Home MLB MLB Power Rankings: Red Sox are Red Hot, Braves Struggles Continue

MLB Power Rankings: Red Sox are Red Hot, Braves Struggles Continue

As we celebrate Jackie Robinson day, take a look at how things have changed in the MLB Power Rankings heading into week 3

By
Collin Carofano
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AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King

Happy Jackie Robinson Day! Today everyone will wear number 42 as we reflect, appreciate, and honor what Jackie Robinson did for the game of baseball. One of, if not the best traditions in sports, as we celebrate a hero.

We are already heading into the third week of the 2021 season. See what has changed since the Opening Day MLB Power Rankings.

30. Colorado Rockies (3-9)

Opening Day Rank: 28

29. Texas Rangers (5-7)

Opening Day Rank: 29

28. Pittsburgh Pirates (5-7)

Opening Day Rank: 30

27. Arizona Diamondbacks (4-8)

Opening Day Rank: 25

26. Chicago Cubs (5-7)

Opening Day Rank: 16

25. Detroit Tigers (6-6)

Opening Day Rank: 26

24. Baltimore Orioles (5-6)

Opening Day Rank: 27

23. Seattle Mariners (6-5)

Opening Day Rank: 24

22. Washington Nationals (3-6)

Opening Day Rank: 11

21. Kansas City Royals (6-4)

Opening Day Rank: 23

Top 20

20. Cincinnati Reds (7-5)

Opening Day Rank: 21

After their first game loss to the Cardinals, the Reds’ offense went ballistic and won six straight. Even after they lost four of their last five, they still have the league lead in runs scored (75). The offense has some serious power and run scoring ability, so it is up to the bullpen and rotation to stay consistent if they want to fight for the NL Central.

19. Miami Marlins (5-6)

Opening Day Rank: 20

Miami just took three straight over the Braves and are looking for the sweep Thursday. The offense looks like it is hitting their stride much like they did early last season, and it’s coming against pitchers Ian Anderson, Max Fried, and Charlie Morton.

18. Tampa Bay Rays (5-7)

Opening Day Rank: 8

The defending AL champs haven’t really done a great job of “defending.” They lost their last two of three to the Rangers, and the win came by a score of 1-0. Tyler Glasnow has been dominating on the mound (0.46 ERA, 29 K), but the Rays just have not been able to get the bats going.

17. San Francisco Giants (8-4)

Opening Day Rank: 22

Looks like the Giants don’t want to miss out on another opportunity to make the playoffs after they were so close last year. Gabe Kapler has done great with this team and their bullpen. The Giants have a great mix of young and experienced players.

16. Cleveland Indians (6-5)

Opening Day Rank: 14

Shane Bieber threw a nine inning shutout with 11 K Tuesday night, but couldn’t earn the complete game since it went to extra innings. He has looked sharp this season and leads the league in strikeouts (35). The rest of the pitching staff has been good too, but Zach Plesac got lit up Wednesday night when they were no-hit by the White Sox.

15. Oakland Athletics (5-7)

Opening Day Rank: 12

After a very rough start, the A’s have won five of their last six… one of those wins coming against the Dodgers. As a team, Oakland has a league-worst 6.00 ERA. Matt Chapman is starting to heat up after struggling in his first few games. If he and Matt Olson can get it going along with the pitching they can compete in what could be a competitive AL West.

14. Milwaukee Brewers (7-5)

Opening Day Rank: 17

The Brewers are up there with one of the best starting rotations in baseball right now. Freddy Peralta (0.69 ERA, 24 K), Brandon Woodruff (2.12 ERA, 19 K), and Corbin Burnes (0.49 ERA, 30K) have all done outstanding in each of their outings. Burnes is an early NL Cy Young favorite now, he has a .218 WHIP as well… that is incredible.

13. Atlanta Braves (4-8)

Opening Day Rank: 3

Ronald Acuña (.447/.500/1.000/1.500), tied first in home runs (6), is doing everything he can to try to put the entire Braves team on his back, but their struggles continue. They have lost four straight and now sit last in the NL East.

