1. New York Yankees (3-3)
Previous Ranking: 1
On the offensive side, the Yankees are hitting just .152 with runners in scoring position through their first four games. Looking at the pitching staff, the team had one encouraging outing from Phil Hughes.........and one disappointing outing by Ian Kennedy.
2. Cleveland Indians (3-3)
Previous Ranking: 2
The Indians offense is hurting without Victor Martinez in the lineup. The team has scored just 7 runs in their past four games. Meanwhile, 2007 Cy Young winner C.C. Sabathia has looked terrible in his first two outings of the season. 3. New York Mets (2-3)
Previous Ranking: 3
The Mets have gotten two excellent starts so far from Johan Santana. The loss of Pedro Martinez hurts a bit, and with Orlando Hernandez already sidelined, the team will have to count on Nelson Figueroa to make at least one spot start. Meanwhile, the early season production by Ryan Church is making Mets fans forget about trading Lastings Milledge.4. Boston Red Sox (3-4)
Previous Ranking: 4
After starting the season 3-1 against the Athletics, the Red Sox were swept by the Blue Jays in Toronto. The offense has gotten off to a slow start and the bullpens 6.27 era is one of the worst in the American League. Things don't get any easier for the Sox as they face Detroit and New York next week.5. Los Angeles Dodgers (4-2)
Previous Ranking: 6
The Dodgers 1.84 team era is the best in the majors. However, aside from Rafael Furcal and James Loney, the Dodger offense is struggling. They are going to have to pick it up with games against Arizona and San Diego next week.6. Arizona Diamondbacks (4-2)
Previous Ranking: 7
The Diamondbacks pitching shut down both the Reds and the Rockies in their home parks. Brandon Webb certainly looks like he could be in for another strong season. The D-backs 10 home runs leads all the majors. Justin Upton (.333 avg, 3 hr) has started the season red hot. 7. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (4-3)
Previous Ranking: 8
No John Lackey? No Kelvim Escobar? No problem....Angels starters have just a 2.45 era through six games. Ervin Santana's win on the road at Minnesota was impressive. If he keeps this up all season long, the Angels will be a tough team to beat in the AL West.8. Toronto Blue Jays (4-2)
Previous Ranking: 13
After a tough opening week, the Blue Jays looked impressive. They were neck and neck with the Yankees and swept a very good Red Sox team. If healthy, this team might very well have the best pitching staff in the American League East. 9. Chicago Cubs (3-3)
Previous Ranking: 10
Mark DeRosa (.350 avg, 1 hr, 3 rbi) is making the Cubs think twice before trying to trade for Brian Roberts. Meanwhile, Kosuke Fukudome looks like he'll be a frontrunner for the National League Rookie of the Year Award. Derrek Lee is killing the ball as well. 10. San Diego Padres (4-3)
Previous Ranking: 11
If Trevor Hoffman continues to struggle, it makes you wonder if Bud Black will consider going to Heath Bell. Hoffman has been the Padres closer for years, but has struggled to close out games the past year. The pitching staff is doing a great job holding opponents to very few runs, but the offense is only averaging 3 runs per game.11. Atlanta Braves (3-3)
Previous Ranking: 12
The new and improved Braves pitching staff looks solid so far. The team has gotten quality outings from Tim Hudson, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, and Jair Jurjjens. Meanwhile, the offense is firing on all cylinders. Their record is a little deceiving compared to how well their players are performing.12. Detroit Tigers (0-6)
Previous Ranking: 5
I know the Tigers are a better team than their record indicates, but you can't get swept by both Kansas City and Chicago and stay in the top 10. Things don't get easier for the team as they are headed to Boston for a three game set and have 12 of their next 14 games on the road.13. Milwaukee Brewers (5-1)
Previous Ranking: 14
The good news? Jason Kendall is off to a great start after having a terrible 2007. The bad news? Eric Gagne blew his first save of the year. The Brewers played a tough series against the Cubs and came out on top 2-1. While they swept the Giants, I am going to wait until they beat a much better opponent before I move them any higher in the rankings.14. Philadelphia Phillies (2-4)
Previous Ranking: 9
Aside from Cole Hamels, the rest of the Phillies pitching staff has looked bad thus far. The team was almost swept by Washington and only took 1 of 3 from the Reds so far. It doesn't get easier with New York and Chicago on tap for next week. On the offensive side of things, Chase Utley is showing everyone why he is the best 2nd basemen in baseball.15. Cincinatti Reds (4-2)
Previous Ranking: 17
