No one can deny power rankings. We certainly at the Scores Report can’t, so every Monday throughout the season – even as needless as it is this early – we will rank the top and bottom five in the MLB.
Just a quick note, however. The past means nothing; so don’t assume the Cards or Yanks get the nod in the top five because, “at some point, they’ll turn it around.” How much fun would it be to assume?
Top 5:
1. LA Angels (5-2)
After a sweep of the Rangers, the Angels split a four game series with the A’s to go 5-2 in their opening home stand. Ace John Lackey has started the season 2-0 while the rest of the staff is only allowing an average of 2.29 runs a game.
2. Minnesota Twins (5-1)
There was some question whether the young bats that helped Minnesota make a playoff run last year were a fluke. But after Joe Mauer (.368), Justin Morneau (.353) and Michael Cuddyer (.412) all opened the season hitting well over .300…well…fluke off.
3. Atlanta Braves (5-1)
Just when you think the Braves are cooked, they start the season 5-1 with all five victories coming over tough competition in the Phillies and Mets. The offense has started a little slow, but the pitching so far has been solid.
4. Arizona Diamondbacks (5-2)
Bay24 warned us about the D-Backs. Arizona can flat out score runs, crossing the plate 36 times in just seven games already. Orlando Hudson is off to a good start hitting .379 with nine runs scored, while Eric Byrnes has already swipped four bases and has an OPS of 1.057.
5. New York Mets (4-2)
The Mets’ pitching staff is off to a solid start, yielding only 11 runs in six games (best in the MLB). Going 4-2 is nice. Going 4-2 only road is even better.
Bottom 5:
26. Kansas City Royals (2-4)
The Royals aren’t terrible; they’re just in a tough division. KC should show marked improvment this year, but I’ve got a feeling it will make plenty of apperances in the bottom five this season.
27. Philadelphia Phillies (1-5)
How the hell does a team this talented get off to such a horrid 1-5 start, including dropping three games at home? I wouldn’t expect the Phils to be here very long, but you just never know.
28. Houston Astros (1-5)
Different year, same story for the ‘Stros: no run support for the pitching staff. Or if they get the runs, Brad Lidge is giving them back. Although, it looks like manager Phil Garner is making a move to Dan Wheeler as far as the closing duties are concerned.
29. San Francisco Giants (1-5)
This is by far the worst offense in the league. The G-Men have scored a league low 14 runs in six games and unlike the rest of the clubs in the NL West, San Fran has nothing to go to in its farm system. The starting pitching isn’t bad, but if the first week was any indication, shutouts better be common.
30. Washington Nationals (1-5)
Not much was expected of the Nationals this year, so 1-5 isn’t a real surprise. There is good news for Washington, however. Nick Johnson is running again since breaking his leg in September and should join the team sometime in June. Of course, by June, will it really matter?