12. Philadelphia Phillies (6-6)

Opening Day Rank: 15

The Phillies started off strong with a series sweep over the Braves. There really hasn’t been a stand out player for the Phils thus far, though. They have been pretty balanced, so watch out if Bryce Harper and that offense start to heat up.

11. St. Louis Cardinals (6-6)

Opening Day Rank: 9

First, I want to shout out Yadier Molina for catching his 2,000th game for the Cardinals. He is a true legend and one of the best catchers of all-time. Yadi leads the team in OPS and AVG so far, and Nolan Arenado is right behind him looking like he’s making himself at home.

10. Houston Astros (6-6)

Opening Day Rank: 13

Off the jump the Astros made a statement that they are still a contender for the AL, but after losing five straight they drop down a little further in the rankings. Yuli Gurriel is top 10 in OPS (1.142), and it looks like Jose Altuve has put last season’s down year past him.

9. Minnesota Twins (5-7)

Opening Day Rank: 6

The Twins have lost five in a row now after getting swept in a double-header Wednesday against the hottest team in baseball. Besides the last game where they gave up a six run inning late, they have lost every game by two runs or less. Byron Buxton and the ageless wonder Nelson Cruz are carrying the load so far for Minnesota. Seriously, Cruz is turning 41 in July and still putting up ridiculous numbers.

8. New York Yankees (5-7)

Opening Day Rank: 4

If you haven’t already heard from a fan, the Yankees have struggled in their first two weeks of baseball. The bats have not been as loud as expected to start the year off. And of course when Aaron Judge has a two-home run game, they end up losing. Gerrit Cole is on point though, earning that fat contract (1.47 ERA, 29 K).

7. Los Angeles Angels (7-5)

Opening Day Rank: 19

Hey Ronald Acuña… Fernando Tatís, watch out. Shohei Ohtani is making a strong case to be the new face of baseball. Ohtani continues to do something every night that amazes, and he is helping the Angels win ball games. It also helps that they have two other MVP caliber players on the team too. I have been waiting for the Angels to make some noise for years now, this is exactly what the MLB needs.

6. New York Mets (5-3)

Opening Day Rank: 7

The Mets have won three straight and are starting to live up to the hype. Marcus Stroman and Jacob DeGrom have been lights out for them. The biggest issue is driving runners in on base. If they can consistently get more runs in they will continue to hover around top five all year.

5. Toronto Blue Jays (6-6)

Opening Day Rank: 10

Bo “Flo” Bichette had himself a day on Wednesday against the Yankees (3-5, 2 HR, SB) and walked it off with a solo shot to take their fourth game of six against them this season. He’s now on an 11-game hitting streak. Even without George Springer, the Jays look strong and will only get better with time.

4. Chicago White Sox (6-6)

Opening Day Rank: 5

Yermín Mercedes has been a breakout star for the White Sox in the absence of Eloy Jimenez. He is slashing .500/.548/.816/1.363 thus far and has shown his power with some mammoth home runs. And how about Carlos Rodon? He tossed the second no-hitter of the season already against the Indians on Wednesday night.

3. Boston Red Sox (9-3)

Opening Day Rank: 18

The Sox are RED hot. After yesterday’s double-header sweep over the Twins, Boston made it nine straight wins. They are second in the MLB in both runs scored and OPS, and the pitching has exceeded expectations and performed great so far.

2. San Diego Padres (8-5)

Opening Day Rank: 2

San Diego did just drop their last two against the Pirates, but Fernando Tatís Jr. is set to return this weekend. The Padres lead the league in ERA (2.48) while also having the most games played. Joe Musgrove achieved the first no-hitter of 2021, as well as the first in Padres history.

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (10-2)

Opening Day Rank: 1

The Dodgers are the first team to 10 wins, which is not a surprise in the slightest. LA leads the league in AVG, OBP, SLG, and OPS. All while Trevor Bauer, Walker Buehler & Co. have been mowing batters down. It’s going to be tough for anyone to compete with this team.

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