A week into May and the game of baseball is the best it’s been in the last five years. After a shortened season in 2020, MLB fans all over the world are finally back in ballparks enjoying the game they love the most.
Things are starting to be somewhat normal again.
On Tuesday, in Seattle, Baltimore’s starting pitcher, John Means, threw a no-hitter. Adam Wainwright had a memorable performance on Mother’s Day. Pitchers throughout the whole league are getting more comfortable as the season goes on.
All that said, let’s get back to the topic at hand, here is my weekly installment of “Robert’s MLB top-10 power rankings.”
10. New York Yankees (18-16)
After one of the worst starts to a season in Yankees history, the Bronx Bombers are back in the AL East race. Gerrit Cole and Corey Kluber are both pitching like CY Young candidates. When both pitchers are having success the rest of the league needs to take note.
Stant 101 pic.twitter.com/YIE95pvtVf — New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 9, 2021
On the other side, Giancarlo Stanton is hitting the cover off the ball. His counterpart, Aaron Judge, is struggling. When both are hitting for power, this is arguably the best 1-2 punch in all the MLB.
9. Cleveland Indians (18-14)
The beat goes on in Cleveland as they continue to stick around the top of the AL Central. Offensively, Jose Ramirez is single handly carrying this team. Shane Bieber solidifies the starting rotation and you know what you’re getting every game he starts. He currently has a 2.98 ERA and 77 strikeouts. He is the x-factor for Cleveland if they have any chance to win a division title.
8. Houston Astros (18-16)
After getting an earful from all the New York fans earlier in the week, the Astros have weathered the storm and avoided getting swept. Houston has an opportunity to take advantage of a long homestand coming up. Being down just two games to Oakland, this is a huge opportunity to make up ground in the AL West.
7. San Diego Padres (19-16)
What has happened to the Padres? I’ll tell you – just like the Dodgers, the Padres are playing down to their opponents. There isn’t any other explanation than that. San Diego is not executing. Going from two and seven is a bad sign but, this team is better than this. The only good news about this team is this, they are only a game and a half back from San Francisco.
454 feet for @tatis_jr on #MothersDay! pic.twitter.com/bskbw5wE5A — San Diego Padres (@Padres) May 9, 2021
Changing gears, let’s talk about the team’s strengths. Fernando Tatis Jr. is arguably the best player in the game. Since coming back from injury, he’s producing not only of the offensive end, he’s also a great defender. Trent Grisham has also been solid at the plate and on the field but as the season goes on, both are bound to have a few highs and lows.
No need to press the panic button in San Diego just yet.
6. SF Giants (20-14)
Unlike everyone else that does weekly power rankings, I’m not going to overreact and put the Giants in the top five. Have they been playing great baseball? Yes. Are they the best team in baseball right now? Not at all. As we move along this calendar month, is it a possibility that we could see the Giants in that number one spot? Unlikely, but when someone new contributes every night in big-time situations, you’re going to be a tough team to beat.
5. LA Dodgers (18-17)
Is it time to worry about the Dodgers blue? Absolutely. For the first time since 2017, LA has lost five straight series. Injuries have plagued this team. Hopefully, Cody Bellinger will return at some point this summer.
Not only is it a loss to their lineup, but he can also play great defense at two positions in the field. Versatility is valuable in baseball. When you have a guy like Bellinger, you really can’t afford him missing time. Cody is just one person though.
A lot of blame can go around with the way they’re currently playing.
4. Oakland A’s (21-15)
5-5 in their last ten games. As a whole, Oakland is the best team in the American League. After rattling off double-digit wins, inconstancy in the bullpen has caused this team to fall under hard times.
pic.twitter.com/bbjJ3SdDLb — Oakland A's (@Athletics) May 8, 2021
Besides that, the start of May has been excellent for Oakland. Be sure to watch this team move up or move down in next week’s power rankings.
3. Boston Red Sox (22-13)
The Red Sox stormed into Baltimore this weekend and tore apart their pitching staff. An argument can be made Boston has the best offense in the MLB with J.D. Martinez and Xander Boagearts as the catalysts.
𝟔-𝟒-𝟑 pic.twitter.com/yiWoxSvW5Q — Red Sox (@RedSox) May 9, 2021
Still, in first place in the AL East, it appears Boston is no fluke. When the season began, pitching was a question mark. Alex Cora has moved around the starting rotation and bullpen differently this year. To this point, it has worked. They say “If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it” Well Alex Cora, do not change a thing.
2. Chicago White Sox (19-13)
On top of the AL Central, the southside of Chicago is jumping for joy. Tim Anderson is showing off his skills almost nightly to the whole league. Currently batting .296, he is extremely dangerous up at the plate for opposing pitchers.
Pitching-wise, Carlos Rondon is the front-runner for the AL Cy Young right now. His ERA is below 1.00 and he keeps hitters off-balance with his off-speed pitches. In the offseason, the White Sox traded for Lance Lynn. He has come in after a rocky start, he is pitching much better.
In any offensive-driven league, the White Sox pitching staff is shutting down lineups. Look out for the White Sox to move up the rankings next week.
1. St. Louis Cardinals (21-14)
Now many of you are probably shocked by this, but please, let me explain why. Nolan Arenado is the reason why. In the offseason, the Cardinals traded for him with one reason in mind – winning.
And Arenado is heating up at the right time. Over the weekend, he hit a home run off his old team, the Colorado Rockies, and had a jump in his step rounding the bases. I know it sounds cliché, but one man can build something.
Already a month into the season, he has impacted this organization and fan base. His teammates are following his lead. Make no mistake, Yadier Molina is the leader of this team and has embraced Nolan to be one of the best players in the game.
Defensively, the starting nine is solid. Adam Wainwright has shown he still has plenty left in the tank, Jack Flaherty is getting back to his 2019 style of pitching, and both will be the key to St. Louis’s success going forward.
Waino was in the driver's seat all afternoon!#STLFLY x @NationalPro pic.twitter.com/uiJ9ko7uqZ — St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) May 9, 2021
Looking at the week ahead, the Dodgers look to get out of their recent slump. Boston and San Fransisco have surprised everyone in baseball so far. Both teams hope this success continues. Conversations have already begun about the MLB trade deadline and we all know what that means.
A lot of teams have already started to plan for a penitent chase.
What do you think? Did I get it right? Should I have another MLB club on here instead?
Let me know in the comments below.