MLB Power Rankings - Opening Day

MLB Power Rankings-Opening Day
by host Alex "Moose" Strizak

As we approach the 2019 MLB Season, we can see just how balanced the National League is and how unbalanced the American League is.

The Yankees, Red Sox, Astros, and arguably the Indians are all reloaded and ready to go at it again. However, the rest of the AL just doesn't look able to stack up. The Rays seem to be the only dark-horse team but it's difficult to see a team that could beat these top teams in a 5-game or 7-game series...

When we shift over to the National League, it's more of a cluster which is both good and bad... It's good in that it will be a really entertaining race to see who will be representing the NL in the World Series. It's bad because the AL is so top-heavy that there is a fear the best team in the NL still won't have a chance to dethrone the AL... I think the Nationals could go on a run and be the threat to the AL, but we'll get more into that in the Power Rankings that you'll find below...

Power Rankings

1. New York Yankees

They needed a front-line starter. [Enter James Paxton] They needed more consistent infield play and someone to cover for DiDi while he is out. [Enter DJ Lemahieu and Tulo] They have the best bullpen in baseball but need to replace David Robertson. [Enter Adam Ottavino] They need better first base play [Enter Luke Voit and HEALTHY Greg Bird] It's hard for me NOT to pick this team to do some serious damage this year when they already won 100+ games last year and found a way to improve themselves this offseason... That first Red Sox - Yankees match up will be a BLAST!

2. Boston Red Sox

The returning champs. They bring back almost everyone except their closer in Craig Kimbrel (at least he hasn't signed, yet). I think their line-up is fantastic and I expect Rafael Devers to make it all the better this year. However, the reason I have them below their arch-rival is that their bullpen stinks and their starting pitching looks a tick behind the Yankees since the addition of James Paxton. They are a very dangerous team and this should be a fun AL East race as I'm a fan of the Rays in this race a bit, as well...

3. Houston Astros

They're deep. They know how to win, as they've done it before. The Astros also made a sneaky add in Michael Brantley to an already deep lineup. This team is absolutely a contender in what looks like will be a tough American League postseason.

4. Washington Nationals

I think most people are sleeping on this team. The addition of Corbin paired with a healthy Strasburg and led by the most reliable starter in Scherzer could be dangerous. Add in the young talent of Soto, Robles, and Turner with a veteran presence or Rendon, Dozier, Zimmerman, and Eaton...

Bryce Who?

Count me in on this team!

5. Cleveland Indians

They basically get a free ride being in the AL Central that is in full-demolition mode. But, I tip my cap to Terry Francona as continued success is very difficult to do. Lindor is starting the year on the shelf and there's rumors of the team moving some of their starting pitching. It doesn't change the fact that Jose Ramirez is a baller and this team should not be slept on.

6. Chicago Cubs

95 wins is an off year? That just shows how good this team is. Look for Kris Bryant to rebound and a healthy Yu Darvish and Brandon Morrow will remind us of why this Cubs team has been so successful. You've been warned...

7. Philadelphia Phillies

So they said they were going to spend "stupid money". They get Bryce Harper for 13 years, add McCutchen, Segura, Realmuto, and Roberston in the mix, and maintain the young talent of Hoskins and Kingery. However, I'm still more fearful of a series against the Nationals, and the Phillies are going to have to prove that they can get over the hump and win a division.

8. Atlanta Braves

They're young and made an awesome-cheap addition of Josh Donaldson. My only concern is starting pitching and bullpen issues that they've already shown...

I mean, how important is pitching anyway?...

9. Milwaukee Brewers

Most people will question how a team one win from a World Series appearance can open the season at the 9th spot when they didn't really lose anybody from last year. The reason they start here is the fear of inability to repeat, as the other teams above them have more veteran presence and proven repeatability. Momentum is only as good as your next day's starting pitcher, and the Brewers don't have many good starters...

10. St. Louis Cardinals

This team is quietly a threat. I love the Goldschmidt, Ozuna, Carpenter combo in the middle of the lineup as we may come to see it as one of the most dangerous combinations in the league. Their starting pitching is young, but they have a lot of potential to make a run this year.

11. Colorado Rockies

They extend Arenado and add Daniel Murphy which puts their lineup as at the minimum Top 5 in the NL. They also silently have built a solid pitching staff even though the play in Coors Field. They're my favorites to win the NL West.

