TOP OF THE ORDER
Zach Helfand ranks the 30 teams. Last week’s ranking in parentheses, statistics are through Friday’s games:
1. KANSAS CITY:
Yordano Ventura threatened a beanball if the Royals weren’t atop the rankings. (2)
2. ST. LOUIS:
The Cardinals’ 1.92 earned-run average leads the league. (3)
3. BOSTON:
The Red Sox’s batting average is the lowest to start a season in 23 years, yet they’re still producing runs. (4)
4. DETROIT:
The Tigers were outscored 33-8 during a fourgame losing streak. (1)
5. SAN DIEGO:
Only the Padres and Royals rank in the top six in runs scored and ERA. (6)
6. DODGERS:
The Dodgers were ahead of schedule in San Francisco. Normally the hitting doesn’t disappear until Oct. (5)
7. COLORADO:
Nolan Arenado has a 1.035 OPS, and he has already saved four runs with his defense. (9)
8. CHICAGO CUBS:
All four infielders are under 25, and Javier Baez isn’t even up yet. (10)
9. N.Y. YANKEES:
This week’s biggest movers are scoring the second-most runs in baseball. (27)
10. N.Y. METS:
Of course the Mets’ league-high winning streak would end against the Yankees. (15)
11. TORONTO:
The Blue Jays’ 5.7 runs per game leads the majors. (12)
12. PITTSBURGH:
At 38, A.J. Burnett can still pitch. He’s striking out almost a batter an inning. (16)
13. WASHINGTON:
The Nationals are second to last in defensive runs saved. (7)
14. HOUSTON:
The Astros are batting .219 as a team — and lead the American League West. (24)
15. ANGELS:
Three regulars, Albert Pujols, Matt Joyce and Chris Iannetta, are batting below the Mendoza Line. (11)
16. OAKLAND:
The Athletics pitched a one-hitter and still lost to the Angels. (13)
17. TAMPA BAY:
How about some run support? Chris Archer owns a 1.07 ERA yet somehow is only 2-2. (20)
18. BALTIMORE:
The Orioles didn’t lose five in a row all of last year. They’ve done it in the first month this year. (8)
19. SEATTLE:
Felix Hernandez gives up .79 walks or hits per inning, third-best among American League starters. (21)
20. CLEVELAND:
The Indians’ talented rotation has been middling. It ranks 14th in earned-run average. (17)
21. CINCINNATI:
Joey Votto is tied for the National League lead in home runs, with six. (19)
22. CHICAGO WHITE SOX: The White Sox fight better than they play. (18)
23. ATLANTA:
How you know it has gotten dire for the Braves this past week: They lost to the Phillies. (14)
24. ARIZONA:
Hey, at least they’re ahead of the Giants in the West. (22)
25. MIAMI:
Dee Gordon has settled in nicely. He is batting .370 with eight stolen bases. (25)
26. TEXAS:
Rangers fans chanted “crackhead” at Josh Hamilton two years ago. Now he’s headed back. (23)
27. MINNESOTA:
Torii Hunter is 39 years old. He tried to steal home last week. He failed. (26)
28. SAN FRANCISCO:
Swept the Dodgers, still are not good. (30)
29. PHILADELPHIA:
The Phillies are so bad, they’re ranked below even the Giants. (28)
30. MILWAUKEE:
Brewers own the second-worst ERA and score second-fewest runs. So there’s still room for regression. (29)