MLB Power Rankings: Orioles, Cubs, Giants get a jump start on the field

1. Baltimore Orioles (5-0) – Going into the season everyone knew the Orioles would likely have a strong offense, but it is the pitching that has led the Orioles to a 5-0 start and being the only unbeaten team in the majors going into Monday. They have allowed a league-low 10 runs over the first five games.

2. Chicago Cubs (5-1) – The Cubs were predicted by many to win the World Series and the predictions got off to a good start as Chicago has opened the season strong. It did suffer a major injury the first week as outfielder Kyle Schwarber has been lost for the season after tearing two ligaments in his knee.

3. San Francisco Giants (5-2) – San Francisco is off to a hot start this season, especially after taking 3-of-4 from the Dodgers over the weekend. New starter Johnny Cueto has two wins to open the year as he was one of the big names the Giants signed this offseason.

4. Cincinnati Reds (5-1) – This may be the biggest surprise to start the year as the Reds are off to a red-hot start to the year at home. The Reds have played all six of their games at home, so it will be interesting to see what happens on the road and if they can keep this play up.

5. Kansas City Royals (4-1) – As was the case last year, the Royals have been led by their pitching as they have allowed just 11 runs in their first five games of the season. They swept the Twins over the weekend and will be looking to carry the momentum moving forward.

6. Washington Nationals (3-1) – After a difficult 2015 season, closer Jonathan Papelbon is looking to get back in the good graces of Nationals fans and three saves in the first four games is a good way to do that. Washington is 3-1 and leading the NL East.

7. Los Angeles Dodgers (4-3) – Even though the Dodgers dropped 3-of-4 over the weekend to the Giants, they still are off to a solid start to the year. The big story was Ross Striping, who in his major league debut Friday night had a no-hitter going in the eighth inning, but was removed because of his pitch count. Los Angeles eventually lost the game in extra innings.

8. Oakland Athletics (4-3) – After a disappointing season in 2015, the A’s are off to a good start in 2016 as they look to get back to contending in the AL West. Ace Sonny Gray was scratched from his Opening Day start with food poisoning, but pitched well two days later and Rich Hill is another great story to watch with them.

9. Pittsburgh Pirates (4-2) – The Pirates went 1-3 over the weekend in Cincinnati, but they are still off to a decent start to the season. The thing to watch with Pittsburgh is its lack of runs so far this year as in their six games they have scored only 23 runs.

10. Detroit Tigers (3-1) – Due to the weather, the Tigers have only played in four games, but teams cannot control the conditions. The most positive performance for the Tigers so far has been Jordan Zimmerman as he didn’t allow a run in his first start in Detroit after being signed as a free agent this offseason.

11. Chicago White Sox (4-2) – Following a subpar 2015 season, there are high hopes for the White Sox this season, especially after a few offseason moves. The AL Central is one of the toughest divisions in baseball so it will be worth monitoring to see how they perform in the coming weeks.

12. Boston Red Sox (3-2) – The biggest story with the Red Sox so far has been its offense as they have scored 28 runs in five games. The offensive output has been able to offset some poor performances from the mound, as the Red Sox are still looking to find consistent pitching besides ace David Price.

13. New York Yankees (3-2) – Like much of the rest of the AL East, the Yankees have been led by their offense this season so far, scoring an American League leading 35 runs. The biggest key for New York moving forward will be getting solid performances from the mound.

14. St. Louis Cardinals (3-3) – Panic seemed to be taking place in St. Louis after it was swept in Pittsburgh to open the season, but it rebounded nicely by sweeping the Braves in Atlanta. The Cardinals’ pitching staff automatically gets a boost this season with the return of Adam Wainwright.

15. Colorado Rockies (3-3) – It seems like it will be another year of the same story for the Rockies – great hitting, but no so great pitching as the Rockies have allowed 51 runs so far this season, which leads all of baseball. Second baseman DJ LeMahieu is second in the NL with a .478 average.

16. Milwaukee Brewers (3-3) – It’s been a bit of a surprising start for the Brewers as they are 3-3 following a rough 2015 season. Closer Jermey Jeffress is tied for the league-lead in saves with three, but it’s worth noting all of these wins have occurred at home.

17. Toronto Blue Jays (3-4) – Although the Blue Jays are 3-4 on the year, they will be better than this record shows as their offense will be one of the best in baseball, especially playing in the dome at home. Marcus Stroman is emerging as one of the best young pitchers in the game as well.

18. Texas Rangers (3-4) – Even though the Rangers are 3-4, things aren’t going so well in Texas. They will be without two of its star players for an extended period of time as outfielder Shin-Soo Choo and catcher Robinson Chirinos will both be out several months and the Rangers will likely look to make trades for replacements.

19. Cleveland Indians (2-2) – The weather gods haven’t done the Indians many favors this first week as Cleveland has only played four games so far. The thing to watch with the Indians this year is their offense, as it is pretty clear they will be solid from the mound.

20. New York Mets (2-3) – It’s been a strange start to the season as if you would have said the Mets would have allowed 12 runs in six games, you would think things would be off to a great start, but unfortunately they have scored only 14 as a team. It seems likely the offense will heat up eventually as the talent is there.

21. Philadelphia Phillies (2-4) – There wasn’t much hope going into the season following last year’s brutal season, but the 2-4 start is pretty impressive as the Phillies took 2-of-3 over the weekend from the Mets. The organization is going in the right direction with looking to develop young talent.

BOTTOM NINE

22. Houston Astros (2-4)

23. Tampa Bay Rays (2-4)

24. Los Angeles Angels (2-4)

25. San Diego Padres (2-4)

26. Seattle Mariners (2-4)

27. Arizona Diamondbacks (2-5)

28. Miami Marlins (1-3)

29. Atlanta Braves (0-5)

30. Minnesota Twins (0-6)