“On Deck” with Adam Falls: Week #1 2018 MLB Power Rankings
By:Adam Falls
Here are my first week of the season Power Rankings for the 2018 season! I know it’s early in the season, but we have to start somewhere!
2018 MLB Power Rankings
1. Houston Astros
We all know the importance of starting pitching. The Astros will have Justin Verlander for the entire season and complimented by Dallas Keuchel and Gerrit Cole. The bullpen should be solid with Brad Peacock and Charlie Morton. Also look for big years from Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve. On top of that there’s Kyle Tucker and others who will be getting time off the bench. They are my leaders out the clubhouse and should be a strong contender for a second consecutive World Series Championship.
2. Washington Nationals
After finishing 97-65 last season and exiting to the Dodgers in the NLDS the Nationals made a decision to fire Dusty Baker and bring on Dave Martinez. Basically the 2018 Nationals bring back the 2017 squad and should be pitching dominant. Two time NL Cy Young award winner Max Scherzer leads the way with Stephen Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez complimenting him. With the addition of Sean Doolittle the pitching looks strong. That potent offense led by Bryce Harper ( my pick for 2018 NL MVP) along with Anthony Rendon, Daniel Murphy, and Michael A. Taylor should provide enough offense to compete for a World Series title.
3. New York Yankees
I’m not going to go into much detail about the 2018 Yankees but we all know about that marquee trade which landed the Yankees Giancarlo Stanton from the Florida Marlins. Gabby Sanchez and Didi Gregorious should provide enough offense for the Yankees to be competitive. Luis Severino, C.C. Sabathia along with Sonny Gray should keep the Yankees in the game. If the Yankees have the lead in the ninth we all know it’s lights out with Aroldis Chapman. I know this pick is a reach but my gut says watch out for the Yankees.
4. Milwaukee Brewers.
That’s right you read it correctly the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers also made a trade with the Marlins that most people overlooked when they acquired Christian Yelich. The Brewers also signed free agent Lorenzo Cain from the Kansas City Royals. Along with the slugging third baseman Ryan Braun if the Brewers can stay healthy look for them to compete for the NL Central and one of the two wild card spots in the National League.
5. Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers came out of the gate strong and basically slumped towards the all star break then had a strong run at the end of the season. The Dodgers offense will be strong with Cody Bellinger, Yasiel Puig and Enrique Hernandez just to name a few. My question is can Clayton Kershaw get over the hump and have a dominant postseason and get the Dodgers back to the World Series. With Jansen lights out on the ninth barring injuries that offense should help the dodgers win enough games to be competitive and compete for a World Championship.
