Movers and Shakers:\u00a0\u00a0Toronto\u00a0Blue Jays (+21) – Cleveland Indians (-17)<\/strong><\/p>\n Check Out Our #1 MLB Handicappers 2009 Picks Packages? We\u2019ve Got Your Back \u2014\u2013><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 18<\/p>\n<\/td>\n +17<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n 14<\/p>\n<\/td>\n +12<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n 9<\/p>\n<\/td>\n +6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n 3<\/p>\n<\/td>\n -1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n 1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n -4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n 27<\/p>\n<\/td>\n +21<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n 4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n -3<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n 23<\/p>\n<\/td>\n +15<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n 5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n -4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n 6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n -4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n 24<\/p>\n<\/td>\n +13<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n 13<\/p>\n<\/td>\n +1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n 7<\/p>\n<\/td>\n -6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n 29<\/p>\n<\/td>\n +15<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n 8<\/p>\n<\/td>\n -7<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n 20<\/p>\n<\/td>\n +4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \u00a0<\/td>\n 2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n -15<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n 25<\/p>\n<\/td>\n +7<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n 17<\/p>\n<\/td>\n -2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n 15<\/p>\n<\/td>\n -5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n 30<\/p>\n<\/td>\n +9<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n 26<\/p>\n<\/td>\n +4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n 11<\/p>\n<\/td>\n -12<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n 19<\/p>\n<\/td>\n -5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n 12<\/p>\n<\/td>\n -13<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \u00a0<\/td>\n 16<\/p>\n<\/td>\n -10<\/p>\n<\/td>\n In what could become a trend for the Brew Crew this season, the starting rotation has had a disastrous showing.\u00a0 Aside from Yovani Gallardo’s first start in San Fran and Braden Looper’s 5-inning outing, these guys have looked terrible.\u00a0 Fans can take solace in the fact that neither Ryan Braun or Prince Fielder have heated up yet.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \u00a0<\/td>\n 10<\/p>\n<\/td>\n -17<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n 22<\/p>\n<\/td>\n -6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n 21<\/p>\n<\/td>\n -8<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n 28<\/p>\n<\/td>\n -2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
MLB\u00a0Power Rankings (as of 4\/15\/09)<\/h3>\n
\n\n
\n Rank<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n Team <\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n Previous Ranking<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n Up\/Down<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n Comments<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 1<\/td>\n Florida<\/strong> Marlins<\/strong><\/td>\n \n \n The Fish are on fire!\u00a0 A number of quality starts and balanced hitting throughout the first week have opened eyes in the NL East.\u00a0 Josh Johnson is for real.\u00a0 Matt Lindstrom throws 100+ but has been nerve-wracking in a pair of save ops.\u00a0 Hanley Ramirez continues to make a bid to be one of the top 3 players in the game.\u00a0 Who is Emilio Bonifacio, and how is he hitting .500?!?!\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n 2<\/td>\n St. Louis<\/strong> Cardinals<\/strong><\/td>\n \n \n The rest of the NL Central better take note, because Chris Carpenter is back.\u00a0 Kyle Lohse and Adam Wainwright were great through two starts apiece.\u00a0 Five different pitchers were given save opportunities through the first week of play — not a good sign.\u00a0 Albert Pujols and Ryan Ludwick are feasting on opposing pitching.