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Detroit Tigers Rank at the Top in Divisional Power Rankings After First Week

By Ben Rosener

Apr 10, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers catcher James McCann (34) receives congratulations from left fielder Justin Upton (8) after he hits a two run home run in the fifth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers catcher James McCann (34) receives congratulations from left fielder Justin Upton (8) after he hits a two run home run in the fifth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 9, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks base runner Jake Lamb celebrates after scoring a run in the fourth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks base runner Jake Lamb celebrates after scoring a run in the fourth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

#3 Cleveland
Record: 3-3
Run Differential: -7
Who They’ve Beat: Texas Rangers (Three-Game Sweep)
Who Beat Them: Arizona Diamondbacks (Three-Game Sweep)

On one hand, Cleveland did well to open the season with a sweep of the Rangers in Texas.

On the other hand, the defending American League were shellacked by the Arizona Diamondbacks in two of the three games in the desert.

Arizona is by no means a bad team, but Cleveland should be taking care of business against the National League West squad—especially considering Terry Francona’s team added Edwin Encarnacion in the offseason.

The Diamondbacks won the first two games against Cleveland by a combined score of 19-5.

MVP So Far: Francisco Lindor

One of baseball’s brightest young talents, Lindor has done nothing but hit since making his Major League debut in 2015.

Since that season, the 23-year-old finished second in the Rookie of the year voting, while placing ninth in the MVP race last season.

Lindor also snagged All-Star and Gold Glove honors for Cleveland in 2016. Overall, he’s hit .306 with a .816 OPS in the Majors.

This season, the shortstop his hitting .292 with a 1.065 OPS, seven RBI, five runs scored, three home runs, three walks, a double and a stolen base.

LVP So Far: Corey Kluber

This will obviously change as the season progresses, but Kluber hasn’t gotten off to the best start this season.

In a pair of starts, the pitcher has tossed 12 innings, allowing 12 hits, eight runs, four home runs and four walks.

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