MLB Power Rankings 2015: Week 3 Detroit Tigers No. 1

Apr 19, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Fans watch the New York Mets and Miami Marlins baseball game at Citi Field. The New York Mets won 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Week two of the baseball season is in the books.

Although other websites began their weekly power rankings two weeks ago, Motor City Bengals wanted to wait to get a little larger sample size before releasing ours. There is a long, long, long way to go in the season, but at least we have a little to go on now.

Every team has played at least 10 games, so let the debate begin.

MCB would like readers to know that these power rankings are based on just one opinion, and the difference of opinion between readers and fans is what makes the power rankings so fun to discuss. For our list, we took into account record, strength of schedule, run differential and other human element subject matter such as injuries.

More from Motor City Bengals

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• Detroit Tigers: Joe Jiménez has rebounded in 2022
• Detroit Tigers: Is it finally time to move the fences in at Comerica Park?

That means just because a team is on 8-2 hot streak, they don’t automatically jump to the highest spots. It’s like my high school coach always used to say, “A team is never as good as its best win, and it’s never as bad as it’s worse loss.”

Lastly, readers should know, the rankings are serious, but the comments for each team are not. There are so many baseball articles analyzing the most small details on the web, we wanted to start out the week with a little fun.

Here are MCB’s MLB Power Rankings heading into the third week of the 2015 baseball season.

Apr 17, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman

(6) lays on the ground prior to the game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

30. Philadelphia Phillies (4-9)

When does Ryan Howard’s contract expire again?

Apr 19, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher

(54) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eighth inning at PNC Park. The Pirates won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

28. Milwaukee Brewers (2-10)

Not enough a nice beer could solve the problems in Milwaukee right now.

Apr 19, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher

(30) walks back to the dugout after the eighth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Seattle defeated Texas, 11-10. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

27. Texas Rangers (5-8)

Do you think the fan base misses Nelson Cruz?

Mar 13, 2015; Bradenton, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher

(54) pitches during the second inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

26. Minnesota Twins (5-7)

Ervin Santana lost $6.75 million due to his PED suspension, but unfortunately, taking the drugs was probably still worth it for the pitcher, who the Twins still owe $48.25 million over the next four years.

Apr 16, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher

(25) throws a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the sixth inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

25. Arizona Diamondbacks (7-6)

How about these two matchups to start a career. Arizona pitcher Archie Bradley is the first pitcher to face the reigning league MVP, Clayton Kershaw, and the reigning World Series MVP, Madison Bumgarner, in his first two career starts.

And he’s 1-0!

Sep 23, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Tampa Bay Rays manager

(70) talks to the media before a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

24. Tampa Bay Rays (6-7)

Honestly, it’s pretty weird not seeing Joe Maddon in a Rays uniform.

Apr 19, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros second baseman

(27) fields a ground ball during the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

23. Houston Astros (6-6)

Whoa, the Astros are in first place?

Apr 10, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies left fielder

(5) and shortstop

(2) celebrate the win over the Chicago Cubs at Coors Field. The Rockies defeated the Cubs 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

22. Colorado Rockies (7-5)

Since when are the Rockies a good road team? They are 6-3 away from Coors Field to begin the year.

Apr 19, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter

(13) reacts after he hit a pop out during the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

21. New York Yankees (6-6)

Do I dare say, the Yankees’ playoff hopes rest on the shoulders of Alex Rodriguez.

Apr 19, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants relief pitcher

(70) throws the ball to first base against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

20. San Francisco Giants (4-10)

What did you expect? It’s an odd-numbered year.

Apr 19, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman

(79) hits a RBI triple in the sixth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

19. Chicago White Sox (4-7)

The White Sox would have liked to have saved some of those runs on Saturday for Sunday’s game.

Apr 17, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher

(47) throws to a St. Louis Cardinals batter during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

18. Cincinnati Reds (5-7)

Too bad Johnny Cueto can’t pitch everyday.

Apr 19, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oakland Athletics manager

(left) looks on with players

(15) and

(22), after Lawrie was thrown at by the Kansas City Royals during the eighth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

17. Oakland Athletics (6-7)

How does Billy Bean do it? A completely revamped roster, and Oakland is still relevant in the AL West.