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n 3<\/td>\n Atlanta<\/strong> Braves<\/strong><\/td>\n \n \n Their only losses so far were at the hands of a remarkable late-inning comeback by the Phillies and a dominating performance by the Marlins’ Chris Volstad.\u00a0 This great start can be attributed to two impressive outings by Jair Jurrjens and the fact that Derek Lowe has been virtually un-hittable through 11 innings.\u00a0 Kenshin Kawakami’s successful ML debut and the timely hitting of All-Stars Brian McCann and Chipper Jones have also been key factors.\u00a0 In addition, exciting rookie Jordan Schafer has been given the Roy Hobbs moniker from some overzealous Braves fans.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n 4<\/td>\n Chicago<\/strong> Cubs<\/strong><\/td>\n \n \n Ryan Dempster, Carlos Zambrano, Rich Harden, and Ted Lilly have all been effective in their respective starts – a great sign for the Cubs.\u00a0 Alfonso Soriano has been a power machine out of the leadoff spot.\u00a0 Newcomer Milton Bradley has managed just one hit so far.\u00a0 Kevin Gregg’s status as closer is already on thin ice after just one week of play.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n 5<\/td>\n New York<\/strong> Yankees<\/strong><\/td>\n \n \n The marquee rotation has already flexed its muscles for the most part, with C.C. Sabathia’s shaky first start looking like an anomaly.\u00a0 Chien-Ming Wang, however, has lost velocity on his fastball and is tossing a sinker that isn’t sinking, all to the tune of a 28.93 ERA over two starts.\u00a0 The bullpen has also looked fallible early on, especially young Phil Coke.\u00a0 Cody Ransom’s March success is rapidly becoming a distant memory as he looks completely overmatched at the plate.\u00a0 An early return for A-Rod could be more important than most people, especially Yankees management, originally thought.\u00a0 The latest update is that he won’t join the team until at least May 15th.\u00a0 Perhaps they should have taken a chance on Dallas McPherson after all.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n 6<\/td>\n Toronto<\/strong> Blue Jays<\/strong><\/td>\n \n \n The offense put up a ton of runs early on, with most of the lineup clicking on all cylinders.\u00a0 Losing Jesse Litsch to the DL is a pretty big blow, however, and B.J. Ryan has looked atrocious out of the pen.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n 7<\/td>\n Tampa<\/strong> Bay<\/strong> Rays<\/strong><\/td>\n \n \n Led by Evan Longoria, who is already in mid-season form, the lineup has come out of the gate swinging.\u00a0 The early offensive barrage included a 15-run thrashing of the Yanks in their home opener.\u00a0 James Shields, Matt Garza, and Scott Kazmir have all been solid at the top of the rotation.\u00a0 The back end of the pen, meanwhile, had a bumpy week.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n 8<\/td>\n Seattle<\/strong> Mariners<\/strong><\/td>\n \n \n The M’s are off to a good start, thanks in part to 29 Ks in 25 innings from Erik Bedard and King Felix.\u00a0 Brandon Morrow has been wild in the closer role, but David Aardsma filled in amicably when called upon.\u00a0 The job could eventually become his.\u00a0 Endy Chavez seems to enjoy playing every day, and his 13 hits through the first 8 games show it.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n 9<\/td>\n Philadelphia<\/strong> Phillies<\/strong><\/td>\n \n \n The first turn through the starting rotation has been a disaster, with ace Cole Hamels and ageless wonder Jamie Moyer getting knocked around in a big way.\u00a0 Brad Lidge has looked human, and only by sheer luck is he 3-for-3 in save opportunities.\u00a0 Newcomer Raul Ibanez has already shown good power, while Ryan Howard and Chase Utley have been on fire with the bat.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n 10<\/td>\n Los Angeles<\/strong> Dodgers<\/strong><\/td>\n \n \n With the exception of James McDonald’s debacle in Arizona and Guillermo Mota’s wildness out of the pen, the pitching staff as a whole has been stellar.\u00a0 Orlando Hudson looks comfortable in Dodger Blue so far, even hitting for the cycle in the team’s home opener.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n 11<\/td>\n Baltimore<\/strong> Orioles<\/strong><\/td>\n \n \n The O’s have to be happy with their first week.\u00a0 After taking 2 out of 3 from two AL East powerhouses – the Yankees and the Rays – they went on to slug a 10-9 victory in Texas despite a poor outing from Koji Uehara.