MLB Power Rankings: Braves top the list after season’s first two weeks
By Matt Shetler
Now that we are two weeks into the 2013 MLB season, it’s time for my first installment of my 2013 MLB Power Rankings.
There have been some surprises early on and some teams have disappointed coming out of the gates.
Where does your favorite team rank?
Let’s not waste any time and find out.
30. Miami Marlins (2-11): The Marlins offense is worse than expected and that says a lot. Through 13 games they have MLB worst marks in runs scored (23), batting average (.203), on-base percentage (.274) and slugging percentage (.262).
29. San Diego Padres (3-10): The Padres problems stem from their pitching, who have a 5.06 ERA (29th) and 1.62 WHIP (30th) through 13 games. In addition, the league is hitting .286 against them.
Apr 12, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Houston Astros starter Bud Norris (20) delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
28. Houston Astros (4-9): The Astros have been a bit better than expected, mostly thanks to Bud Norris, who has been terrific, going 2-1 with a 1.96 ERA and 1.09 WHIP.
27. Milwaukee Brewers (3-8): Injuries have held the Brewers back early on as they are without Corey Hart and Aramis Ramirez in the middle of their order.
26. Chicago Cubs (4-8): The Cubs pitching has been better than expected, but it’s not amounting to wins. Jeff Samardzija has a 2.75 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 19.2 innings, though he’s off to a 1-2 start. Carlos Villanueva (0.64 ERA, 14 IP) and Travis Wood (1.46 ERA, 12.1 IP) have been surprises as well.
25. Chicago White Sox (5-8): Jake Peavy (3.93 ERA) is the only White Sox starter with an ERA under four as they have lost 5-of-6 recently to the Nationals and Indians.
24. Minnesota Twins (5-7): Former Pirate Kevin Correia (3.14 ERA) has been the Twins only solid starter, considering the rotation as a whole has put up a 6.32 ERA. Correia is a guy the Pirates will end up missing.
23. Cleveland Indians (5-6): The Tribe revamped their lineup in the offseason, but are still among the lowest scoring teams in baseball, having scored just 46 runs in 11 games.
22. Tampa Rays (4-8): Tampa has lost three straight, thanks to a struggling offense that has seen them score only 35 runs (29th) while hitting only .205 (29th) as a team, despite the solid starts from Ben Zobrist and Evan Longoria.
21. Seattle Mariners (6-8): Michael Morse has led a good start to the Seattle offense, but the pitching has allowed 12 more runs than the Mariners have score. They have had good performances from Joe Saunders (2.08 ERA), Hisashi Iwakuma (2.18 ERA) and Felix Hernandez (3.05 ERA), but the rest of the pitching staff has disappointed.