After the first full week in the MLB, we have plenty of interesting storylines across the league. For the most part, the league has started the way it ended last season. Still, not many expected teams like the Rockies, Pirates and Athletics to be at or over .500, even this early. With so much movement seen since the preseason rankings, here are your updated MLB power rankings.
2022 MLB Week 2 Power Rankings
1) Los Angeles Dodgers (7-2) (Previous: 1)
The Los Angeles Dodgers have the best run differential in the MLB, at +27, and that will likely be how it is the entire year. After dropping two of three in a surprising series loss to the Rockies, the Dodgers rattled off six straight wins over the Twins and Braves. They have given up more than three runs just once and with their offense, that’ll be plenty to win the World Series if this continues. It’s clear they are the top team in the MLB power rankings.
2) San Francisco Giants (7-2) (8)
In my preseason MLB power rankings, I had the Giants higher than the vast majority did. For whatever reason, even with some flaws on paper, this team just clicks. Even with plenty of players coming in and out this offseason, the Giants just keep winning. Outside of the five runs they gave up in their first game against the Marlins, the Giants have limited their opponents (Marlins, Padres and Guardians) to two runs or less in their last eight games.
3) New York Mets (7-3) (13)
The Mets have found success early this season, but only time will tell if it’s real or simply a product of poor opposition. They’ve played Arizona, Washington and Philadelphia. While the Phillies have the star power to be a force in the NL East, they’re 4-6 right now. Only time will tell if the Mets are true contenders, but for now they are passing all tests given to them.
4) Chicago White Sox (6-3) (7)
The White Sox may be 20th in the MLB currently in runs scored but they have made it a habit to win close games. The White Sox will again be a tough team to read this year as they often are division winners as a product of a weak division. Can the White Sox finally make that next step and win in the playoffs? Continuing the success seen early on will be imperative to gaining respect around the league as legitimate contenders.
5) St. Louis Cardinals (5-3) (14)
The Cardinals were the second pick coming into the season to win the NL Central. Although it’s early, St. Louis has only allowed more runs than the Giants, Dodgers and Mets. That’s pretty good company to be in even if they’re only eight games into the season. Although they will have to be disappointed to only split their four-game series with a Brewers team that is seriously struggling on offense, they have still taken care of business so far and need to be taken seriously this year.
6) Boston Red Sox (5-4) (10)
After having their first game postponed, the Red Sox lost two of three to their biggest rival in the Yankees. They’ve rebounded since, winning four of six since then against the Twins and Tigers. If outfielder Alex Verdugo can continue to be a serious threat at the plate, this Boston team will become even scarier than the squad that came so close from the World Series last year.
7) Toronto Blue Jays (6-4) (3)
Toronto’s offensive firepower is top two in the league without a doubt. Unfortunately, their pitching is a major point of concern, as seen in them giving up eight or more runs in two of three games to the Rangers. While it’s still very early in the season, the pitching was the question mark coming into the season and right now the problem doesn’t look to be solved.
8) Colorado Rockies (6-3) (25)
I don’t know how, but for some reason the Rockies’ method of trading every good player away and signing one large free agent has worked so far. We saw the same thing from the Royals early last year, but this feels a little different, as they’ve done it against solid competition. Colorado plays in a gauntlet of a division but, if they can continue to take care of business against teams like the Cubs and Dodgers, they’ll have a real shot at the postseason.
9) Houston Astros (5-4) (4)
The Houston Astros got off to a fantastic start by winning four of their first five games against the Angels and Diamondbacks. Unfortunately, they hit a bit of a rut, as they have since lost three of their last four with three of those games coming against the Mariners. Houston has scored more than two runs just once in the past five games. While that isn’t anything of concern yet, it will be something to monitor in the following weeks for our MLB power rankings.
10) Los Angeles Angels (6-4) (17)
After their four-game series with the Astros to open the season, it looked as if 2022 would go the same way it’s gone in Anaheim for the past decade. Since then, the Angels have hit their stride by winning five of their last six. Although those games have come against the Rangers and the Marlins, beating the inferior competition is something they’ve struggled with for quite some time. If they can continue to find success against lesser teams, they may just finally make a legitimate playoff push.