\u00a0 Adam Jones and Nick Markakis have already given a preview of what is to come from this talent-laden young outfield.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n 12<\/td>\n Detroit<\/strong> Tigers<\/strong><\/td>\n \n \n Armando Galarraga and Edwin Jackson have pitched well, but that’s about it.\u00a0 Consistence from Justin Verlander and a shot in the arm from phenom Rick Porcello will be necessary to avoid a disappointing month.\u00a0 Miguel Cabrera just keeps getting better, and has the ability to carry this lineup.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n 13<\/td>\n New York<\/strong> Mets<\/strong><\/td>\n \n \n The newly constructed bullpen, the talk of Queens all Winter, has done the job so far for the most part.\u00a0 Johan Santana has been lights out, but the enigma that is Oliver Perez continues to frustrate both the Mets coaching staff and their fans alike.\u00a0 The Carloses and David Wright have been on fire.\u00a0 What is more impressive, and somewhat surprising, is the phenomenal week Ryan Church had.\u00a0 If he keeps it up, Jerry Manuel will be hard pressed to find playing time for the moody Gary Sheffield.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n 14<\/td>\n San Diego<\/strong> Padres<\/strong><\/td>\n \n \n Are those the Padres perched atop the NL West?\u00a0 Enjoy it while it lasts, because it probably won’t.\u00a0 Chris Young was nearly untouchable in Week 1, while Heath Bell slammed the door in a perfect 4 out of 4 chances.\u00a0 Brian Giles’ bat looks slow through the zone early on.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n 15<\/td>\n Los Angeles<\/strong> Angels of Anaheim<\/strong><\/td>\n \n \n New closer Brian Fuentes has looked shaky so far, and the starting rotation is dealing with some notable injuries.\u00a0 No ball club or family should ever have to endure the type of tragedy the Angels are dealing with after the sudden loss of promising right-hander Nick Adenhart.\u00a0 Only time will tell how the team will play following this sad event.\u00a0 Rest in Peace Nick.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n 16<\/td>\n Chicago<\/strong> White Sox<\/strong><\/td>\n \n \n The heart of the order has been ferocious so far, with the quartet of Jermaine Dye, Carlos Quentin, Paul Konerko, and Jim Thome combining for 10 bombs through the team’s first 7 games.\u00a0 Mark Buehrle is off to another good start.\u00a0 If Bartolo Colon’s first outing is any indication of what he has left in the tank, the South Siders could be a very interesting club throughout the rest of April.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n 17<\/td>\n Boston<\/strong> Red Sox<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n \n Kevin Youkilis is playing like a man on a mission.\u00a0 Aside from him, Jason Bay, and Jason Varitek, the rest of the regulars have been anemic with the lumber.\u00a0 Josh Beckett has been good through two starts, but no surprise there.\u00a0 The surprise is Brad Penny, who pitched fairly well over six innings. Justin Masterson, Hideki Okajima, and Takashi Saito stumbled in their brief relief appearances.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n 18<\/td>\n Texas<\/strong> Rangers<\/strong><\/td>\n \n \n After sweeping the Tribe to open the season, the Rangers have come back to Earth.\u00a0 Kevin Millwood has been phenomenal through his first two turns but the rest of the staff, as expected, has been a mess.\u00a0 The “Kris Benson experiment” may not last long.\u00a0 Andruw Jones has hit surprisingly well in limited duty… definitely an intriguing story there.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n 19<\/td>\n Kansas City<\/strong> Royals<\/strong><\/td>\n \n \n The Royals have to be encouraged by the pitching staff’s very promising start.\u00a0 Zack Greinke and Kyle Davies have been great, with Gil Meche not far behind.\u00a0 Joakim Soria is a strikeout machine in the 9th and, with the exception of Kyle Farnsworth and Ron Mahay, the rest of the pen has been equally effective.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If the lineup picks up the pace after a slow start, this could turn out to be a fun month in KC.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n 20<\/td>\n Minnesota<\/strong> Twins<\/strong><\/td>\n \n \n Francisco Liriano and Kevin Slowey appear very hittable thus far.\u00a0 This team could fall behind in a hurry without effective pitching from those two.