Detroit Jock City
Fansided

MLB Power Rankings: Watch out for the Nationals, Cubs still on top

By Aaron Huizenga

Apr 17, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) watches his home run during the tenth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Nationals 3-2 in 10 innings. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) watches his home run during the tenth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Nationals 3-2 in 10 innings. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 7
Next

MLB Power rankings takes a look at all 30 teams after the second week of action. Rankings will be posted at the beginning of the week throughout the season.

Apr 17, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) watches his home run during the tenth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Nationals 3-2 in 10 innings. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) watches his home run during the tenth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Nationals 3-2 in 10 innings. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

The second week of MLB is now complete and we will start to see fewer day games and more evening slates. There haven’t been too many surprises in the early going from a team perspective as many of the teams that were projected to be good have answered the call. Same thing on the other side as many of the bottom feeders have been just that after two weeks.

The biggest surprise so far has probably been the Baltimore Orioles. Despite having a really below average pitching staff, their offense is keeping them in games by way of the home run ball. Three of their four starters have an ERA of over five yet they currently sit at 8-3, at the top of the American League East.

Our Detroit Tigers are off to a really solid start despite sitting 3rd in the AL Central behind the Royals and White Sox. The Royals are a really good team and I expect them to be right around the top of the standings all year. The Sox on the other hand have faced a fairly easy opening schedule and may see a bit of regression as we move forward.

The Tiger bats have opened hot mainly behind the trio of JD Martinez, Nick Castellanos and Ian Kinsler. All three players boast a batting average north of .340 so far in this early season. Jarrod Salalamacchia has also taken advantage of an increase in playing time by hitting four home runs and leading the Tigers in RBI’s at the moment.

There has to still be some concern with the starting pitching rotation as Justin Verlander has a 7.16 ERA through three starts and Anibal Sanchez appears to be repeating last season by switching in good starts for bad ones. Jordan Zimmerman has been as good as advertised, but overall this still is one of the bigger question marks remaining with this team.

In this week’s rankings, we have a new team taking over at the bottom of the pile. Sorry Marlins fans, this year hasn’t been kind so far and it only seems fitting for them to hold onto the bottom ranking after getting swept by the Braves. The Rockies and Nationals both made big jumps this week in the right direction. Nolan Arenado and Bryce Harper, two of the best young players in baseball, are leading the charge for these two franchises.

Next: MLB Power Rankings 26-30

Home/Detroit Tigers