Week 1 Power Rankings

1. Detroit Tigers (4-1) Detroit opened the season in dramatic fashion with 2 walk-off wins in their first two games of the season. They got great starting pitching and production from all over the lineup. Most noteably from veteran Tori Hunter who can still rake. He put up 3 bombs and 7 RBI showing that he can still play. Expect the Tigers to be atop this list most of the year.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers (5-3) Dodgers opened the season strong over in Australia taking both games from the D-Backs. They did lose Kershaw to a back injury but he should be back soon. The thing to take from this week was Kemp hitting two home runs on Sunday. If Kemp can stay healthy and play like that, this team will be playing deep into October. 

3.St. Louis Cardinals (3-3) The Cards opened the season on the road against division rivals and were able come out .500. They were shut down in the Rubber game by Volquez on Sunday. The Cards are loaded with arms and bats. They might not be flashy but will be solid all year. 

4.Washington Nationals (4-2) Nats started the season strong by sweeping the Mets on the road and lost 2 out of 3 to the Braves over the weekend. They took a hit losing Ramos to an hand injury that will cost him over a month. Strasburg, and Harper both struggled this week but Nats fans shouldn't worry it is too early for that. 

5.San Francisco Giants (5-2) This might be a bit surprising but I think the Giants will be back this year. Opened the season against the Diamondbacks and Dodgers on the road. They were able to go 5-2 and it is just the start they needed. Brandon Belt looks like he found his swing and the pitching looked solid. This team will be a handful for the Dodgers. 

6. Boston Red Sox (2-4) The defending champs did not have a good weekend. They were swept at home by the Brewers. They will have a target on their back and teams will be playing them hard every night. It is always tough to repeat and Red Sox will have to find that mojo again. 

7.Texas Rangers (3-3) The Rangers pitching questions became even more of a question mark this week after giving up 14 runs on opening day, but they scored 11. On Sunday Darvish came off the DL to dominate the Rays and settle the team down. This team is loaded with the bats, if they can get some pitching behind Darvish they will be fine. 

8.Tampa Bay Rays (4-3) This is just a good baseball team and they will be there all year long. Good pitching and solid hitting. They had a good showing this weekend taking 2 of 3 from the Rangers. They will be battling for the division crown of the AL East. 

9.Oakland A's (3-3) No one ever really knows who is on this team but they always find ways to win. They had a rough start to the season losing Parker to Tommy John but they have plenty of arms to fill this void. They have a deep lineup with plenty of power and this team once again will go about their business. 

10.Pittsburgh Pirates (4-2) Pirates are looking to build off their great season last year. They got off to great start this week after winning both of their series'. The most notable event was Edison Volquez's gem on Sunday vs the Cards. They need him to find himself if they want to replace A.J Burnett. 

11. Atlanta Braves (4-2) Everyone was talking about the injuries to the starting rotation so all the Braves did was have lights out pitching this week. They also have Ervin Santana waiting to make his debut while he is stretching his arm out after being signed in late March. We also saw Alex Wood throw and he looks like the real deal. If the pitching holds up look out for them. 

12. Baltimore Orioles (2-4) They have in my opinoin one of the best lineups in baseball. The problem is the pitching with this team. It is going to be tough to out hit their opponent every night. They just need decent pitching and they will win games. They opened 2-4 but in their defense they did play the Red Sox and Tigers which is no easy task. 

13. Cincinnati Reds (2-4) They are dealing with a lot of injures especially in their bullpen. They will have one of the best rotations in the league and a good lineup. The question is do they have a Center Fielder? Billy Hamilton looked all but lost at the plate this week. They need this guy to figure out how to get on base. 

14. New York Yankees (3-3) The Yankees season started off not like they expected. They lost the first two to the Astros. They then won 3 of their next 4. The key with this aged team is health. They already just lost Mark Tex to a hammy. They might have found a gem in Solarte who had a monster week. Who would have thought that he would be a piece to the puzzle. 

15. Kansas City Royals (2-3) I think this is the year the Royals just bust out. They have a good lineup with some decent pitching. One arm in particular Yordano Ventura who we haven't see yet because of a rain out. If this kid is what he is supposed to be keep your eye on the Royals. 

