MLB Week Four Power Rankings

There was a lot of movement in this week's power rankings. Let's take a look at how all 30 teams are doing as we head into the month of May:

30. Arizona Diamondbacks (8-21) Last Week: 30

The Diamondbacks starting pitchers have a combined 5.27 ERA, which is the worst in baseball. Arizona starters have only accounted for seven quality starts this season. This isn't the only reason for the Diamondbacks' disappointing start in '14, though, as they're only hitting .245 as a team.

29. Chicago Cubs (8-16) Last Week: 28

The Cubs have struggled again this year, and Jeff Samardzija is 0-2, despite having the seventh-best ERA in the majors. Despite the farm system starting to make some noise, the Cubs' epic late collapse on Wrigley Field's 100th birthday said it all.

28. Houston Astros (9-17) Last Week: 29

The Astros had a drama-filled series with the Oakland A's this weekend. Houston was able to win the last two games to split the four-game series, but the Astros still sport the league's worst on-base percentage. A poor showing in their next series against the Nationals will virtually guarantee Houston a spot in the AL West basement.

27. Seattle Mariners (10-14) Last Week: 20

The Mariners slip in the rankings this week, even after taking a series from the Rangers. Seattle showed early that they have issues, losing eight consecutive games. Their upcoming series with the New York Yankees (featuring Robinson Cano's homecoming) will be fascinating.

26. Miami Marlins (11-14) Last Week: 26

The Marlins stay put at the #26 in this week's rankings. Miami has a couple of emerging stars in Jose Fernandez and Giancarlo Stanton. It'll be interesting to see if they can find contributions from enough other members of the lineup to be relevant in the NL East.

25. Cleveland Indians (11-15) Last Week: 16

The Indians looked horrible this weekend while being swept by the Giants, and their next series against the Angels got off to a rough start. When is Danny Salazar going to get his first win?

24. San Diego Padres (13-14) Last Week: 23

The Padres are going to have some major issues if opposing teams can begin producing offense. San Diego's pitching has been very underrated, specifically thanks to a great bullpen. If they can find a way to produce runs, the Padres could be a dark horse in the NL West. Unfortunately, that just isn't going to happen with their current lineup.

23. Chicago White Sox (14-13) Last Week: 25

The White Sox move up a couple spots this week, primarily because there are more teams with major issues. The White Sox are finding some success in their young players, and they'll continue to climb if they keep finding productive prospects.

22. Minnesota Twins (12-11) Last Week: 24

The Twins are above .500 and playing teams tough. Chris Colabello has been huge, with 27 RBI so far this year. With the AL Central still up for grabs, can they continue their early success despite a tough May schedule?

21. Cincinnati Reds (11-14) Last Week: 19

The Reds are having some troubles both at the plate and in the field. Zack Cozart is only hitting .148, and Homer Bailey has an ERA over 6.00. Cincinnati does have a ray of hope, as closer Aroldis Chapman begins his minor league rehab work this week.

20. Philadelphia Phillies (13-12) Last Week: 27

The Phillies are hitting the ball well, and it's helped them climb out of the Power Rankings cellar (Chase Utley leads the way with a .360 average so far). Cole Hamels is scheduled for his second start Tuesday since coming off the disabled list.

19. New York Mets (14-11) Last Week: 22

The Mets are playing teams tough, and have some very good starters that a lot of people don't talk about. Dillon Gee and Zack Wheeler have both been good on the mound, and even veteran Bartolo Colon has provided a couple of good outings.

18. Tampa Bay Rays (11-15) Last Week: 14

Despite a solid offense that's 10th in the league in runs scored, the Rays take a big fall this week because over half of their rotation is sitting on the DL. Until they can get some healthy starting pitching back, they'll face a rocky road ahead.

17. Colorado Rockies (15-12) Last Week: 21

The Rockies have been driving the ball well to produce wins, and 17th is admittedly low when you look at their 15-12 record. I still have a shaky forecast for this team, though, based on the fact that you have to need at least some pitching to stay competitive all year.

16. Boston Red Sox (12-14) Last Week: 18

The Red Sox stay put this week, and I think they'll bounce back well from some early-season adversity. Shane Victorino will try to add some plate production for a lineup that's been lacking so far this season.