12. Tampa Bay Rays

They were the biggest winners in this past trade deadline and it showed when they finished with 90 wins. If the young talent can continue to develop, they could be a Wild Card playoff run threat.

13. Los Angeles Dodgers

6 straight postseasons, 2 straight World Series appearances, 8 years of hype, ZERO rings... And I think they missed their opportunity... They stayed very quiet this offseason, and with Kershaw's health and Alex Wood's departure it looks like they've regressed. Things might be on the down-swing in LA...

14. Oakland A's

I always count this team out. They won 97 games last year. I definitely don't see that happening this year like I always say... So it'll probably happen...

15. Cincinnati Reds

The team that arguably had the best offseason. They add Gray and Alex Wood to the rotation. They add Puig and Kemp to the line-up. Now, they'll be missing Gennett to start the year, but this team finally might have some fire power to do some damage.

16. Los Angeles (Anaheim) Angels

First off, they play in Anaheim. Second, Mike Trout still plays for them which means they'll win some games. However, his supporting cast isn't deep enough for them to make a postseason run in a top-heavy American League.

17. San Francisco Giants

This team will be much better than expected. The sad part is the Giants are expected to stink. I think their veteran talent is underrated and playing in the NL West could cushion their win total to an area where they might actually be threatening for the Wild Card spots.

18. Minnesota Twins

I was just about done saying "this team will come around" but then they added Nelson Cruz, Schoop, and Marwin Gonzalez... This team will come around, they just need time to grow and learn which we're starting to finally see. Playing in the AL Central will also pad their win totals.

19. New York Mets

Why do people think the Mets can win? I love the additions of Cano and Diaz, but that doesn't help their starting pitching stay healthy. Until they prove that their rotation can stay active for most of the season, I'm not going to take them seriously in a very tough NL East division...

20. Pittsburgh Pirates

They have made some questionable trades and moves recently. It's safe to say this team is in rebuild mode and isn't expected to make the playoffs. This team is all about when you play them, as they've been known to win 10+ in a row and then go on to lose 10+ in a row.

21. San Diego Padres

So they add Manny Machado to usher in the new young talent they have in their farm system. It doesn't automatically crown them as the NL West champs. Let's not forget how Machado felt the last time he was in a non-winning environment and we still need to see how the farm system will play when they make it to The Show.

22. Seattle Mariners 

Is this team rebuilding? Are they trying to win now? No one really can tell when you look at the moves they made. They did make a great add in Kikuchi who looks very solid. However, Jay Bruce has already shown he can't play first base and there are many players with a history of inconsistent play on this team. Good luck against the Astros and who knows what the A's will do this year...

23. Chicago White Sox

They are still in rebuild mode and I think it's going well. The question will be if the young talent doesn't make an impact in some form this season... You fear that the fans and management may get impatient too soon and not give the young talent the time needed to do what the Astros started 8 years ago to get to today.

24. Arizona Diamondbacks

They're rebuilding which is OK except for the fact they still have Greinke's contract on the books. It makes it even harder to trade Greinke for prospects when it's so difficult to afford him. We'll see what kind of moves they make throughout the season.

25. Toronto Blue Jays

I think they finally get it. They're not going to compete in the AL East and it's time to rebuild. Now, with Guerrero Jr, Bichette and many others, they have the opportunity to do so as long as they don't trade their prospects for a knuckle-ball pitcher to throw in their dome stadium... again...

26. Detroit Tigers

Full rebuild mode is starting to take shape. Sadly, they lost Michael Fulmer for the year. They weren't going anywhere this year anyway, so patience will be key.

27. Texas Rangers

The farm system is slowly turning around but not enough progress has been made to take this team seriously this year. The question will be if Mazara can take the next step to be the center-piece to build around.

28. Miami Marlins

Derek Jeter Era so far? As expected. They're doing what they can with the limited resources they have. I'm sick of people saying they got ripped off on Yelich, because if they had Yelich right now and the next two years of his contract they'd still be WAY OFF... They did just get a great haul for J.T. Realmuto which I think was an overpay on the Phillies part.

29. Kansas City Royals

They have a lot speed. Maybe their goal could be to lead the league in stolen bases so they can at least lead the league in something other than losses?

30. Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles can help the Royals out on the loss category. They blew it on the Britton and Machado trades and now are stuck with no prospects, no pitching, and no hitting... There are no mulligans in baseball, sorry Balty...