16. Seattle Mariners (4-2) This is another team who could be a sleeper this year. They got off to a great start after sweeping the Angels. The lineup is improved and the rotation has potential. Felix was Felix this week but Paxton looked great in his start as well. They also have Iwakuma who is on the DL who was one of the best pitchers in the game last year. 

17. Los Angeles Angels (2-4) The season started off pretty miserable for the Angels by getting swept at home by the Mariners. If they want to contend they need Pujols and Hamilton in the worse way. Even with them it will be tough to compete in the American League. 

18.Milwaukee Brewers (4-2) The sweep of the defending champs in Boston is just what the Brew Crew needed. This team does have some potential. Yovani looks like he is starting to find his old self and with the addition of Matt Garza will help the rotation. This could be a sneaky team in the NL wild card race. 

19. Cleveland Indians (3-3) For a team that did in fact make the playoffs last year most people aren't expecting a repeat. They don't have a great lineup and they have some questions marks in the rotation. They lost 2 out of 3 to the Twins at home. One guy to watch though is Danny Salazar who will be key if they want to repeat last years success. 

20.Miami Marlins (5-2) They have the best record in baseball I guess I have to put them in the top 20. The Marlins have come out the gates to a hot start. It looks like this team has some arms behind Jose Fernandez who is just straight up nasty. They also got 10 RBI from Casey Mcagahee and production from Ozuna. Stanton also looks like he is poised for a big year. We will keep our eye on them. 

21. Toronto Blue Jays (3-4) The season couldn't get off to a worse start for the Blue Jays. Jose Reyes played half an inning and left the game for with a…….hamstring. They need a healthy Reyes if they want to hang around in that brutal division. 

22. Colorado Rockies (3-4) Just like every other year it comes down if they pitch and if their stars can stay healthy.  This team will score and with the NL Wild Card wide open they could be there late in the season. Look out for Blackmon who went 6-6 on Saturday. 

23. New York Mets (2-4) Well the Mets lost their closer Bobby Parnell to Tommy John on the first day of the season after he blew a save. It looks like the rotation will be solid but the Bullpen is a mess. They are now relying on Jose Valverde to close games. They also have holes in the lineup but it looks like Juan Lagares is going to be some player for the Mets. They got swept by the Nats but were able to take 2 of 3 from the Reds. 

24. Arizona Diamondbacks (2-7) Not a good start whatsoever for the D-Backs. They lost Corbin for the year and started the year 0-4. They have gotten great production from Trumbo but their pitching hasn't been good especially the bullpen. This team is better than what they showed. It is early, lets see if they can turn it around. 

25. San Diego Padres (2-4) This could be another long season from the Padres. Josh Johnson is already on the DL and Chase Headley is struggling again. They don't have great pitching or hitting and their division is not an easy one to play in. After starting the season off with a bang on Opening night they lost 4 of their next 5. 

26.Chicago White Sox (3-3) Thanks to Chris Sale and De Aza the White Sox come out of the week .500. This team doesn't have much expectations. This team strikes out too much and don't have enough pitching behind Sale. 

27.Philadelpia Phillies (3-3) Not a bad week from the Phils but this team will not be that good this year. They were able to take 2 of 3 from a bad Cubs team and finish .500 this week. With Hamels on the shelf they will be relying on guys like Roberto Hernandez or (Fausto Carmona). We will see if the veterans can find some youth and make some noise or just be competitive. 

28.Chicago Cubs (2-4) Cubs fans have things to look forward too but not much this year. They have plenty of top prospects who are trying to make the jump to the bigs. Everyone is waiting for Javier Baez who is going to be a stud. Emilo Bonafacio made some noise this week with some monster numbers. Never expect anything like that again from him. 

29. Houston Astros (3-3) Astros again a team who is waiting for some young talent to develop. They were able to take 2 from the Yankees. This still isn't going to be a good year for the Astros. At least we know they won't lose 162 games. 

30. Minnesota Twins (3-3) Besides Joe Mauer there is not much talent on this roster. The rotation is awful and the lineup isn't that great either. I think they will be the worst team in the league all year long. Who knows maybe they will prove me wrong.