The early MLB season has brought on a few surprises and a few slow starts. Each week I rank teams based on the season so far, and with that here are the MLB power rankings for week two.
1. Tampa Bay Rays +2
Undefeated is hard to argue with even if it’s against three pathetic teams. I do not anticipate the Rays holding this spot for long, but they sit at the top in week two.
2. Atlanta Braves +3
The Braves continue to impress even with a hobbled pitching rotation. Ronald Acuna Jr is doing everything on offense, while the Braves search for back-end stability in their rotation.
3. Milwaukee Brewers +9
The Brewers’ bats have come alive and the pitching has been nearly perfect. The Crew has three shutouts in the short season, and the revamped bullpen has silenced the doubters.
4. Minnesota Twins +1
The Twins followed their two straight losses to the Marlins with two straight wins over the Astros. They have yet to do much damage on the bases, only one steal, but they have come out on top in six of their first eight games.
5. Pittsburgh Pirates +22
The Pirates are the big risers in week two. With a sweep of the Red Sox, they carried momentum home as they faced off against the White Sox. Another team that I do not expect to hang around at the top of these rankings for long, but… they are here for now.
6. Los Angeles Dodgers +4
They continue to raise their run differential, now at +25. The Dodgers are playing an NL West-heavy schedule early, and have won each series this week. They still need better pitching, but they are surviving so far.
7. Cleveland Guardians +/- 0
The Guardians hold steady at seven. They had their hands full with Oakland but took two of three against them. The schedule will only get harder as they continue their series with Seattle then host the Yankees.
8. Toronto Blue Jays +11
Toronto is finally looking like we expected. They won four straight this past week taking advantage of their series with KC. Bo Bichette and Vlad Guerrero Jr are leading the way, as the Jays seek to build off of this week.
9. Baltimore Orioles +13
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – MAY 21: Adley Rutschman #35 of the Baltimore Orioles runs down the first base line on a ground out in the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 21, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
The young Orioles are finding their groove. Adley Rutschman is a top-three catcher already. They won their series against the Rangers and started off the Yankees series with a win also. I anticipate Baltimore being in the top ten for a while.
10. Los Angeles Angels -1
The Angels have kept teams to low run totals, with the exception of one game against the Mariners. With a resurgence from Taylor Ward and the amazing Shohei Ohtani, the Angels are working to fulfill their lofty expectations.
11. Texas Rangers -7
12. New York Yankees -10
13. New York Mets -10
14. San Diego Padres -2
15. Arizona Diamondbacks +3
16. Chicago Cubs +9
17. Houston Astros -2
18. Cincinnati Reds +1
19. Chicago White Sox -4
20. Seattle Mariners +/- 0
21. San Francisco Giants +5
22. Boston Red Sox -9
23. Colorado Rockies -2
24. Miami Marlins -1
25. St. Louis Cardinals -17
26. Philidelphia Phillies -13
27. Kansas City Royals +2
28. Oakland Athletics +/- 0
29. Washington Nationals -2
30. Detroit Tigers +/- 0
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