MLB Power Poll 20 April 2008
The Odds and Sods MLB Power Poll (Apr. 20)
1. Boston Red Sox (13-7)
They have won four straight and have been ruthless at Fenway Park, despite the doldrums of a pedestrian Papi.
Kevin: Perhaps the burial and subsequent unearthing of the Red Sox t-shirt in the new Yankee Stadium is having some sort of positive effect. More likely, though, the big Red Sox Machine is clicking on all cylinders and Boston looks like the team to beat.
2. Arizona Diamondbacks (13-5)
The Diamondbacks have six regulars with an OPS of .862 or better. It will be interesting to see if they maintain that as the season progresses.
Kevin: Remember when the Diamondbacks won the West despite scoring fewer runs than their opponents last season? Thus far, Arizona leads the Majors in runs scored by 14, and its team ERA of 2.80 is tops as well. The Brandon Webb-Dan Haren combo has been as expected, and the return of a healthy Randy Johnson makes Arizona a very dangerous team.
3. Chicago Cubs (12-6)
The Cubs outscored the Pirates 29-9 in a weekend sweep. They seem to be the team the experts saw at the beginning of the season.
Kevin: The Cubs are the best team in the Central, hands-down. Derrek Lee is en fuego (.356, 7 HR), and Kosuke Fukudome (.317, 13 runs, 3 SB) has been a great addition to the lineup.
4. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (12- 
They have been solid. Though, I am still not sold on their offense. They don’t get on base. Their double play combo of Macier Izturis and Erick Aybar has a combined two extra-base hits in 108 at bats. Back to back road series against Boston and Detroit should show their mettle.
5. New York Mets (10-7)
The Mets have been carried thus far by their starters. They will hope Beltran, Delgado and Reyes heat up with the weather.
Bottom Five
26. Texas Rangers (7-12)
The Rangers have lost eight of their last ten. For them to stay respectable, they can’t blow solid outings by their starters.
27. San Francisco Giants (8-11)
The Giants currently have five regulars sporting a sub .300 OBP. If Barry Zito can feel shame, he should make out his game checks to Tim Lincecum.
Kevin: It should tell you something that the Giants’ 8-11 start is considered a pleasant surprise by this longtime fan. Every day ahead of the Dodgers in the standings is a good day.
28. Detroit Tigers (6-13)
The best starter for the Tigers this season (the only one below 6.00 ERA) is Jeremy Bonderman. He is 1-2 with a 4.37 ERA and a mere 10 K in 22.2 innings. 45% of MLB players picked the Tigers to win the World Series, proving that at least 45% of MLB players are idiots.
Kevin: The Tigers may rank near the top of the game in talent and experience, but so far those intangibles haven’t translated into victories. We’ll see if Curtis Granderson’s return is the boost they need.
29. Houston Astros (7-12)
Chacon and Rodriguez have combined to allow just 14 earned runs in 49.1 innings combined over eight starts, for a total record of 1-0.
Kevin: The Astros have the offense to compete, but the pitching staff is suspect at best. And with longtime ace Roy Oswalt on pace for a 6-plus ERA and 25 losses, things could go down the tubes fast.
30. Washington Nationals (5-14)
The scary part is that they have this record when their starting pitching has actually been decent.
Kevin: The walk-off home run to usher in the new stadium seems like a very long time ago. A nine-game losing streak is part of a current stretch in witch the Nationals have lost 14 of 16.
Kevin’s other writing can be found at All on the Field.
If you would like to cast votes for the Odds and Sods MLB Power Poll please e-mail me at tyduffy@gmail.com.