\u00a0 Denard Span looks like a nice table-setter in the leadoff hole.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n 21<\/td>\n Pittsburgh<\/strong> Pirates<\/strong><\/td>\n \n \n Zach Duke, Paul Maholm, and Ross Ohlendorf have all stepped up big in this relatively inexperienced rotation.\u00a0 Matt Capps looked good in the 9th.\u00a0 The lineup isn’t great, but these young arms could bring excitement to PNC that hasn’t been seen there in… well… ever.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n 22<\/td>\n Colorado<\/strong> Rockies<\/strong><\/td>\n \n \n Jason Marquis and Franklin Morales both impressed in their first turn through the rotation.\u00a0 The back end of the pen has looked sloppy, with neither Manny Corpas nor Huston Street handling save opportunities effectively.\u00a0\u00a0 Rookie Dexter Fowler may have found a permanent home at the top of this lineup.\u00a0 Troy Tulowitzki has shown some pop so far, smacking three homers in the season’s opening week.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n 23<\/td>\n Oakland<\/strong> Athletics<\/strong><\/td>\n \n \n Many expected more from this team out of the gate.\u00a0 After taking 2 of 3 from the Angels, they were swept at home against the Mariners, squandering a great performance by Trevor Cahill in the series finale.\u00a0 New vets Orlando Cabrera and Jason Giambi are both hitting at a good clip.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n 24<\/td>\n Cincinnati<\/strong> Reds<\/strong><\/td>\n \n \n Joey Votto’s hot bat and Edwin Encarnacion’s penchant for getting on base have kept this team in games.\u00a0 Aaron Harang, lights out in two starts including a shutout, was the only real bright spot in the rotation during Week 1.\u00a0 Wily vet Arthur Rhodes has shown that he can still do the job in relief.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n 25<\/td>\n Arizona<\/strong> Diamondbacks<\/strong><\/td>\n \n \n Brandon Webb’s Opening Day struggles and current DL stint have fans in the desert on edge already.\u00a0 The holes in this lineup are already evident, so this team can’t afford to be without its ace for long.\u00a0 It’s fun to see Tony Clark, one of the game’s good guys, still planting the ball in the seats.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n 26<\/td>\n Milwaukee<\/strong> Brewers<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n \n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n 27<\/td>\n Cleveland<\/strong> Indians<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n \n Starting the season 0-5 is never a good thing.\u00a0 The Tribe’s rotation has been abysmal.\u00a0 Cliff Lee has not looked like a Cy Young winner, allowing 22 baserunners over 2 losses.\u00a0 Fausto Carmona has been equally ineffective and, to top it all off, (insert expletive here) Carl Pavano couldn’t make it out of the 2nd inning in his Cleveland debut.\u00a0 If you’re looking for positives, Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner look rejuvenated at the plate.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n 28<\/td>\n San Francisco<\/strong> Giants<\/strong><\/td>\n \n \n Reigning Cy Young winner Tim Linceum is off to a very rocky start, getting tagged for 11 earned runs in his first two outings.\u00a0 The Big Unit, Jonathan Sanchez, and Barry Zito were no better, resulting in a disappointing start to the ’09 campaign.\u00a0 The staff is the only real strong component of this club.\u00a0 If the arms falter, so do the Giants’ chances in the West.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n 29<\/td>\n Houston<\/strong> Astros<\/strong><\/td>\n \n \n Offensively this club is off to a miserable start, making the mediocre pitching of 3\/4s of the rotation impossible to overcome.\u00a0 Wandy Rodriguez, the only starter to pitch effectively, has nothing but a loss to show for it.\u00a0 It is inevitable that Carlos Lee and Lance Berkman will begin to hit, but will it be enough?\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n 30<\/td>\n Washington<\/strong> Nationals<\/strong><\/td>\n \n \n The long season has begun in the nation’s capital.\u00a0 0-7, Lastings Milledge to the Minors, 3 starters with ERAs over 9.00… ‘Nuff said.\u00a0 Manny Acta and his staff are going to require a great deal of patience to battle through.\u00a0 I wonder if Adam Dunn is regretting his decision yet?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n