Power Rankings

The extended first week of the Major League Baseball season is now over, and we've already had some surprises. Nate McLouth of the Pirates turning into Babe Ruth Jr., the Baltimore Orioles defying the experts (myself included) by starting in first place with a 5-1 record, and the Detroit Tigers are winless in their first six games. So while I would like to make these power rankings reflective of how I think things will actually turn out, at this point I will temper my expectations in deference as to how the season is currently playing out. A word of caution however, as is often said this is a marathon, not a trip to the kitchen for some midnight snacks. Ok that's not exactly the saying, but you get the idea. 

So here are my power rankings for Week 2...

1. Toronto Blue Jays: I know what you're thinking. The Toronto Blue Jays? But, I say to you, do not judge lest ye be judged. The Blue Jays just swept the Red Sox, granted at home, but that's still impressive. Their rotation has four very, very good pitchers in Halladay, Burnett, McGowan, and Marcum, and Jesse Litsch also has some potential. While the Red Sox saw Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz struggle, Marcum and McGowan looked dominant. With a Vernon Wells return to form, the Blue Jays very well could contend in the Al East. 

2. Anaheim Angels: Even without Lackey and Escobar, their pitching seems to be ok. So with them, they should be even better. 

3. New York Yankees: How long can they keep Joba Chamberlain out of the rotation? Relatedly, how long can Mike Mussina stay in the rotation? 

4. Milwaukee Brewers: They started hot last year too, but as it is always is, with a healthy Ben Sheets they should be good. Now they also need a healthy Gallardo as well.

5. Baltimore Orioles: Well. They swept the Mariners. That's a good sign. They're also still the Baltimore Orioles. That's a bad sign.

6. Chicago White Sox: They've won five in a row, including a sweep of Detroit. Still don't see them winning this year.

7. Arizona Diamondbacks: If Justin Upton continues to hit this well, they will be very dangerous. Mark Reynolds, Upton, and Chris Young are all at the top of the HR leaderboard.

8. Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers were 3-6 against the Pads in Petco last year, so taking 2 of 3 is a step forward. They're battling through facing Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum, Jake Peavy, Chris Young, and Dan Haren, they're 2-2 so far. 

9. San Diego Padres: The starting rotation has been excellent, but the bullpen has really struggled, Hoffman has not looked good so far this year. The hitting has also been solid so far.

10. St. Louis Cardinals: Pujols still hasn't hit a homer, and yet the team is 5-2. We'll see how long that lasts, though. 

11. Kansas City Royals: The Royals certainly have some talent, so with some lucky breaks they could stay up towards the top of the Central for a few more weeks probably. 

12. Atlanta Braves: They won the two games they played against the Mets, but they lost Mike Hampton again. Did they really expect to have him around?

13. Cleveland Indians: C.C. Sabathia was rocked at Oakland, but Cliff Lee pitched well. Go figure. 

14. Boston Red Sox: They were 3-1 until they ran into a buzzsaw in Toronto, but Beckett and Buchholz struggling is worrisome. 

15. Chicago Cubs: Perhaps a little low, but I am unexcited by their rotation at this point. Fukudome has been great so far. 

16. Tampa Bay Rays: When David Price, Reid Brignac, Wade Davis, and Jake McGee are ready, this team will be dangerous. 

17. Cincinnati Reds: Johnny Cueto's debut was dazzling, and so was Edison Volquez. 

18. Florida Marlins: Would you trade the entire team for A-Rod and $7 million? These are the tough questions.

19. Texas Rangers: Josh Hamilton has started well, but Volquez was excellent. Only time will tell on that one. 

20. Philadelphia Phillies: The bats were silenced by Tim Redding, but I don't see that being a long term problem here. 

21. Oakland Athletics: I actually don't know that they will be as bad as I previously thought. Assuming of course the obvious, Rich Harden's arm bones not exploding into shards of shattered hopes. 

22. Pittsburgh Pirates: Nate McLouth and Xavier Nady are the best players in baseball. Let's just get it out now. You heard it here first. 

23. Minnesota Twins: Really not much going on here until Francisco Liriano comes back. Can't wait for that.

24. New York Mets: I really don't like Oliver Perez, and Pedro's already hurt, so we'll have to see if Santana and John Maine are enough to get by. 

25. Houston Astros: It's hard to care less about a team than I do about the Astros.

26. Colorado Rockies: They certainly are struggling. But they're not THIS bad. 

27. Seattle Mariners: With Putz out, we'll see how the bullpen fares. They already blew one win for Felix Hernandez. 

28. Washington Nationals: I'm not sure which is their number one starter, Odalis Perez or Matt Chico. 

29. Detroit Tigers: My preseason pick to win the World Series, the Tigers have really not done anything well so far. Obviously not time to panic, but definitely puzzling. 

30. San Francisco Giants: Possibly the worst lineup in baseball history. This team is Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum and a black hole. 

Well there ya have it. Stay tuned to baseball, and if I'm not too lazy, I'll do this again for Week 3.