15. Pittsburgh Pirates (10-16) Last Week: 15

The Pirates, like the Red Sox, have faced some early-season blues. 2013 NL MVP Andrew McCutchen has picked up right where he left off last season, but he can't do it by himself.

14. Los Angeles Angels (12-13) Last Week: 17

The Angels haven't looked amazing this past week, but Albert Pujols showed that he's still a terror for opposing pitching.

13. Toronto Blue Jays (12-13) Last Week: 12

The Blue Jays slipped a little bit this week, but Melky Cabrera has proven to be a great signing. Cabrera has already pounded out 39 hits in 113 at bats, including five homers. The Blue Jays will have to avoid these skids if they want to remain in the AL East race.

12. Kansas City Royals (12-12) Last Week: 13

The Royals have been average so far in 2014. Lack of offense has been a major problem, but Kansas City's pitching has blossomed. All-Star closer Greg Holland has had some struggles on the mound, but seems to be back to his normal self.

11. Washington Nationals (14-12) Last Week: 9

The Nationals drop out of the top 10 this week, taking a huge blow with the loss of Bryce Harper until after the All-Star Break to thumb surgery. This is a serious issue for the Nationals, and how they do without Harper will speak volumes about this lineup.

10. Baltimore Orioles (12-12) Last Week: 11

The Orioles also suffered a serious blow to their lineup last week, as Chris Davis went on the 15-day DL with an oblique issue. Nelson Cruz has proven to be a great free agent pickup, and he's really been seeing the ball well this season, hitting .284 with seven home runs. Matt Wieters has shown improvement this year at the plate, leading the team with a .338 average, and the return of Manny Machado couldn't come at a better time.

9. St. Louis Cardinals (14-13) Last Week: 5

The Cardinals have really been lackluster at the dish this season, only hitting .242 as a team. The Redbirds will have to put runs on the board if they're going to allow to their talented young pitching win ballgames.

8. Los Angeles Dodgers (14-12) Last Week: 2

The Dodgers have really struggled over their past two series against Philadelphia and Colorado. Clayton Kershaw isn't quite ready to return to the club, and will make another rehab start after a mediocre first outing.

7. Texas Rangers (15-11) Last Week: 8

People said the Rangers wouldn't be able to continue their success this year, but that certainly hasn't been the case so far in 2014. If the Rangers can find a way to stay healthy and get Prince Fielder to start producing, they'll make a loaded AL West even tougher.

6. Detroit Tigers (12-9) Last Week: 6

The Tigers hit the ball better than most teams in the league, yet continue to struggle to produce runs. I don't think that the veteran leadership in the Tigers' lineup will continue to allow this continue much longer, especially with the slow start from Miguel Cabrera.

5. New York Yankees (15-10) Last Week: 10

The Yankees are playing great baseball right now, and all that money that was spent in the offseason is really paying dividends through Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran. Masahiro Tanaka is living up to the hype, and his stuff has just been nasty so far.

4. San Francisco Giants (15-11) Last Week: 7

The Giants are playing at a high level, and still lead the Dodgers in the NL West. This will be an interesting race to follow throughout the year - Los Angeles will have a tough time keeping up with the Giants, especially if SF keeps playing at this level.

3. Oakland Athletics (16-10) Last Week: 3

Bob Melvin's club stays at number three this week. Sonny Gray has been amazing on the hill so far this season, already earning four decisions, and his complete game shutout against the Rangers on Monday was another gem.

2. Milwaukee Brewers (19-7) Last Week: 4

The Brewers are continuing to find success through their starting pitching. Ryan Braun is fighting through oblique pain, and will not play Tuesday against St. Louis. It will be intriguing to see if the Brew Crew can continue their early winning ways.

1. Atlanta Braves (17-7) Last Week: 1

The Braves stay at number one this week, and they're easily the best team in baseball so far this season. Mike Minor will make his 2014 debut for the Braves this Friday after an early DL stint, and Atlanta fans have to wonder what the starting rotation will look like throughout the season.

Disagree? Like what you see? Be sure to let me know on twitter @griffaldo.

 

*Records posted are team's records prior to Tuesday night's games*

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