March 12, 2011

MLB Power Rankings - March edition

This is my last preseason power rankings.  I will update these near the beginning of each month throughout the season.  I will also update my preseason predictions before the season starts.

Numbers in brackets are movement from last month, and their high/low rank for the season.  Look at previous rankings(here for the initial January ones, and here for February) for explanations of how the team got to where they were - any explanation here just reflects recent changes.



#1 - Boston ( --, 1/1) They haven't done anything to drop from the top of the rankings.
#2 - Philadelphia (--, 2/2)  Some injuries may make them less formidable, but along with Boston they are still the only other team likely to win 95 games.
#3 - Minnesota (--, 3/5) Beating up on weak division opponents will help their win total.
#4 - Colorado (+1, 4/6)
#5 - Giants (+1, 3/6) Should be a good battle with the Rockies all season
#6 - Oakland (-2, 4/6) Good young pitching and have added some bats. I might have ranked them too high initially, but still think they'll hold off Texas in the West.
#7 - Texas (+2, 7/10) Will Adrian Beltre continue to blossom in this hitter's park, and help their pitcher's ERA with his glove, or will he take it easy knowing he doesn't have to play for a contract anytime soon?
#8 - Tampa Bay (-1, 7/8) Don't count them out yet.
#9 - New York Yankees (+1, 9/10) Still a scary offense.  CC is a great #1 pitcher.   They'll need to score lots of runs when he's not on the mound.
#10 - Detroit (+1, 10/11) If Twins get some injuries, Detroit could win this division.  With less than 90 wins.
#11 - Atlanta (+4, 11/15) Philly injuries are closing the gap, but more likely to contend for the wildcard.
#12 - Cubs (+2, 12/16) Divisional opponents keep getting weaker.  Will 85 wins be enough to make the playoffs?
#13 - Milwaukee (-5, 7/13) Was much higher on them previously.  Greinke injury and a closer look at their infield has convinced be that they are more likely to be pretenders than contenders.
#14 - Cincinatti (+2, 14/16) Cardinal and Brewer injuries may make the Reds a contender for the division again.
#15 - Cardinals (-3, 12/15) News just keeps getting worse for them.  Could be one of 4 teams who end up between 80 and 88 wins in this division.
#16 - White Sox (+1, 15/17) Can hover near .500 by beating up KC and Cleveland.
#17 - Toronto (-4, 13/20) Keep making some good moves and their future keeps getting brighter.  But it's not quite here yet.

Not much movement in the rankings for the rest of the teams, so I'll keep the commentary to a minimum.
#18 - Florida  (+1, 18/19)
#19 - San Diego (-1, 17/19)
#20 - LA Dodgers (+, 20/21)
#21 - Baltimore (-1, 20/23)
#22 - LA Angels (--, 18/22) I said it in my previous preview, but I'll repeat it again - What were they thinking?? Mike Scioscia may be looking for a new job sooner rather than later.
#23 - Mets (--, 22/23)
#24 - Washington (+1, 24/25)
#25 - Arizona (+2, 25/27)
#26 - Kansas City (-2, 24/26)
#27 - Seattle (-1, 26/27)
#28 - Pittsburgh (--, 28,29)
#29 - Houston (--, 28, 29)
#30 - Cleveland (--, 30, 30)

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