MLB Power Rankings: Opening Day

MCB’s MLB Power Rankings: 10-6

Mar 26, 2014; Clearwater, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher

(35) warms up for the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in a spring training exhibition game at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit:

-USA TODAY Sports

10. Oakland Athletics

I think many were set to pick the A’s to win the AL West, but losing Jarrod Parker to Tommy John Surgery is a huge blow for that rotation. Rotation injury issues aside, their bullpen looks like one of the best in baseball, and their offense is going to platoon their way to success. Oakland remains a strong playoff contender and could still end up winning the division.

9. Texas Rangers

The AL West really looks too close to call at the moment (I guess that’s why they’re going to go ahead and play the season). Adding Shin-Soo Choo and swapping out Ian Kinsler for Prince Fielder should kick the offense up a notch, but there exists nothing but unknowns behind Yu Darvish in the starting rotation.

8. Los Angeles Angels

The Angels already have the best player in all of baseball in Mike Trout, but bounce-back seasons from Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton could propel them all the way to the top of the league in offense and to the top of the (injury-riddled) American League West in the standings. They have questions in that rotation, but so does everyone else in that division.

7. San Francisco Giants

Even after a disappointing sub-.500 season in 2013, the Giants still appear to be a solidly built club. They return many of the parts that won the World Series two seasons ago and should be strong competitors for an NL Wild Card spot, if not the division crown.

6. Detroit Tigers

The Tigers have been hurt by injuries this offseason — losing Andy Dirks for a few months to back surgery and Jose Iglesias and Bruce Rondon for the season due to leg fractures and Tommy John surgery respectively — but they still have what looks like the best starting rotation in baseball and also the best hitter in the game (Miguel Cabrera, that is). Detroit has never won four-straight division titles, but they have a chance to do that this season.