Nearing a month into the 2021 season, it’s time for our first edition of MLB power rankings 2021.
A couple of no-hitters, plenty of homers, and some surprise standouts, this has been a cracking first month of the MLB season. Divisions are mixed up. Supposed World Series contenders are struggling. Rebuilders have got hot early.
MLB Power Rankings 2021: Five most impressive teams so far
These early-season rankings are based on performance so far. With so many games left to play, this clearly isn’t a hierarchy of World Series favorites. Think of it more as a nod to the teams who have started well.
It’s two National League and three American League – here are our April 22nd MLB power rankings…
5) Brewers
Headlined by Corbin Burnes, the Milwaukee Brewers have been pitching better than any team in Major League Baseball this season. They are fresh off a sweep of the Padres without Kolten Wong, Christian Yelich or Lorenzo Cain.
They are 1.5 games clear atop the Central, and already have a three-game advantage over the St Louis Cardinals, the preseason division favorites.
Giving up three runs in three games against this Padres offense is a serious marker to put down.
4) Mariners
When the Mariners fell to a 3-4 start after a 10-2 thumping from the Twins, no one was shocked. Seattle isn’t expected to contend. Some would have viewed them as a candidate to lose 100 games.
Three wins against Minnesota followed. They took three of four against the Orioles. A gem from Julio Urias dropped them to 11-7 on Tuesday, but they are still second in the American League West.
These Mariners haven’t seen their odds shorten, according to the sportsbooks researched here, but they are one of the stories of the opening few weeks of the 2021 MLB season.
3) Red Sox
It’s a 12-7 start for the Boston Red Sox. Still only outsiders in the American League East, the positive early record has Bostonians experiencing more hope than they expected this season.
The Red Sox are already five games ahead of the Yankees, and 3.5 clear of the Blue Jays. Of course, there’s a long way to go, but having an early advantage already enhances Boston’s chances of a surprise postseason appearance.
Xander Bogaerts and J.D. Martinez have been particularly destructive at the plate, and they are fifth in bullpen ERA.
2) Athletics
The Twins gifted the Athletics their 11th win in a row on Wednesday. It might be time to start speculating about who will play Bob Melvin and Matt Olson in the Hollywood film of this season.
https://twitter.com/gifs_baseball/status/1385024716738637829
Oakland started the year 1-7 and haven’t lost a game since. They are without question the hottest team in baseball right now.
The AL West is wide open. Keep this run up much longer, and the Athletics will quickly become the clear favourites to win the division for only the second time since 2013.
1) Dodgers
The Dodgers being the best team in baseball isn’t a surprise. Being so comprehensively clear this soon is alarming for the rest of the Majors, particularly with Cody Bellinger, Mookie Betts and Gavin Lux barely contributing.
Already five games ahead of the Padres, early season hopes of a fierce race for the division are fading fast. The rotation has been advertised.
Justin Turner, Max Muncy and Corey Seager have starred on offense. The reigning World Series winners could break records this season.
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