MLB Power Poll: The way it is now — early surprises shape the rankings
Article By rfagan.tsn on 12th April, 2010
Ralph Kiner was on the phone a few weeks ago, telling stories about his contract negotiations with then-Pirates general manager Branch Rickey. The Hall of Fame outfielder pointed out that he was forced to take a pay cut because his team had finished in last place in 1952 — despite the fact that he led the National Leagues with 37 home runs.
Unthinkable now, right? "That's the way it was in those days," Kiner said.
These days — as in, the first week of the season — some pretty unthinkable things have transpired, too. The Blue Jays and A's are first-place teams. Alex Gonzalez entered the week tied for the major league lead in home runs. Martin Prado and Edgar Renteria entered the week ranked 1-2 in the majors with .542 and .524 batting averages, respectively.
That's the way it is these days.
Which is why this first power poll of the season won't resemble the one we see when September rolls around. This poll is mostly concerned with a team's production so far this year, with preseason expectations used to split hairs.
1. Phillies. Two starts, two wins, two walks, 16 innings, 17 strikeouts. So much for the thought that there might be an adjustment period as Roy Halladay joins the National League. The 0.56 ERA and 0.938 WHIP are shiny, too.
2. Giants. In the least shocking start to the season, back-to-back Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum is 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA in his first two games. In a more surprising development, the revamped San Francisco offense averaged 5.2 runs in the first six games. The Giants averaged 4.1 runs all of last year.
Alex Gonzalez comes out swinging and helps the Jays get off to a surprising start. 3. Blue Jays. There were so many bright spots in the opening week — Gonzalez and his homers, Vernon Wells and his homers, Shaun Marcum's return to the rotation, the outstanding starts by...
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Unthinkable now, right? "That's the way it was in those days," Kiner said.
These days — as in, the first week of the season — some pretty unthinkable things have transpired, too. The Blue Jays and A's are first-place teams. Alex Gonzalez entered the week tied for the major league lead in home runs. Martin Prado and Edgar Renteria entered the week ranked 1-2 in the majors with .542 and .524 batting averages, respectively.
That's the way it is these days.
Which is why this first power poll of the season won't resemble the one we see when September rolls around. This poll is mostly concerned with a team's production so far this year, with preseason expectations used to split hairs.
1. Phillies. Two starts, two wins, two walks, 16 innings, 17 strikeouts. So much for the thought that there might be an adjustment period as Roy Halladay joins the National League. The 0.56 ERA and 0.938 WHIP are shiny, too.
2. Giants. In the least shocking start to the season, back-to-back Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum is 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA in his first two games. In a more surprising development, the revamped San Francisco offense averaged 5.2 runs in the first six games. The Giants averaged 4.1 runs all of last year.
Alex Gonzalez comes out swinging and helps the Jays get off to a surprising start. 3. Blue Jays. There were so many bright spots in the opening week — Gonzalez and his homers, Vernon Wells and his homers, Shaun Marcum's return to the rotation, the outstanding starts by...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for MLB
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