MLB Power Report

With the month of April behind us, here is the first Power Report of the season. We've seen the Mets win 9 in a row, the Padres win 8 in a row, Orioles lost 9 in a row, Braves lost 9 in a row, and Astros lost 8 in a row. So what to make of it all?

1. Yankees. Despite the #2 and #3 batters in the order doing nothing, and Javier Vazquez being one of the league's biggest disappointments of the young season, the Yankees are in control. Sabathia, Pettitte, Hughes, and Burnett have been great. Robinson Cano has been hitting over .400 and among the league lead in home runs. And Mariano Rivera has not allowed a run.

2. Rays. Lead the majors in wins, runs scored, team ERA and (obviously) run differential, and have a 9-1 road record. Matt Garza has been piching fabulous. I'll put them at the top when they beat the Yankees.

3. Cardinals. The losses puzzle me. Twice in the first week, Tony La Russa puts in a new pitcher in the last inning who gets out his batter, and then calls for another switch. Both times, the first batter that new pitcher faced ended the game with a home run. The third loss for the Cardinals was against the 0-8 Astros. In their fourth loss, La Russa used two position players to pitch innings 18-20 while pitcher Kyle Lohse was in left field.

4. Twins. Twins won their first 6 series this season. Liriano has been unhittable. Morneau, Mauer, Cuddyer, and Thome are raking, although MVP Joe Mauer is hobbled right now by a foot injury. Fewest errors in baseball. After Francisco Liriano, this is a below average rotation.

5. Giants. Lincecum and Barry Zito are a combined 8-0 with 1.35 ERA. After a winless April, Matt Cain got May off with a hot start. Like last year, no one other than Pablo Sandoval is hitting.

6. Tigers. They have been overshadowed by the hot Twins start, but Detroit is rolling right along. Miguel Cabrera had an MVP-type first month.

7. Phillies. The Phils are well under .500 when Halladay doesn't pitch, and the next 3 guys in the rotation all have ERA above 5. The hitting hasn't really broken out yet. I think it will all come pretty soon. And Roy has come.

8. Padres. One of the worst teams "on paper" had the most surprising start to the season.

9. Mets. Jekyll and Hyde first month: dreadful start followed by a long winning streak followed by a 3-game slide. I don't think they are for real, but maybe they won't be as bas as I expected.

10. Rockies. Ubaldo Jimenez: 6 games = 6 wins. One of the best starts a pitcher has ever had. Not something you expect to hear in Colorado.

11. Rangers. Pitching looks great, and with the A's, Royals, Blue Jays, Cubs, Orioles all on the May schedule, Rangers should climb.

12. Red Sox. Defense has been awful, offense is sporadic, starters have been disappointing, and the bullpen is overworked and underperforming. Despite all that, they are only 6.5 games behind the Rays.

13. Marlins. Cantu has been incredible, HanRam is heating up, and closer Leo Nunez has only given up 2 hits in 10 innings.

14. Angels. One of the worst team ERAs in baseball.

15. Dodgers. Andre Eithier is currently winning the Triple Crown.

16. Braves. Jayson Heyward, despite some rookie slides, is the real deal. Unfortunately, when he doesn't hit the Braves don't win.

17. Blue Jays. Vernon Wells is off to a refreshingly hot start, as is Alex Gonzalez. Aaron Hill proving last year was a mirage as he has been the league's most disappointing second baseman.

18. Cubs. Very average team.

19. Mariners. Pitching has been great, but the offense can't score any runs.

20. Nationals. They are over .500 and Strasburg isn't even here yet.

21. Diamondbacks. Pitching staff is a mess. Please come back Brandon Webb!

22. Reds. Another very average NL Central team.

23. Athletics. Good start, but the wheels are coming off as half the team is on the DL.

24. White Sox. Hitting lots of home runs but not much else. Peavy had an awful April.

25. Brewers. Would be 6-0 against the lowly Pirates if the Hoffman didn't implode, but against everyone else they are 6-13.

26. Indians. Worst lineup in the American league, and the pitching isn't very good either.

27. Astros. Fewest runs scored, two long losing streaks... just a real bad start.

28. Royals. Zach Greinke is 8th in the AL in ERA but the Royals are 1-5 when he starts. If that doesn't tell you how bad this team is then nothing will.

29. Pirates. They are awful.

30. Orioles. Swept the Red Sox and they still have the worst record in baseball.