MLB Power Rankings: Week 4
12. Pittsburgh Pirates (11-7, PR: NR)
Let’s give the Pirates some credit here, they are playing extremely good baseball right now. The hitting and pitching are top 10 in MLB statistically. They have multiple guys in the lineup that can do damage. More importantly, Paul Skenes is not the best pitcher on the staff right now, he’s actually the 5th best. Look it up, Pirates pitching is very, very good. The only question is - can they keep it up all season?
11. Texas Rangers (9-9, PR: NR)
The Rangers are off to a solid start this season and are in the middle of one of the most interesting divisions, the AL West. Brandon Nimmo has stepped up for this team offensively, past that they are struggling a bit there. The pitching staff is the strength of this team IF they can stay healthy. I really love the mix of veteran and younger arms in the rotation.
10. Athletics (10-8, PR: NR)
Don’t look now, but the A’s have won 6 of their last 7 games. They have an interesting mix of guys playing very well and guys struggle busin’. For now, they are in the win column and that’s gotta feel good for a team that has been at the bottom of the AL West for several years.
9. Cleveland Guardians (10-9, PR: NR)
If there is one thing you should never do, it’s underestimate the Brewers or Guardians. Throw out the stats and the payroll. This team just knows how to win. They are the only team so far to win a series against the Dodgers this season. That deserves a spot on this list if nothing else.
8. Baltimore Orioles (9-9, PR: NR)
The Orioles are in a place right now where it looks like they are struggling to find their identity. They are beating the teams they should, but not playing great against “better teams”. .500 baseball right now makes sense. It feels like a team that could go either way, let’s hope it’s in a positive direction.
7. Chicago Cubs (9-9, PR: 9)
The Cubs are one of those teams that the record isn’t indicative of how good they are. I think this team is on the brink of a big winning streak. They just need to get a little healthier and get a couple of players to step up. I think the W’s are coming to Chicago.
6. Detroit Tigers (9-9, PR: 7)
After a bit of a rough start, it’s looking like the Tigers are trending back in a good direction. The pitching staff has been great and they continue to show they have one of the deepest group of arms in the league.
5. San Diego Padres (12-6, PR: NR)
Win 10 of 11 games and your stock is gonna sky rocket. Yes, the schedule has been a bit on the easier side but wins are wins in this league. Right now, they are saying they aren’t going to fold to the Dodgers in the NL West.
4. Milwaukee Brewers (9-8, PR: 3)
The Brewers had an uncharacteristic 6-game skid last week, including getting swept at home by the Nationals. If you take that out, this is still one of the best teams in the league right now. And as I said earlier, you should never underestimate this team.
3. New York Yankees (10-8, PR: 2)
Like the Brewers, the Yankees have had some recent struggles, losing 6 of 7, including getting swept by the Rays. Like the Brewers, if you take that away this is still an elite team. Those type of rough patches get inflated this early in the season.
2. Atlanta Braves (12-7, PR: 4)
Listen up! This Braves team is looking scary. Like the team that won a World Series and had one of the best offensive seasons of all time, scary. AND their pitching is great! They are the best in MLB in runs scored, and ERA. When you score the most runs and give up the fewest, you’re gonna win a lot of baseball games (hot take, I know).
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (14-4, PR: 1)
The Dodgers are either first or second in nearly every team stat in hitting and pitching. They are off to one of the best starts ever by a defending champion. There’s not much I need to do to convince you this is still very much the best team in baseball.