Big spenders stay on top
Less than three weeks into the MLB season, division races are starting to take shape as the top three in this week’s power rankings remain unchanged.
The Los Angeles Dodgers (11-4) and New York Mets (12-5) have the best records through April 24, but the National League West front-runners were only a half-game ahead of the San Francisco Giants. The Mets have built a fourgame lead in the NL East and took three of four from the Giants in Queens.
Elsewhere, the New York Yankees (10-6) won five of six last week and should further improve their record with series against the Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals. The Yankees were tied with the Toronto Blue Jays atop the American League East through Sunday.
Here’s how USA TODAY Sports’ eightperson panel voted this week:
Rank (movement from last week) 1. Los Angeles Dodgers (–)
uCody Bellinger has four home runs, three steals and a .915 OPS in 15 games. 2. New York Mets (–) uCarlos Carrasco’s first three starts: 1.47 ERA, 20 K, 2 BB in 18.1 innings.
3. Toronto Blue Jays (–) uJordan Romano’s eight saves led the American League through Apri 24.
4. San Francisco Giants (+1) uNew addition Carlos Rodon has a 1.06 ERA and 29 K in 17 innings.
5. New York Yankees (+3) uNestor Cortes struck out 25 in his first 152⁄3 IP, giving up just seven hits with three walks.
6. Tampa Bay Rays (+3) uWander Franco tied for the AL lead with 11 extra-base hits through April 24. 7. St. Louis Cardinals (+3) uCardinals bullpen had a 1.95 ERA in the first 14 games.
8. San Diego Padres (+5) uJoe Musgrove continues to shine: 1.89 ERA, 21 K, 1 BB in 19 innings.
9. Milwaukee Brewers (+1) uLefty Eric Lauer racked up 23 strikeouts in his first three games.
10. Atlanta Braves (-4)
uRonald Acuña Jr. started his rehab assignment expected to last 2-3 weeks. 11. Chicago White Sox (-7)
uEloy Jiménez will miss about two months with a hamstring strain.
12. Seattle Mariners (+3)
uTy France’s 42 total bases through April 24 were the most in baseball.
13 Boston Red Sox (-1) uFacing a big four-game series this week in Toronto.
14. Houston Astros (-7)
uRafael Montero starts 2022 with 7 scoreless appearances, striking out 13 with no walks.
15. Los Angeles Angels (+1)
uShohei Ohtani struck out 26 in his first three starts.
16. Colorado Rockies (+1)
uColorado’s .426 slugging percentage led baseball through April 24.
17. Cleveland Guardians (+3)
uJosé Ramírez (20 RBI in 15 games) should be in MVP conversation all year.
18. Minnesota Twins (+1)
uRighty Bailey Ober looking sharp with 2.81 ERA through three starts.
19. Philadelphia Phillies (-5)
uWhen given the chance, third baseman Alec Bohm (.393 BA in 28 AB) is producing.
20. Miami Marlins (+5)
uJazz Chisholm had 15 RBI and a 1.067 OPS through 13 games.
21. Detroit Tigers (-3)
uMiguel Cabrera becomes seventh player with 3,000 hits and 500 HR.
22. Chicago Cubs (-1) uCubs’ .354 on-base percentage was the best in baseball through Sunday.
23. Oakland Athletics (+1)
uAveraged 3,627 in attendance for last week’s three-game set vs. Orioles.
24. Kansas City Royals (-2) uAndrew Benintendi hit .388 (19for-49) in his first 15 games.
25. Texas Rangers (-2) uCorey Seager and Marcus Semien, Texas’ $500 million middle infield, combined for 1 HR in 15 games.
26. Arizona Diamondbacks (+3)
uTough week ahead with three vs. Dodgers, four at Cardinals.
27. Pittsburgh Pirates (-1)
uDaniel Vogelbach (.936 OPS) and Michael Chavis (.308 batting average) off to strong starts.
28. Washington Nationals (-1)
uCloser Tanner Rainey started the year with five scoreless outings.
29. Baltimore Orioles (+1)
uThree of the Orioles’ first six wins were shutouts.
30. Cincinnati Reds (-2) uNick Lodolo got his first big-league win April 24, snapping team’s 11-game losing streak.