The MLB season is just two weeks old, but teams have begun to show us what they have to offer. There’s a long way still to go in a season that’s a marathon, not a sprint, but its these early opinions we formulate that will decide whether this season will be a profitable one for us or not.
Here are the power rankings entering the third week of the MLB schedule.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (9-4)
Hanley is healthy, Kemp is healthy, Puig is actually on the field, and Kershaw is expected back soon. Things are good in Los Angeles. Dee Gordon stole four bases on Sunday. Four. They needed someone to step up at second base, and so far he’s been the guy. It’s just a matter of time before some cracks start to show in the armor, but things are looking just fine at the moment.
2. Milwaukee Brewers (10-2)
The Brewers went on the road and swept the Red Sox and Phillies, then came back home and swept the Pirates. Not what many expected from a team that dropped two of three to the Braves to open the year. Their pitching has been strong, and their offense has been even better. If you expected a drop-off from Carlos Gomez following his breakout 2013 campaign, you were wrong.
3. Oakland Athletics (8-4)
The team’s starting rotation has been stellar, leading to an AL-best 1.95 staff ERA. The team’s +19 run differential is second in baseball, behind only the Brewers, and for as long as they’re able to consistently score runs, they’re going to be a force out West.
4. Detroit Tigers (6-4)
Their 6-4 record certainly doesn’t jump off the page, but this team wins when it wants. The offense has looked just fine despite the absence of Prince Fielder, with Ian Kinsler really wreaking havoc atop the lineup. Rick Porcello was expected to be better than he’s been thus far, and he may very well turn things around.
5. Atlanta Braves (8-4)
All those concerns about the team’s starting rotation seem to have been overblown. Bringing in Ervin Santana seems to have really smoothed things out in that area. The team’s offense really came alive this past week, with Justin Upton belting out four home runs between Thursday and Sunday, and Freddie Freeman continuing to consistently deliver. Getting more consistency from Jason Heyward needs to be a priority.
6. St. Louis Cardinals (7-5)
The Cardinals manage to continue churning out wins despite some real struggles. The team is hitting just .236, and the bullpen has a 5.35 ERA. Allen Craig his hitting just .122, and Jhonny Peralta is hitting .111, yet, they’re above .500.
7. San Francisco Giants (8-5)
The Giants were a major letdown last season, but that was because of an inability to score runs. Angel Pagan is back atop the order and contributing in a major way, and that’s seemingly made all the difference. Brandon Belt’s emergence hasn’t hurt, and Michael Morse was one of the better under the radar additions of the offseason.
[dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
8. New York Yankees (7-6)
Many were quick to write-off the Yankees and point out their flaws falling a slow start, but there’s still a lot of talent on this roster, and their rotation is impressive, particularly if Michael Pineda keeps up what he’s been doing. Flaws in the infield have been one the number one item detractors have been quick to point to, but don’t write off Derek Jeter just yet, and Kelly Johnson’s swing is tailor-made for Yankee Stadium – he belted out three home runs this week.
9. Tampa Bay Rays (7-6)
The Rays’ pitching rotation took a big hit this week with Alex Cobb and Matt Moore heading to the DL, and from the sounds of it, Moore could be lost for the season. That combined with their team .225 batting average makes it very puzzling as to how the team continues to win games, but that’s just business as usual under Joe Maddon.
10. Washington Nationals (7-5)
The Nationals didn’t do themselves any favors by losing their last three games of the week, getting swept by the rival Braves, though seeing Bryce Harper back on the field and playing like many expected is a major boon. The same goes for Stephen Strasburg.
11. Toronto Blue Jays (7-6)
12. Boston Red Sox (5-8)
13. Pittsburgh Pirates (6-6)
14. Seattle Mariners (6-5)
15. Texas Rangers (6-6)
16. Minnesota Twins (6-6)
17. Baltimore Orioles (5-7)
18. Chicago White Sox (7-6)
19. Colorado Rockies (6-7)
20. Philadelphia Phillies (6-6)
21. Los Angeles Angels (6-6)
22. Cleveland Indians (6-7)
23. Cincinnati Reds (4-8)
24. Miami Marlins (5-8)
25. San Diego Padres (5-7)
26. Kansas City Royals (4-7)
27. Arizona Diamondbacks (4-11)
28. New York Mets (5-8)
29. Houston Astros (5-8)
30. Chicago Cubs (4-8)
Another MLB gambling season. It’s time to NOW bring your best baseball betting hat to the table for gambling on baseball. Cappers Picks all season long provides MLB baseball gambling predictions, so check back often.
