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

#1 Detroit Tigers
Record: 4-2
Run Differential: -3
Who They’ve Beat: Chicago White Sox (Once) and the Boston Red Sox (Three Times)
Who Beat Them: Chicago White Sox (once) and the Boston Red Sox (Once)

Normally a team with Detroit’s record and run differential would rank below Minnesota considering the Twins entered Tuesday with a better record by a game, and a superior run differential.

However, Detroit’s negative run differential is largely due to the aforementioned blowout in Chicago during the second game of the season.

What’s more, Brad Ausmus’ team has beat superior competition.

Outside of that, the Tigers could very easily be 5-1.

Even with the team’s bullpen blowing a lead against the Red Sox in an eventual loss, Detroit won the other three games in the series.

MVP So Far: Ian Kinsler

Detroit’s starting pitching has by and large been superb to start the campaign.

However, Ian Kinsler has made just as much of an impact on offense.

The standout second baseman entered Tuesday with a .368 batting average, a .520 on-base percentage, a .737 slugging percentage and a 1.257 OPS.

He’s also crushed a pair of home runs and a double while driving in five runs.

What is perhaps most encouraging about Kinsler’s start to the season is that he’s registered just as many walks (five) as strikeouts (five).

LVP So Far: Bruce Rondon

Bruce Rondon is going to be an integral part of the Detroit Tigers franchise moving forward.

The right-hander can miss bats with both his blazing fastball and a nasty slider. He was excellent down the stretch for Detroit last season, but didn’t see that success carry over in 2017.

In three outings, Rondon was tagged for six runs, four hits and three walks in 1.1 innings. The 26-year-old only struck out one.

Detroit sent Rondon to Triple-A, replacing him with Joe Jimenez.

Next: Speaking of Joe Jimenez, Here's How He Could Make an Impact for the Tigers

The flame-throwing right-hander will be back.