If Johnny Cueto (7 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 10 K's) and Edinson Volquez (5.1 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 8 K's) remain effective all season long, the Reds could contend for the division title in the NL Central. The Reds managed to start 4-2 against solid opponents despite their offense struggling.16. Seattle Mariners (2-4)
Previous Ranking: 15
Starting the season 2-4 against two teams that are projected to be last place finishers in their division is not what the Mariners had in mind when they decided to make a run for the postseason. The injury to JJ Putz and the loss of George Sherrill (in the Erik Bedard trade) is killing them as the Mariners bullpen has posted a 6.43 era.17. St. Louis Cardinals (5-1)
Previous Ranking: 22
Go figure. The minute I start bashing the Cardinals pitching staff, they completely shut down the Rockies and Nationals and have the best era in the National League. Things only get easier for the birds this week as they match up against the Astros and Giants.18. Chicago White Sox (4-2)
Previous Ranking: 18
If someone would have told me that the White Sox would start the season out 4-2 on the road against the Indians and Tigers, while having a starter's era of 7.03, I would have called them a liar. The White Sox have the offense to win against any pitcher, but will need to vastly improve their pitching staff to compete in the Central.19. Oakland Athletics (3-4)
Previous Ranking: 19
Joe Blanton is 0-2 in his last two outings despite only allowing two runs in each game. The A's pitching has been excellent across the board, but the offense will need to improve in order for them to compete. Kurt Suzuki and Ryan Sweeney have been the only bright spots in the A's lineup so far.20. Minnesota Twins (3-4)
Previous Ranking: 20
Carlos Gomez looks like a good candidate to reach 70 steals this season. The Twins offense has been complacent thus far and the pitching has just been average. With Kevin Slowey straining his right biceps, we could see Phil Humber make his Twins debut.21. Colorado Rockies (1-5)
Previous Ranking: 16
If the Rockies want people to believe that 2007 wasn't a fluke, they can't play like they did in this first week. The team only scored 10 runs in 6 games and their starters have gotten roped. If it wasn't for the rain delay on Monday, the Rockies might have been the only National League team to start out 0-6.22. Kansas City Royals (4-1)
Previous Ranking: 24
The Royals pitching has been outstanding so far, especially out of the bullpen. With Billy Butler and Alex Gordon starting to hit the ball well, the Royals have a ton of potential. It will be interesting to see how they handle the Yankees and Twins next week.23. Tampa Bay Rays (3-2)
Previous Ranking: 23
Like last season, the Rays offense has started out red hot. It only makes you wonder just how good this team would be with Evan Longoria and a healthy Scott Kazmir.24. Houston Astros (2-5)
Previous Ranking: 21
The offense has started out extremely slow out of the gate and opposing batters are hitting a league high .322 off of Astros pitchers. 25. Washington Nationals (3-4)
Previous Ranking: 25
The Nationals started out strong before losing four in a row to drop them out of first place in the division. I gotta give credit to manager Manny Acta for deciding to start Nick Johnson over Dmitri Young. Johnson has been the biggest surprise for the team after missing the entire 2007 season.26. Texas Rangers (3-3)
Previous Ranking: 26
With the continued great play from OF David Murphy (.409 avg), it seems foolish to me that the Rangers were so reluctant to trade Marlon Byrd in the offseason. Meanwhile, the Rangers starters 1.97 era is the lowest in the American League throughout the first week. 27. Pittsburgh Pirates (3-3)
Previous Ranking: 27
After taking 2 out of 3 from the Braves, the Pirates dropped the ball against the Marlins over the weekend. The pitching staff has struggled thus far, and Jason Bay is starting where he left off last season......which isn't a good sign.28. Baltimore Orioles (4-1)
Previous Ranking: 29
The Orioles have had terrible outings from their starting pitchers, but because of the improved play of the bullpen and the strong offensive performances by Nick Markakis, Kevin Millar, Brian Roberts, and Luke Scott, the Orioles have the best record in the majors after the first week. 29. Florida Marlins (3-3)
Previous Ranking: 30
Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla are just about the only bright spot on this young team. The Florida pitching staff looks as if it is going to be the worst in the league. 30. San Francisco Giants
Previous Ranking: 28
The offense is going to be the worst in the majors all season long. Barry Zito is already making Brian Sabean regret signing him to that huge contract last offseason as Zito has given up 8 runs so far in 10 innings pitched. He certainly shouldn't one of the highest paid pitchers in the game. The Giants are guaranteed to lose 100 games this year.
