MLB Power Rankings: April 21
The MLB season has begun, and teams are starting to get their footing after two weeks of play.
While it is hard to rank teams based on just over 10 games of work, some contenders have gotten off to a hot start while others have been disappointing so far.
Here are the top teams of the MLB season after two weeks of games.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
After a rocky start with a series loss to the Colorado Rockies, the Dodgers have bounced back and proven that they are still the best team in the league.
After dropping two games against the Rockies, Los Angeles won eight of their last nine games.
Their batters have bounced back as they have brought in at least five runs in seven of their games since the series with Colorado.
Their pitching has also looked amazing with three starters having an ERA of 3.00 or under while also having three who have thrown over 10 strikeouts.
With hitters like Mookie Betts, Justin Turner and Max Muncy not hitting well yet, the Dodgers still have a lot of potential at the plate.
2. New York Mets
The greatest starting rotation has been performing up to expectations and the scary part about it is that they’re without Jacob deGrom.
Many expected Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt to pitch well, but Carlos Carrasco and Tylor Megill have both been holding their own in the back of the rotation.
The Mets’ top hitters have also been living up to the hype as Pete Alonso, Franciso Lindor and Starling Marte all have over nine RBIs on the season.
When the greatest pitcher in the world returns, the Mets may be a force to compete with the Dodgers.
3. St. Louis Cardinals
Despite not playing the toughest schedule so far, the Cardinals have been playing like one of the best teams in the league.
The hitting is what is going to carry this team and they have stood up to the challenge.
The Cardinals have been putting up a lot of runs against all the teams they’ve played, and Nolan Arenado has been leading the charge. Arenado has been hitting over .350 and has 14 RBIs on the season.
They have also received contributions from Tommy Edman and Tyler O’Neil who both have seven RBIs.
Their pitching has also been performing well and they’ll have to keep it up to hold this spot.
4. San Francisco Giants
The Giants might have the best all-around pitching staff in the league, despite the Mets having the best starters.
What separates the Giants from the Mets is that San Francisco’s bullpen has been performing well also.
The Giants have allowed the least amount of runs in the MLB.
They don’t have any star hitters, but if they can acquire a couple through trades, they can challenge the three teams above.
5. Los Angeles Angels
The Angels have been the complete opposite of the Giants. The Angels have scored the most runs in the MLB. But they're also one of the teams that have given up the most runs.
Shoei Ohtani hasn’t been throwing the ball well but has been bringing in a good amount of runs at the plate with nine.
Though their offense has been led by Brandon Marsh who has 11 RBIs.
If the Angels’ batters who aren’t considered stars can continue to hit well and if the pitchers can let in fewer runs, they may hold the best record in the American League.
The rest of the top 10 looks like this.
6. Brewers
7. Blue Jays
8. Padres
9. Yankees
10. Astros
Jayson O’Connell is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jbo5216@psu.edu