Apr 17, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays second baseman

(29) hits a solo home run in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at the Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

16. Toronto Blue Jays (6-7)

Ok, let’s see. This team added free agents Josh Donaldson and Russell Martin, already had Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Reyes and called up rookie Dalton Pompey before the season began.

So naturally, second baseman Devon Travis leads the team in batting average, hits, home runs, RBI and on-base percentage.

Apr 19, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher

(22) hands the ball to Boston Red Sox manager

(53) after being removed from the game during the sixth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

15. Boston Red Sox (7-5)

Is Rick Porcello’s 6.63 ERA really worth $20 million per year?

Apr 11, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians catcher

(10) lays on the field after he was injured on a play at the plate in the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

14. Cleveland Indians (4-7)

So are the Indians falling victim to the Sports Illustrated curse?

Apr 13, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher

(34) in the first inning during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports

13. Chicago Cubs (6-5)

The latest report has the Chicago Cubs hiring ex-Indians catcher Rube Baker from Major League II to help Jon Lester with his throwing to bases problem.

Apr 19, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher

(39) celebrates the win with catcher

(27) at the end of a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The Atlanta Braves won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

12. Atlanta Braves (8-4)

Raise your hand if you saw the Braves sprinting out to an 8-4 record.

Oct 3, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels left fielder

(32) reacts after grounding into a double play against the Kansas City Royals in the 10th inning in game two of the 2014 ALDS playoff baseball game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

11. Los Angeles Angels (5-7)

Luckily for the Angels, this list doesn’t take into account how teams handle their injured, underproducing stars. Otherwise, they’d be last.

Apr 17, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher

(31) pitches during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

10. Baltimore Orioles (7-5)

Congratulations, Ubaldo Jimenez. You lost a no-hit bid in the weirdest possible way.

Apr 19, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder

(6) and center fielder

(22) and right fielder

(25) celebrate after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park. The Pirates won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

9. Pittsburgh Pirates (6-6)

Could the Penguins borrow a little bit of offense in their playoff series versus the Rangers?

Apr 18, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman

(11) is congratulated for scoring the tying run during the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

8. San Diego Padres (8-5)

Don’t worry people of San Diego. The Clippers left, the Chargers are trying to leave, but you will always have the Padres. And the movie Anchorman.

Apr 19, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners right fielder Nelson Cruz (center) celebrates with left fielder

(left) and

(right) after hitting a three run home run against the Texas Rangers during the third inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

7. Seattle Mariners (5-7)

I would say the Nelson Cruz signing is working out ok.

Apr 17, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher

(40) pitches against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

6. New York Mets (10-3)

Bartolo Colon continues to deft age and his weight. The 41-year-old, 283-pound pitcher is 3-0 with a 2.25 ERA.

Apr 19, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder

(34) and center fielder

(2) celebrate after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit:

-USA TODAY Sports

5. Washington Nationals (6-7)

Aaron Rodgers has five letters for Nationals fans: R-E-L-A-X

Apr 19, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals first basemen

(35) fields a ground ball against the Oakland Athletics during the ninth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

4. Kansas City Royals (9-3)

This ranking may be a little high, but the defending AL Champions deserve some respect.

April 19, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder

(33), left fielder

(31) and left fielder

(16) celebrate the 7-0 victory against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

3. Los Angeles Dodgers (9-3)

Scott Van Slyke is hitting .455 with four extra-base hits and five RBI in 11 at-bats, and he is this team’s fifth outfielder. And that’s after letting go of Matt Kemp in the offseason.

Apr 19, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher

(50) throws to a Cincinnati Reds batter during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

2. St. Louis Cardinals (8-3)

Until someone other than the Giants knock the Cardinals off their perch, this is the team to beat in the National League.

Apr 12, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Detroit Tigers shortstop

(1) throws out Cleveland Indians left fielder

(40) in the seventh inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

1. Detroit Tigers (10-2)

After yielding five goals in Game 2 versus the Lightning, the Red Wings need some defensive tips from the Tigers.

Next: Do not panic about Sanchez