a single start into his return, San Diego has built themselves up strongly with a solid rotation they will depend on all year long.
7) MLB Power Rankings: Minnesota Twins
Let’s give the Minnesota Twins a pat on the back. The first place team in the American League Central was looking like they made some big mistakes in the offseason both by overspending in some areas and not adding enough in others. A spot in first place silences those doubts—at least temporarily.
Everyone knows Byron Buxton is one of the best athletes and baseball players in the game. It just hasn’t showed because of his many injuries. This season, if he stays healthy, it could become common knowledge and help the Twins win a ton. A guy people know less about that they should start watching is Joe Ryan. He is nothing close to as plain as his name is. Through five starts, Ryan is 3-1 with a 1.63 ERA and on his way to stardom in Minnesota.
6) MLB Power Rankings: Tampa Bay Rays
Baseball’s most creative team continues to win. Finally, Jin-Man Choi and Wander Franco have company at the plate. Manuel Margot is hitting amazingly well and leading the team with 20 RBI.
The true mastery of the Tampa Bay Rays is how they continue to use their pitching staff with openers. They have only three true starting pitchers and each has done their job. It can be hard to trust the Rays because of how different they approach winning. This team shouldn’t be good. They are. They always seem to be.