MLB Top 5 4/13/2011
It's certainly hard to have any kind of rankings this early in the year but I'll do my best to try and determine who looks to be the best of MLB. The top two spots are locks right now with Texas and the Phillies. After that things get a little fuzzier. This early in the year it's more common to find unlikely teams like Minnesota, Atlanta, St. Louis and San Francisco on the bottom, so it's hard to truly gauge the top teams. Here are my current top 5 of the MLB.
1. Texas Rangers
The Rangers have gotten off to a sizzling start, winning their first 6 and currently sitting at 9-1. They started off the year at home and swept both the slow start Red Sox and 3 win Mariners. They took 2 of 3 from the upstart O's and blanked the Tigers in Tuesday's series opener. While their bats have been hot, the real story will be Texas's arms. If they could put it together this year they may not be as unlikely to repeat as AL champs as some have thought.
2. Philadelphia Phillies
The big four in Philly have all delivered so far this year and have certainly contributed to the teams 7-2 start. While many wondered how the Phillies' offense would respond to the losses of Jayson Werth and Chase Utley, the bats have come out strong. When the team is hitting on all cylinders they are no doubt the favorite to represent the NL in the Fall Classic.
3. Cincinnati Reds
The Reds are another team hot out of the gate with a 5-0 start including their comeback against the Brewers opening night. The Reds offense is off to a torrid start, ranking first in runs scored and second in team batting average and on base percentage. Slugger Joey Votto headlines Cincinnati's lineup and is supported by Brandon Phillips and Scott Rolen. While their pitching is not producing at a comparable rate, the Reds do have several solid young arms with perhaps the most intriguing youngster at the major league level, Aroldis Chapman.
4. Colorado Rockies
The NL West ended up being somewhat surprisingly competitive last year and ultimately produced the World Series champion. After a week it's not those San Francisco Giants or the San Diego Padres that sit on top of the West, it is instead the Colorado Rockies. They have a strong young nucleus of hitters including Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gomez and yes you can still find Todd Helton manning first at Coors field. The pitching has been the story early in the season, and that is while last year's first half stud Ubaldo Jimenez has been on the DL.
5. New York Yankees
This 5th spot was really up for grabs to me. If the Orioles come into New York and can take the win tonight then I would bump them up to the 5th spot, but right now I'll give it to the Yankees. While there is certainly some questions surrounding their pitchers not named CC, the Yankees still put one of the best lineups on the field every night. I'm not sure if their pitching will keep them here as the season goes on, but for this week the Yankees get my nod at the 5 spot.
1. Texas Rangers
Wilson leads the Rangers pitching staff
The Rangers have gotten off to a sizzling start, winning their first 6 and currently sitting at 9-1. They started off the year at home and swept both the slow start Red Sox and 3 win Mariners. They took 2 of 3 from the upstart O's and blanked the Tigers in Tuesday's series opener. While their bats have been hot, the real story will be Texas's arms. If they could put it together this year they may not be as unlikely to repeat as AL champs as some have thought.
2. Philadelphia Phillies
Philly carries four aces up its sleeve
The big four in Philly have all delivered so far this year and have certainly contributed to the teams 7-2 start. While many wondered how the Phillies' offense would respond to the losses of Jayson Werth and Chase Utley, the bats have come out strong. When the team is hitting on all cylinders they are no doubt the favorite to represent the NL in the Fall Classic.
3. Cincinnati Reds
The Reds continue to develop Chapman the Cuban fireballer
The Reds are another team hot out of the gate with a 5-0 start including their comeback against the Brewers opening night. The Reds offense is off to a torrid start, ranking first in runs scored and second in team batting average and on base percentage. Slugger Joey Votto headlines Cincinnati's lineup and is supported by Brandon Phillips and Scott Rolen. While their pitching is not producing at a comparable rate, the Reds do have several solid young arms with perhaps the most intriguing youngster at the major league level, Aroldis Chapman.
4. Colorado Rockies
Rockies hope Jimenez returns to last year's first half form
The NL West ended up being somewhat surprisingly competitive last year and ultimately produced the World Series champion. After a week it's not those San Francisco Giants or the San Diego Padres that sit on top of the West, it is instead the Colorado Rockies. They have a strong young nucleus of hitters including Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gomez and yes you can still find Todd Helton manning first at Coors field. The pitching has been the story early in the season, and that is while last year's first half stud Ubaldo Jimenez has been on the DL.
5. New York Yankees
Yankees ace CC Sabathia
This 5th spot was really up for grabs to me. If the Orioles come into New York and can take the win tonight then I would bump them up to the 5th spot, but right now I'll give it to the Yankees. While there is certainly some questions surrounding their pitchers not named CC, the Yankees still put one of the best lineups on the field every night. I'm not sure if their pitching will keep them here as the season goes on, but for this week the Yankees get my nod at the 5 spot.
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